Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2

[jimmor]

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?

Setting memory volts at "High" levels generally allows memory to run "faster". Where "faster" can mean able to work stable with higher overclocks or with lower latency timings; or sometimes a combination of both ---> always a users choice ?

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: 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

I rebooted again just to make sure, jimmor. Nope, cycling through the keyboard Number-pad's large "+" key I just the three options I previously stated. I gots no "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async" available . My board came with bios 1.50. Then I updated to 1.60 then to 1.70 then to 1.80. All were stock Asrock bioses from their site. I think bios version 1.10 may be the key here. I have never had version 1.10 on this board, and IIRC from my readings, that one had your options.
Also I gots no CPU Thermal Thr. - Enabled, which is obivious, since I dont use the customized bioses. (but maybe I will, if the 1.10 bios doesnt set those pcie options for me, which I'd like to try)

ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN. WHAT OPTIONS IN BIOS DO YOU HAVE UNDER PCI-E Clock ?


I have never had the need for the EIST/Speedstep options because Ive been running as cool and quiet as a cucumber here with the intel stock sink. And after reading a recent review on the e8400, I think I know why I and some others think the stock intel sink is the best stock heatsink ever made and others think its a big piece of crap. During that review, I saw a picture of the stock dual core intel sink and a picture of the stock quad core intel sink. My e2180 was shipped with the quad core intel sink in the package. Im happy and the mystery is solved. I dont remember the review link with the pictures, though.


Edit: Found the link :
http://techgage.com/article/in...z_-_wolfdale_arrives/2

Mine is the bigger one !

 

[Microsystem]

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 !

Do you use a fan on Northbridge heat sink?
It is cool in my default high vagp setting. But can too warm when you use vagp mode that require a fan?
Do you try other voltage like 1.7 or 1.8 (1.95 is not too high)?
Do you use BSEl mode also?

 

[WDR]

@cpmee:

Same options as you have: "Auto" "Sync with CPU" "100MHz"
sata2, bios 1.50 - came with the board

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee


I rebooted again just to make sure, jimmor. Nope, cycling through the keyboard Number-pad's large "+" key I just the three options I previously stated. I gots no "CPU,PCI-E, Sync" and "CPU,PCI-E, Async" available . My board came with bios 1.50. Then I updated to 1.60 then to 1.70 then to 1.80. All were stock Asrock bioses from their site. I think bios version 1.10 may be the key here. I have never had version 1.10 on this board, and IIRC from my readings, that one had your options.
Also I gots no CPU Thermal Thr. - Enabled, which is obivious, since I dont use the customized bioses. (but maybe I will, if the 1.10 bios doesnt set those pcie options for me, which I'd like to try)

ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN. WHAT OPTIONS IN BIOS DO YOU HAVE UNDER PCI-E Clock ?


I have never had the need for the EIST/Speedstep options because Ive been running as cool and quiet as a cucumber here with the intel stock sink. And after reading a recent review on the e8400, I think I know why I and some others think the stock intel sink is the best stock heatsink ever made and others think its a big piece of crap. During that review, I saw a picture of the stock dual core intel sink and a picture of the stock quad core intel sink. My e2180 was shipped with the quad core intel sink in the package. Im happy and the mystery is solved. I dont remember the review link with the pictures, though.


Edit: Found the link :
http://techgage.com/article/in...z_-_wolfdale_arrives/2

Mine is the bigger one !

When did you purchase your 4coredual mobo ----> maybe you have one of the newer "R2" versions ---> which I think only has a different Audio chip ?

Another thing, in your Bios settings posting, for "CPU Configurations tab" you show,

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]


Is that ACTUALLY what shows in your bios ??


Because my mobo bios shows the following options for same tab,

Overclock Mode [CPU, PCIE, Async]
CPU Frequency (MHz) [320]
PCIE Frequency (MHz) [119]
PCI Frequency [33.33MHz]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Boot Failure Guard [Enabled]

Ratio Actual Value 10

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


And the "CPU Thermal Thr. - Enabled" that I previously indicated actually comes from using the 1.80a modded bios !

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: Microsystem

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 !

Do you use a fan on Northbridge heat sink?
It is cool in my default high vagp setting. But can too warm when you use vagp mode that require a fan?
Do you try other voltage like 1.7 or 1.8 (1.95 is not too high)?
Do you use BSEl mode also?

