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Strange problem with mainboard/cpu voltage!

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Creepin_D

Registered
Joined
Dec 19, 2000
Or atleast I think it is strange. I have an E8600 chip and an Asus Rampage Formula X48 board. For the last 6-8 months i have been running this cpu at 4.2Ghz (420fsb). Now i'm not the one who setup this o/c, due to me being away working. A couple of nights ago I thought I was having stability issues so I set my cpu settings back to auto in my bios. Anyways, turned out it had nothing to do with my o/c. When I try to put my system back at 420fsb on auto voltage setting, it will get to the boot screen and lock up. so i figure I can throw some voltage at it. but nope, no matter what voltage I use it will not work. not even stock voltage. It's not just for 420fsb, I tried 400 and 380 ( i should add that on 380 and 400fsb on auto voltage the system will boot, but not stable). I don't think it is my ram, because I have settings turned down, and I have also tried upping the voltage on that as well, with the same results.:bang head Has anyone else have this prob, or am I missing something or doing something wrong?? I have an 850W PSU and I water cool, so I'm pretty sure that is not an issue either. Anyways, all help would be great.

Thanks
 
At either an FSB of 380 or 400 MHz, post all of your current BIOS settings using this template. Also post the VID of your chip, using Real Temp--> "Settings" page--> Max Core VID. And post the current Vcore as shown by CPU-Z while running Prime. In addition, include the make and model (including quantity) of RAM installed w/ timings spec's and default Vdimm.
Code:
ASUS Rampage Formula BIOS Template

*Extreme Tweaker*
Ai Overclock Tuner               []
CPU Ratio Setting                []
FSB Strap to North Bridge        []
FSB Frequency                    []
PCIE Frequency                   []

DRAM Frequency                   []
DRAM Command Rate                []
DRAM CMD Skew on Channal A       []
DRAM CMD Skew on Channal B       []
DRAM CLK Skew on Channal A       []
DRAM CLK Skew on Channal B       []

DRAM Timing Control              []
 1st Information
  CAS# Latency                   []
  RAS# to CAS# Delay             []
  RAS# PRE Time                  []
  RAS# ACT Time                  []
  RAS# to RAS# Delay             []
  REF Cycle Time                 []
  WRITE Recovery Time            []
  READ to PRE Time               []
 2nd Information
  READ to WRITE Delay (S/D)      []
  WRITE to READ Delay (S)        []
  WRITE to READ Delay (D)        []
  READ to READ Delay (S)         []
  READ to READ Delay (D)         []
  WRITE to WRITE Delay (S)       []
  WRITE to WRITE Dealy (D)       []
 3rd Information
  WRITE to PRE Delay             []
  READ to PRE Delay              []
  PRE to PRE Delay               []
  ALL PRE to ACT Delay           []
  ALL PRE to REF Delay           []

DRAM Static Read Control         []
Ai Clock Twister                 []
Ai Transation Booster            []
  Common Performance Booster     []

  Pull-In of CHA PH1             []
  Pull-In of CHA PH2             []
  Pull-In of CHA PH3             []
  Pull-In of CHA PH4             []
  Pull-In of CHA PH5             []
  Pull-In of CHA PH6             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH1             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH2             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH3             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH4             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH5             []
  Pull-In of CHB PH6             []

CPU Voltage                      []
CPU PLL Voltage                  []
DRAM Voltage                     []
FSB Termination Voltage          []
South Bridge Voltage             []
SB 1,5V Voltage                  []
Loadline Calibration             []
CPU GTL Voltage Reference        []
NB GTL Voltage Reference         []
DRAM Controller Voltage REF      []
DRAM Channel A Voltage REF       []
DRAM Channel B Voltage REF       []

CPU LED Selection                []
NB LED Selection                 []
SB LED Selection                 []
Voltiminder LED                  []

CPU Spread Spectrum              []
PCIE Spred Spectrum              []


*Advanced settings*
CPU Ratio Setting                []
C1E Support                      []
CPU TM Function                  []
Vanderpool Technology            []
Execute Disable Bit              []
Max CPUID Value Limit            []
 
Have you messed with the chipset volts? there are a lot of settings that might help...northbridge and southbridge voltages might need a little tweeking, and the PCI-E overvoltage might need a little bump as well.
You will need to re-check your manual to see where you would start with the voltage adjustments. my board and manual are a little old, but most of the info is relevant to todays O'Cing...and if you need a little help, just let us know.

