ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?

[seban]

Why you have performance level set to 12? You should be able to go 8 without a problem.

Also I would try adjusting NB GTL and / or CPU and NB clock skew.

You should easily see the difference between settings and stability and those might fix your problems.

[64dragon]

i'll worry about the performance level when i'm done OCing. how do i know when i need more PLL? i upped that a notch when i was in bios getting those settings and upon boot it ran WCG for a little over an hr fine, just shut it down to modify something on my case (on the laptop now).

[In-Fluence]

Bios 1802? Bleurgh! Use 1307 or 1901 to rule out some of the issues others have had with the not-so good bios. 1307 has worked best for me. I found that an increase in PLL was needed to get me stable but haven't found the need to go beyon 1.55v (yet) - normally for 450+ FSB speeds imo, but I would say it's worth trying a little more to see if that helps. Pll voltage is pretty harmless until you go beyond the 1.6v mark.

This portion of your settings might need a little adjustment:
Write to Write Delay (D): 7

Write to PRE Delay: 14
Read to PRE Delay: 5
PRE to PRE Delay: 1
All PRE to ACT Delay: 6
All PRE to REF Delay: 6
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister: Moderate

Sorry, had to dash off mid-post - your settings do actually look pretty relaexed considering, so the above settings probably wouldn't help a great deal, but I found the Mem OC charger setting to help me, even at lower speeds. CPU & NB skews are definitely the ones to look out for. Bigger gaps between the CPU & NB Skew seemed to offer me loads more stability, particularly at FSB higher than 360. I use normal/400, but it's probably a lot different for your 45nm.

[Mr.Pink]

i did one pass last night and it was fine (i know i should do more), i've been running this ram in this board since October and the ram has never even hit the rated 1066. while i was at work today i ran 8hr of OCCT large just fine

Processor: Q9505
BIOS revision: 1802
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.0
FSB Frequency: 450
CPU Clock Skew: Normal
NB Clock Skew: Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1081MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 15 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay: 3
Row Refresh Recycle Time: 55 DRAM Clocks
Write Recovery Time: 6
Read to Precharge Time: 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D): 8
Write to Read Delay (S): 3
Write to Read Delay (D): 5
Read to Read Delay (S): 4
Read to Read Delay (D): 6
Write to Write Delay (S): 4
Write to Write Delay (D): 6

Write to PRE Delay: 14
Read to PRE Delay: 5
PRE to PRE Delay: 1
All PRE to ACT Delay: 5
All PRE to REF Delay: 5
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
DRAM Read Training: Enabled
MEM. OC Charger: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister: Stronger
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 8
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
...
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
...

PCIE Frequency: 101

CPU Voltage: 1.30625
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.5265
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.3385
DRAM Voltage: 2.118
North Bridge Voltage: 1.39150
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.51325
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.11325

CPU GTL Reference (0): auto
CPU GTL Reference (1): auto
CPU GTL Reference (2): auto
CPU GTL Reference (3): auto
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.0
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Suggestios are in bold for a 3.6GHz clock with decent bandwidth, some volts will have to be adjusted and GTL's will be the key to stability on this board.... Just noticed your run LLC disabled try to enable it and retest you might be surprised on the reults

This is my Q9550 setup

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8.5
FSB Frequency : 450
CPU Clock Skew : Normal
North Bridge Clock Skew : Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1081
Dram Clock Skew CH1 A1 : Normal
DRAM Clock Skew CH1 A2 : Normal
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B1 : Normal
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B2 : Normal


DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 55
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6

Write to PRE Delay : 14
Read to PRE Delay : 5
PRE to PRE Delay : 1
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : 5
ALL PRE to REF Delay : 5

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Dram Read Training : Enabled
MEM OC Charger : Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [8]

Pull-In of CHA PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH5 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH5 Disabled

PCIE Frequency : 101

CPU Voltage : Whatever your CPU needs
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
FSBT : 1.33850
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
North Bridge Voltage : 1.39150
South Bridge Voltage 1.5 : 1.5
South Bridge Voltage 1.1 : 1.1

