ASRock L2.03 & L2.04 BIOS

[Smoblikat]

I wonder if with the newer BIOS and an Ivy Bridge chip, if memory faster than 2133 MHz could be installed, or if it's a limitation of the Z68 chipset and would need a Z77 board?

Thats a really good question, though it should work. The IMC is on die, si it would be an SB limitation.

EDIT - So, some bugs ive noticed (so far):
The LLC chart that appears once you highlight CPU load line calibration is very glitchy and doesnt appear
I am unable to disable intel turbo boost

Is there any way that i can contact ASrock to let them know about these bugs?

 

[ckoons1]

that would be cool

 

[FAUguy]

Thats a really good question, though it should work. The IMC is on die, si it would be an SB limitation.

EDIT - So, some bugs ive noticed (so far):
The LLC chart that appears once you highlight CPU load line calibration is very glitchy and doesnt appear
I am unable to disable intel turbo boost

Is there any way that i can contact ASrock to let them know about these bugs?

I use the Auto 4.4GHz overclock, but tried it manual and was able to select a LLC of 1-5 on the Z68 Fatal1ty Pro Gen 3.

 

[JBT]

Installed the L2.04 BIOS, pretty nice so far. I was on the 1.2 BIOS before and a usable mouse has been great! I'm trying the auto 4.4 OC. Seems like my temps go way higher faster with the auto oc method that's for sure. Idle voltage seems a little less though temps are about the same.

 

[FAUguy]

Installed the L2.04 BIOS, pretty nice so far. I was on the 1.2 BIOS before and a usable mouse has been great! I'm trying the auto 4.4 OC. Seems like my temps go way higher faster with the auto oc method that's for sure. Idle voltage seems a little less though temps are about the same.

If you are doing a manual 4.4 overclock, what are your settings?

 

[mjavid]

If you are doing a manual 4.4 overclock, what are your settings?

For a 4.6 GHz OC with 2500K, this is what I'm doing in L 2.03:

Multiplier to 46
LLC to 4
Offset -0.005.
Spread spectrum: disabled
Everything else to auto/default

Since I have 1.5V RAM (Gskill 1333, 4GB x 2), I fix the memory voltage to 1.5V.
Timings on Auto.

I also use the auto setting, level 1, temp 60 C for the CPU fan setting.

 

[Smoblikat]

I use the Auto 4.4GHz overclock, but tried it manual and was able to select a LLC of 1-5 on the Z68 Fatal1ty Pro Gen 3.

I can still select a LLC, its just that the chart appears glitchy. It affects nothing, but its still a bug. And how about turbo boost? Can you disable that?

 

[FAUguy]

For a 4.6 GHz OC with 2500K, this is what I'm doing in L 2.03:

Multiplier to 46
LLC to 4
Offset -0.005.
Spread spectrum: disabled
Everything else to auto/default

Since I have 1.5V RAM (Gskill 1333, 4GB x 2), I fix the memory voltage to 1.5V.
Timings on Auto.

I also use the auto setting, level 1, temp 60 C for the CPU fan setting.

I just tried you manual 4.6 setting with my 2600K and can't get Intel Burn Test to pass. When I use the Auto 4.6, it will pass the first few times and then fail, while the Auto 4.8 will cause the system to freeze in IBT. That's why I've been using the Auto 4.4 as IBT can run for 24HR without crashing (same thing with Prime).

 

[mjavid]

I just tried you manual 4.6 setting with my 2600K and can't get Intel Burn Test to pass. When I use the Auto 4.6, it will pass the first few times and then fail, while the Auto 4.8 will cause the system to freeze in IBT. That's why I've been using the Auto 4.4 as IBT can run for 24HR without crashing (same thing with Prime).

I think it may have to do with virtualization (try disabling it).
I did an IBT (ver 2.53), standard test, 10 cycles, passed OK.
Also Prime 95 (small and large FFTs) and that passed as well.

 

[FAUguy]

I think it may have to do with virtualization (try disabling it).
I did an IBT (ver 2.53), standard test, 10 cycles, passed OK.
Also Prime 95 (small and large FFTs) and that passed as well.

I'll try with the virtualization turned off.
Doing the IBT using Standard will pass with 4.4 to 4.8GHz, but that is not stressing the CPU. What you have to do is change it to Custom and select a higher amount of memory. I type in 50 runs with 12000 MB since I have 16000 MB (16 GB) and it shows 13000 MB free.

