How to make RIVE/R4E rock solid stable? (the opposite of an OC Guide)

[WillyK]

Apparently RIVE/R4E is not particularly stable, even on stock "safe settings", regardless of the BIOS version (there's plenty evidence on this forum and on the web in general). Even after verifying stable setup with hours Prime95, OCCT, etc. testing, one day it can still surprise you crashing down and giving you some weird behavior hard time.

It would be nice if some Asus Guru can provide a Guide for how to make this board just extremely robust (not OC).

I.e. what settings would make sure that whatever good PCIe cards and peripheral gears you decide to use, the RIVE/R4E would keep smiling and running rock solid? (Obviously, I'm not talking about setting Vcore 1.5v and VCCSA 1.3v etc., also it is useful to know which specific parameters are the key to stability.)

Anyone?

[WillyK]

Guys, glad you had your fun here, but I'm sorry to have to point out that you're missing the point.
Besides, If your "Ferrari" is running out of the road on its own every now and then, I'm not so sure you'll feel so witty, would you now.

For the record: My rig is on 4.7G 24/7, and I didn't started this thread to help out myself. RIVE stability is a valid issue. Just like you'd want to be able to rely on your "Ferarri". Or maybe not...

After struggling a couple of months with a defect sample I believe I learned some tricks so it's not that I'm completely clueless. However, after replacing the MB I see some patterns in its behavior not favoring its general reliability.

Stability doesn't mean that you won't be able to OC a board. In my humble opinion the opposite is true. The more stable the board is upfront - the higher OC you can get out of it. Simple as that.

So while amuzing ourselves, it would have been nice also to hear about some specific useful experiences too. That was the intention.

[Rainwulf]

I have a rock solid stable system now that i have picked my overclock.

I think one of those important things for stability apart from the obvious, which is the OS itself, is the PSU.

I am using a dell oem 1000watt psu, which actually is a rebranded Delta server grade PSU.
Incredibly stable voltages, so stable in fact that i sometimes think a sensor has locked up with how straight a line the graph is.

I am not using a QVL ram set, or even quad channel kit, i am just using two ripjaw dual channel kits at 2133.

For bios settings i have disabled all power saving features, enabled extreme tweak, fixed my voltage at 1.4 volts, and set LLC to high.

I have also watercooled my mosfets, but not sure if that makes a huge difference with stability if you have them cooled properly.

Just running the basic XMP profile from the ram modules, and most importantly (for me anyway) disabling clock gen filter.

Machine goes to sleep and resumes no problems at all, days on end.

For the OS im actually using 2008 R2 server, with a few mods.
Running on SSDs with the latest firmware as well makes a difference.

I find that if a machine is unstable, the BSOD codes provide vital clues to whats actually causing the issue.
So if you have some codes, please share them with us.

[HiVizMan]

LOL I had a Spider F430 when I worked in Germany never had one here in the UK but I do recall that it had the steering wheel on the correct side of the car.

[Menthol]

HiVizMan wrote:
LOL I had a Spider F430 when I worked in Germany never had one here in the UK but I do recall that it had the steering wheel on the correct side of the car.

My RIVE is a lot more stable then the Austin Healey 300 MKII I used to own, and it had the steering wheal on the left side, which is the correct side, that's when I was in Italy. Not really sorry for the auto comparisons at all. Unlike the Healey my RIVE is only unstable when I play with the massive adjustments in the bios, but the old Healey was a joy at the time.

[mdzcpa]

WillyK

I just walked you though the key points to the RIVE. What more do you want?

Using the appropriate quad channel RAM off the QVL is not being picky, it's common sense! The X79 platform (regardless of vendor) is sensitive to RAM selection. If you choose to slap your system together with any old combination of parts, that's your choice. But you give up your right to complain about stability and be heard if you choose not to be at least semi-intelligent about your parts selection.

Like others said, if you want to run a hodge-podge of parts and have it hum along at defualt clocks the RIVE is not the best choice.

[WillyK]

Sorry pal. I didn't mean to insult anyone, so let's leave this alley, please. Your particular response mdzcpa was excellent (as always).