CPU GTL Reference 0 : +20mv
CPU GTL Reference 1 : +10mv
CPU GTL Reference 2 : +10mv
CPU GTL Reference 3 : +20mv
North Bridge GTL Reference : AUTO
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge DDR Reference : AUTO

Load Line Calabration : Enabled
CPU Sread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

[64dragon]

PLL at 1.55 didn't help, woke up to a BSOD saying something about a clock interupt on a seconday processor
a quick search brought this up but i can't see it at work, it's blocked http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...89#post3205789

i'll try your suggestions tonight and see what happens

[lha]

Hi!
I have this MIIF mobo and in my opinion its really great P45 mobo. It doesnt reach like 600-700 FSB but all below that are ok to me
I have now E8500 processor @ stock or sometimes @ 4Ghz and a palit GTX 295. So if i buy Q9650 will my "bottleneck" from graphic card disappear? I know the Q9550 is lot more cheaper but it has lower multi and i think that if i buy a Quad processor then i buy little better and expencive.

[In-Fluence]

64Dragon - Try finding your CPU & NB Skews, they're quite a lot easier than the GTLs. In most settings I've seen posted in this thread, the NB is normally delayed by 100-300ps more than the CPU (although mine prefers normal/400 which I haven't seen much). If you try setting the highest fsb that you can boot from and get a short period of prime blend before failing, then try setting CPU & NB skews to normal/normal, then normal/100, normal,200....100/100,100/200 etc, making note of stability times, one or two settings should stand out a lot more
Some won't boot at all or even post, others will give you 5-10 ins stability, and 1 or 2 may give you a lot more, perhaps even completey stabilise it! This is how it worked for me anyway. GTLs are a PITA to find though, but do help a lot once you've found a sweet spot.

Hi LHA, not sure about that - it makes no real difference on my 8600GTS with an E6600 or a Q6600, but that's a tad puny in comparison! It might depend on the game, but I rekon the bottleneck would only really start to show on SLI/Xfire setups. I'm sure someone else here could answer you better

[Mr.Pink]

64Dragon - Try finding your CPU & NB Skews, they're quite a lot easier than the GTLs. In most settings I've seen posted in this thread, the NB is normally delayed by 100-300ps more than the CPU (although mine prefers normal/400 which I haven't seen much). If you try setting the highest fsb that you can boot from and get a short period of prime blend before failing, then try setting CPU & NB skews to normal/normal, then normal/100, normal,200....100/100,100/200 etc, making note of stability times, one or two settings should stand out a lot more
Some won't boot at all or even post, others will give you 5-10 ins stability, and 1 or 2 may give you a lot more, perhaps even completey stabilise it! This is how it worked for me anyway. GTLs are a PITA to find though, but do help a lot once you've found a sweet spot.

Hi LHA, not sure about that - it makes no real difference on my 8600GTS with an E6600 or a Q6600, but that's a tad puny in comparison! It might depend on the game, but I rekon the bottleneck would only really start to show on SLI/Xfire setups. I'm sure someone else here could answer you better

His FSB should not require NB or CPU skews there benifical for higher FSB
GTL's are a simple math equation and will benifit him greatly, this boards key to stability is GTL's

[In-Fluence]

That's why I said it is what works for me, and I'm simply offering a suggestion for him. FYI, my system is not even stable for 10 mins at 400FSB and I can't even post at 450 without the skews being tuned. If I have the correct GTLs tuned and not the skews, I still can't get near 450FSB, so from my experience, the skews have a more profound effect than the GTLs, I'm not saying it's written in stone for every user! The GTL equation certainly isn't either!

[Mr.Pink]

That's why I said it is what works for me, and I'm simply offering a suggestion for him. FYI, my system is not even stable for 10 mins at 400FSB and I can't even post at 450 without the skews being tuned. If I have the correct GTLs tuned and not the skews, I still can't get near 450FSB, so from my experience, the skews have a more profound effect than the GTLs, I'm not saying it's written in stone for every user! The GTL equation certainly isn't either!

