[PangingJr]

Jadus,
would you do this... start the "Intel Matrix Storage Console" and go to File menu and select "Save System Report" and open the report.txt and go to the "RAID Option ROM Version:" copy/paste the info here.
and then when you get a chance to have this same info on, may be, another X38-DQ6 or EX38-DS4 or any boards that based on P35/X38/X48 and ICH9R chipsets, let me know, i like to know about the RAID OROM version on the newer release boards.

================

System Information

Kit Installed: 7.8.0.1012
Kit Install History: 7.8.0.1012
Shell Version: 7.8.0.1013

Intel(R) RAID Technology

Intel RAID Controller: Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller
Number of Serial ATA ports: 6

RAID Option ROM Version: 7.5.0.1017 <<<<<<=======
Driver Version: 7.8.0.1012
RAID Plug-In Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the RAID Plug-In: 7.8.0.1013
Create Volume Wizard Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume Wizard: 7.8.0.1013
Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard: 7.8.0.1013
Modify Volume Wizard Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the Modify Volume Wizard: 7.8.0.1013
Delete Volume Wizard Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the Delete Volume Wizard: 7.8.0.1013
ISDI Library Version: 7.8.0.1013
Event Monitor User Notification Tool Version: 7.8.0.1013
Language Resource Version of the Event Monitor User Notification Tool: 7.8.0.1013
Event Monitor Version: 7.8.0.1013

================================

if you usually don't install Intel MSM software in Windows, then get the RAID OROM version in BIOS...

like this (for example), "Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager option ROM v7.5.0.1017 ICH9R wRAID5"

[Judas]

will do panging.... when i get home..

i've already sword my board... just waiting for pickup.. but i can pull that information up before pickup.



BTW hobo,

On every build i do, i remove the stock thermal paste that comes preapplied on the heatsinks... Using a few q-tips (dry) to remove the initial thermal paste, and then 99% alchol with q-tips to really shine the sucker up....

right now i've been using OCZ's Silver thermal paste compound which actually is doing a rather good job of it. Applying a thin layer to both the cpu and heatsink... the result has ALWAYS been excellent.... (i use the "plastic bag stretched over a finger to forcefully apply the thermal paste in an even manner" method)

[[hobo]eclipse]

up and runnin and all is well, only thing that caught mt attention is some CPU temps.
Everest 4.50.1330 is reporting the CPU itself at the 23-26 degrees Celsius range, but each core is hangn round at 42ish, is this normal for these intel chips?

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by [hobo]eclipse

up and runnin and all is well, only thing that caught mt attention is some CPU temps.
Everest 4.50.1330 is reporting the CPU itself at the 23-26 degrees Celsius range, but each core is hangn round at 42ish, is this normal for these intel chips?

That's about what mine says as well for my E8400. Not too sure why though.

[PangingJr]

this has happened to many Wolfdale users out there. i've heard about this problem from friends and seen on the internet that many people complains about the sensors reading in Wolfdale's (mostly E8400's, but this maybe because E8400 is popular CPU for overclocking)

i'm not sure whether this information is correct or not, but it might explain about the (may be) problem you found in the thermal sensors reading.



i also heard some E8400 users sent the CPU back for a new replacement CPU.
i don't know what to suggest you, but what i would do if i feel like i don't like to see the DTS reading wrongly, i'll talk to local retailer to see if they can replace the CPU for me, otherwise, talk to local Intel's authorized distributors (its name on the 3 years warranty card attached to the boxed retail CPU) and ask for a replacement CPU.

[[hobo]eclipse]

well i couldn't resist lasts night and pumper it up a bit, up one notch for CPU volts to 1.23, have the FSB an additional 0.05 and the MCH an additional 0.025.

MCH is the north bridg voltage, is the FSB voltage kinda like AMD HT voltage?

anyway what im getting at is:

last night played crysis for about an hour and half,(let me tell u the game really came alive!) no problems, i ran prime 95 for an hour (maxing out at 70 c with a 22 c ambient,stock cooler), no problems then i ran 2 instances super pi renaming the .exe's, both cores were loaded, one crashed after 3 min and the other after 7 min, where could i start with adjustments?



also flashing to F3 bios via onboard q flash i lost the speedstep (CPU EIST) setting in the advanced bios features? any thoughts?

i already disabled the Enhanced halt and thermal monitor, was that a good choice or will the thermal monitor be a good failsafe?

should i turn the virtualization off or leave it on?

[[hobo]eclipse]

got back in the bios, MCH is @ +0.05v and FSB is @ +0.1v,

backed the CPU down from 1.237 to 1.231v

i dont see the actual voltages for the FSB and MCH anywhere in the bios or in windows, are these available to see does anyone know? or do i just go off the over volt adjustments and temps?

speeaking of temps room is about 22c, CPU idling about 42c and p95 maxed out at 70c, this is w/ a stock cooler. this is OK temp wise for moderate use, isnt it?