With an Auto overclock of 4.6 or 4.8, or a manual OC at or above 4.5, and IBT set to 50 runs with Custom 12000MB, it will fail after 20 runs or so. But if I do a manual or auto overclock of 4.4 or lower, IBT will finish without problem. I did this on the older 1.30 BIOS and the new 2.04. That's why I think my 2600k hits its OC wall with anything higher than 4.4GHz. I wish I could get it to a stable 4.8, but every manual setting I've tried will not pass with IBT 50 runs with Custom 12000MB.

 

[FAUguy]

I think it may have to do with virtualization (try disabling it).

I turned off the CPU Virtualization and still can't get any OC above 4.4GHz to fully pass Intel Burn Test with 50 runs and Custom 12000 MB memory.

 

[RobertR1]

Great update. The new bios is very nice and my volts are lower at the same OC (auto 4.6ghz profile, spread spectrum disabled, everything else auto).

 

[FAUguy]

Regardless of which BIOS I use (1.30 or L2.04) I can't get the Auto 4.6 or 4.8 overclock to be stable on my 2600K with Intel Burn Test, 100 runs, Custom 12000 MB. It always would fail around the 40th run. Last night I did a manual overclock of 4.5GHz, CPU voltage offset of +0.035, and LLC of 3. I then did the IBT with 100 runs and it did pass (took about 22 hours). CPUZ showed the highest voltage was 1.360 and the highest temp was 80C.

Next I'll try to do a manual OC at 4.6 and see if it will pass IBT 100 runs with Custom 12000 MB.

 

[Mgz]

the new 2.10 official bios is out guyz.. I did an auto 4.4 Ghz, was a breeze.

 

[FAUguy]

the new 2.10 official bios is out guyz.. I did an auto 4.4 Ghz, was a breeze.

Looks like 2.10 is only listed for your Z68 Extreme 3 Gen3, not the rest of the Z68 boards (yet).

 

[FAUguy]

Last night I did a manual overclock of 4.5GHz, CPU voltage offset of +0.035, and LLC of 3. I then did the IBT with 100 runs and it did pass (took about 12 hours). CPUZ showed the highest voltage was 1.360 and the highest temp was 80C.

Next I'll try to do a manual OC at 4.6 and see if it will pass IBT 100 runs with Custom 12000 MB.

Changed it to 46 multiplier last night with a voltage offset of +0.040V and LLC of 3. Ran IBT and it passed, 100 runs, Custom 12000 MB. CPUID showed the voltage fluctuating between 1.368v and 1.376v and the highest temp was 84C.

Now wondering if I should try to see if 4.6 would pass with slightly less voltage of +0.035 (that I used with the 4.5 OC), of try 4.7 with +0.040 or 0.045.

 

[FAUguy]

Changed it to 46 multiplier last night with a voltage offset of +0.040V and LLC of 3. Ran IBT and it passed, 100 runs, Custom 12000 MB. CPUID showed the voltage fluctuating between 1.368v and 1.376v and the highest temp was 84C.

Now wondering if I should try to see if 4.6 would pass with slightly less voltage of +0.035 (that I used with the 4.5 OC), of try 4.7 with +0.040 or 0.045.

I tried a 47 multiplier with different voltage offsets from +0.040 to +0.055 with LLC 3 and could not get Intel Burn Test (100 runs, Custom 12000 MB) to pass. So I backed it down to 4.6GHz with the voltage of +0.040 and was able to pass IBT (24 hours) and Prime (7 hours so far).
So it looked like anything above 4.6GHz isn't going to be stable with my 2600K. I'll try again when a new BIOS is posted above L2.04 Beta.

 

[TaranScorp]

I am unable to disable intel turbo boost also, but everything else is working pretty good with the new L2.04 bios. Theres some new options for cpu tweaking but i don't have a clue what they do yet.
1) Primary Plane Current Limit
2) Secondary Plane Current Limit
And Core Current Limit is missing.

 

[FAUguy]

I've noticed one issue with the L2.03 BIOS.
When I shut down my PC at night, and go to turn it on the next day. there is no response. I have to turn the power switch on the back of the power supply to off, wait a few seconds, turn it on, then press the power button on the front of the case.
I've tried it a few times, and it does it every time I turn my system off.

This power-off/power-on problem that was on the L2.03 and my Z68 Fatal1ty Pro Gen3 has now appeared with the L2.04 BIOS as well.
Shut the PC off last night (within Win7), it was off for about 9 hours, went to turn it on today by pressing the Power button on the front of the case, and the fans and drives power up, but it doesn't fully boot (nothing shown on the screen). I then have to turn the power off on the back of the power supply, wait 30 seconds, switch the power supply back on, then press the case power button. It then fully boots and Posts.