No need to get offended, my comment is based on almost a year of testing.... There was nothing personal intended
I have 2 MIIF boards skews have little impact untill I go above 480FSB

[64dragon]

Mr.Pink and In-Fluence, thank you both for you input thus far. last night i tried the setting below, changes in bold, and did seem to be more stable...until i was playing a video and got a BSOD but i was able to run WCG longer.

Processor: Q9505
BIOS revision: 1802
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.5
FSB Frequency: 412
CPU Clock Skew: Normal
NB Clock Skew: Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-990MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 18 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay: 3
Row Refresh Recycle Time: 55 DRAM Clocks
Write Recovery Time: 6
Read to Precharge Time: 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D): 8
Write to Read Delay (S): 3
Write to Read Delay (D): 5
Read to Read Delay (S): 4
Read to Read Delay (D): 6
Write to Write Delay (S): 4
Write to Write Delay (D): 6

Write to PRE Delay: 14
Read to PRE Delay: 5
PRE to PRE Delay: 1
All PRE to ACT Delay: 6
All PRE to REF Delay: 6
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
MEM. OC Charger: enabled
Ai Clock Twister: Moderate
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 12
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
...
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
...

PCIE Frequency: 101

CPU Voltage: 1.30625
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.5265
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.3385
DRAM Voltage: 2.118
North Bridge Voltage: 1.3517
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.51325
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.11325

CPU GTL Reference (0): auto
CPU GTL Reference (1): auto
CPU GTL Reference (2): auto
CPU GTL Reference (3): auto
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.5
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Disabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

After the BSOD, i went back in and tried -45mv GTL for 1 and 3, based on cstkl1's post http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=331 but that didn't help at all, so i then tried +50 cause that makes more sense to me, my core 3 is the one that always failed Orthos so it would need more not less. I really don't understand the GTL settings. Based off the settings posted by Pink, we should be running the same GTLs since we have the same VTT voltage

[humeyboy]

Something far wrong there.

400FSB is not much an OC (stock on some older 65nm Extremes).

I have 475FSB on less voltages than you and @ 1:1 which is harder on the NB.

GTL's should not even be needed for that FSB, but sure its best to set them to the what you Calc them to be.

You certainly should not need touch Skews.

[64dragon]

i know, that's why i'm so confused. i'm thinking that when i get home from work tonight, i'm gona set it to 8x438 cause that gives me the same OC I had on the Xeon chip, maybe there is just something that the board/cpu/ram doesn't like about 412FSB. Voltage wise, the 9505 is the same as i had on the Xeon and VTT and vNB are lower, for the Xeon i needed 1.38 according to my notes

edit: forgot to mention but, when i was testing for max FSB, i had issues with .5 multipliers, when i set 6.5, it came up on post at 6 and in OS in Everest and CPUz. so, maybe my current instability is cause i'm using 8.5

[In-Fluence]

Have you triend bumping up the SB1.5 a bit, I read a few page back that it solved their problems, and if it happened whilst playing a video......worth a shot I reckon

Peace Mr.Pink - no offence taken - I was pretty tired at that point and probably over reacted a little, no offence taken or intended

p.s. looked at project dark matter, looking nice! Will have to tart my case up a bit when I've finalised a setup, but the possibility of a rampage extreme is also lurking. Here's a pic of mine with the custom cooling I mentioned earlier - nothing special:



And btw, I'm womdering if everyone has these 'padded washers' either side of the NB? They seem a little thicker than the ones around the rest of the board and am wondering if Asus have attempted to resolve the poor contact issues they've had with the NB with this.

[Mr.Pink]

Mr.Pink and In-Fluence, thank you both for you input thus far. last night i tried the setting below, changes in bold, and did seem to be more stable...until i was playing a video and got a BSOD but i was able to run WCG longer.