[PangingJr]

in some BIOS version, i would say this is the same for all Gigabyte P35/X38/X48 boards's BIOS today,
when the CPU multi is set to not use default value the CPU EIST Function settings will be Disabled by BIOS (CPU EIST Function settings will be missing from the BIOS setting page)


as for the "CPU idling about 42c", if you go to google, E8400 core temp 42C, for example, you should see some results about the 42C.

as for "p95 maxed out at 70c, this is w/ a stock cooler", i say this seems to be normal.
but you should improve the temp. later get a better cooler and try again.

as for your BIOS settings, here (below) is for most users when they overclocked the system.

Limit CPUID Max. to 3 [Disabled] <-- always
No-Execute Memory Protect [Enabled] <-- always
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function (Note) [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology [Disabled] <-- always


this is my settings...
C1E [Enabled]
TM2 [Enabled]

the board default FSB voltage at 1.20V (not so certain on this info),
for 455 FSB, and when the system CPU is Wolfdale, i don't think you need to add FSB voltage.

[[hobo]eclipse]

thanks for the info panging, helped clear some things up alot, i've heard of a ctrl f1 secret bios menu on gigabyte boards, guess this one doesnt have it? I think its strange not to see the other voltages that have options for OC

the temps IMHO opinion seem all right for a stock cooler, i had the same temp. difference on A64 X2 between CPU diod and cores(bout 7-10c). seems real temp is reporting about 10c lower consistently that core temp and everest, load and idle, have to look into this more, thanks again

BTW, performance improvement in crysis from sys in sig are freaking amazing(same GPU), night an day! played on the settings above no prob, lets the GPU shine thru for sure, playing mostly on high settings / w textures and few other on extra, 1440*900. Vista does come alive with four gigs of ram!

[PangingJr]

about the "ctrl f1 secret bios menu on gigabyte boards", Gigabyte has began not so long ago, to not having to use the keys for most useful overclocking features BIOS settings.
but when you think, there is something missing from the BIOS pages, go back to the main BIOS page and then Ctrl+F1 once just to be sure.

about BIOS update, i myself or my friend have been talking a lot with Gigabyte's people, if i want to see something new in BIOS i tell them, sometimes i get to try new (beta) BIOS,
i have been updating my board's BIOS so many times and regularly, sometimes back and forth. and have not (yet) killed a board, you know what i mean, sometimes updating the board's BIOS can kill a board.
but if i can suggest you, don't worry about killing your board with the updating BIOS, for your X38 board, i would update its BIOS to a newer version at every time Gigabyte has published it.

[[hobo]eclipse]

once i get a better cooler on this thing the fun can really begin, the nactua fan/sink from the new review look good, but its kinda pricey, you run on air dont you panging? what cooler/fan setup u use? do you have a certain thermal paste u like?

would those guys know anything about optimal timimgs (secondary )and such for the 4 gig gskill DDR2 1066 kit?

i'd like to try beta bios' if you think that would be ok, played with many on my DFI expert and nforce2 chipsets, and this gigabyte has dual bios for bad flashes and coruption. you think that would be possible for them to show the woltages of the FSB and the MCH in PC health area of the bios? that would be cool.

[[hobo]eclipse]

well this thread over at XS gets my hopes up a lil. this FPO Batch number matchs mine, only difference in my sticker is a pack date of 02/06/08

seems there doin good on low volts

[PangingJr]

an internal beta BIOS won't be given out easily to just anyone, it takes me some times before they gave me to try this BIOS and that BIOS and let them know. i think they must receive users feedback.
if you have problem with your board you can try the Gigabyte GTS page - GIGABYTE but i have to tell you, you need to be patient (english lang communication might be a problem sometimes).

anyways, just you know, for your info, there are quite a few (beta) BIOS's files leak out at, for example, the station-drivers.com. but for you to use the BIOS files is all up to you.

however, as of now, it's just for people with Gigabyte X48's that want to have all BIOS builds to try with. so, unlike your board's chipset is very new, the Gigabyte X38 is not very new anymore, and BIOS is now quite stable. you probably better wait for the final to be available at the Gigabyte site.

about all the overclocking things, i think you may want to take one slow step at a time.
i (myself) have never figured this out yet, and possibly never even had a finished build the way i actually wanted to be, lol, possibly never will.
but for you, first, try to get a better cooler. one that best fit to the board and your setup, and the best one your money can buy,
i suggest you do some research into this better cooler, and then get one. now, it seems like you are needing this cooler if you like to overclock your system.

