Where Are The Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboards?

[Salamandar]

Ok here are some news for you all........ there is a new BIOS out there, Ver. F7h.

I'm downloading it right now, but still not sure if I'll have time to test it cause I'll be taking a flight tomorrow morning back Home!

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Morning Mr. Sal.

Can you share the source of that F7h BIOS revision? I checked the GB web site and they are still posting the F6b version as the latest. Let us know how your testing of that new BIOS turns out.

Best regards to everyone - Blessed Christmas! TheBeagle :beer:

PS. Don't forget to keep our colleague Gary Key and his family (especially little Angela) in your thoughts and prayers!

 

[Salamandar]

Originally posted by: TheBeagle
Good Morning Mr. Sal.

Can you share the source of that F7h BIOS revision? I checked the GB web site and they are still posting the F6b version as the latest. Let us know how your testing of that new BIOS turns out.

Best regards to everyone - Blessed Christmas! TheBeagle :beer:

PS. Don't forget to keep our colleague Gary Key and his family (especially little Angela) in your thoughts and prayers!

I'm in the airport right now and have no access on my computer...sorry...but Google it!
From what I've heard last night from people and friends who used it they say it is the best F7 based BIOS out there but this is only after using it for a couple of hours so I can't tell unless they use it more.......

The Sata CD-Rom problem has been solved in this BIOS and some say they can overclock a little higher than normal with this release.

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Evening Mr. Sal and Everyone.

I tried the F7h BIOS - What a piece of CRAPOLA!! It causes the CPU cooling fan to run at MAX speed CONSTANTLY, right from the bootup (POST onward), no matter what settings are adjusted in the CMOS. It sounded like a bunch of angry hornets inside my case, and that they weren't going to go away, no matter what! I couldn't get that F7h revision out of my machine fast enough!

It just goes to prove several things. First, newer is not better. Second, the boys back in the GB workshops in Taiwan still have their collective heads in a very dark and personal place. You might call that phenomena at GB a form of "inverted, cranial, rectal syndrome." I'm sticking with the F6b BIOS revision until Mr. Gary tells me there's a truly reliable, bug-free revision worth trying.

Best regards to everyone - Blessed Christmas! TheBeagle :beer:

 

[panzer948]

Good to hear that bios isn't worth it. I too have F6B. I just built my machine in time for the holidays and after a couple of issues, I got her up and running using WIndows Vista 64. No OC'ing yet, but that will be for next weekend . I appreciate all the good advice I learned from this thread. The tip on the installation of the Zalman 9700 was perfect. Using my dremel tool, I easily was able to cut off the back bracket to make it fit while leaving crazy cool in place.

So far, all the programs I have installed are compatible with vista 64. I did have some problems with Office 2000 as far as uploading my old .pst files, but found a workaround. Still cant email out though without an error, may switch to office 2007.

Also had problems with the windows bios flash and went into that continous start post shutdown loop. But after clearing CMOS 3 times, that issues went away, sheew. Think I will use Q-flash next time.

I do still have one or two problems. I installed XP first before vista to setup what I hoped was a dual boot system. Never could get the audio to work in XP, not sure if I did the audio drivers right and maybe let windows driver dialog take over when I shouldn't (saw the warning on pg. 98 of the manual a little to late). It does work in vista though.

So after installing vista, I went back and picked the XP harddrive to boot 1st (have the OS on separate HDDs) and i get a bootmgr error. So it will not boot to XP now. Haven't tried booting from the XP startup disk yet, which might fix the error. Just not sure why this didn't go as smooth as it should have. I did change volume names of the HDDs in vista, so not sure if that matters. Also, if i do get XP running again, is there away to setup a dual boot without having to change HDD boot order?

NOTE: BTW Mr. Beagle. I did all my setting up/configuring running your same G.skill sticks of ram but at 4GB installed. Resources indicated 25 to 30% ram usage doing minimal tasks. This morning i installed the other 4 for a total of 8GB, now i'm between 15 to 20% used. Not bad. I figured it will really help when I start photo and video editing.

