Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: brokencase

Originally posted by: Alex0915
Ok been reading up on the 1T/2T command rate issue, and it seems as though a setting of 1T increases benchmark performance quite a bit... my question is, would it make up for my Samsung DDR2-667 running at 533? If it makes the timings tighter, it might well make it perform like faster memory!

You can try it, but 1T more than likely will be unstable. I have DDR2-667 and I cannot run at 1T.

For this type of experimenting it is better to get the memtest bootable CD than to boot into OS/hd.

Let's you confirm memory is good before letting Windows do the fandango on core.

http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=60

Download it, Burn it, You'll be glad you have it going forward.

Yep.

@ Alex0915
The settings I gave you above should be good for a stable overclock of 277 to 280mhz.

Then adjust later for additional tweaking or testing by only changing ONE setting at a time after reading up on it.

(You may be able to do 1T 3-3-3-9 eventually like jimmor, but dont count it. For now, just try to see what the highest fsb you can get. Then later tighten the timings for additional memory bandwidth.)

 

[Alex0915]

You were right about 1T being unstable... 3DMark06 failed @ cpu test, although graphics tests run fine. Saw no difference with pcie set at 100 and agp set at 33/66 over both set at auto (actually auto was 10 pts higher... not significant) so I will leave that as is. So far these are the only things Ive changed off of default

cpu - manual/266

pcie- disabled downstream/pcie on/flex off/ddr2-533/


so, I have everything at "stock" finally: cpu running at 2,401.9MHz, fsb at 266, memory at 1:1, ddr2-667 running at 533 with 4-4-4-12-2T timings

Now its time to start overclocking!

 

[WDR]

@Peav:
Could it be some weird compatibility issue with that specific source type?
From your post I understood you used 2 different PSU, same type.
Maybe you should move that PSU to the celeron D rig.

 

[ayumu]

Setting Vagp to high in BIOS is supposed to improve stability; would it raise cooling needs considerably? It's an e2160 OC'd 200->266 on a thermaltake case with both intake and exhaust fans, and asus v60 cpu fan, which should move air in the chipset zone, too.

memtest86+ and compiling openoffice (big!) are fine, but it sometimes reboots or hangs after days of usage.

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: Alex0915
is pci-e 100 the same as auto? I have two monitors hooked up and for some reason my other monitor cant be detected until I get into windows. Im wondering if my pcie auto setting has anything to do with that, although it didnt happen with my other pcie card or any other video card Ive used on this board for that matter( 6600GT, 7950GT, x1950Pro).

No, 100mhz is 100, auto is ? Its normal for the other monitor not to be detected until you get into windows on a lot of cards.

Ok, I guess I have my board "up to spec" now. The Q6600 is running at 2,400.9MHz and the memory is running at DDR2-533 (4-4-4-12-16T), 1:1 with the cpu fsb. This increased my 3DMark06 scores to 9,300 at default and 8,600 with 4xaa/16xaf at high quality settings (averaging our three runs of each) with supersampling transp. aa.

Time to get it higher.

The really big thing here is that the gpu simply doesnt overheat. My room temp is at 90F thanks to my radiator overheating my room;

Open the window ! :laugh:

Print out and try these settings next. If successful, try 280fsb next.

CPU Configuration
==================================================
CPU Host Frequency [Manual]
Actual Frequency (MHz) [277]
PCIE Clock [100 MHz]
AGP/PCI Clock [66/33 MHz]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Boot Failure Guard [Disabled]

Ratio Acutal Value 9

Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protection [Disabled]






Chipset Configuration
==================================================
DRAM Frequency [266MHz (DDRII533) ]
Flexibility Option [Disabled]
DRAM CAS# Latency [4]
DRAM Bank Interleave [4-Way]
Precharge to Active (Trp) [4T]
Active to Precharge (Tras) [12T]
Active to CMD (Trcd) [4T]
REF to ACT/REF to REF (Trfc) [28T]
ACT (0) to ACT (1) (Trrd) [2T]
Read to Precharge (Trtp) [Auto]
Write to Read CMD (Twtr) [2T]
Write Recovery Time (Twr) [4T]
DRAM Bus Selection [Dual Channel]
DRAM Command Rate [2T Command]
> Advanced Memory Configuration [Untouched]
> Advanced Host Configuration [Untouched except Pipeline DRQCTl = Enabled]