[PangingJr]

Originally Posted by [hobo]eclipse

once i get a better cooler on this thing the fun can really begin, the nactua fan/sink from the new review look good, but its kinda pricey, you run on air dont you panging? what cooler/fan setup u use? do you have a certain thermal paste u like?

now, my E8200 is with Intel E6850 stock cooler and in P35-DS4 running most of the time 500 FSB and up with 7x or 7.5x sometimes.
the CPU uses a lot more core-voltage than what you are using now.



i tried Ninja rev.B on GA-P35-DS4, and GeminII on GA-965P-DS4, but after monitoring my CPU's temp for some time, i'm sure i won't have to use a better cooler than the Intel stock cooler.

it seems to me like, the Wolfdale CPU's that uses higher core voltage is cooler.
well this is not just me, others have also noticed the same, as i used to read about this some time ago somewhere on the web.

however, i still want to try out one that can overclock high and achieved with a low core voltage anyways.
about the RAM kit, i like it very much but never get to buy myself one, waiting for it to be cheaper.
and about thermal paste, i bought many tubes of MX-2 at once so i'll be using it for a while. i'm sure it's not the best thermal paste out there.




about the Q746, as far as i know, the E8400 FPO/BATCH # Q746 is welknown to be one of the best overclocker CPU.
your E3110 can also be a very, very good CPU for overclocking.

[[hobo]eclipse]

after enabling the TM2/C1E the low volts response seems good, i believe i have it set at 1.200 in bios(or right close)

what the difference between these 2 and speed step? SS do more of an on the go throttle when TM2 is high\low, on\off setup?

any opinions on the Load line calibration setting in bios, i have it on now

only bios voltage changes here is CPU 1.2v and DDR2 +.20 v

another strange setting is the Precision Event Timer (a vista only setting?) that runs in 64 or 32 bit mode.

i was looking at that Gemini cooler, but its size may be over kill,

wanted to get the FSB higher, 500x7 or so(ok maybe 525) but ran into a major posting problem, would having to raise the FSB about +0.30v and the MCH +0.20 to get it to post make sense? will a higher FSB cause the CPU to require more volts?

had to change the MCH strap to do this to keep RAM at around 1100 for now(seems stable but yet to do a memtest all night), there are the same multiplier with different letters by them in this setting, the letters are for certain multi's to use for certain default CPU FSB(333 was the B group i believe)

should i only use the multi's that are for my cpu's default FSB? some of the multi's are the same but have a different letter by them(for different default CPU FSB) or would it make sense to use the 400 FSB group as i am oc'n the FSB?

* still priming @ 1.168v *

[PangingJr]

i was not suggesting you about the coolers, i already have those so i just tested them on.

well you have a lot of questions man, i can't keep up with the questions, i'll stop by again and read and answer when i can. later.

it all looks good so far. it's time for you to try it out yourself.

[[hobo]eclipse]

it's cool panging, thanks a lot for all your help

[swimtech]

...about the heat sink compound - y'all might want to take a gander at THIS thread I saw in the news back in December here at DH.

[hobo]eclipse - I have slotted to get an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro as part of the kit I'm building - but there are others similar, the CoolerMaster TX2 gets good ratings too - neither will bust your wallet.

I really liked the results of the last two CPU cooler reviews done here at DH, the Akasa and Noctua - but didn't see them available at NewEgg...

[[hobo]eclipse]

the noctua is listed but not in stock at frozen CPU for 70 bucks

my prime95 from above ended, 1 hour 14 mins and core 1 crashed, not exactly sure where to go but i guess ill run prime95 again to see if core 1 acts up again. see if the situation is consistant

thanks for the suggestions swimtech ill check'm out, i recall that article now too!

[PangingJr]

if it helps bring the temp down to mid 50c or so (if that's even possible), 70 bucks is not that expensive for the noctua.
my Wolfdale's temp is quite better than yours while mine eats a whole more vcore than yours.

once you have to use a higher core voltage to overclock your CPU the stock cooler won't work for you anymore.

when...
you cannot pass the P95 (either blend or small FFTs modes. for blend, what it seems like is, you need to add more MCH/NB core volts and/or FSB volts and/or DIMM volts, but sometimes it does not.),
you cannot get pass a higher FSB overclocks,
it's time to try using more core voltage.

this is just a good example of a Wolfdale's overclocked.

overclock achieved by using low voltages all around, 4 GHz overclocked, good FSB, good CPU's temps.





and, this (below) is mine... just an example of my Wolfdale CPU's temp.

i just found this one atm and i want to show you about my CPU's temps. i'm not cosider this one as a good overclock or anything.

two customs blend runs, the CPU core was fed with higher voltage than yours, and this was running in a (very) warm temperature room.

with Intel stock cooler (for E6750), the CPU's core temp reading was 57C.