ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA

[WillyWanker]

OK, here's a good one. I've had this board in a spare machine for awhile with a PD 805, 2GBs RAM, and PCI-e 7900GT. Absolutely no problems. Fired it up today, updated Windows, no problems. Updated the BIOS from v1.7 to v2.0... nothing. The flash completed without errors, but now the system won't boot. I tried clearing the CMOS with the jumper and by removing the battery, nada. So now it's pretty much dead. I sent an email to ASRock, but don't expect an answer for at least a week. Anyone ever have this problem and/or know of a solution (other than pulling the board and sending it in)? Thanks.

 

[hamltnh]

Couple of suggestions--

--Check the Boot Order of the Hard Drives under the Boot menu in the BIOS

--Make sure the video controller option is set to PCI-e and not AGP or PCI in the Chipset menu.

Originally posted by: WillyWanker
OK, here's a good one. I've had this board in a spare machine for awhile with a PD 805, 2GBs RAM, and PCI-e 7900GT. Absolutely no problems. Fired it up today, updated Windows, no problems. Updated the BIOS from v1.7 to v2.0... nothing. The flash completed without errors, but now the system won't boot. I tried clearing the CMOS with the jumper and by removing the battery, nada. So now it's pretty much dead. I sent an email to ASRock, but don't expect an answer for at least a week. Anyone ever have this problem and/or know of a solution (other than pulling the board and sending it in)? Thanks.

 

[WillyWanker]

HAH, as if I can get that far. Perhaps I should have said the system won't POST. Hit the power button, everything lights up and starts spinning, and that's it. No beeping, no display, no errors, simply nothing.

 

[hamltnh]

Clear CMOS, pull the plug for 5-10 minutes--I assume you didn't change any of the components??

 

[WillyWanker]

No, nothing changed. I followed the CMOS clearing instructions in the manual -- disconnect power, wait 15 seconds, seat jumper, wait 5 seconds, remove jumper. This did nothing. Are you saying I should do it differently than that? Should I disconnect the power and leave the jumper on for 5-10 mins? Or disconnect, insert and remove jumper, then wait 5-10s mins before powering up again? Hell, I'll try it both ways.

 

[hamltnh]

There's a BIOS recovery option--I think it's enabled by defalut, so after so many tries, it reverts to a backup BIOS--assuming the flash was successful, after so many tries (by hitting the reset buttion), it should/might recover......

 

[Lozzo]

Originally posted by: hamltnh
I've sent a note to Asrock customer support regarding the CPU overclock/async/PCIE graphics card artifact issue.

Have any of the rest of you that have had this similar problem in this thread been able to resolve the siutation either on your own or with Asrock support??

I've had no problems with the PCI/PCIE sync issue myself as yet, I was more curious about the apparent lack of lock reported by Sisoft Sandra. My main concern was that, if I move to a PCIE video card, I might run into some problems.

My video card move. Friend 1 has a PCIE 7600GT factory overclocked with DDR3 and all that malarkey which is obviously going to be a better performer than my AGP 7600GS. Friend 1s brother has an old XP3200 system with a GF4MX card.

Friend 1 is buying himself an 8800GTX. The plan is, I then get his PCIE 7600GT, and I give his brother my AGP 7600GS. We all get ourselves a decent gfx upgrade (especially his bro, going from the GF4MX to 7600GS).. And it costs me and his bro nowt at all. Groovy!

Obviously, if the PCIE 7600GT craps out on me due to the PCIE bus being iffy I'm a bit stuffed...

Saying this, I've read that Nvidia cards are far less sensitive to PCIE bus speed in general than ATI, and that an extra 10Mhz or so on the PCIE bus wouldn't freak out a 7600 the same way it would a similar ATI card.


Any experience out there? Anyone running Nvidia/ATI on PCIE with a potentially overclocked PCIE bus?

 

[hamltnh]

I received my response from Asrock support--they suggested I OC the PCIE bus to resolve the artifacting, so I bumped it up to 117, but still had artifacts. It appears that what limited success I had with the CPU OC (266 to 295) has gone away with the change from the X800XT PE AGP card to the X1950PRO PCIE card. I followed up the Asrock response by asking how high they would suggest bumping the PCIE bus speed--no response yet, but the prognosis doesn't look good in my case.

Originally posted by: Lozzo

Originally posted by: hamltnh
I've sent a note to Asrock customer support regarding the CPU overclock/async/PCIE graphics card artifact issue.