After the BSOD, i went back in and tried -45mv GTL for 1 and 3, based on cstkl1's post http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=331 but that didn't help at all, so i then tried +50 cause that makes more sense to me, my core 3 is the one that always failed Orthos so it would need more not less. I really don't understand the GTL settings. Based off the settings posted by Pink, we should be running the same GTLs since we have the same VTT voltage

Just for the hell of it enabled Load Line Calibration and retest stability

[overclocking101]

I have this board and have hit ram clocks above 1200mhz on my ram therfore im guessing its the ram, it may be crap nb skew or not cant fix crap ram, but I may be wrong. Though with my crucial tracer REDS 2X2GB i got 1222mhz oc and they are rated stock at 800mhz

[Mr.Pink]

I have this board and have hit ram clocks above 1200mhz on my ram therfore im guessing its the ram, it may be crap nb skew or not cant fix crap ram, but I may be wrong. Though with my crucial tracer REDS 2X2GB i got 1222mhz oc and they are rated stock at 800mhz

My Dominators will do 1240MHz

[Marcio]

[overclocking101]

marcio what are you using to monitor your system temps/voltages?? is that everest or a seperate program?? also does anyone know what mofset waterblocks fit this board because my temp alarm on asus' pc probe keeps going off saying my power temp is at 50c or higher and I have the optional fan installed and another modded optional fan on the top mosfet heatsink so im just a bit confused

[Marcio]

everest, yes.

[eSp!s0]

Yes, its the Everest OSD.

[In-Fluence]

Just looking at your DDR1200 scores Marcio, and am wondering why my write and copy scores still seem to remain so slow (nice clock too btw). Copy is 1000MB/s off that score, and write is nearly 2000mb/s! I'm on PL7,Stronger, 5-5-5-15-45 at 450x8, and although I can probably tighten up the timings a little more and maybe lower the PL (still testing 7), I don't feel it would be enough to make that much difference, is this because of the difference between 45 & 65nm architecture?
p.s. I'm running the 400MHz strap - is this the cause? There's also 1200MHz available on the 266 strap, but couldn't post last time I tried.

Will request to place a work order for a Rampage extreme or a X48 equivalent today - any recommendations? Will hopefully get a Q9650 (or 9550) to match it too, and am looking at 3 sticks of DDR3 for which I'm open to suggestions too.

[Leeghoofd]

Are you using the exact same version of Everest In-Fluence ? There are sometimes "big" differences between different versions...

[Mr.Pink]

471FSB



467FSB ( ram timing not tweaked)



500FSB 4.0GHz



500FSB 4.5GHz

[CryptiK]

Just looking at your DDR1200 scores Marcio, and am wondering why my write and copy scores still seem to remain so slow (nice clock too btw). Copy is 1000MB/s off that score, and write is nearly 2000mb/s! I'm on PL7,Stronger, 5-5-5-15-45 at 450x8, and although I can probably tighten up the timings a little more and maybe lower the PL (still testing 7), I don't feel it would be enough to make that much difference, is this because of the difference between 45 & 65nm architecture?
p.s. I'm running the 400MHz strap - is this the cause? There's also 1200MHz available on the 266 strap, but couldn't post last time I tried.

Will request to place a work order for a Rampage extreme or a X48 equivalent today - any recommendations? Will hopefully get a Q9650 (or 9550) to match it too, and am looking at 3 sticks of DDR3 for which I'm open to suggestions too.

Although the board could probably handle PL6 at 450 FSB, it depends on the ram divider. The 266 strap will also require more voltage than the 333 so it might require a bump to post and a further increase to be stable.

I am running a Rampage Extreme currently, and I wouldn't advise you to pair it with a Q9650. From other guys results, you will probably struggle to get anything over ~475 FSB stable with the quad without using a lot of vNB. However if that's all you want out of it it will be fine. The REX is much better paired with a wolfdale if you want a flexible range of usable FSB. If you want the most out of a s775 quad, the UD3P/R really seem to be where its at.

I run Corsair 1866 7-8-7-20 (Two 2GB sticks of the 6GB triple channel kit) Elpida Hyper based ram on the REX. They are good, but if you want to push high MHz with tight timings and plenty of vdimm, a 2 x 1GB Micron D9 GTR/GTS kit is what you want.