ASUS Maximus BIOS problem (Warning N00b alert)

[MatTheCat]

Hello

I have recently upgraded my PC with the following additions

E8400 cpu
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA mobo
4GB OCZ Reaper (advertised as PC8500) 5-5-5-15

I have upgraded the mobo bios to the latest final version which is 907.

From the bios, I can tweak the RAM timings etc, and reboot with the new settings in place.

However, when I opt to manually up the FSB in order to raise the CPU speed, (even to the most modest of increases), my system reboots with the default values.

Annoyingly, I can overclock from XP64 using the AI utility that comes with the board.

So, since many of you guys are super-informed and up to date on these matters, could any of you tell me if their is a known fault with the ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA boards and O/c E8400 (a very popular chip right now)?

Thanks in advance.

[Clunk]

Welcome to the forums

Please grab the maximus BIOS template from the intel section and list all your BIOS settings, and then put all your hardware specs in your profile extra options and we can help you out

[MatTheCat]

Ok...I am not sure how to get it as a scrollable window but here it is:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Setting : Auto
FSB Frequency : 333
FSB Strap to North Bridge : AUTO
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Auto
Primary Info : 5-5-5-15-3-54-6-3
Secondary Info : 8-3-5-4-6-4-6
DRAM Static Read Control: AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : AUTO
Transaction Booster : AUTO

CPU Voltage : AUTO
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : AUTO
DRAM Voltage : AUTO
FSB Termination Voltage :
South Bridge Voltage : AUTO
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : AUTO
North Bridge GTL Reference : AUTO
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : AUTO

NB LED Selection : NB Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU VOlt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : AUTO
PCIE Spread Spectrum : AUTO

Advanced CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Control : AUTO
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Enabled
Vanderpool Technology : Enabled
Execute Disable Bit : Enabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled


USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Disabled

[Clunk]

Ok, the problem is that you have the DRAM voltage set to AUTO, which means that it will most probably be feeding the RAM 1.8v - I think your RAM is 2.2v or so isn't it? So set that to whatever it is supposed to be. It will tell you on the sticks themselves.

Also, you have the DRAM speed on AUTO. This is most likely set to PC2-6400, so as you up the FSB, your RAM is already running higher than it can go at 1.8v and thats why you are getting the crashes

[MatTheCat]

Cheers for that.....I will go and give it a whirl....

[Clunk]

I forgot to say, set your RAM to 667 if the CPU is at 333, that = 1:1 which is what you want while testing

[MatTheCat]

Originally Posted by Clunk

I forgot to say, set your RAM to 667 if the CPU is at 333, that = 1:1 which is what you want while testing

Yup...done the trick....thanks very much.

I shall refer back to your guide as to why 1:1 is what is wanted for testing.....(something to do with keeping system stable in order to determine max CPU I think)

[Clunk]

Yes, have a read of the guides, there will be some useful info in there

[MatTheCat]

Originally Posted by Clunk

Yes, have a read of the guides, there will be some useful info in there

Aye, I have read loads of guides of various standards......problem is I dont have a photographic memory but I am slowly gaining a rough outline of the basics.....

[Clunk]

I meant my guides, they are aimed at beginners. All you need is a pretty basic understanding of your PC and how to adjust your BIOS, and some decent cooling, pretty much anyone can do it

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