DRAM Voltage [High]
AGP Voltage [High]

Primary Graphics Adaptor [PCIE]
AGP Mode [8x]
AGP Fast Write [Enabled]
AGP Aperture Size [256MB]
AGP Staggered Delay [Auto]
AGP GADSTB Output Delay [Auto]
AGP 3.0 Calibration [Enabled]
AGP 3.0 DBI Function [Auto]
DBI Output for AGP Trans. [Enabled]
DBI Output for FRAME Trans. [Auto]

V-Link Speed [Normal]
V-Link disable [Enabled]

PCI Delay Transaction [Enabled] (Disable for Audigy Sound Card)
IDE Drive Strength [Normal]
PCIE Downstream Pipeline [Disable] (Disable helps prevent artifacting on pcie cards)
OnBoard LAN [Disabled] (Enable if using it)
OnBoard HD Audio [Enabled] (Disable if onboard sound)
Front Panel [Disabled] (Enable if using it)
CD-In [Disabled] (Enable if using it)
Echo TPR Disable [Auto]

Obviously every setup will likely respond differently, however here ar a few comments on your posted settings:-


People with PCI-E vga cards should have " Overclock Mode at CPU,PCI-E, ASync", with PCI-E clock at 100MHz; and of course PCI clock at 33.33Mhz. Whereas AGP users can have "Sync or Async" selected. However, my personal experience with both 4coredual-vsta and 4coredual-sata2, agp setups, is that overclocking is better served with "Async" selected and PCIE Clock set greater than 100MHz (based obviously on trial and error testing) ---> for example, my current E4400/4coredual/7800gs agp setup overclocks more stable at 320 when pcie clock has been set to 119Mhz. Of course, simply selecting "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" would also have caused the pcie clock to be set higher than 100MHz. However for some reason the 118MHz which was being automatically set because of my 320 fsb was just not as stable as when having it manually set at 119Mhz? On the other hand, when fitted with an old 7600gs PCI-E card, overclocking stable at 300 levels becomes almost impossible with PCI-E clock at anything above 103MHz --> so with pcie vga card, for me, pcie clock is best left at 100MHz.


Boot Failure Guard should be at "enabled", since this function is all about helping to recover from a bad overclock, or "stupid" bios settings.


The only memory parameters that should be manually set by "laymen" (ie, people who don't really understand what they are doing, or why) are,

DRAM CAS# Latency [4]
DRAM Bank Interleave [4-Way]
Precharge to Active (Trp) [4T]
Active to Precharge (Tras) [12T]
Active to CMD (Trcd) [4T]
DRAM Bus Selection [Dual Channel]
DRAM Command Rate [2T Command]

If Primary Graphics Adaptor is selected to "PCI-E", then all other "AGP" settings are meaningless --> so should be ignored, ie, just leave at defaults.

My setup, works best with "V-Link Speed" at "High"

And likely because I still use EIDE type HDD's, DVDrom and DVDburner, my setup also only boots at 320 overclock levels when "IDE Drive Strength" is at "Ultra High" setting.

 

[Alex0915]

ok, so me with a pcie card, should I have the pcie setting at sync, 100, or auto? I got a bit confused since you mentioned sync in the first line... perhaps that was for something else?

Some other quick questions:

What is PCI Delay Transaction and what is its function? I have a creative audigy 2 zs sound card in the bottom pci slot and I have that bios setting at default; it doesnt seem to affect the sound card in any way, so Im wondering if I should change that setting or not.

Also, what does pipeline DRQCT = enabled do? And what is spread spectrum and max cpuid value limit? I still have those at default (enabled).

 

[Alex0915]

btw, for pci delay transaction, the audigy 2 zs is the only pci card I use (well I have a pci slot fan right above it, but it doesnt plug into the pci bus... it plugs directly into the psu.) I didnt know this setting affected audidy 2 zs sound cards, but since I havent had an issue, I was wondering if I should just leave it at default.

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: ayumu
Setting Vagp to high in BIOS is supposed to improve stability; would it raise cooling needs considerably? It's an e2160 OC'd 200->266 on a thermaltake case with both intake and exhaust fans, and asus v60 cpu fan, which should move air in the chipset zone, too.

memtest86+ and compiling openoffice (big!) are fine, but it sometimes reboots or hangs after days of usage.