I fitted a 40mm fan onto the Northbridge heatsink.

Yes, I tried many Vagp values, between original bios "High" default of 1.64v and 2.2v. Chose to stick with Vagp at 2v because it works good with my hardware's 320 overclock. People happy with 300-310 would more likely only require somewhere in range 1.7-1.9v. No way to be precise in what would be required since all setups are essentially different and will therefore respond differently to particular Vagp increases ?

And yes, my "800" type E4400 has been "1066 BSEL" modded. Found to be only way to guarantee my stable 320 overclocks. And reason I used the word "guarantee", is because without the BSEL mod, depending on which bios was used, my E4400/4coredual combo would sometimes default to booting at 266Mhz rather than the 200MHz it should have been. And when that situation happened, I also found no problem overclocking to 300 plus levels. But because it was bios specific and therefore not dependable, I decided doing the "1066 BSEL" was a better way to go.

 

[Microsystem]

I found that the second motherboard temp is the system temp and not Northbridge temp.
Its sensor is below the Graphic slots

 

[cpmee]

@jimmor


I purchased the board the 1st of November from Newegg, so the R2 wasnt out yet and I do have the good audio codec the alc888.

Yep, this is exactly what my bios shows :

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]

WDR above also shows the same pcie options. I think it has to do with never having bios version 1.10 on my board. Will test that theory later.


@Microsystem
Yep, another side benefit of the bsel mod is that it makes the board behave in a senisible manner. Before the bsel mod, I could swear it was possessed. :laugh:

 

[Microsystem]

I think I have a unique system:
1- I raise VAGP to 1.92V no improvement achieved (even 1Hz) !!!
2- The BSLE mode decreases my stability !!!

My system:
E4500@1.51v@270FBS
Kingston 2*1Gig DDRII 667 Cl5
AIW 9600 AGP

 

[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?

OK, I downloaded and installed Sandra XII. I get approx the same 5715mb/s int and 5717mb/s float as in Sandra XI, so that didnt change.

I dont really like new Sandra graphic interface, it moves around too much. :laugh:
They should have kept it simple.

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: Microsystem
I think I have a unique system:
1- I raise VAGP to 1.92V no improvement achieved (even 1Hz) !!!
2- The BSLE mode decreases my stability !!!

My system:
E4500@1.51v@270FBS
Kingston 2*1Gig DDRII 667 Cl5
AIW 9600 AGP

Yeah, it does sound like that. Have you tried a different video card in it ?

 

[Microsystem]

yes, AIW 7500 is the differnent video card that i used.
but than wonder me:
No temp changhe in northbrige heatsink occure !!!
it is cool at 1.92V at full cpu load too !!!

 

[WDR]

@Microsystem:
Maybe your volt mod doesn't succeed, so that's why the northbridge is cool and you couldn't raise FSB.

 

[bigkibby]

Greetings guys and gals,
Been lurking, trying to pick up tips here. Just for the record, I have the same settings in my bios as cpmee. My board was purchased at Ewiz in early November and was shipped with 1.5 bios. Been looking for a modded bios that's a little beefier, no luck.

I have the same options.... "Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100Mhz", no bios flashes yet.
I also have the better alc888 Audio chipset. Too lazy to look in the case upstairs at the moment for motherboard lettering, but I'm pretty sure its Rev. 1.

Other stats...... Cely 420 at 2.16, FSB at 269Mhz, mem is 1:1 at 269Mhz-> HP ddr667 with D9's 4-4-4-12, unlockable 6800GS Agp.

Since this is my backup to the backup machine, I am not going to drive myself nuts trying to OC this thing for 5 extra Mhz. My other 2 boards are a DFI Lanparty and a Gygabyte P965(both notorious overclockers), so when I get into this bios well..............

Anyway, have a good day all. Kibby

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: cpmee
@jimmor


I purchased the board the 1st of November from Newegg, so the R2 wasnt out yet and I do have the good audio codec the alc888.

Yep, this is exactly what my bios shows :

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]

WDR above also shows the same pcie options. I think it has to do with never having bios version 1.10 on my board. Will test that theory later.