You could also try the ram at 2:3 and try an overclock and see where the ram tops out..this will give you a base point to start from.
Have you re-checked the fastening devices on your water setup to see if maybe one of the waterblocks might be loose?
That's all I have for now..........
Doc
 
OK here are my bios settings at 380fsb:

ASUS Rampage Formula BIOS Template

*Extreme Tweaker*
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
CPU Ratio Setting [10.0]
FSB Strap to North Bridge [Auto]
FSB Frequency [380]
PCIE Frequency [100]

DRAM Frequency [Auto]
DRAM Command Rate [Auto]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channal A [Auto]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channal B [Auto]
DRAM CLK Skew on Channal A [Auto]
DRAM CLK Skew on Channal B [Auto]

DRAM Timing Control [Auto]
1st Information
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS# Delay [5]
RAS# PRE Time [5]
RAS# ACT Time [15]
RAS# to RAS# Delay [3]
REF Cycle Time [44]
WRITE Recovery Time [5]
READ to PRE Time [3]
2nd Information
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 Dealy (D) [6]
3rd Information
WRITE to PRE Delay [13]
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 [Auto]
Ai Clock Twister [Auto]
Ai Transation Booster [Auto]
Common Performance Booster []

Pull-In of CHA PH1 []
Pull-In of CHA PH2 []
Pull-In of CHA PH3 []
Pull-In of CHA PH4 []
Pull-In of CHA PH5 []
Pull-In of CHA PH6 []
Pull-In of CHB PH1 []
Pull-In of CHB PH2 []
Pull-In of CHB PH3 []
Pull-In of CHB PH4 []
Pull-In of CHB PH5 []
Pull-In of CHB PH6 []

CPU Voltage [Auto]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
DRAM Voltage [Auto]
FSB Termination Voltage [Auto]
South Bridge Voltage [Auto]
SB 1,5V Voltage [Auto]
Loadline Calibration [Auto]
CPU GTL Voltage Reference [Auto]
NB GTL Voltage Reference [Auto]
DRAM Controller Voltage REF [Auto]
DRAM Channel A Voltage REF [Auto]
DRAM Channel B Voltage REF [Auto]

CPU LED Selection [CPU Voltage]
NB LED Selection [North Bridge Voltage]
SB LED Selection [South Bridge Voltage]
Voltiminder LED [Enabled]

CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto]
PCIE Spred Spectrum [Auto]


*Advanced settings*
CPU Ratio Setting [10.0]
C1E Support [Disabled]
CPU TM Function [Auto]
Vanderpool Technology [Enabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]

According to Real Temp my Max Core VID is 1.2500 and my Vcore while running prime is 1.224V according to CPU-Z. I'm pretty sure the ram I have installed is 2x2gigs of Corsair Dommintor (spelling) 1066Mhz. Default voltage is 1.92 according to my bios. I think this is all the info you asked for. One question, this max core vid, do that mean that my cpu will only take a max voltage of 1.25? If thats the case, then that would suck:cry: Thanks again
 
Give these settings a try for 3.96 GHz...
Code:
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC from CPU Level Up [Crazy]
CPU Ratio  Setting:[9]
FSB Strap to North Bridge[333]
FSB Frequency [440]
PCIE Frequency [100]

DRAM Settings [Manual]
DRAM Frequency [1056MHz]
DRAM Command Rate [2N]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channel A [Auto]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channel B [Auto]
DRAM Clock Skew on Channel A [Auto]
DRAM Clock Skew on Channel B [Auto]

DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS Delay [5]
RAS# Precharge [5]
RAS# Active Time [15]
RAS# to Ras# Delay [Auto]
Rew Cycle Time [Auto]
Write Recovery Time [Auto]
Read to Pre Time [Auto]
Read to Write Delay (S/D) [Auto]
Write to Read Delay (S) [Auto]
Write to Read Delay (D) [Auto]
Read to Read Delay (S) [Auto]
Read to Read Delay (D) [Auto]
Write to Write Delay(S) [Auto]
Write to Write Delay (D) [Auto]

DRAM Static Read Control [Enabled]
Ai Clock Twister [Moderate]
Transaction Booster [Manual]
Common Performance-Level [07]

Pull-In CHA PH1- Pull-In CHB PH5 full [Disabled]

CPU Voltage [1.33125V] 
CPU PLL Voltage [1.50V]
North Bridge Voltage [1.43V]
DRAM Voltage [1.96V]
FSB Termination Voltage [1.28V]  
South Bridge Voltage [1.050V]
SB 1.5V Voltage [1.50V] 
Loadline Calibration [Disabled]
CPU GTL Reference [0.63x]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.67x]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage [AUTO]
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage [AUTO]
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [AUTO]
CPU Spread Spectrum  [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum  [Disabled]
CPU Clock Skew [Delay 100ps]
NB Clock Skew [Delay 100ps]

