QX6850 Extreme Restoration Blog

[agent_x007]

Good job
Latest BIOS ?

Here's something you should try at first (max. FSB) :

Super PI 1M :

I used Fortis HE1225 cooler + MX-2 paste + Delta 120mm 25mm cooling.

Shouldn't be too hard
You got WAY better board than I used here.

 

[storm-chaser]

Good job
Latest BIOS ?

Here's something you should try at first (max. FSB) :
I used Fortis HE1225 cooler + MX-2 paste + Delta 120mm 25mm cooling.

Shouldn't be too hard
You got WAY better board than I used here.

Thanks! Yes it has the latest BIOS. I've tried my 4GB kit and I'm still sorting out my memory issues. Not sure what the deal is but I can't get into windows with the memory set to anything above 1066Mhz. I also tried the XMP settings and the manual mode where I input all the mem timings by hand.

When the temps cool down a bit I'm sure I'll have better luck.

 

[agent_x007]

XMP can't work on LGA 775.
Go full manual.
Max. you can set at default is 1333MHz.
With 1600MHz FSB you can do 1600MHz, BUT it's not possible without tweaking most settings.
It is possible with 4x2GB configuration :

You simply need to adjust Perfomance Level (AI Booster), FSB Straps and NB Voltage along with timings.

 

[storm-chaser]

XMP can't work on LGA 775.
Go full manual.
Max. you can set at default is 1333MHz.
With 1600MHz FSB you can do 1600MHz, BUT it's not possible without tweaking most settings.
It is possible with 4x2GB configuration : You simply need to adjust Perfomance Level (AI Booster), FSB Straps and NB Voltage along with timings.

Right but when you bump the FSB up to 400 you get the full 1600 mem speed. I know XMP timings worked with my G.Skill ripjaws 8GB kit on my old P43 motherboard. That was an LGA 775, but I am aware it's not always a sure bet, and that's why I tried the manual mode as well. It was tough working in 100*F conditions so when it cools down a little I will give it another go.

I noticed the FSB strap and that was set to AUTO. Also had the NB voltage set to 1.3. I can go higher than that but it's just weird and I think you mis-interpreted my last post. What I meant was I cannot get anything above 1066Mhz to be stable, regardless of my memory timings and settings. I can obviously push the memory multiplier up further and even to 1600 speed, it's just not stable at those speeds and I cannot boot into windows. Even when I reset everything to stock speeds I have to set my memory to 1066Mhz for it to boot correctly. I am still assuming this is some settings that I don't have configured correctly and we will give it another go tomorrow, hopefully. Making progress every day here so it's good to take a little break and let my sub conscious churn this stuff.

 

[agent_x007]

FSB Strap (higher = more stable less perf.)
Transaction booster = lower overall value better perf. but less stability.
Qhen you use all 4 DIMMs you need to increase NB Volt a lot more.
Try increasing FSB Term. Voltage a bit.

 

[AlwaysHope]

Big thanks to Johan for making this possible. I was a little worried because of the L2N history and the board kinda smelled burnt when I opened the package, but it's working just fine. I had to replace the CMOS battery, but short of that, it's been plug and play. So, I am happy and now it's just a matter of getting the memory dialed in. I have it stable at a 1600Mhz FSB @ 3.6Ghz so we are good to go in the CPU department. I am having trouble with the memory as my 8GB kit isn't stable at anything over 1066Mhz. I will try for the 4GB kit next and see how that performs. Pretty sure that's just memory settings and has nothing to do with the board. Board seems rock solid and heart touching (lol). I just have to be patient and work through all the fine details. It's also 98* here today so that's not helping anything. Johan and I did a trade so he gets one of my spare 960Ts and I got the P5Q3. Definitely let me know how that CPU works out for ya, bud!

The Hyper 212 seems to do a good job keeping it cool although I can tell this processor is voltage hungry. Definitely a candidate for water cooling or chilling. That would be fun and I'd imagine with the right cooling I could easily hit 4.0Ghz with this processor.