Have any of the rest of you that have had this similar problem in this thread been able to resolve the siutation either on your own or with Asrock support??

I've had no problems with the PCI/PCIE sync issue myself as yet, I was more curious about the apparent lack of lock reported by Sisoft Sandra. My main concern was that, if I move to a PCIE video card, I might run into some problems.

My video card move. Friend 1 has a PCIE 7600GT factory overclocked with DDR3 and all that malarkey which is obviously going to be a better performer than my AGP 7600GS. Friend 1s brother has an old XP3200 system with a GF4MX card.

Friend 1 is buying himself an 8800GTX. The plan is, I then get his PCIE 7600GT, and I give his brother my AGP 7600GS. We all get ourselves a decent gfx upgrade (especially his bro, going from the GF4MX to 7600GS).. And it costs me and his bro nowt at all. Groovy!

Obviously, if the PCIE 7600GT craps out on me due to the PCIE bus being iffy I'm a bit stuffed...

Saying this, I've read that Nvidia cards are far less sensitive to PCIE bus speed in general than ATI, and that an extra 10Mhz or so on the PCIE bus wouldn't freak out a 7600 the same way it would a similar ATI card.


Any experience out there? Anyone running Nvidia/ATI on PCIE with a potentially overclocked PCIE bus?

 

[SidViciousSG]

Any known workarounds for the "feature" which underclock the CPU by default (G0 Q6600 @2.3GHz only) and prevent the mobo from POST'ing whenever the FSB is manually set over ~260MHz ?

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: SidViciousSG
Any known workarounds for the "feature" which underclock the CPU by default (G0 Q6600 @2.3GHz only) and prevent the mobo from POST'ing whenever the FSB is manually set over ~260MHz ?

Sorry for the silly question but what is it that you are trying to achieve?

 

[Lozzo]

AFAIR, the Q6600 runs at a 266FSB, so sounds like he is just trying to get the CPU to run at its rated speed.


Anyway, with the G0 stepping being a fairly new stepping, I can only suggest updating the BIOS to 1.80 at least (1.80 or above being what ASRock specify for that CPU).

2.00 being the latest version on the ASRock website.

 

[tigersty1e]

How much performance gain can I expect if I get a good overclocking motherboard?


Take a look at my stats. If I do upgrade, I can probably get to at least 2.8 ghz (400 x 7) and the PCIE x 16.


Is it even worth it?

BTW, I can't even overclock my processor 1 bit because if I do, the PCIE freq also increases which gives me artifacts.

 

[SidViciousSG]

Originally posted by: Lozzo

AFAIR, the Q6600 runs at a 266FSB, so sounds like he is just trying to get the CPU to run at its rated speed.


Anyway, with the G0 stepping being a fairly new stepping, I can only suggest updating the BIOS to 1.80 at least (1.80 or above being what ASRock specify for that CPU).

2.00 being the latest version on the ASRock website.

BIOS 2.00 here, the Q6600 G0 stepping is listed as being supported on Asrock's website but the motherboard stubbornly refuse to POST with the CPU running at its stock frequency.

I am completely stumpped, using either DDR (1x or 2x 512MB XMS 3200XL) or DDR2 (1x or 2x 1GB of "vanilla" PC5400 C4) won't change a thing, I virtually tried all possible permutations of relevant BIOS setting combinations to no avail, AUTO FSB/PCIe will default to 2306.26MHz and manually setting the FSB (SYNC & ASYNC) anywhere over 260MHz will result in a endlessly blinking cursor in the upper left corner of the screen just when the system is supposed to start the OS, no matter the bootable media (tried IDE CD/DVD, IDE & SATA HDDs, USB key & HDD and even the thrusty 'ol floppy).

The CPU performs flawlessly (running four F@H clients 24/7) and is not overheating (cozy 56C under full load on all four cores using the stock HSF according to CoreTemp).

*** EDIT ***

Nyaaarglyh ! *cough*

Just noticed that those cunning mofos over at Asrock blurted out some fineprint on their CPU Support List :

*When you adopt Quad Core CPU, FSB may be reduced 5%

Oh well, I "adopted" the wrong puppy (more like a mutant Cerberus with an extra head) and the petshop is declining all responsibilities after the fact...

 

[hamltnh]

It would be good to know exactly what this setting does. I've had problems (mentioned in previous posts) with moving from an x800xt AGP card to a x1950pro PCIE video card. I too tried this suggestion and have had some success with regaining some CPU OC that I lost with the video card change.