@Microsystem
Yep, another side benefit of the bsel mod is that it makes the board behave in a senisible manner. Before the bsel mod, I could swear it was possessed. :laugh:

Since my 4coredual-sata2 originally came with a v1.10 bios, maybe our "bios option" differences are more about mine being an early production model and therefore could be expected to be similar to the 4coredual-vsta which it replaced ---> this reasoning makes some sense, since a 4coredual-vsta I used to have also had bios Overclock Modes of "AUTO", "CPU,PCIE,Async" and "CPU,PCIE,Sync" ?

 

[jimmor]

Microsystem Quote:

yes, AIW 7500 is the differnent video card that i used.
but than wonder me:
No temp changhe in northbrige heatsink occure !!!
it is cool at 1.92V at full cpu load too !!!



Increasing Vagp to 1.9v levels should have noticably raised the temp of both the Northbridge heatsink and the Vagp output MOSFET. Since your temp does not appear to have changed, are you sure it actually was the Vagp supply that you increased ?

 

[jimmor]

bigkibby Quote:

I have the same options.... "Auto, Sync with CPU, or 100Mhz", no bios flashes yet.
I also have the better alc888 Audio chipset. Too lazy to look in the case upstairs at the moment for motherboard lettering, but I'm pretty sure its Rev. 1.




And another one pops up !

Am I the only person with a 4coredual-sata2 mobo whose Bios offers the three Overclock Mode options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync" ???

 

[Microsystem]

Originally posted by: WDR
@Microsystem:
Maybe your volt mod doesn't succeed, so that's why the northbridge is cool and you couldn't raise FSB.

I don't think
I measure VAGP with a digital multi meter
Default: Normal 1.61V and High:1.62V (this wonder me too)

I sketch some line with a HB penile
It raise to 1.75V (no improvement achieved)
Then I sketch more line
It raise to 1.92 and no improvement achieved also.
Then I ran ORTOS. heat sink was cold after 5 min.

 

[Microsystem]

Originally posted by: jimmor
Microsystem Quote:

yes, AIW 7500 is the differnent video card that i used.
but than wonder me:
No temp changhe in northbrige heatsink occure !!!
it is cool at 1.92V at full cpu load too !!!



Increasing Vagp to 1.9v levels should have noticably raised the temp of both the Northbridge heatsink and the Vagp output MOSFET. Since your temp does not appear to have changed, are you sure it actually was the Vagp supply that you increased ?

Yes I shade the R2471 Resistor as mentioned in the article.
And I measure the Vagp at the uper leg of mosfet between AGP and PCI-E slots
Is this true?

But I don?t remove my AGP card during measurement. Can this affect the results?

 

[Sl4yer]

Originally posted by: jimmor
Am I the only person with a 4coredual-sata2 mobo whose Bios offers the three Overclock Mode options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync" ???

Nope. Mine has had those options all along, through 1.50, 1.60, 1.70 and now 1.80 BIOS.

 

[martianmisfit]

Originally posted by: jimmor

And another one pops up !

Am I the only person with a 4coredual-sata2 mobo whose Bios offers the three Overclock Mode options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync" ???

interesting. i don't recall those setting on my bios. where is it?
might be the reason why i can't reboot when ever i make any changes to my bios.

 

[cpmee]

Originally posted by: martianmisfit

Originally posted by: jimmor

And another one pops up !

Am I the only person with a 4coredual-sata2 mobo whose Bios offers the three Overclock Mode options of "AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync" ???

interesting. i don't recall those setting on my bios. where is it?
might be the reason why i can't reboot when ever i make any changes to my bios.

In the CPU Configuration section, under PCIE Clock. What options do you exactly have ?


"Auto"," Sync with CPU", "100MHz"

or

"AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync"

It seems there are 2 versions. Trying to figure out why.

 

[martianmisfit]

Originally posted by: cpmee

In the CPU Configuration section, under PCIE Clock. What options do you exactly have ?


"Auto"," Sync with CPU", "100MHz"

or

"AUTO", "CPU,PCIE, Async" and "CPU,PCIE, Sync"

It seems there are 2 versions. Trying to figure out why.

mine states : "Auto"," Sync with CPU", "100MHz"

 

[martianmisfit]

so far i've been successful in rebooting when making very minor changes in my bios.
however whenever i change the FSB (even setting it to manual) it doesn't reboot.

 

[WDR]

@martianmisfit:
Have you tried other bios version?