Athough setting Vagp to high should help to improve fsb stability and/or overclocking, it will NOT personally affect your "cooling needs" !

Any change in your cooling needs would be because of any extra heating you cause by overclocking your cpu even higher ---> so if you don't want to deal with any more heat, then don't overclock any more ?

 

[Peav]

Originally posted by: WDR
@Peav:
Could it be some weird compatibility issue with that specific source type?
From your post I understood you used 2 different PSU, same type.
Maybe you should move that PSU to the celeron D rig.

Same Type PSU but different ones due to rma, so chances of both being faulted = nil I think. However the PSU has been fine whilst the board was working. Power taking through a surge protector aswell.

However after some thinking, when I first got this board back from RMA I tried the e6600 in it, proboably more out of hope that it was still alive. So it looks like that may have caused the damage I am now seeing with this board.

Time to make the old e6600 into a keychain so I am not tempted to do it again.

 

[Peav]

Originally posted by: Alex0915
ok, so me with a pcie card, should I have the pcie setting at sync, 100, or auto? I got a bit confused since you mentioned sync in the first line... perhaps that was for something else?

Some other quick questions:

What is PCI Delay Transaction and what is its function? I have a creative audigy 2 zs sound card in the bottom pci slot and I have that bios setting at default; it doesnt seem to affect the sound card in any way, so Im wondering if I should change that setting or not.

Also, what does pipeline DRQCT = enabled do? And what is spread spectrum and max cpuid value limit? I still have those at default (enabled).

I have an audigy 2 zs in my machine and never fiddled with PCI Delay Transaction. It delays the dzta transfer over the pc bus a few clocks i think.

DRQCT= I have no idea and always left this at default. There are some weird bios settings in the asrock boards which dont seem to mean anything, unless you have a masters in Bios engineering.

Spread Spectrum is a funtion that reduces EMF interference either from the mobo or to it, not quite sure. Basically stops interference.

 

[Alex0915]

Thanks! I'll just mess around with the fsb settings now and report what I find. The obscure settings dont seem to have much, if any, effect for me

 

[Peav]

Originally posted by: Alex0915
Thanks! I'll just mess around with the fsb settings now and report what I find. The obscure settings dont seem to have much, if any, effect for me

The CPUid bit is for old legacy Operating systems that may have problems booting or running with the newer cpus;

If using XP, Vista or Linux, then this can be disabled.

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: Alex0915
btw, for pci delay transaction, the audigy 2 zs is the only pci card I use (well I have a pci slot fan right above it, but it doesnt plug into the pci bus... it plugs directly into the psu.) I didnt know this setting affected audidy 2 zs sound cards, but since I havent had an issue, I was wondering if I should just leave it at default.

From what Ive read for Audigy2 cards it needs to be disabled to avoid crackling noise for some people. Its not a cure all for all Audigy2 problems however. Either way, it doesnt affect overclocking, just your sound.

ok, so me with a pcie card, should I have the pcie setting at sync, 100, or auto? I got a bit confused since you mentioned sync in the first line... perhaps that was for something else?

With a pcie card, set it to 100. Like jimmor noted, it becomes unstable at higher settings with a pcie card.

Also, what does pipeline DRQCT = enabled do? And what is spread spectrum and max cpuid value limit? I still have those at default (enabled).

It gives you a few more mb/s in memory bandwidth. I did in my case, and for most everyone whos tried it. Its not a big increase, but every little bit helps. With memory tweaking, you get a little here, a little there, and then it becomes significant.

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: jimmor
People with PCI-E vga cards should have " Overclock Mode at CPU,PCI-E, ASync", with PCI-E clock at 100MHz; and of course PCI clock at 33.33Mhz. Whereas AGP users can have "Sync or Async" selected. However, my personal experience with both 4coredual-vsta and 4coredual-sata2, agp setups, is that overclocking is better served with "Async" selected and PCIE Clock set greater than 100MHz (based obviously on trial and error testing) ---> for example, my current E4400/4coredual/7800gs agp setup overclocks more stable at 320 when pcie clock has been set to 119Mhz. Of course, simply selecting "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" would also have caused the pcie clock to be set higher than 100MHz. However for some reason the 118MHz which was being automatically set because of my 320 fsb was just not as stable as when having it manually set at 119Mhz? On the other hand, when fitted with an old 7600gs PCI-E card, overclocking stable at 300 levels becomes almost impossible with PCI-E clock at anything above 103MHz --> so with pcie vga card, for me, pcie clock is best left at 100MHz.