It also seems odd to me that you would have to OC the PCIE bus to make a PCIE video card work properly, when the whole point of the "untied" overclock, etc. is to OC the CPU without affecting the PCI/PCIE bus--guess I don't just don't understand. In any case I've made it work with the PCIE video card, but it's taken alot of reading and research.

I also have had problems since the video card change with my Audigy 2 sound card in BF2--never had problems with the AGP card with this game. I enabled the PCI transaction delay (after much reading and research) setting in BIOS and this has helped the situation. All-in-all, I'm thinking I should have gotten an AGP version of the x1950pro or maybe changed to a different MB.

Originally posted by: Maffer
Woohoo guys! I think I got it working now. There was this option called PCIE Downstream Pipeline in BIOS. You know what - disabling that mofo (was AUTO by default) made every corruption problem vanish under XP! Everything runs flawlessly under XP now. Not a hitch anymore. Have to try Vista later now I'm gonna go play some S.T.A.L.K.E.R which by the way runs at maximum details very smooth. Damn I'm one happy camper now

Thank you for all the help!

UPDATE: Vista works perfectly too. Experience rating calculation does not crash anymore either.

 

[MattressTester]

I also just upgraded - from a X800XL AGP to a X1950GT 512MB PCI-E. Thanks to the recent posts here the install went better than it would have. I disabled the PCI-E Downstream Pipeline and had no issue with maintaining my 2.6 GHz overclock (E4300 @ 9 x 289). The system hung during the ATI driver and CCC install but after a reboot it turned out they installed fine. Ran the free version of 3DMark06 without incident, however was surprised to find 2D screen corruption in Vista. Did some research and bumped the PCI-E frequency to 105 and finally to 107. That took care of the 2D problems. I also enabled the PCI transaction delay but I'm not sure if that had any effect. I'm using the onboard audio. Played Bioshock at 1680x1050 with nearly all settings on HQ for about an hour with no problems.

Using Asrock BIOS 2.00 and the latest VIA drivers. Had to manually install some of the VIA drivers as they didn't all go in using the setup program.

Will now see if I can overclock the video card and get the FSB any higher. This board has been OK as it allowed me to upgrade one piece of hardware every couple on months. Now I need to keep this setup for 6 months and resist getting an Intel or Nvidia based board!

 

[linuxtiger]

Hello,

Has anyone tried to OC E4500 before? Any Data or Reference?

Thanks

 

[Mr Vain]

Latest 2.10 Bios is up.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/downl...l=4CoreDual-VSTA&s=775

 

[linuxtiger]

Originally posted by: Mr Vain
Latest 2.10 Bios is up.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/downl...l=4CoreDual-VSTA&s=775

Thanks, would update it now

 

[tj99]

Hello,

Has anyone tried to OC E4500 before? Any Data or Reference?

Thanks



Got my e4500 @ 2860mhz using fsb 260. Orthos stable - default volts 1.28.
It can clock to just under 3gig, but under load the volts drop to 1.13 and i suspect that is why it isnt stable. It will run windows and prime95 all day but try anything else and it reboots.

My pc has a habit of loosing 1gig of ram on the post screen if i try fsb 270 or above.

Any ideas on that one?

 

[Mr Vain]

This might be usefull for 4coredual-vsta mobo's.

My E2180
On 775Dual-VSTA results should comparable with 4CoreDual-VSTA Motherboard.
No volt mods
So far booted @310FSB
Stable @300FSB
Cpu-z voltage average 1.28
Water cooling it but that should not make any difference at this speed.

Guy?s please contribute and share put in the specs that work best for you.

BIOS 3.00

CPU Configuration

Overclock Mode [CPU,PCIE Async.]
CPU Frequency (MHz) [300]
PCIE Frequency (MHz) 100]
PCI Frequency [33.33MHz]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
Boot Failure Guard [Enabled]

Ratio Active Value 10

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

Chipset Configuration

DRAM Frequency [266MHz (DDRII533) ]
Flexibility Option [Disabled]
DRAM CAS# Latency [5]
DRAM Bank Interleave [Auto]
Precharge to Active (Trp) [5T]
Active to Precharge (Tras) [15T]
Active to CMD (Trcd) [5T]
REF to ACT/REF to REF (Trfc) [Auto]
ACT (0) to ACT (1) (Trrd) [Auto]
Read to Precharge (Trtp) [Auto]
Write to Read CMD (Twtr) [Auto]
Write Recovery Time (Twr) [Auto]
DRAM Bus Selection [Dual Channel]
DRAM Command Rate [2T Command]