I believe everyone gets the part about having the right HW etc. (I was just trying to explain my point by giving an illustrative example.) I am actually using only brand new QVL components, and the RAM has passed many different tests, including tens of Memtest86+ runs. You're probably right about X79.

The thread was meant to focus on the RIVE settings (i.e. voltages, frequences, etc.) favoring reliability, provided the HW is Ok, and I probably should have stated that more clearly from the beginning. Sorry about that, and please let's don't get personal. No offense!

[Zka17]

I'm sorry, WillyK, to derail the thread with the Ferrari-related question! You're right, we should be more focused here... (will PM about my further Ferrari-related questions)

However, since your initial post, I did felt that this thread is about general things, not focusing in particular to any settings... If you really want to get infos on a particular part of settings, you do have to provide a full detail of your setup... together with all the present settings... - initially you stated that RIVE is unstable even at stock setings, now you're saying that is running at 4.7GHz...

I'm sorry, but it is impossible to talk only about the motherboard... without attached components it's just a piece of art - with no functions...

So, please, provide more details about the system and settings in order to have a better chance for a more satisfying answer...

[WillyK]

Zka17 wrote:
I'm sorry, but it is impossible to talk only about the motherboard... without attached components it's just a piece of art - with no functions...

So, please, provide more details about the system and settings in order to have a better chance for a more satisfying answer...

As requested, here u go:

Key details:

Asus Rampage IV Extreme / BF3 (BIOS 2105)
Intel Core i7 3960x Extreme 3.3G (4.7G OC)
32G DDR3 (8x 4G Kingston HyperX 1600G in manual XMP mode)
1x Nvidia GTX590 (i.e. 2x embedded GTX580 in SLI mode) 650 / 1880 MHz OC
4x Intel SSD 520 Series 2x 240G + 2x 480G
Areca 1882ix-12 6G/s 2x RAID 5 21TB + 12TB (+ 3TB Global Spare)
13x 3TB SAS2 6G/s Seagate ST33000650SS
Corsair AX1200 Gold
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate (clean install)
3-way watercooling: 1) CPU+GPU, 2) Mobo, 3) RAM
(The CPU+GPU loop is using additional radiator)

Quick overview:


I used to run it on 4.8G 24/7 but then I relaxed it a bit to 4.7G for the sake of the components lifespan.

Here my current settings:

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

RAMPAGE IV EXTREME - 4.7G STABLE 24/7 SETUP with BIOS 2105

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk!
All settings not specified are "as is" (stock default)

************************EXTREME TWEAKER************************
===============================================================

LN2 Mode Disable

All Core Target CPU Turbo-Mode Speed : 4700MHz
Target DRAM Speed : 1600MHz

Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
CPU Level Up [Disabled]
BCLK Frequency [100.000]
CPU Strap [Auto]
ClockGen Full Reset [Enabled]
Turbo Ratio [By All Cores]
By All Cores [47]
CPU Clock Gen Filter [20UF]
Memory Frequency [DDR3-1600MHz]
Xtreme Tweaking [Disabled]
EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled]

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

>DRAM Timing Control

Rampage Tweak [Mode 1]
...
Latency Boundary [Nearer]

All DRAM timings manual as specified by the XMP profile (SPD)
All latency timings manual = Normal
All remaining DRAM settings = Auto
===============================================================

>DIGI+ Power Control

CPU VCore

CPU Load-line Calibration [Medium]
CPU Current Capability [120%]
CPU Voltage Frequency [Auto]
VRM Over Temperature Protection [Auto]
CPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe]
Vcore MOS volt. Control [7V]
CPU Power Phase Control [Extreme]
CPU VCORE Boot Up Voltage [Auto]

CPU VSA

VCCSA Load-line Calibration [Extreme]
VCCSA Current Capability [100%]
VCCSA Fixed Frequency [300]
CPU VCCSA Boot Up Voltage [Auto]

CPU VTT

CPU VTT Switching Freq [Auto]
CPU VTT Over-Current Protection [Auto]

