Curse

Brianna · Jun 27, 2008, 04:15 AM // 04:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Thanks guys. Can't try anything for a few days - under orders to drive wife and kids to mother's for the weekend. At least I was wise enough to go for eVGA - their support is second to none. Damn that POS BIOS. I was told it was so good, too...

Oh, I saw your post Zamiel - made my heart drop, to be sure. If you're having problems, what hope have I got?

See y'all in a couple of days.

(By which time I hope to be green and techy

)

Well, you are one, just not a green Alien.

EDIT: Now you're a green Alien, congrats!

Dark Kal · Jun 27, 2008, 08:33 AM // 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Update.

Finally received eVGA 780i.

Everything installed nicely - new SATA DVD too.

Problem #1: Even with the new(ish) PO5 BIOS, it will not allow SLI memory function with all 4 DIMMs installed - 2 EPP or 4 sloooooow.

Problem #2: It resets. Every. 3. Minutes. No errors, no bluescreen, just straight to the initial cursor and back to POST.

Dunno, maybe taking 4 GB out might cure it, maybe she's still running hot. Will run some tests and get some data and get back to you. Reset three times whilst writing this post. Thank god for Firefox

You can always downgrade back to a lower BIOS, see if that helps. Also what kind of PSU are you running and what's your full system setup (CPU, GPU, HDDs, etc...)? Are you sure all cables are plugged in correctly? This seems like a power problem to me resetting every 3 minutes, or maybe a BIOS incompatibility. Could be the SLI memory issue, have you tried running less memory sticks? I doubt your GPU is overheating in three minutes unless you removed the heatsink or something like that.

moriz · Jun 27, 2008, 02:59 PM // 14:59

it might be helpful to turn off "restart at BSOD", or whatever it's called, so we can see the exact error.

Cyb3r · Jun 28, 2008, 12:18 AM // 00:18

Hmmm except i forgot where that one is in vista know that one out of the head in xp although alot of the windows BSOD's are rather cryptic they do sometimes point out the problem (like one with the graphics driver think it was the old nvidia Forceware 90.Xx back then)

Snograt · Jun 29, 2008, 06:20 AM // 06:20

Back from mother's. Sunburnt. Nerds + sun = ouchie.

I don't get a BSOD - just instant flick to black screen with cursor, like it powers off and on instantaneously.

The PSU is an 850W Coolermaster (came with my old stacker - can't afford one of those lovely 1KW+ modular jobbies at the moment.) It ran the exact same setup fine on my old 680i.

Can't post my exact specs at the moment (at work), but it's a QX6700, 8 soon-to-be-4 GB of Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2-800, a pair of BFG 8800GTX, a pair of (non-RAID) 500GB WD Caviars, a SATA DVD-RW and nothing else - apart from the plethora of 120mm fans and a lil' cold cathode tube throwing out UV for extra blue glowy.

Somewhere I posted the exact PSU I have - seems ok, 6 12v rails, as I recall.

Ok, home at last, time for step one - remove 4GB

...still resets.

Next step - get hold of P04, I guess.

She still looks pretty - apart from my not-got-around-to-it-yet cable management, and a sad gap where two rows of red glowy were.

Hold everything - P06 is out! - http://www.evga.com/forums/fb.asp?m=425877

Mind you, judging by the responses it may still be worth downBIOSing to P04.

Oh, and I just had a "proper" bluescreen - 0x101 (A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within the allocated time interval.)

You realise I'm going to have to flash the BIOS on a computer that powers itself down at random intervals? That's like doing open heart surgery with a spork.

Brianna · Jun 30, 2008, 10:27 AM // 10:27

Ouch.. I heard that if it shuts off while in a flash, or fails at all, then the mobo is done. Logically that would make sense I guess. Hence why you said open heart surgery with a spork?

I'm not familiar with that error message honestly.. but it does bring some suspicions, since it mentions things about clocks, and processors, I think it Rahja could have potential insight.

zamial · Jun 30, 2008, 01:44 PM // 13:44

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=222688

I know you have read it, but have you set up for the oc? As in changed the bios settings?