? Advanced Memory Configuration [Untouched]

DRAM Drv DQS [Auto]
DRAM Drv CS [Auto]
DRAM Drv DCLKA,B [Auto]
DCLK Output Duty Ctrl [Auto]

CLKBUF DDRA group delay [Auto]
CLKBUF DDRB group delay [Auto]
CLKBUF FB_OUTA delay [Auto]
CLKBUF FB_OUTB delay [Auto]
CLKBUF DDRA Drv [3x]
CLKBUF DDRB Drv [3x]
CLKBUF FB_OUTA Drv [4x]
CLKBUF FB_OUTA Drv [4x]


? Advanced Host Configuration

Pipeline DRQCTL [Enabled]
GTL Control [Auto]
3V66 group delay [Auto]


DRAM Voltage [High]
AGP Voltage [High]

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

V-Link Speed [Fast]

PCI Delay Transaction [Disabled]
IDE Drive Strength [Normal]
PCIE Downstream Pipeline [Auto]
OnBoard LAN [Enabled]
OnBoard HD Audio [Enabled]
Front Panel [Enabled]
CD-In [Enabled]
Bus No. [Enabled]
Echo TPR Disable [Auto]


Have since done the BSEL pin mod, Bios recognises it as a 1066 MHz CPU, Automatic overclock.

As per picture in post 29 of below link.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...ad.php?t=134550&page=2

 

[linuxtiger]

Originally posted by: tj99
Got my e4500 @ 2860mhz using fsb 260. Orthos stable - default volts 1.28.

Thanks for the information

Originally posted by: tj99
It can clock to just under 3gig, but under load the volts drop to 1.13 and i suspect that is why it isnt stable. It will run windows and prime95 all day but try anything else and it reboots.

My pc has a habit of loosing 1gig of ram on the post screen if i try fsb 270 or above.

Any ideas on that one?

DRAM Frequency [266MHz (DDRII533)] or [333MHz (DDRII667)] ? Latest Bios v2.10?

 

[linuxtiger]

Hello,

Originally posted by: Mr Vain
This might be usefull for 4coredual-vsta mobo's.

My E2180
On 775Dual-VSTA results should comparable with 4CoreDual-VSTA Motherboard.
No volt mods
So far booted @310FSB
Stable @300FSB
Cpu-z voltage average 1.28
Water cooling it but that should not make any difference at this speed.

E2180 (2.00GHz, 1MB) == Pentium D Dual Core Technology
E4400 (2.00GHz, 2MB) == Core 2 Duo Technolocgy

Any heat issue on E2180 @300FSB Full Load?

Any average E2180 Normal Load (C) temperature measurement data?

Any average E2180 Full Load (C) temperature measurement data?

Thanks

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: linuxtiger
Hello,

Originally posted by: Mr Vain
This might be usefull for 4coredual-vsta mobo's.

My E2180
On 775Dual-VSTA results should comparable with 4CoreDual-VSTA Motherboard.
No volt mods
So far booted @310FSB
Stable @300FSB
Cpu-z voltage average 1.28
Water cooling it but that should not make any difference at this speed.

E2180 (2.00GHz, 1MB) == Pentium D Dual Core Technology
E4400 (2.00GHz, 2MB) == Core 2 Duo Technolocgy

Any heat issue on E2180 @300FSB Full Load?

Any average E2180 Normal Load (C) temperature measurement data?

Any average E2180 Full Load (C) temperature measurement data?

Thanks

Ambient 27C
Full load core @100% 51C
Norm Load Mixed programs 33C

I'm using water cooling.

 

[linuxtiger]

Originally posted by: Mr Vain
Ambient 27C
Full load core @100% 51C
Norm Load Mixed programs 33C

I'm using water cooling.

Wow, if E4400 possible much cooler than above?

 

[Mr Vain]

Originally posted by: linuxtiger

Originally posted by: Mr Vain
Ambient 27C
Full load core @100% 51C
Norm Load Mixed programs 33C

I'm using water cooling.

Wow, if E4400 possible much cooler than above?

Maybe the newer MO stepping E4400 might come close in temps at the same FSB but I doubt it as the bigger cache should suck more power in turn produce more heat.
I can reduce my temps further if I use Arctic silver compound instead of the generic stuff and lap the water block.