The Maximus Formula Thread - Help/OCing/Guide/Rampage conversion

[ShawnTRD]

What BIOS you using?
If you run at stock setting exept for the RAM Voltage (you should always set it) will it still blue screen? Try testing your RAM with Memtest86. If it fails pull on stick out and try it. Then try the other stick. Only one should be bad. If both are bad see if someone else can test them in there system. And/Or try different slots.

Memtest86
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

[ShArKo]

I already try the memtest86 and I get 0 errors....

My actual bios is 1320 and I change some settings, no all. Some I let it on AUTO!!!!

[ShawnTRD]

Try changing "FSB Strap to North Bridge : AUTO" to 333 or 400, and set your DRAM Frequency to no higher then 1066.

[19*12 gamer]

@ShArKo;
My E8400 E0 needed almost no changing settings for 400FSB on my maximus Formula, but I did flash it to Rampage formula using XS forum. (It has a bad vid and I got it to 533FSB stable with latest rampage bios)

I would suggest setting your ram to spec and note that the maximus overvolts most ram by 0.8 volts, so check the reads in hardware monitor in the bios to set them correctly.

The gtl settings werent needed untill 450-480 fsb, so I suggest you leave them auto for this small oc.

GTLS-> both auto (cpu shouldnt need tuning till higher fsb)
NB -> try to 1.49
Ram -> set to spec (say spec is 1000mhz 5-5-5-15@2.1v, you set 1000mhz 2.02v ; reads +-2.096v, this will be 5:6 if im not mistaking)
FSBT: auto (wasnt needed tuning on my rig till much higher fsb)

Maybe it helps, at least the rampage bios gives much more stability.

What would you like to get as result? Im asking because I remember that whatever was needed to tune 425FSB, my lessons didnt help getting 500FSB stable as I kept running into different, more complex problems then the ones I had when getting 425FSB stable...

[ShawnTRD]

I already try the memtest86 and I get 0 errors....

My actual bios is 1320 and I change some settings, no all. Some I let it on AUTO!!!!

Try changing "FSB Strap to North Bridge : AUTO" to 333 or 400, and set your DRAM Frequency to no higher then 1066.

Any luck?

[ShArKo]

Try changing "FSB Strap to North Bridge : AUTO" to 333 or 400, and set your DRAM Frequency to no higher then 1066.

Well I change the FSB Strap to 400Mhz and just for now it´s working....

@ShArKo;
My E8400 E0 needed almost no changing settings for 400FSB on my maximus Formula, but I did flash it to Rampage formula using XS forum. (It has a bad vid and I got it to 533FSB stable with latest rampage bios)
Mi VID is 1.2250 is it bad?

I would suggest setting your ram to spec and note that the maximus overvolts most ram by 0.8 volts, so check the reads in hardware monitor in the bios to set them correctly.
Well right now I set 2.10 Vdimm but I set the DDR Reference to:

DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF

The gtl settings werent needed untill 450-480 fsb, so I suggest you leave them auto for this small oc.
Ok I will change that

GTLS-> both auto (cpu shouldnt need tuning till higher fsb)
NB -> try to 1.49
Ram -> set to spec (say spec is 1000mhz 5-5-5-15@2.1v, you set 1000mhz 2.02v ; reads +-2.096v, this will be 5:6 if im not mistaking)
FSBT: auto (wasnt needed tuning on my rig till much higher fsb)

Maybe it helps, at least the rampage bios gives much more stability.

So, you say that can be better if I do the mod to Rampage?

What would you like to get as result? Im asking because I remember that whatever was needed to tune 425FSB, my lessons didnt help getting 500FSB stable as I kept running into different, more complex problems then the ones I had when getting 425FSB stable...

Well What I want is 450MHZ or 500MHZ

Any luck?

I let you know later :p



Thanks for all the help you guys!!!! Right now Im at work, so well I come back home I will try this thinks!

[19*12 gamer]

Your vid aint to bad, my vid was 1.26v and it needed about 1.325v for 4Ghz. (and 1.48v load, 1.50v bios for 4.55Ghz)

Yes, the rampage bios gives more oc headroom.
(read the maximus to rampage thread for more info about this, you can read all my oc questions and answers there)
Real easy, just get the files they say you need and boot from usb flash drive and flash mobo to new bios. (reset bios before doing this and disconnect non needed usb hardware attached to the pc)

I think if your cooling is up for it, you can get 500Mhz stable, would be a nice 1:1 oc. Try to get 500fsb to boot windows, even if it crashed during boot you still have a starting point. My best experience is to start off with a fsb you like to get stable and work your way through all the settings. Main reason for this is that you can immediatly note the effects of changing certain settings to higher values and are able to make sure you are changing the (most)relevant settings.