CPU Ratio  Setting:[9]
C1E Support [Disabled]
CPU TM Function [Enabled]
Vanderpool Technology [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
Intel(R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech. [Disabled]
 
I tried your settings with no luck:bang head Right now I left all the settings the way you told me to leave them except ratio is back to 10, fsb is 390 and voltage is set back to auto. and with prime running my voltage is at 1.232. But if I went and changed my voltage to say 1.24 or whatever is closest to 1.232 my system would not boot. This is getting frustrating :mad:

Give these settings a try for 3.96 GHz...
Code:
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC from CPU Level Up [Crazy]
CPU Ratio  Setting:[9]
FSB Strap to North Bridge[333]
FSB Frequency [440]
PCIE Frequency [100]

DRAM Settings [Manual]
DRAM Frequency [1056MHz]
DRAM Command Rate [2N]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channel A [Auto]
DRAM CMD Skew on Channel B [Auto]
DRAM Clock Skew on Channel A [Auto]
DRAM Clock Skew on Channel B [Auto]

DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS Delay [5]
RAS# Precharge [5]
RAS# Active Time [15]
RAS# to Ras# Delay [Auto]
Rew Cycle Time [Auto]
Write Recovery Time [Auto]
Read to Pre Time [Auto]
Read to Write Delay (S/D) [Auto]
Write to Read Delay (S) [Auto]
Write to Read Delay (D) [Auto]
Read to Read Delay (S) [Auto]
Read to Read Delay (D) [Auto]
Write to Write Delay(S) [Auto]
Write to Write Delay (D) [Auto]

DRAM Static Read Control [Enabled]
Ai Clock Twister [Moderate]
Transaction Booster [Manual]
Common Performance-Level [07]

Pull-In CHA PH1- Pull-In CHB PH5 full [Disabled]

CPU Voltage [1.33125V] 
CPU PLL Voltage [1.50V]
North Bridge Voltage [1.43V]
DRAM Voltage [1.96V]
FSB Termination Voltage [1.28V]  
South Bridge Voltage [1.050V]
SB 1.5V Voltage [1.50V] 
Loadline Calibration [Disabled]
CPU GTL Reference [0.63x]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.67x]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage [AUTO]
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage [AUTO]
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [AUTO]
CPU Spread Spectrum  [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum  [Disabled]
CPU Clock Skew [Delay 100ps]
NB Clock Skew [Delay 100ps]

CPU Ratio  Setting:[9]
C1E Support [Disabled]
CPU TM Function [Enabled]
Vanderpool Technology [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
Intel(R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech. [Disabled]
 
If it is crashing, it may not be your cpu, It may be your ram. Run Memtest to rule that out first.
 
If it is crashing, it may not be your cpu, It may be your ram. Run Memtest to rule that out first.

It's not that my system is crashing it just won't boot when i manually change the cpu voltage. For example, i have been running prime for the last 17hrs and according to cpu-z my voltage is at 1.24. I go into my bios and change my cpu voltage from auto to 1.25V and my system won't boot. Anyways, my bios version is 0410, which seems very old. I'm going to attempt to update my bios. I haven't done this in years, so don't be surprised if I come back here asking for help lol

Thanks

Well I d/l the latest bios and bios updating tool, and have no idea how to use either. Can anyone tell me an easy way to update my bios. I remember years ago, I would have to put the bios on a floppy and boot from it. Is it still done that way or.....?
 
Last edited:
So it POSTs but won't boot? Your hard drive could be bad. Boot from a diagnostics disc and scan the hard drive.

It won't even post, sorry i should have said that first. I got the new bios and right now i have it at 4Ghz and running prime with voltage in auto. As soon as I manually set the voltage it will not post. Anyways, If I can't manually set my voltage then it seems that I will be stuck at 4Ghz.
 
Try setting OC From CPU Level Up to AUTO, Transaction Booster to Enabled w/ Boost Level set to 0, Loadline Calibration to Enabled, Ai Clock Twister to Strong, and Common Performance Level (tRD) to AUTO.
 
Try setting OC From CPU Level Up to AUTO, Transaction Booster to Enabled w/ Boost Level set to 0, Loadline Calibration to Enabled, Ai Clock Twister to Strong, and Common Performance Level (tRD) to AUTO.


Good news, I got it working again. Not sure which setting did it, but right now i'm running at 420x10 with 1.4V. I'm going to run prime now to make sure of stability. Thanks everyone for all the help!
 
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