 

[FarsideX]

Anyone have any pointers for my new build. I have read a lot of threads about the power cycles with this board. Is there any precautions or things that i need to look out for so either prevent this or at least take care of it when it comes.

 

[Snydly]

Originally posted by: FarsideX
I have read a lot of threads about the power cycles with this board.

I think most power cycle issues are being caused by other factors i.e. RAM, Windows drivers, etc. I'm not aware of many people having trouble with the board itself. Read through the threads and learn from the challenges the rest of us have faced. It's been mentioned several times before, but start simple.
Clear BIOS via MB jumper then boot up with just the MB, PSU, 1 stick RAM, and CPU. When successful, then start adding the rest of components. As many have learned from experience, it's a pain to troubleshoot problems after powering up a fully assembled system for the first time. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[panzer948]

Got my system up and running, including a dual boot of vista & XP using easyBCD (wasn't that easy). The biggest problem I had was that my boot files had been installed on two partitions, confusing the BCD program. Once I cleared that up, all was good.

So today I started OC'ing. Got it stable at 362x9 @ 1.45V with turbo and performance enhanced on. Memory at 2.66D with CPU-Z reporting 5-5-5-15 @2.1V. Passed memtest and got what I think is a decent score of 13,541 in 3DMark06 without OC'ing my video card. Will try that next. But I think I can do better with my MB OC'ing.

I have almost the same setup as Mr. Beagle and was wondering if he or anyone here can assist with memory settings. When OC'ing to 400x9 at 2.66D [or 438x8 at 2.40B] at 4.5V core, I get a lot of memtest errors. I tried setting the DRAM timing selectable to auto as well as manual; setting the standard timings to 5-5-5-15. I noticed in auto, CPU-Z would report mem timings on the more aggressive OCs at 5-7-7-20. I also set the refresh to act delay to 35 & later to 52, with the rest of the timings to auto (no idea on these for manual control). Futhermore, I wish the bios would allow a direct DDR2 OverVoltage Control so I can set the memory to exactly 2.1V. How does one know what you have by just bumping it up? I tried various bump ups of .1 and .15. CPU-Z seems to always report it as 2.1V, which is even further confusing.

If somone could post a succesful OC of there memory settings that would be great. Especially if you have 8GB or g.skill!!

Happy New Year!

 

[TheBeagle]

Greetings & Salutations To Everyone!

I wish to extend to everyone a sincere hope that each one of you enjoys a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. We all have something to be thankful for, and I especially am thankful for reasonably good heath and a wonderful wife.

Best New Year's Regards To Everyone!! TheBeagle :beer:

 

[Salamandar]

I haven't been around for a while!!!

Good news every one, Gigabyte has just released a final virsion of BIOS F7.

I'm downloading it right now !!

 

[Salamandar]

OK so far so good, now I can manually set voltage as much as I want and right now I'm testing for stability !

*Fingers crossed*

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Evening Everyone.

UPDATE on F7 BIOS: As our colleague Sal recently posted, GB has released the full version of the F7 BIOS. I've now tried it, and it seems to be stable, and the OC capability has improved. However, unless you make a specific adjustment to a certain CMOS setting, the uncontrolled CPU cooling fan speed will drive you crazy!

Apparently, in prior (F1 thru F6) BIOS releases, the default sensor setting for the CPU cooler pinout on the motherboard was set to the "Voltage" sensing being sent to and from the cooler fan. However, the F7 BIOS revision now appears to be looking for a reading from the FOURTH (4th) pin on that four-pin CPU cooler fan pinout on the board. And, if you are utilizing a CPU cooling unit like mine, Zalman 9700LED (which only has the 3-wire lead), the 4th pin is empty (unused) and, therefore, is not capable of sending or receiving any signal to or from the CPU cooler. In such a situation with the F7 BIOS revision, the "AUTO" setting for the CPU Fan option has been changed from a default of "voltage" to a default of "PWM." So, unless you change it back to the "voltage" sensing option, the CPU fan will run at full speed (2800+ RPM), all the time, right from the initial POST.