In my experience most important values for stability;
CPU Voltage : 1.31250 (you will need more for 500fsb, i guess +-1.4-1.45)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.52 (should be good, since the maximus makes that a 1.6)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.41 (will need to be higer for 500fsb, guess; 1.49-1.59)
DRAM Voltage : 2.08 (check spec)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.32 (will need to be higher for 500fsb, guess;1.38-1.44)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050 (had no impact for me on any oc ever on raid 0)
Loadline Calibration : ENABLE (had to be enabled for me as well)
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63X (this was the best setting for me but try all options)
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X (this was the best setting for me but try all options)
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO (never had to touch this setting)
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO (never had to touch this setting)
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : AUTO (never had to touch this setting)
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50 (had no impact for me on any oc ever on raid 0)

Maybe this gives you a windows boot 500FSB, Im kinda curious to read whats needed for 500fsb on your chip. Good luck!

[loften]

my e8500 ended up needing 1.49 cpu voltage and 1.40 fsbt voltage for 475 x 9.5 on the mf 1302 bios.. it would not boot 500x anything on that bios.. it started out needing 1.475 in bios then after a while i had to up it a little because it started to not be stable.. maybe it degraded a little or the ram was starting to crap out because a little after that i lost 2 sticks.. after i installed the water cooling i forgot to put a fan over the ram. i had one over my nb and ram before to keep them cool so i kind of blew it.. anyway i recently did the rampage bios conversion again for the heck of it.. it is at 4.0 cpu 1.30 bios and fsbt a little lower, no problems until i get some new ram to play with. i would like to get a e8600 to go along with the ram.. then i will start to post more on it..

[mrbudgie]

gamer you got you bios settings for hitting 4, as i am at 3.6 but its hit a wall in stability

[ShArKo]

19*12 gamer Thank you very much. I flash my BIOS to Rampage Formula BIOS so I will try to get a better OC than before. I hope this works... jejeje
I will star with FSB 400mhz and 1:1. I think with 1.3v Vcore It will be more than fine to get 3.6Ghz....

[ShArKo]

Well guys.......bad news......at least for me...
I flash my Maximus Formula to Rampage Formula but I got the fu$#"$#" same problemas as before. What Im doing wrong? Theres another setting that never see before (timming setting)... Can anybody help me to configure my bios ??? I will show you people how I configured the bios and you can tell me what Im doing wrong!!!!

THanks.

[Mr.Pink]

what is your problem?, your sig shows a e8400 running at 475 FSB
what are you trying to achieve?
I have clocked 6 chips on this board all did 500FSB or better

[OVERK|LL]

I've got a new problem.

Got my system stable a few months ago at 3.6Ghz with my GeForce 8800GTS. Will run 3DMark, passes prime....etc.

Today, I swapped out my video card for an ASUS Radeon 3870 X2 1GB. When I run 3DMark 2006, it gets to the dragon boat scene, gets 3/4 of the way through it and then a black screen.

If I play COD5, I can play it for 10 minutes or so, then I get a screen of vertical aqua and red lines.

Both situations require a hard reboot.

I have tried bumping FSB voltage. FSB term voltage, CPU PLL voltage....etc. Each individually of course. And none of my adjustments seem to be able to get me past this exact point in 3DMark.

I am running 450x8 using the 400 strap. The rest of my settings are the same as they were before (already posted in this thread).

Help?

[Furiøùs]

Put everything to stock, run 3Dmark and play 20min of CoD.

If it crashes, you have a faulty GPU, if not, then the new card is stressing your NB out more which is perfectly acceptable, I had the same problem from 1 GTX280 to a GTX295.

Small voltage increase to the NB fixed it for me.

[OVERK|LL]

Put everything to stock, run 3Dmark and play 20min of CoD.

If it crashes, you have a faulty GPU, if not, then the new card is stressing your NB out more which is perfectly acceptable, I had the same problem from 1 GTX280 to a GTX295.

Small voltage increase to the NB fixed it for me.

Was hoping you weren't going to suggest that! DARG!

Just bugs me that it worked fine with the 8800, but I understand that this card does draw more juice, and likely moves more data through the NB.

I will try it and post back.

FWIW, I bumped up the NB voltage to 1.65 (it is at 1.51 right now) and it didn't help.

[OVERK|LL]

Tried stock-clocks, didn't fix it

I am trying the drivers from ASUS for the card now instead of the ATI reference drivers.

I will update with the results.

[OVERK|LL]

ASUS drivers made no difference. I'm assuming the card is FUBAR. RMA time.

[iTravis]

Wow I'm surprised this thread still going, but it's time to say goodbye to my beloved Maximus Formula for the new X58. Couldn't be happier when I got my Q6600 running at 3.6Ghz, I can boot at 3.8Ghz but it's not stable. This board is totally worth every penny when I decided to get it when it first came out.