Another issue is I am sure that you have mannually set the ram voltage to 2.1, right? default is not 2.1 and the timmings will need to be set manually as in p05 the auto setting is hosed.

I would get into the bios, set the system up for the oc but NOT oc it. Then monitor the temps in the bios for 15 min. what does the MCP temp go up to?

Then save and exit. If the temps are good and no crash your doing good. If temps on the mcp hit over 60c you need to do some work.

we need to get you a proper knife for the surgery. stability>everything.
If we can not get you stable past the bios but bios is stable for 15 min. I can mail you a disk w/ p04 on it.(contingency plan)

Snograt · Jul 01, 2008, 05:20 PM // 17:20

Got P04 on it ok - stuck it on a USB thumbdrive and Alt-F2'd on boot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by that guide...

CPU ~1.4v (actual via CPUid) a good starting point for Kentsfield >3.2Ghz…faster=more***
RAM Run at manufacturers specified voltage only.
FSB 1.3v....(1.4v ~1600QDR+)
SPP/NB 1.4v...(1.45v ~1700QDR+)
MCP/SB 1.525v
HT 1.25v (aka MCP<>SPP)
AUX 1.5v(auto) (not applicable on 680i)
GTRLEDs (auto) (not applicable on 680i)

I'm supposed to ignore him and up the RAM voltage anyway? Mind you, would you trust the opinion of someone who calls himself [p]wnzor? ^^ (He seems to know his stuff, though. Not about spelling, punctuation and grammar, sadly

)

Here's my latest report, hot from EVEREST (and boy, do I mean hot)

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVEREST

Temperatures:
Motherboard 41 °C (106 °F)
CPU 53 °C (127 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 67 °C (153 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 62 °C (144 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 58 °C (136 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 61 °C (142 °F)
MCP 64 °C (147 °F)
GPU1: GPU 53 °C (127 °F)
GPU1: GPU Diode 57 °C (135 °F)
GPU1: GPU Memory 54 °C (129 °F)
GPU1: GPU Ambient 51 °C (124 °F)
GPU2: GPU 52 °C (126 °F)
GPU2: GPU Diode 61 °C (142 °F)
GPU2: GPU Memory 52 °C (126 °F)
GPU2: GPU Ambient 48 °C (118 °F)

Cooling Fans:
CPU 1940 RPM
GPU1 2803 RPM (100%)
GPU2 2821 RPM (100%)

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.30 V
+3.3 V 3.22 V
+5 V 4.92 V
+12 V 11.99 V
+5 V Standby 4.87 V
VBAT Battery 3.01 V
3.3V Dual 3.22 V
FSB VTT 1.39 V
DIMM 2.21 V
GPU1: GPU Vcc 3.19 V
GPU2: GPU Vcc 3.21 V

Huge Tuniq Tower 120 that only just fits in my megalithic Armor+, 2 120mm intakes, 2 120mm outs, a (pointless?) huge fan on the window, standard chipset hsf - why's it hot enough to fry eggs? Oh yes, voltages - what needs to be what? And what do I do to set memory/fsb ratio to 1:1 from 2:3 (assuming we're in agreement that that would be wise). I notice the RAM is at 2.21V rather than the 2.1 you suggest, Zam. Drop it?

moriz · Jul 01, 2008, 08:42 PM // 20:42

hmm, pretty sure your core voltage should be 1.150V, not 1.30V

http://www.i4u.com/full-review-168.html

to change the ratio to 1:1, you might want to increase the FSB to 400mhz, and drop your multiplier down to 7. that will give you a total speed of 2.8ghz, 1600mhz FSB (since it is quad pumped), and the 1:1 ratio you want.

the other alternative is to drop your memory clock down, so it operates as DDR2-533.

Snograt · Jul 01, 2008, 10:30 PM // 22:30

Really, really stupid question, but I'm getting desperate:

If the CMOS reset jumper is left in the reset position, it wouldn't boot at all, right? It's just that it's in the opposite position to the one on my 680i.