Yep. But thats for the predessors of the 4CoreDual-Sata2. The 4CoreDual-Sata2 only has Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100mhz as the options. No way to input a value.

Boot Failure Guard should be at "enabled", since this function is all about helping to recover from a bad overclock, or "stupid" bios settings.

Yeah, Boot Failure Guard can be set either way, but it has never saved me from having to clear cmos with the jumper though.

 

[nickime]

hi everyone,

just want to thank you for a lot of useful information in this thread, thanks to you
my E2160 is now stable at ~2720MHz or 9x303

it was the BSEL mod that enabled that, before that the FSB was maxing out @ 220MHz
yesterday I tried BSEL mod first with a pencil, but failed, then just took some
alu foil and that worked (not easy to get those special pens round here...)
it was very simple, now after doing that

it passes all stability tests with a pair of Kingston PC 5300 DDR2 sticks at 1:1 ratio
other than that my box has a X1950Pro AGP, an old SoundBlaster Live!, but my
PSU is perhaps on a bigger side, a Zalman 850W

for everyone struggling with overclock of CPUs with FSB 800MHz : do the BSEL mod

as already mentioned here 800Mhz parts with high multiplier are the best choice
for this mobo, I am very happy now

thanks again everyone who shared info here!

best regards

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: jimmor
People with PCI-E vga cards should have " Overclock Mode at CPU,PCI-E, ASync", with PCI-E clock at 100MHz; and of course PCI clock at 33.33Mhz. Whereas AGP users can have "Sync or Async" selected. However, my personal experience with both 4coredual-vsta and 4coredual-sata2, agp setups, is that overclocking is better served with "Async" selected and PCIE Clock set greater than 100MHz (based obviously on trial and error testing) ---> for example, my current E4400/4coredual/7800gs agp setup overclocks more stable at 320 when pcie clock has been set to 119Mhz. Of course, simply selecting "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" would also have caused the pcie clock to be set higher than 100MHz. However for some reason the 118MHz which was being automatically set because of my 320 fsb was just not as stable as when having it manually set at 119Mhz? On the other hand, when fitted with an old 7600gs PCI-E card, overclocking stable at 300 levels becomes almost impossible with PCI-E clock at anything above 103MHz --> so with pcie vga card, for me, pcie clock is best left at 100MHz.

Yep. But thats for the predessors of the 4CoreDual-Sata2. The 4CoreDual-Sata2 only has Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100mhz as the options. No way to input a value.

Boot Failure Guard should be at "enabled", since this function is all about helping to recover from a bad overclock, or "stupid" bios settings.

Yeah, Boot Failure Guard can be set either way, but it has never saved me from having to clear cmos with the jumper though.

Your statement on available Overclock Mode options is clearly not true since my 4coredual-sata2 (bios v1.80), which I am currently using to write this posting, has options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async". And as stated before, changes to PCI-E clock settings is done in "CPU,PCI-E, Async" mode !

And during many of my overclocking and bios tweaking trials, "Boot Failure Guard" has saved me from having to open up the computer to clear the CMOS before being able to reboot from "bad settings" lots of times. In fact with Boot Failure Guard enabled, only time CMOS typically needs cleared these days is after flashing a different bios, changing to different type of Ram (eg, DDR1 to DDR2) or changing from using AGP vga card to using PCI-E vga card ---> so, for me, Boot Failure Guard is a good option to have?

 

[brokencase]

Originally posted by: Alex0915
You were right about 1T being unstable... 3DMark06 failed @ cpu test, although graphics tests run fine. Now its time to start overclocking!

Wonders never cease. Guess what?
Today I thought I would experiment with cmpee's memory bios settings. They seemed to work OK.
On a whim I decded to try 1T command rate again. It now works!
Go figure.

I now get 5372mb/s in Sandra XII. Used to be 5200 or so.

Now I have to go back and see if I can raise fsb some more.
Getting close to the time where I post my bios settings here again.

