Hornet3 Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Hi all, My question is regarding the sort of voltages required to get 1066MHz operation. Several review sites have succeeded with my motherboard so it should be possible for me. To start with, I reset my system to default settings in BIOS, and selected Expert mode in the EPP settings. I booted my system and all my voltages were stock, except my Northbridge voltage which was sent up to 2.75V (stock 1.2V). So I shut down immediately as that's just insane and I have no active cooling on the Northbridge. I've tried 888.9MHz (2:3) ratio with 4-4-4-12 2T timings @ 2.1V and got a BSOD on start-up. Any speed below this and I can't really justify leaving 667MHz with 3-3-3-9 1T timings that I have now. I have tested the current speed (667MHz) and had no dramas in Orthos and a few hours of Crysis Warhead! Any ideas on what voltages need increasing and by how much? It's completely ridiculous for a NB voltage of 2.75V and anyone not familiar with the voltage levels will have fried their NB pretty quickly. Will I need to increase the HT voltage as well? Anyone had any experience with this, or similar Asus motherboards?? Cheers for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 On other 680i and 780i MOBOs, 1.4v - 1.5v on NB and 2.1v on the RAM should be fine. Keep in mind that the RAM is not validated at CAS4 @ 888. I'd suggest CAS4 at DDR800 or CAS5 at 1066. Where is this 2.75v you are referring to? Also, make sure are using the most recent BIOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet3 Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 I use the nVidia Monitor to monitor my voltages and temperatures. The voltages in the reading have always been identical to the BIOS settings in the past, and when I booted, I read the Northbridge voltage was set to 2.75V in the nVidia monitor. I could check with Everest Engineer's Edition, however I am a bit reluctant to deliberately select Expert mode again. I have the latest BIOS (updated a few days ago). OK cheers, I'll give 1.4-1.5V a go. I have no active cooling on the Northbridge and the Asus motherboards run quite hot, so will have to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 The voltages in the reading have always been identical to the BIOS settings in the past, and when I booted, I read the Northbridge voltage was set to 2.75V in the nVidia monitor..What value are you setting in the bios? Have you used the ASUS monitoring utility? Also, did you do a complete CMOS clear after you flashed the BIOS? FWIW, a real 2.75v would cook your NB QUICKLY. As for cooling, if you have a spare fan and some zip ties....viola...active cooling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet3 Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 I set the Northbridge voltage manually at 1.2V for my normal settings (that is the default for this board). And yes, I saw the Northbridge voltage at 2.75V and instantly restarted and reset it as I knew it wouldn't take long at that level. As I said previously I use the nVidia monitor and that has been perfectly accurate in the past reflecting the BIOS settings I've manually set. Yes, after flashing the BIOS, I had to clear the CMOS to get the system to start. Also before I applied the EPP Expert profile I reset my CPU OC to default settings (2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB). I've considered making my own cooling however, I have a Noctua tower heatsink and there's not really enough room for me to install a small fan directly over the northbridge. With my Stacker 832, my System sits on 31 degrees idle and under load might peak at about 35 degrees. So they are very reasonable (I have 3 120mm side fans blowing air in and sucking air out for good airflow). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 You may want to contact your MOBO maker then as that 2.75v is potentially lethal to the NB. How long ago was it when you flashed the BIOS and did you have these issues before you flashed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet3 Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 I tried setting the memory at speeds higher than 800MHz and could not achieve this with my original BIOS (0603). For this reason I updated the BIOS to the latest version for my board as I saw memory compatibility was improved in the later revisions. I had no issues other than not being able to attain the rated speeds (the new BIOS appears to be fine). My motherboard appears to be fine, however in the event that it did fail there is no way Asus would replace it due to the EPP profile overvolting my Northbridge to a ridiculously high level. I'm currently very busy at Uni at the moment, but after exams (in about 4 weeks), I'll spend a weekend and really try to get the RAM working at 1066MHz by manually adjusting the voltages! I'll let you know how that goes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 My motherboard appears to be fine, however in the event that it did fail there is no way Asus would replace it due to the EPP profile overvolting my Northbridge to a ridiculously high level. The EPP has NO Serial Presence Detect settings for the Northbridge. SPD/EPP is relegated to DRAM timings and the DRAM Vdimm, no more. If you blow your Northbridge, the RMA will have nothing to do with the DRAM. It's possible, but doubtful you will damage the DRAM as well since the feedback resistors should deal with such an event. However, you may end up with a blown Northbridge. I would seriously look at this issue as appearance does not always issue reality. But, it's your hardware. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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