Asus Maximus Formula SE X38 - Living Review.

[intelx38]

Thanks for the responses so far! Negative or positive everyone is entitled to their own opinion for things. I've tried playing around a bit since my initial post, and I've found that the overvolting is quite a pain...Here's an example:

In order to get a Vcore of 1.36v, I had to set the option in tweaker section to 1.42v.. :|

Latest settings I've tried before my onboard network ports went south were: (both of them just went ka-put.)

Set = What I have set in the tweaking section of the BIOS
BIOS = What the BIOS is showing after saving settings and a reboot back into BIOS to check
Vista = What Everest & Probe2 was showing

................Set.....Bios.....Vista
Vcore:.......1.42.....1.36.....1.35
PLL:..........1.52.....1.63.......??
NB:...........1.49.....1.52.....1.52
DRAM:.......2.04.....2.12.....2.14
FSBT:........1.40.....1.45.....1.44
DDR2ref:...1.05.....1.07.....1.07
SB1.5:......1.50.....1.55.....1.55

CPU: 3.5Ghz
FSB: 389
DDR: 935

I tried to run Prime95, and it was going well for about 30min, then worker process #4 halted with hardware error message. Prime95 said to check a stress.txt file, but for the love of God...where does one find that file? (Was not in the same folder I had extracted Prime95 into..)

Also, I think it may be a compatibility issue with SuperPI and Vista64. Even at stock settings, sometimes it completes and sometimes it just 'crashes' after the 1st iteration. Is there another program like SuperPI that someone (knows of/used) that I can test with on Vista64?

Thanks for the suggestion Clunk I'll try that out; and yes the memory is rated for up to 2.3v EVP (Extended Voltage Protection).

Can someone list their setup if you have it up to 3.5Ghz? I want to use that as the template and adjust it from there.

[Clunk]

If you are having vdroop and the loadline calibration is enabled, it sounds like you are on a pre 0505 BIOS, if so, update the BIOS and that should fix that.

Failing prime usually just means you need a touch more voltage. Just up the voltage a notch or two and retest, but keep an eye on the temps. This could also be why you are failing superpi.

Not sure about superpi and x64 - wouldnt surprise me though, thats one of the reasons I dont use vista for overclocking. Compatibility.

And when you put that RAM up to 2.2/2.3, make sure you actively cool it, ir it will die pretty quickly

[intelx38]

I'm on the 701 BOIS. Didnt try the previous one that came with the board.. :\ I'll try your suggestion about upping the voltage for Prime & SuperPI..

SuperPI most likely is not liking Vista64 (or just mine ). It's just weird that it runs sometimes when OC and not OC.

As for the RAM, I have the reaper series which has the HPC, also have the CPU fan quite close to the RAM modules...Seems like the air is pulled enough for it to cool them. I'll try to keep an eye on them when testing with higher voltage

Going to get some sleep...Will try this tomorrow when I get a chance.

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by intelx38

I'm on the 701 BOIS. Didnt try the previous one that came with the board.. :\ I'll try your suggestion about upping the voltage for Prime & SuperPI..

SuperPI most likely is not liking Vista64 (or just mine ). It's just weird that it runs sometimes when OC and not OC.

As for the RAM, I have the reaper series which has the HPC, also have the CPU fan quite close to the RAM modules...Seems like the air is pulled enough for it to cool them. I'll try to keep an eye on them when testing with higher voltage

Going to get some sleep...Will try this tomorrow when I get a chance.

The excess air from a CPU fan, isnt enough to keep RAM@2.2/2.3v cool and alive. You need to either hang a fan off the RAM socket lugs, or get yourself a proper RAM cooler, even more so for RAM that has a big chunky heatspreader, such as the OCZ flexxlc or reaper, as they can retain heat if there is no airflow accross them.

Did you try a bit of extra voltage to the CPU?

[fatty5000]

So if my crucial is meant to run at 2.2v do I need to cool it

Also am I t belive what pc probe tells me regarding temps and voltages as my NB and SB are running at around 60c and my ram voltage is 2.9 is it telling porkies

[Clunk]

If the RAM uses 2.1v or above, I put a fan over it - that's just the way I do it with DDR2.