Here is my 3.6Ghz BIOS overclock @ 1600Mhz FSB:
View attachment 103445

Package has arrived!
View attachment 103446

Grizzly Long Cut Wintergreen and DDR3 XMS3 memory 7-8-7-20. Two essential components to any PC build.
View attachment 103448

Sapphire Radeon HD5670 with Custom 120MM fan:
View attachment 103450

Asus P5Q3 Motherboard (Rock solid, heart touching):
View attachment 103451

I like unboxing cool components:
View attachment 103452

Unboxing Continued:
View attachment 103453

Johan included everything with the motherboard including the original manual and SATA cables:
View attachment 103454

QX6850 Installed in the P5Q3!!!!
View attachment 103455

El Cheapo heatsink compound (actually works pretty well) & Hyper 212 mounting bolts:
View attachment 103456
Continued....

View attachment 103457
Thermal Grease procedure.

Cleaned Hyper 212+:
View attachment 103458

Tower of POWER:
View attachment 103459

Better view of the memory:
View attachment 103460

Completing Installation of the Hyper 212+ (its starting to look like a real computer!):
View attachment 103461

Better view of the Video Card (HD 5670):
View attachment 103462

First POST and we're into the BIOS!
View attachment 103463

System running for the first time (with RED LEDs I'm going to mount in the PSU):
View attachment 103464

Time for popcorn and overclocking!
View attachment 103465

Reading TechPowerUp while eating my popcorn!
View attachment 103466

Continued....

Just great! nice pics man! new "toys" to play with.... always fun...

Good job
Latest BIOS ?

Here's something you should try at first (max. FSB) :
View attachment 103468

Super PI 1M :
View attachment 103469

View attachment 103470I used Fortis HE1225 cooler + MX-2 paste + Delta 120mm 25mm cooling.

Shouldn't be too hard
You got WAY better board than I used here.

Looking good with 65nm quad, tried it with 45nm & full 12Mb cache models?

FSB Strap (higher = more stable less perf.)
Transaction booster = lower overall value better perf. but less stability.
Qhen you use all 4 DIMMs you need to increase NB Volt a lot more.
Try increasing FSB Term. Voltage a bit.

Thing I noticed with FSB strap settings, at least on my P5Q Pro, is the higher FSB goes, higher the Ram speeds get, unless you got ram than can cut it at those speeds, would be better to go 1:1?

I saw posts on xtremesystems forums from roughly a decade ago, where users claimed it depends on model of CPU & ram combo. Some claimed leaving trans booster on auto gave them better results, but in any case as long as it's stable in windows with heavy loads, then all's good I suppose.

This is what I loved about older LGA775 platform, especially with P45 chipset, matured DDR2 tech & lots of fiddling with OC... fun!

 

[agent_x007]

Yes. I did Vdroop mod it tho (since it was getting ridiculus on Xeon) :

Straps simply work like gear change on a car.
Strap 200MHz vs Strap 400MHz : Check and compare what DRAM frequency is available.
You may not be able to use 200 strap on 400MHz FSB.
BUT you don't have to. Simply force it in BIOS and DRAM frequency should automaticly adjust (and show you the available options).
Also with Transaction booster you can "tweak" each strap setting to get most out of memory controler in p45 chipset.

PS With 4GB RAM, CPU had to be downclocked to ~3,83GHz.

 

[AlwaysHope]

Yes. I did Vdroop mod it tho (since it was getting ridiculus on Xeon) :

Straps simply work like gear change on a car.
Strap 200MHz vs Strap 400MHz : Check and compare what DRAM frequency is available.
You may not be able to use 200 strap on 400MHz FSB.
BUT you don't have to. Simply force it in BIOS and DRAM frequency should automaticly adjust (and show you the available options).
Also with Transaction booster you can "tweak" each strap setting to get most out of memory controler in p45 chipset.

PS With 4GB RAM, CPU had to be downclocked to ~3,83GHz.

Got it. thanks. Nice FSB clocks, although sync with 2GB ram & older 965 NB, could you do that on P45 with 45nm quads & 8GB ram?
I can see hrs of experimentation here, of course depending on Ram quality.

 

[agent_x007]

I didn't tested 8GB DDR2. I went straight for DDR3

Result done on X48 board.

 

[AlwaysHope]

I didn't tested 8GB DDR2. I went straight for DDR3

What mobo is this on? nearly 2000 FSB... nice.

