Help Needed about strange high voltage spikes and warnings on the 2nd VTT CPU sensor.

[CrimsonRay]

Hi Everyone,
I'm having strange readings and warnings on my recently built PC that has the Rampage IV Formula Motherboard. For some strange reason I'm getting these cyclical warnings about my 2nd VTT CPU voltage going up to a max of about 1.759 volts. Now, I get the warnings with Asus Suite II but I can still see these voltage spikes when I check the monitor in Bios. It will cycle from a couple seconds at 1.04v and jump to a 1.6 to 1.7 volts, indefinitely it seems.

I have read other forum posts that mention strange zero voltages caused ny running two software monitors at once, but I still see this in BIOS as well. I then installed the free version of CPUID HWNonitor though it does not list the 2nd VTT CPU voltage. I did get the trial version of AIDA64 though and I do see the same values there. This is true even when I force quit the Asus Suite II process. Also, when I'm am in BIOS and have the option to manually set voltages, I still see the spikes. It might just rest for a couple of seconds on the manual voltage. Now, this only occurs with the 2nd VTT CPU reading. The primary VTT CPU reading stays stable the whole time around a 1.1 volts. The other readings also have fairly stable numbers as well with no warnings.

When it comes to my processor (Intel Core i7 3960X ) I originally ran it with the safe values preset from BIOS which was a 3.9 Ghz turbo setting. The first time I turned off Turbo, there seemed to be no more spikes, but not even at the base 3.3 Ghz speed with 1333mhz quad channel memory timing have the spikes stopped.

I confess, I'm ignorant of the difference between the primary and secondary VTT CPU sensors, but I cringe at what the max voltage could be doing to my system. For the most part I can disable the warnings from Asus Suite and use the computer normally, but I have had semi recurrent freezes and am concerned with what could be happening.

What follows is a snippet of the log:
[01/21/2013 at 09:32 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.762 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:32 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.046 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:32 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.753 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.312 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.759 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.046 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.750 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.053 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.746 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.050 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.756 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:33 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.046 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.759 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.040 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.756 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.050 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.700 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:34 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.393 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:35 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.750 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:35 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.053 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:35 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.753 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:35 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.050 Normal
[01/21/2013 at 09:36 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.753 Abnormal
[01/21/2013 at 09:36 pm] 2nd VTTCPU 1.050 Normal

[Myk_SilentShado]

Ok, please do not use AISuite and HWMonitor at the same time, this is what is causing your wierd voltage drops...cross-over readings

[HalloweenWeed]

CrimsonRay your prob is likely just erroneous voltage reporting by the BIOS subsystem. What is your BIOS version? An update may fix the prob. That said, in order to prevent Ai Suite from interfering with other utilities you have to uninstall it, and make certain that AsusFanControlService is not still being loaded in your Windows services. If you installed a certain version (IDK which), AsusFanControlService will not automatically uninstall. And it runs in the background without Ai Suite, it loads when Windows loads. We don't use it, we uninstalled it. It doesn't work well anyway. But this has nothing to do with your voltage readings when inside BIOS setup.

Unfortunately, there is no board test points that I can find for 2nd VTT, unless it is "VTTCPU_G". So there is no way to confirm the readings. But I think if your 2nd VTT was swinging that wildly, you would have BSODs and crashes quickly, prob couldn't even boot. So either don't worry about it, or try updating the BIOS.

[CrimsonRay]

Ok, well to SilentShadow, I was not using both programs at the same time since I did hear about the issues that it could cause. Nevertheless, I did uninstall Asus Suite II, but I still see those readings like I posted above in BIOS and elsewhere.

To Halloween, after the uninstall, I did see AsusFanControl in services. I disabled it, but when I tried to delete it with the sc delete command prompt command, It gave me an access denied error. I found the command via a google search. Otherwise, I'm not sure how to uninstall it given it's not in add/remove programs. Though a visit to the Program Files folder does have evidence of at least three different versions of that AsusFanControl.

Regardless, what I see in BIOS remains the same without Asus Suite.
I'm attaching a screen shot of my BIOS again with the version page. Apparently, it is Bios Version 1202 x64. Also, on the bottom by the Copyright it says version 2.10.1208.

[Melting_Point]

I must say, I'm a little disappointed with AISuite. I used it to monitor temps for a while, then I compared it to a few other programs (core temp, real temp), and found that the temps reported by AISuite were about 10°C cooler than the temps reported by the other 2 programs.

Also, the interface of that application is terrible. The window can't be resized, you can't see a graph of voltage and temp at the same time... I could go on, but it would just make me :mad:.

[HalloweenWeed]

I edited AsusFanControl (and a bunch of leftovers) out of my registry, then deleted it from my HDD (after full reboot) - FYI. But disabling it is all you need to do. Given the info, I believe you would be entitled to an RMA replacement, but whether or not you do that is entirely your call. There's a good chance you will never have related problems IRL with it. GL.

[merlinita]

Hi,
I have the same indentical problem on a FormulaIV Board with an 3930k. I even can't boot system anymore sometimes.
If i take a look in bios, I have the same strange voltage problems on 2ndVTTCPU.
I tried out everything these days, tried other ram and bought a new power supply.
Get always the same error.
Did someone find a solution?

[VeriVolt]

1. Check the voltage readings on other sensors: Check if other sensors are also showing high voltage spikes. If they are, then it could be a problem with the power supply or the motherboard.

2. Check for loose connections: Make sure all connections to the motherboard are secure and tight. Loose connections can cause voltage spikes.

3. Check for dust and debris: Dust and debris can cause electrical shorts and spikes. Check for any buildup on the motherboard and clean it with compressed air.

4. Check for damaged components: Look for any damaged or burned-out components on the motherboard. If you find any, then it is likely that the motherboard needs to be replaced.

5. Update BIOS and drivers: Check for any BIOS or driver updates for your motherboard. Sometimes, outdated BIOS or drivers can cause voltage spikes.

6. Check with the manufacturer: If none of the above steps work, then it is best to contact the manufacturer of your motherboard or CPU. They may be able to provide more specific troubleshooting steps or recommend a repair or replacement.

It is important to address any issues with high voltage spikes as they can damage your components and potentially cause a fire hazard.