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: brokencase

Originally posted by: Alex0915
You were right about 1T being unstable... 3DMark06 failed @ cpu test, although graphics tests run fine. Now its time to start overclocking!

Wonders never cease. Guess what?
Today I thought I would experiment with cmpee's memory bios settings. They seemed to work OK.
On a whim I decded to try 1T command rate again. It now works!
Go figure.

I now get 5372mb/s in Sandra XII. Used to be 5200 or so.

Now I have to go back and see if I can raise fsb some more.
Getting close to the time where I post my bios settings here again.

Yeah, Pipeline DRQCT = Enabled will give that kind of increase for most.

Good, but dont speak too soon. Have you gone through hours of memtest86 and OCCT testing? Thats where I fail with 1T. Booting and running 1T hasnt been my problem, its the heavy load stuff with 1T.

I get 5700 mb/s with 3-3-3-9 2T ddr2 533 in Sandra XI (Ill have to download XII to compare) int and float plus or minus 50 mb/s. (better than Ive seen in reviews, so Im pleased with my $18.99 a gig ram) So you may have some more tweaking to go with your ram. A little tweak here, a little tweak there and it adds up.



Also keep in mind, those arent the settings Im using. Those were settings for alex0915 to get him 277-280fsb at 4-4-4-12 2T. I feel those are very solid settings for that, and tweak from there. (the 28T and advanced settings after that are typical for ddr2 ram at 4-4-4-12) Im at 3-3-3-9 2T and 24T-2T-Auto-2T-3T, and I use Dram Voltage at "Low" and AGP voltage at "Auto" since setting High and High didnt help me get Orthos/OCCT stable at 1T, so no point. Dram voltage at High seems a bit more unstable than Low with my ram. However, AGP voltage at "High" does help me get a few more fsb with setfsb in windows, but I know I need a vagp mod like jimmor for more fsb. After I get a pcie video card, I may consider doing that. After the ram burns in for a few weeks or so, things may change a bit also.

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: brokencase

Originally posted by: Alex0915
You were right about 1T being unstable... 3DMark06 failed @ cpu test, although graphics tests run fine. Now its time to start overclocking!

Wonders never cease. Guess what?
Today I thought I would experiment with cmpee's memory bios settings. They seemed to work OK.
On a whim I decded to try 1T command rate again. It now works!
Go figure.

I now get 5372mb/s in Sandra XII. Used to be 5200 or so.

Now I have to go back and see if I can raise fsb some more.
Getting close to the time where I post my bios settings here again.

If still using cmpee's bios settings, then your new found "1T" capability is probably down to setting both "DRAM Voltage" and "AGP Voltage" at High ?

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: jimmor

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: jimmor
People with PCI-E vga cards should have " Overclock Mode at CPU,PCI-E, ASync", with PCI-E clock at 100MHz; and of course PCI clock at 33.33Mhz. Whereas AGP users can have "Sync or Async" selected. However, my personal experience with both 4coredual-vsta and 4coredual-sata2, agp setups, is that overclocking is better served with "Async" selected and PCIE Clock set greater than 100MHz (based obviously on trial and error testing) ---> for example, my current E4400/4coredual/7800gs agp setup overclocks more stable at 320 when pcie clock has been set to 119Mhz. Of course, simply selecting "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" would also have caused the pcie clock to be set higher than 100MHz. However for some reason the 118MHz which was being automatically set because of my 320 fsb was just not as stable as when having it manually set at 119Mhz? On the other hand, when fitted with an old 7600gs PCI-E card, overclocking stable at 300 levels becomes almost impossible with PCI-E clock at anything above 103MHz --> so with pcie vga card, for me, pcie clock is best left at 100MHz.

Yep. But thats for the predessors of the 4CoreDual-Sata2. The 4CoreDual-Sata2 only has Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100mhz as the options. No way to input a value.

Boot Failure Guard should be at "enabled", since this function is all about helping to recover from a bad overclock, or "stupid" bios settings.

Yeah, Boot Failure Guard can be set either way, but it has never saved me from having to clear cmos with the jumper though.

Your statement on available Overclock Mode options is clearly not true since my 4coredual-sata2 (bios v1.80), which I am currently using to write this posting, has options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async". And as stated before, changes to PCI-E clock settings is done in "CPU,PCI-E, Async" mode !

Very very weird.