The BIOS hates me. It doesn't remember my settings - sometimes. If I set the memory to CPUOC MAX in the SPP options, it defaults back to SLI memory disabled on reboot - just as it does when I have the full 8GB in there (still running with 4).

You're on intimate terms with the 780i and P04, moriz - can you give me a step-by-step to exactly what to alter in the BIOS? Let's underclock it to average so at least the bugger runs cool. I'm getting confused with the FSB memory clock mode (Auto/Linked/Unlinked) and the FSB Memory Ratio (Auto/1:1/5:4/3:2/Sync mode).

It didn't like a 1600 FSB / 1:1 unlinked - froze on the welcome screen.

I'm tending to lean more and more to a phisical hardware proble. Something stupid like a component not seated properly or that Tuniq not on tight enough (there's almost a 10°C difference between the cores...). I know the FP connectors are wrong yet again - only the LED ones though (the power light is on when PC is off and vice versa).

When I open the case it's like a blast from the Sahara - it gets damn hot in there. I would imagine though, if the problem was overheating, I'd be getting bluescreens rather than these irritating, error-free resets.

This has turned into a ramble, mainly because of the 8 or so resets since I started writing this post.

Lurid · Jul 01, 2008, 11:15 PM // 23:15

Reseat that Tuniq, something seems wrong. Check the flatness of the heatsink and CPU via a razor.

What case is it?

moriz · Jul 01, 2008, 11:40 PM // 23:40

well, i'm really not that familiar with the P04... my board is a P5K.

try setting the memory mode and ratio option to auto.

zamial · Jul 02, 2008, 12:20 AM // 00:20

Ok Just for you I restarted and wrote down all my bios settings.
I am not suggesting running 1:1 but linked and synced. I did follow pwnzors guide and the numbers add up.

Before we get started. I am going to "clear the air" on temps. There is not and probably will not ever be a standard for cpu thermal sensor baselines. These are meant to be a guide. They can be off as much as 10c +/-. so please keep that in consideration.

My settings:

ADVANCED CHIPSET FEATURES

System clocks
cpu multiplier [?]
Pcie x16_3, mhz [100]
spp<->mcp [auto]
nforce [5x] both of them

spread spectrum: disable all (you can reenable them later if you feel the need)

Fsb and memory config

sli ready [expert*]
fsb-mem clock [linked]
fsb mem ratio [synced]
fsb qdr [?]

mem timing setting [expert*]

cpu config:
top 4 are disabled
bottom 5 are enabled

voltages:
all set to auto but ram(set at manufactures recommendations)

system bios casheable [disabled]
hpet funtion [enabled]

This is my starting point. You can adjust the cpu multiplier and the fsb qdr to get the timings you want. This has been my starting point and has always been the most stable. al my voltages are on auto because of Vdroop. If you insist on setting them up manually you may need to use the Vdroop mod, found in pwnsors guide, it will void the mobo warranty.

Another test for checking that cpu heatsink mount job: boot up into the bios get to the temps, GENTLY push on the corners of the heat sink to see if temp changes on your cores. you can then see what corner needs a small tweak easily this way.

Soz about the wall o' text.

had to add* to expert box or i got [expert] very irritating.

Another note: when setting up your mobo you always want to run the cpu voltage as low as possible and retain stability. the lower the better! low volts=low temps.

Snograt · Jul 02, 2008, 06:28 AM // 06:28

(Sorry moriz - was getting you and zamial confused there. Zam's the one who knows and loathes 780i BIOSes ^^)

Thanks, Zam - that's exactly what I need. Already had all the spectrum spreaders off. Why system BIOS cacheable off? I always have that on - maybe it used to speed things up in the old days?

Tell you what, though - I'd love to have a source of information that explains BIOS settings for laymen (or lamen, as [p]wnzor has it ^^). Spread spectrum? What the hell does that do?