I tried his several times today, and each time I shut down my PC, I have to go through that process to get it to power back on.

I'm not sure if it's a bug in these beta 2.03 & 2.04 BIOS, or if there is some other (new) setting in the BIOS that is causing this to happen. I've tried making changes to the power settings options in the BIOS, but it still has this problem.

Any ideas?

 

[bankster55]

@FAUguy

Just curious when you do your new IB bios flashing is it one smooth process or are there multiple starts and it is not over after "successful" message?

On ASUS Z68 mobo 3XXX bios its a three step process
55 seconds to successful
55 seconds to install some oprom updates
45 seconds to last oprom and module install
Accompanied by mad rebooting

The P67 3XXX bios have a distinct 2 separate update sequence that must be restarted with F1 and a whole new proceedure starts. This was done because a lot of peeps shut down the Z68 bios flash too soon and had a partial update with issues.

IIRC the ASUS X79 R4E had the no boot after long off issue, but cant recall the solution. You might check out Hard Forum Intel mobo section

 

[FAUguy]

@FAUguy

Just curious when you do your new IB bios flashing is it one smooth process or are there multiple starts and it is not over after "successful" message?

On ASUS Z68 mobo 3XXX bios its a three step process
55 seconds to successful
55 seconds to install some oprom updates
45 seconds to last oprom and module install
Accompanied by mad rebooting

When I flashed with the L2.03 and L2.04 BIOS, it finished fully and said press any key to reboot. After that point, the system wound power down and start up normally. It wasn't until I made changes in the BIOS did the power up problem occur.

I tried some things tonight, making different settings in the BIOS and think I've discovered where the problem is. When overclocking, you're supposed to select Internal PLL Overvoltage "Enable" to allow the CPU to use more voltage. But I noticed that when doing the auto overclocks, that this stayed at "Disable" and the PC would power down and start up just fine. Only if I change it to "Enable" did the PC not want to start back up after being shut down. I've tried it a few times, and whenever I select PLL Overvoltage Enable, I get the power up problem. So I'm leaving it disabled. I ran Intel Burn Test and it passed. Also, CPUID is reporting the same voltage on the CPU with PLL Overvoltage Disabled or Enabled. With the 1.30 BIOS I had PLL Overvoltage Enabled, but for some reason (bug) that is causing the power up issue with the L2.03 and L2.04. I hope they get this fixed by the next BIOS release.

I also tried with Spread Spectrum set to Auto or Disabled, and either way the system started just fine, so I set it to Disabled.

Here's a screen shot of the setting in the BIOS:

 

[bankster55]

spread spectrum should always be off unless you live near a cell tower ot TV Transmitter or powerstation. Mobo is more stable, and better overclock, and when on - it alone can cause double boot.

And always always use XMP profile - which auto sets BCLK to 100.0 anyway

Internal PLL overvoltage on was originally for extreme O/C 4.8 - 5.0+. PLL OV also by itself was a cause of double boot, so guys with those high clocks and big offsets were stuck with a double boot.

Double boot is just a reset, bios kicks down a notch for something it doesnt like.

This seems to have changed with SB IB hybrid bios, as I no longer get dual boot with it on or off.

And you def dont want Intel (on die) turbo enabled, if you are manual overclocking, you will be 1600 idle and 4600 under load, so that 400MHz kick is useless, and the algorithm for the turbo mode is so complicated

 

[FAUguy]

spread spectrum should always be off unless you live near a cell tower ot TV Transmitter or powerstation. Mobo is more stable, and better overclock, and when on - it alone can cause double boot.

And always always use XMP profile - which auto sets BCLK to 100.0 anyway

Internal PLL overvoltage on was originally for extreme O/C 4.8 - 5.0+. PLL OV also by itself was a cause of double boot, so guys with those high clocks and big offsets were stuck with a double boot.

Double boot is just a reset, bios kicks down a notch for something it doesnt like.

This seems to have changed with SB IB hybrid bios, as I no longer get dual boot with it on or off.

And you def dont want Intel (on die) turbo enabled, if you are manual overclocking, you will be 1600 idle and 4600 under load, so that 400MHz kick is useless, and the algorithm for the turbo mode is so complicated

Yes, I always turn Spread Spectrum off and also use the XMP Profile on my 2133MHz RAM. Can you explain more why Turbo Boost should be off? I had always left it on in the 1.30 BIOS since I built the PC last October.