I am also using bios v1.80 on my 4CoreDual-Sata2. I just rebooted and went back into bios to double check. Sure enough my only available options are : "Auto" "Sync with CPU" "100MHz". Sadly, I gots no "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async" available jimmor.



Where did you download your bios update from ? I got mine from http://www.asrock.com/mb/downl...=4CoreDual-SATA2&s=775


What is the revision number of your board, between the pci slots ? Mine is Rev. G/A 1.02

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: jimmor

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: jimmor
People with PCI-E vga cards should have " Overclock Mode at CPU,PCI-E, ASync", with PCI-E clock at 100MHz; and of course PCI clock at 33.33Mhz. Whereas AGP users can have "Sync or Async" selected. However, my personal experience with both 4coredual-vsta and 4coredual-sata2, agp setups, is that overclocking is better served with "Async" selected and PCIE Clock set greater than 100MHz (based obviously on trial and error testing) ---> for example, my current E4400/4coredual/7800gs agp setup overclocks more stable at 320 when pcie clock has been set to 119Mhz. Of course, simply selecting "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" would also have caused the pcie clock to be set higher than 100MHz. However for some reason the 118MHz which was being automatically set because of my 320 fsb was just not as stable as when having it manually set at 119Mhz? On the other hand, when fitted with an old 7600gs PCI-E card, overclocking stable at 300 levels becomes almost impossible with PCI-E clock at anything above 103MHz --> so with pcie vga card, for me, pcie clock is best left at 100MHz.

Yep. But thats for the predessors of the 4CoreDual-Sata2. The 4CoreDual-Sata2 only has Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100mhz as the options. No way to input a value.

Boot Failure Guard should be at "enabled", since this function is all about helping to recover from a bad overclock, or "stupid" bios settings.

Yeah, Boot Failure Guard can be set either way, but it has never saved me from having to clear cmos with the jumper though.

Your statement on available Overclock Mode options is clearly not true since my 4coredual-sata2 (bios v1.80), which I am currently using to write this posting, has options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async". And as stated before, changes to PCI-E clock settings is done in "CPU,PCI-E, Async" mode !

Very very weird.

I am also using bios v1.80 on my 4CoreDual-Sata2. I just rebooted and went back into bios to double check. Sure enough my only available options are : "Auto" "Sync with CPU" "100MHz". Sadly, I gots no "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async" available jimmor.



Where did you download your bios update from ? I got mine from http://www.asrock.com/mb/downl...=4CoreDual-SATA2&s=775


What is the revision number of your board, between the pci slots ? Mine is Rev. G/A 1.02

Definitely weird on your part !

My 4coredual-sata2 mobo is Rev G/A 1.02, and my 1.80 bios, like all I have used since 1.10 that came with mobo, was downloaded from same asrock website.

And all three Overclock mode options are available with "any" version bios on my setup ---> so doesn't make sense that you can't see them ?

So with for example bios "auto" as the highlighted option, you are not able to toggle through the three different selections using your keyboard Number-pad's large "+" key ?



Also, not to confuse things, I generally, when available, use the modded versions of asrock bioses which provide proper operation of the EIST/Speedstep options which asrock have "switched off". Strangely enough, when challenged on the missing EIST/Speedstep options, Asrock sent me a "modded" bios asking me not to spread it around as it was not formally recognised ?

For anyone interested in EIST/Speedstep on a 4coredual-sata2 mobo, the latest modded version 1.80A bios is available from the link below:-

http://www.pc-treiber.net/file..._redirect.php?fid=5856

 

[brokencase]

Originally posted by: jimmor
If still using cmpee's bios settings, then your new found "1T" capability is probably down to setting both "DRAM Voltage" and "AGP Voltage" at High ?

No, Previously I had all the memory timings set for auto. Ir un memory at normal and AGP high.

Cmpee, tested for 1 hr with memtest86 boot CD. Seems OK.
When I had set 1T before it was an instant failure.

Your "I get 5700 mb/s with 3-3-3-9 2T ddr2 533 in Sandra XI" is with manual memory settings also?

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: brokencase

Originally posted by: jimmor
If still using cmpee's bios settings, then your new found "1T" capability is probably down to setting both "DRAM Voltage" and "AGP Voltage" at High ?

No, Previously I had all the memory timings set for auto. Ir un memory at normal and AGP high.