DRAM Voltage

DRAM-AB Current Capability [100%]
DRAM-AB Voltage Frequency [Manual]
DRAM-AB Fixed Frequency Mode [350]
DRAM-AB Power Phase Control [Optimized]
DRAM-CD Current Capability [100%]
DRAM-CD Voltage Frequency [Manual]
DRAM-CD Power Phase Control [350]
DRAM-CD Power Phase Control [Optimized]

PCH 1.1V

PCH 1.1V Switching Freq [Auto]

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

>CPU Performance Settings

CPU Ratio [Auto]

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Disabled]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
--------------------------------------------------------
Turbo Mode Parameters
Power Limit Control [Auto]

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

Extreme OV [Disabled]
BCLK Skew [-2]
CPU VCORE Voltage 1.4V [Offset Mode]
Offset Mode Sign [+]
CPU VCORE Offset Voltage [0.030]
VTT CPU Voltage 1.206V [1.25000]
2nd VTTCPU Voltage 1.046V [Auto]
CPU VCCSA Voltage 1.225V [Manual Mode]
CPU VCCSA Manual Voltage [1.250]
DRAM Voltage (CHA, CHB) 1.656V [1.650]
DRAM Voltage (CHC, CHD) 1.650V [1.650]
CPU PLL Voltage 1.834V [1.85000]
PCH 1.1v Voltage 1.146V [1.15000]
VTTDDR Voltage (CHA, CHB) [Auto]
VTTDDR Voltage (CHC, CHD) [Auto]
CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

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

>CPU Tweakers'Paradise

PCIE CLK Skew [-20]
CPU I/O Skew [Auto]
CPU I/O Drive Strenght [Auto]

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

>PCH Chipset Tweakers'Paradise

PCH 1.5V Voltage 1.500V [1.50000]
PCH 1.1VG [Auto]


***************************ADVANCED****************************
===============================================================

CPU Configuration

Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor [Enabled]
Hyper-threading [Enabled]
Active Processor Cores [All]
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetcher [Enabled]
Intel Virtualization Technology [Disabled]

>CPU Power Management Configuration

CPU Ratio [Auto]
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Disabled]
Turbo Mode [Enabled]
CPU C1E [Enabled]
CPU C3 Report [Disabled]
CPU C6 Report [Disabled]
CPU C7 Report [Disabled]

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

System Agent Configuration

PCIE_X16_1 Link Speed [GEN2]
PCIE_X16/X8_3 and PCIE_X8_4 Link Speed [GEN2]
PCIE_X8_2A and PCIE_X8_2B Link Speed [GEN2]


***************************MONITOR*****************************
===============================================================

Fan Speed Control

All disabled
===============================================================

[IDPA_expert]

oh I see what it is, your plumbing doesnt follow your little map diagram in the photo, no wonder. Ha Ha. I think you could have gotten one more hose up to the PSU, just one more some where.

[mdzcpa]

I am a bit confused now.

Are you looking for reliability settings or OC settings? Your opening posts seemed to indicate your concerns with stability when not overclocked. Maximum "robust" as you put it.

If this is the case, running most of your settings at default would not result in any alarming voltages. Set your sytem up the way I posted above (at default speeds) and the system will be exceptionally stable. If you experience random instabilities while using your system in typical fashion for daily productivity or gaming then there is a bad component somewhere.

If you are referring to stable overclock settings, then as stated above it comes down to trial and error with your particular system. No 2 systems are exactly alike and once you begin OC custom tuning is required. Start with the OC guide, then proceed to tweak. Trial and error.

Not sure what your definition of stable is. I can run at 5Ghz for weeks without an error, but I do get an occassional glitch after resuming from sleep after a few days without a reboot. Games and productivity apps are solid. For the summer I lowered my OC to 4.8Ghz and I have not seen a crash or hiccup since. It's been over 2 months. So is my system stable?? Not sure as that is relative.

Your thread seems to indicate the board in general has quirky stability. I've not experienced that after several builds using the board. I've set up non OC and OC systems with it. Most of what I see on the boards is OC related stability issues, while the non OC stability issues revolve around the right RAM and avoiding the non Intel ports. Beyond that I guess I'm lost at to what your original point was.