 

[agent_x007]

Rampage Extreme and 240mm AIO cooling
Max FSB on CPU-z : https://valid.x86.fr/qcwegu
PS.

I recommend checking settings in Memset (top right, you can change some of them in it as well), and using SetFSB for fine tuning FSB settings.

 

[storm-chaser]

I'm looking to get another motherboard. An MSI P43-C51 to do some further testing. I like this board because it offers some overclocking features but keeps it pretty simple and straightforward. I also like this board because it can be used to do an LGA 771 conversion. They are relatively cheap on ebay ($50) and I should get it with shipping in about two weeks. Going to keep the QX6850 with my P5Q3 and I still have not had a chance to test the memory at it's full speed of 1600Mhz. Hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll have some time to work on it.

 

[AlwaysHope]

Spotted Giga X48-DS4 for a price. Not sure if I should gamble with this one...

 

[storm-chaser]

Spotted Giga X48-DS4 for a price. Not sure if I should gamble with this one...

Interesting board but that's only DDR2 right? I'd go DDR3 if I were you.

 

[AlwaysHope]

Interesting board but that's only DDR2 right? I'd go DDR3 if I were you.

DDR2 it is. Not going to bother with DDR3 stuff on LGA775 platform, saving my old DDR3 sticks for next retro project.

Dudes on ebay are asking too much for DDR3 related platforms with this socket. Not worth it imo.

 

[storm-chaser]

I was able to get some more tuning in pics to follow shortly.

I am running 412Mhz FSB which equates to 3.7Ghz and 686Mhz on the memory.

not perfect, but it's the best I can do right now. Still cannot seem to get a full 800 Mhz on the memory. Not sure what's going on because it was super easy with my old Q9550 and P43 mainboard.

 

[agent_x007]

Transaction Booster, NB/DRAM Voltage, bad "AUTO" setting.
Guessing 800MHz real (as in 1600MHz) ?
Also, try 8.9.8.24 timings.

 

[storm-chaser]

Transaction Booster, NB/DRAM Voltage, bad "AUTO" setting.
Guessing 800MHz real (as in 1600MHz) ?
Also, try 8.9.8.24 timings.

Yes that this correct, 800 REAL is what I'm going for. So far the closest I can get is 686Mhz...

I will try those settings and let you know how it turns out. I also have another 8GB kit (2X4GB) of G.skill 1600 @ 7-8-7-24 that seems to work better on intel / XMP platforms. So I will give that a go if I can't get the Corsair XMS3 to run.

 

[agent_x007]

If kit is speced to 1,65V max, I have a feeling that what it has on sticker won't correspond to what LGA 775 can do...
I'm only being pesimistic about what can be done on LGA 775 though, you might get lucky.
PS. What is your tRFC and Performance Level (that last one can be checked in MemSet 4.1) ?

 

[storm-chaser]

Here it is with XMP timings (manual mode, input timings by hand):

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark:

 

[agent_x007]

So, did you tried anything ?
Also, Command Rate 1 may work - it will give you a few % more in memory benchmarks.

 

[storm-chaser]

So, did you tried anything ?
Also, Command Rate 1, may work - it will give you a few % more in memory benchamarks.

Getting there... step by step. However I am a little bummed out I couldn't get CL6 to work out very well. It was crashing quite a bit so back to CL7...
I will try going with CR1 as well. Here is my latest result (in the 60s for mem latency, that's a plus!

Okay seriously, where the hell are my CR settings? I can't see anything related to this in the BIOS tuning area. ARRRG! This board is starting to piss me off.

Here are my voltage settings:

 

[agent_x007]

lol... it doesn't have it : LINK.
My bad...
Also :
DRAM Static Read Control = Enabled
DRAM Dynamic Write Control = Disabled
DRAM Read Training = Disabled
DRAM Write Training = Disabled
MEM. OC Charger = ENABLED
Ai Clock Twister= Moderate
Ai Transaction Booster= Auto
NB Voltage : 1,35-1,45V

 

[storm-chaser]

Thank you... Baby Steps here... I will try bumping up the NB voltage and see if I can hit 415....

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Yo. I have a gigabyte 7800GT which will probably suit the theme of the build a bit more if you want it