Cmpee, tested for 1 hr with memtest86 boot CD. Seems OK.
When I had set 1T before it was an instant failure.

Your "I get 5700 mb/s with 3-3-3-9 2T ddr2 533 in Sandra XI" is with manual memory settings also?

Yes manual, of course. (I personally never trust an Auto setting, heh, never have) Here are "MY" current settings. (I did re-enable "Boot Failure Guard" for the heck of it) Keep in mind all memory is different, so you may need to loosen or tighten a setting. Im also using Onboard sound, not an Audigy2 etc. It works OK, but its not as good as my old NF7-S nforce2 Soundstorm audio. I loved the Soundstorm audio. :lips:

I feel that with more data available from the memory makers (or a program that would give us that data) and more of a detailed explanation from Asrock on the "Advanced Memory Configuration" settings, running 1T should be a piece of cake for almost everyone with the right settings.


Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2 Bios Version 1.80

CPU Configuration
==================================================
CPU Host Frequency [Manual]
Actual Frequency (MHz) [280]
PCIE Clock [100 MHz]
AGP/PCI Clock [66/33 MHz]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Boot Failure Guard [Enabled]

Ratio Acutal Value 10

Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protection [Disabled]






Chipset Configuration
==================================================
DRAM Frequency [266MHz (DDRII533) ]
Flexibility Option [Disabled]
DRAM CAS# Latency [3]
DRAM Bank Interleave [4-Way]
Precharge to Active (Trp) [3T]
Active to Precharge (Tras) [9T]
Active to CMD (Trcd) [3T]
REF to ACT/REF to REF (Trfc) [24T]
ACT (0) to ACT (1) (Trrd) [2T]
Read to Precharge (Trtp) [Auto]
Write to Read CMD (Twtr) [2T]
Write Recovery Time (Twr) [3T]
DRAM Bus Selection [Dual Channel]
DRAM Command Rate [2T Command]
> Advanced Memory Configuration [Untouched]
> Advanced Host Configuration [Untouched] Except for Pipeline DRQCTL Enabled

DRAM Voltage [Low] Seems to be more stable than High for my ram ???
AGP Voltage [Auto]

Primary Graphics Adaptor [AGP]
AGP Mode [8x]
AGP Fast Write [Enabled]
AGP Aperture Size [128MB]
AGP Staggered Delay [Auto]
AGP GADSTB Output Delay [Auto]
AGP 3.0 Calibration [Enabled]
AGP 3.0 DBI Function [Auto]
DBI Output for AGP Trans. [Enabled]
DBI Output for FRAME Trans. [Auto]

V-Link Speed [Normal]
V-Link disable [Enabled]

PCI Delay Transaction [Enabled]
IDE Drive Strength [Normal]
PCIE Downstream Pipeline [Auto]
OnBoard LAN [Disabled]
OnBoard HD Audio [Enabled]
Front Panel [Disabled]
CD-In [Disabled]
Echo TPR Disable [Auto]

 

[ayumu]

Originally posted by: jimmor

Originally posted by: ayumu
Setting Vagp to high in BIOS is supposed to improve stability; would it raise cooling needs considerably? It's an e2160 OC'd 200->266 on a thermaltake case with both intake and exhaust fans, and asus v60 cpu fan, which should move air in the chipset zone, too.

memtest86+ and compiling openoffice (big!) are fine, but it sometimes reboots or hangs after days of usage.

Athough setting Vagp to high should help to improve fsb stability and/or overclocking, it will NOT personally affect your "cooling needs" !

Any change in your cooling needs would be because of any extra heating you cause by overclocking your cpu even higher ---> so if you don't want to deal with any more heat, then don't overclock any more ?

CPU is 29-43C according to motherboard (w83627hf) and internal (coretemp kernel module) sensors, so it won't be the problem. Anyways it seems everybody is setting it to high, so it cannot hurt; will do so next time I reboot.

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee

Originally posted by: brokencase

Originally posted by: jimmor
If still using cmpee's bios settings, then your new found "1T" capability is probably down to setting both "DRAM Voltage" and "AGP Voltage" at High ?

No, Previously I had all the memory timings set for auto. Ir un memory at normal and AGP high.

Cmpee, tested for 1 hr with memtest86 boot CD. Seems OK.
When I had set 1T before it was an instant failure.