Can't wait to get home and give all this a try - having £3k worth of gear that just doesn't work is a trifle annoying. I remember the first post of this thread. The bugger was working perfectly, but people pointed out how hot it was running. New coolers, new case, new mobo to replace the one I broke moving to new case - now it's a heap of hot junk running with only half its (over-the-top) memory installed. Bah.

zamial · Jul 02, 2008, 01:32 PM // 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

(Sorry moriz - was getting you and zamial confused there. Zam's the one who knows and loathes 780i BIOSes ^^)

Thanks, Zam - that's exactly what I need. Already had all the spectrum spreaders off. Why system BIOS cacheable off? I always have that on - maybe it used to speed things up in the old days?

Tell you what, though - I'd love to have a source of information that explains BIOS settings for laymen (or lamen, as [p]wnzor has it ^^). Spread spectrum? What the hell does that do?

Can't wait to get home and give all this a try - having £3k worth of gear that just doesn't work is a trifle annoying. I remember the first post of this thread. The bugger was working perfectly, but people pointed out how hot it was running. New coolers, new case, new mobo to replace the one I broke moving to new case - now it's a heap of hot junk running with only half its (over-the-top) memory installed. Bah.

Bios casheable - means you are letting the bios write to the ram. A long time ago this was a good thing, outdated by all standards now.

Spread spectrum - This is a little more tricky. This limits or fluxuates the electro magnetic feild that the comp produces. It can(same odds of being hit by a duck in the face) create interference inbetween computer parts. The real deal is if you are sensitive to electro magnetic feilds you can suffer: parinioa,nausia,tingly sensations, and a bunch of other stuff. I have never experienced any of these things and have camped on my computer for a long time(guild wars is the devil). This also will produce extra voltage demands on the psu and cause extra heat, possibly stability issues, if left on. The default is on because of fcc rules.

After we get you all nice and stable, we will get the rest of the ram in.

Snograt · Jul 13, 2008, 08:36 AM // 08:36

Update: not much of one, but just a thread refresh (is it me, or has tech corner gone ultra quiet since the flying monkeys took over?)

System is running stable in its underclocked state - I think it's on an 8x multi, with mem and FSB linked and synched at 1600/800.

Lack of time is what's stopping my progress - damn shiftwork makes it hard to find the right time; it's just not possible with my ADD 5 year old around

Slight annoyance - two weeks after upgrading to a 780i and eVGA do this: http://www.evga.com/articles/420.asp - yup, the eVGA 780i FTW

How's that step-up program work again?

...

Brianna · Jul 13, 2008, 11:33 AM // 11:33

I was just wondering about how your system was holding up heh.. and yes it is definitely more quiet around here, in fact it feels quite dead. I refresh like after 6 hours to find nothing new.

Hmm.. weird that it works underclocked, don't know what's up with that, I can't brain right now. I think the step up program lasts for like 30 days after you register your product or something? You just send in your board and pay the difference for the new one. I would probably do that if I was you, fast, as well. I like EVGA for instances just like this, otherwise I think you'd have been screwed with any other brand.

zamial · Jul 14, 2008, 06:18 PM // 18:18

step up is NOT available for a "special" product. the ftw can not be stepped up to.

The ftw does look nice but it is a 300.00 mobo that is going out of date fast. only supports ddr2, 775 chip die, ect. ect.

Get this up and running, get a good stable oc. Then play the long wait game. I suspect that there will be a 880i for the nehalm and after that a ftw edition as well. I will be waiting for the ftw edition from now on. live and learn. I still love the 780i mobo.

Kattar · Jul 14, 2008, 06:30 PM // 18:30

Off Topic:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

is it me, or has tech corner gone ultra quiet since the flying monkeys took over?

Yes it has. But I take that as a compliment. J SLASH K.

Anyway...

Lord Sojar · Jul 14, 2008, 08:17 PM // 20:17

Solid State Hardware does indeed = FTW. The FTW 780i is awesome, but I am sticking to my guns and saying wait it out. 2010-2011 is going to be a great period to be a PC gamer.

*laughs hysterically*