It is entirely up to you if you do it or not, it is just that it can prolong the life of your RAM if you do.

2.9v on the RAM? That is scarily high - might be worth trying some different software, and if that says the same, send it back, it's faulty.

[fatty5000]

Originally Posted by Clunk

If the RAM uses 2.1v or above, I put a fan over it - that's just the way I do it with DDR2.

It is entirely up to you if you do it or not, it is just that it can prolong the life of your RAM if you do.

2.9v on the RAM? That is scarily high - might be worth trying some different software, and if that says the same, send it back, it's faulty.

Thanks dude

I just checked with everest and it says 2.2v but this maybe the recommended voltage

can you recommend a go program for reading volts on the fly

[intelx38]

Originally Posted by Clunk

The excess air from a CPU fan, isnt enough to keep RAM@2.2/2.3v cool and alive.

I totally agree with your comment as I am one that is kind of anal about cooling thus I purchased the Antec 900 case as it serves my purpose. The setup I have (sry no pics ) is with the TR120E in a vertical position I have the fan to the right of the TR120E (if you are facing the MB top down view). Also the case front middle fan is pointed directly at the RAM area with air flowing toward the RAM modules. I've felt the heat spreaders on the RAM modules and they are just a tad bit warm.

Originally Posted by Clunk

You need to either hang a fan off the RAM socket lugs, or get yourself a proper RAM cooler, even more so for RAM that has a big chunky heatspreader, such as the OCZ flexxlc or reaper, as they can retain heat if there is no airflow accross them.

During the shopping phase of this new pc purchase, I had thought about the ram coolers...But there was only 1 problem. I was glad that I held off in purchasing one as after the installation of the TR120E+fan, I would be blocking 1/2 of the fan with the ram cooler. Which would pretty destroy the flow of the air for the TR120E..

Originally Posted by Clunk

Did you try a bit of extra voltage to the CPU?

What would be a safe voltage increase by?

As previously stated I have it set as below:

................Set.....Bios.....Vista
Vcore:.......1.42.....1.36.....1.35

VID in CoreTemp is showing about 1.2v

Which voltage application should I trust as being the proper one to follow?...

Looking forward to comments!

[Nuckin_Futs]

ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA SE Purchaced 10-11-07. Wow, I am very suprised of the not so good luck a lot of you are experiencing with this mobo.

How many users haveing average or good luck with theirs? I am running mine on air with same set up as Clunk but w/ E6750. Crucial Tracers PC2-8500 2x 1 GB,Lapped both ThermalRight Ultra 120 Extreme and CPU IHS. I cnat claim I got any better then other OC's for this same CPU on any of my other mobos as Abit IP-35 Pro, ASUS P5K Deluxe and even Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R. I can just say it is doing fine as so far to at least the same as the other models I used to date for this CPU (P35 based). I have no other X38 to compare it to yet, but am waiting for the ASUS P5E-WS Pro

Clunk, I am doing 500FSB just fine on air and with decent temps so far, but then dont have any X38 refference temps to go by. I get 3.50GHz as 500x7 @ 1.376v in 1:1 DDR1000 @ 4-4-4-12 @ 2.26v. NB: 1.5v @ 43c, SB: 1.10v @ 39c, SB2: 1.58v

How did you if so, get the DDR1200? I can't get 5:6 at 500FSB, so so if down to 450FSB. What area should I give attention to add chances of getting to boot as 5:6 DDR1200 at 500FSB? I am away but will try movig RAM to white slots when I return to see if it helps.

Also, did you get to play with the FSB strap outside of "Auto"? I used fixed strap of 333 when new on BIOS v0401 and was good to 500FSB @ 7x. But now on v0602, 8x works but nt in manual FSB strap. I have to set to "Auto" in order to boot @ 8x as 500FSB, but does goto 515FSB now just like on P5K.

Thanks in advance!

[fatty5000]

Mine's is performing great as well 3.6 ghz on air with artic cooling 7

The only worry I have is asus probe showing high NB and SB temps 60c and it says the ram voltage is 2.9 but its set in bios at 2.2 ????????

I may try going for the lastest bios tonight currently running 0505

than agin if it ain't broke don't fix it springs to mind