Your "I get 5700 mb/s with 3-3-3-9 2T ddr2 533 in Sandra XI" is with manual memory settings also?

Yes manual, of course. (I personally never trust an Auto setting, heh, never have) Here are "MY" current settings. (I did re-enable "Boot Failure Guard" for the heck of it) Keep in mind all memory is different, so you may need to loosen or tighten a setting. Im also using Onboard sound, not an Audigy2 etc. It works OK, but its not as good as my old NF7-S nforce2 Soundstorm audio. I loved the Soundstorm audio. :lips:

I feel that with more data available from the memory makers (or a program that would give us that data) and more of a detailed explanation from Asrock on the "Advanced Memory Configuration" settings, running 1T should be a piece of cake for almost everyone with the right settings.


Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2 Bios Version 1.80

CPU Configuration
==================================================
CPU Host Frequency [Manual]
Actual Frequency (MHz) [280]
PCIE Clock [100 MHz]
AGP/PCI Clock [66/33 MHz]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Boot Failure Guard [Enabled]

Ratio Acutal Value 10

Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protection [Disabled]






Chipset Configuration
==================================================
DRAM Frequency [266MHz (DDRII533) ]
Flexibility Option [Disabled]
DRAM CAS# Latency [3]
DRAM Bank Interleave [4-Way]
Precharge to Active (Trp) [3T]
Active to Precharge (Tras) [9T]
Active to CMD (Trcd) [3T]
REF to ACT/REF to REF (Trfc) [24T]
ACT (0) to ACT (1) (Trrd) [2T]
Read to Precharge (Trtp) [Auto]
Write to Read CMD (Twtr) [2T]
Write Recovery Time (Twr) [3T]
DRAM Bus Selection [Dual Channel]
DRAM Command Rate [2T Command]
> Advanced Memory Configuration [Untouched]
> Advanced Host Configuration [Untouched] Except for Pipeline DRQCTL Enabled

DRAM Voltage [Low] Seems to be more stable than High for my ram ???
AGP Voltage [Auto]

Primary Graphics Adaptor [AGP]
AGP Mode [8x]
AGP Fast Write [Enabled]
AGP Aperture Size [128MB]
AGP Staggered Delay [Auto]
AGP GADSTB Output Delay [Auto]
AGP 3.0 Calibration [Enabled]
AGP 3.0 DBI Function [Auto]
DBI Output for AGP Trans. [Enabled]
DBI Output for FRAME Trans. [Auto]

V-Link Speed [Normal]
V-Link disable [Enabled]

PCI Delay Transaction [Enabled]
IDE Drive Strength [Normal]
PCIE Downstream Pipeline [Auto]
OnBoard LAN [Disabled]
OnBoard HD Audio [Enabled]
Front Panel [Disabled]
CD-In [Disabled]
Echo TPR Disable [Auto]

And just for interest, here are the settings I typically use,


Motherboard = 4CoreDual-Sata2

CPU Type = E4400
CPU Voltage = 1.42v.

Vagp = 1.95v.

Memory Type = Geil PC2-6400 DDR2 Ultra 4-4-4-12.

Bios version 1.80, (or 1.80A which then includes EIST/SpeedStep)

Bios Settings:-

CPU config:

Overclock Mode - CPU,PCI-E, Async.
CPU Freq. - 320
PCI-E Freq. - 119
PCI Freq. - 33.33
Spread Spectrum - Disabled
Boot Failure - Enabled

Max CPUID Val. - Disabled
CPU Thermal Thr. - Enabled
No-Execute Memory. - Disabled


Chipset settings:

Dram Freq. - 266
Flexib.- Disabled
Cas Latency - 3
Interleave - 4-Way
Trp - 3
Tras - 9
Trcd - 3
Bus Select.- Dual
Command Rate - 1T

DRAM Voltage - High
AGP Voltage - High

Primary Gra. Adapt. - AGP
AGP Fast Write - Enabled
AGP Aperture Size - 128Mb

V-Link - fast
V-Link Auto Dis. - Enabled

PCI delay Transaction - Enabled
IDE Drive Strength - Ultra High
PCI-E Downstream Pipeline - Auto
Onboard Sound - Auto


Everything else at original defaults except for whatever is required for my EIDE, Floppy, USB, etc devices !