[ShArKo]

what is your problem?, your sig shows a e8400 running at 475 FSB
what are you trying to achieve?
I have clocked 6 chips on this board all did 500FSB or better

Yes I know, but this is a old signature

Maybe I shoud edit it

[loften]

overkill i had issues with my power supply and hd3870 cards.. i had a ultra x3 1000,, full new build on everything my cards crashed no matter what i tried, every possible fix or trick i could google up and a few different 3870 bios and i even installed my brothers 8800 and it ran fine, put my 3870 back in and crash.. one two either or and both cards it was strange.. eventually swaped out my psu to a corsair tx850 and it worked fine after that.. not saying that is your problem but if you have a extra psu you might want to try it before you pull all your hair out.. also check to see if your psu is certified to run on that card.. yada yada i know a psu is a psu,, i thought i had plenty power to power my cards with the x3 1k, that is why i bought it but i had issues..since then that x3 went in a few different builds for testing and ran fine with different cards just not my 3870's..

[OVERK|LL]

overkill i had issues with my power supply and hd3870 cards.. i had a ultra x3 1000,, full new build on everything my cards crashed no matter what i tried, every possible fix or trick i could google up and a few different 3870 bios and i even installed my brothers 8800 and it ran fine, put my 3870 back in and crash.. one two either or and both cards it was strange.. eventually swaped out my psu to a corsair tx850 and it worked fine after that.. not saying that is your problem but if you have a extra psu you might want to try it before you pull all your hair out.. also check to see if your psu is certified to run on that card.. yada yada i know a psu is a psu,, i thought i had plenty power to power my cards with the x3 1k, that is why i bought it but i had issues..since then that x3 went in a few different builds for testing and ran fine with different cards just not my 3870's..

That's some great advice!

What I DID try last night was wiring it up to its own PSU (only a 250W one) to see if that would make a difference. It didn't. Crashes at the EXACT SAME SPOT every time.

Quite bizarre really. I'm using the card right now, it works just fine until I start to tax it with gaming or run 3DMark. And even then, it WILL game for a good 10 minutes before having a stroke.

I don't have a spare PSU here. Current one is a Thermaltake ToughPower 680W one, I've never had issues with it, but I won't rule it out as a possibility for sure.

I was just going to RMA the card

[Mr.Pink]

Yes I know, but this is a old signature

Maybe I shoud edit it

might be a good idea I know its alot of effort but hey

That's some great advice!

What I DID try last night was wiring it up to its own PSU (only a 250W one) to see if that would make a difference. It didn't. Crashes at the EXACT SAME SPOT every time.

Quite bizarre really. I'm using the card right now, it works just fine until I start to tax it with gaming or run 3DMark. And even then, it WILL game for a good 10 minutes before having a stroke.

I don't have a spare PSU here. Current one is a Thermaltake ToughPower 680W one, I've never had issues with it, but I won't rule it out as a possibility for sure.

I was just going to RMA the card

Will the card crash at random or only when running 3d apps?
you might want to look at the temps as well ..... unless your PSU is dying it should be more than enough for that card.
I ran a 3870X2 on my Corsair 620 now I'm running a 4870X2 on the same PSU, are you using the dedicated 6 pin or the molex adapter?

Couple of things to try...PCIE frequency, try 101 to 105
up your SB volts a notch or 2

[ShArKo]

Well guys........Im runing my system at FSB 425Mhz, my rams 850Mhz (1:1) and my Vcore is 1.386 (Windows-CPU-Z) and in BIOS 1.4V.
The thing is that I can play games with no problem and run aplications, but wen I run a Prime95 or a Orthos strees I got a reboot.

[OVERK|LL]

might be a good idea I know its alot of effort but hey



Will the card crash at random or only when running 3d apps?
you might want to look at the temps as well ..... unless your PSU is dying it should be more than enough for that card.
I ran a 3870X2 on my Corsair 620 now I'm running a 4870X2 on the same PSU, are you using the dedicated 6 pin or the molex adapter?

Couple of things to try...PCIE frequency, try 101 to 105
up your SB volts a notch or 2

ONLY when running 3D apps. And it isn't instant. It takes a while.

I can't see temps being an issue, the side is off the case right now, and the card isn't getting hot.

The PSU has two dedicated 6-pin connectors, and I have both of them hooked up to it.

[Mr.Pink]

Well guys........Im runing my system at FSB 425Mhz, my rams 850Mhz (1:1) and my Vcore is 1.386 (Windows-CPU-Z) and in BIOS 1.4V.
The thing is that I can play games with no problem and run aplications, but wen I run a Prime95 or a Orthos strees I got a reboot.

you've tested the ram ( each stick separately ) with memtest and it passed?

Can you post your current bios setup or paste the link if you've already done so?

I have 6 E8400 setups from 3.825GHz all the way to 4.5GHz
Have 4.4GHz stable but 4.5 I could bench just not get her 24/7 stable
If you have a decent chip you can get 3.8/4.0GHz maybe more with decent cooling..