 

[bankster55]

heres the Intel Turbo demo video
http://www.intel.com/technology/product/demos/turboboost/demo.htm?iid=tech_demo+tb
There is INTEL turbo and MOBO turbo
Intel turbo is programmed into CPU die.

O.K. you run stock settings on CPU only
Intel turbo on in bios
2500K - 3300 plus 400 max turbo is 3700
2600K - 3400 plus 400 max turbo is 3800

You run 4600 no speedstep - constant = no turbo ever
Why would you need it?
You run 1600/4600 idle/load with Intel speedstep = no turbo ever
Why would you need it?
To run speedstep correctly you need in Win 7 power in cntrl panel advanced options/processor power/5% min 100% max (5% means nothing, just has to be lower)
Intel SS enabled in bios
CIE off
C3 enabled (not auto)
C6 enabled (not auto)

Using the TPU switch on mobo (ASUS) should auto grey out Intel turbo. Using any AI Suite (ASUS) turbo should grey out Intel turbo in bios. Up until 3XXX bios this was the case.
Depending on bios and mobo model, this seems to be not the case, also depends on Z68 or P67
The prob is these mobo makers change options and also what auto means. And they never tell anybody anything. You are on your own.

I have 5 dif ASUS mobo just in my office.
The 3207 bios for the P8P67deluxe only came out 5 days ago. The 3202 bios for Z68 VPro G3 came out about a month ago, just as the 3202 for Z68 Deluxe G3
I have finally got all PC working acceptably
My 2500K chips all O/C to 4.8 like easy, but volt max goes up to 1.421, so I just run them at 4.6 with no offset needed.
I just dont have the time to investigate every combination and permutation of ea mobo.
I also simply bought my own eeprom programmer to avoid the neccessity of using ASUS flawed flashing routines. All flashes are now 100% complete and 100% perfect.

 

[FAUguy]

heres the Intel Turbo demo video
http://www.intel.com/technology/product/demos/turboboost/demo.htm?iid=tech_demo+tb
There is INTEL turbo and MOBO turbo
Intel turbo is programmed into CPU die.

O.K. you run stock settings on CPU only
Intel turbo on in bios
2500K - 3300 plus 400 max turbo is 3700
2600K - 3400 plus 400 max turbo is 3800

You run 4600 no speedstep - constant = no turbo ever
Why would you need it?
You run 1600/4600 idle/load with Intel speedstep = no turbo ever
Why would you need it?
To run speedstep correctly you need in Win 7 power in cntrl panel advanced options/processor power/5% min 100% max (5% means nothing, just has to be lower)
Intel SS enabled in bios
CIE off
C3 enabled (not auto)
C6 enabled (not auto)

Using the TPU switch on mobo (ASUS) should auto grey out Intel turbo. Using any AI Suite (ASUS) turbo should grey out Intel turbo in bios. Up until 3XXX bios this was the case.
Depending on bios and mobo model, this seems to be not the case, also depends on Z68 or P67
The prob is these mobo makers change options and also what auto means. And they never tell anybody anything. You are on your own.

I have 5 dif ASUS mobo just in my office.
The 3207 bios for the P8P67deluxe only came out 5 days ago. The 3202 bios for Z68 VPro G3 came out about a month ago, just as the 3202 for Z68 Deluxe G3
I have finally got all PC working acceptably
My 2500K chips all O/C to 4.8 like easy, but volt max goes up to 1.421, so I just run them at 4.6 with no offset needed.
I just dont have the time to investigate every combination and permutation of ea mobo.
I also simply bought my own eeprom programmer to avoid the neccessity of using ASUS flawed flashing routines. All flashes are now 100% complete and 100% perfect.

As it turns out, if your using the L2.03 or L2.04 BIOS and overclocking, you can't even select the "Intel Turbo Boost" in the BIOS.

Regarding overclocking on it, the auto OC works fine with my 2600K up to 4.4GHz, but at 4.6 & 4.8 it is not 100% stable. The auto OC uses these settings for voltage and LLC:
4.4GHz, +0.055v, LLC 5
4.6GHz, +0.075v, LLC 5
4.8GHz, +0.095v, LLC 5
I've done some manual OC, and can get stable 4.4GHz with +0.030v and LLC 3 or 4.6GHz with +0.040v and LLC 3. Right now I'm using the manual 4.6GHz, +0.040V, LLC 3 and the highest voltage under load shows 1.368v.
How can you get a stable 4.6GHz with no extra voltage offset?