Aside from that hardware issue, the new F7 BIOS seems to perform quite well, and I have not encountered any issues so far. If anyone else has encountered issues with the F7, I'd like to know about them. However, if we don't get any significant negative feedback (until Penryns start to be used in earnest on this board), then we seem to have a good BIOS to work with.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[Salamandar]

Hello Mr. Beagle, indeed this is a fine BIOS compared to the ones before it!

I would like to give a small note to any one who is going to own or already own this mobo with DDR2 RAM, make sure you get PC2 8500 RAM (DDR2 1066 ) or above.
The performance of DDR2 800 will hold it back!

 

[JASTECH]

Mr. Beagle, Howdy! Sorry I was not around for a while. I had further problems and so more tests and so on. I guess I missed a few BIOS's? Hi, everybody else too, lol. Thanks, JASTECH

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Afternoon Mr. JT.

Glad to see that you have returned. Have you tried the new F7 BIOS? It seems to be quite stable and I haven't heard any complaints about it. Hope you're feeling better.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[JASTECH]

Mr. Beagle, I did try to dl it but had a sever error that it couldn't locate one of the files and I tried Taiwan and U.S.A.. So will try again right now. I am not doing the best as some things have gotten worse but I am here

 

[JASTECH]

Ok, now downloaded to PC then used the @BIOS to install. Mr Beagle any suggetions on settings to try this new BIOS out? Thanks, JASTECH

 

[CyberWarrior]

Well all taiwanese mainboard manufactures use at least one of taiwanese semiconductors, like VIA, REALTEK, JMICRON. Even in the expensive ASUS mainboard they some how include at least one taiwanese component. I dont like taiwanese products at all, they are very cheap and there research is zero.

There are alot of best chip makers like TEXAS Instruments, Cirrus Logic, Analog Devices, Silicon Image. And these all are the best pioneers. Still i say taiwanese motherboards are not worth for the money.

 

[JASTECH]

CyberWarrior, and your point is? If you don't like them then don't buy it, very simple. I don't understand why you would come here to make that comment?

 

[Kurrgan]

Good day Ladies/Gentlemen,

I've reached a suitable over clock with my new ram but I am having issues with stability.
Is it difficult to run this ram at a 1:1 ratio? AM I missing voltage here which would stabilize the OC?
I took Salamander's advice here and set the ram settings to auto, I'm not as luck as he has been it seems.

Here are my spec's

My Spec's

GA-X38-DQ6
BIOS F6b
Q6600 G0 Stepping
2 x2 GB PC2-8000 G.Skill
HIS Radeon HD 2900 Pro (BIOS flashed to XT tho)
Silverstone Strider ST75F 750W
NCIX Water Cooling Essentials 240 CPU Water Cooling Bundle
74 GB WD Raptor
2 x 500 GB WD Drives
Zalman ZM-MFC2 4 Fan Speed Controller
Pioneer DVR-212D


MY settings:
BIOS:F7

MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
Robust Graphics Booster: TURBO
CPU Clock Ratio: 9x
CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz) : 390
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) :105
C.I.A.2: Disabled
Performance Enhance : Standard
System Memory Multiplier 2.4B (2.00B)

Auto
Memory Frequency(Mhz): 936 (Auto)
DRAM Timing Selectable : 5
Standard Timing ControlCAS Latency Time: : Auto
DRAM RAS# to CAS# : Auto
DRAM RAS# Precharge : Auto
Precharge Delay(tRAS) :
Advanced Timing Control
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) : Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay : Auto
Write To Precharge Delay : Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay : 42
Read To Precharge Delay Auto:
tRD : Auto
tRD Phase Adjustment : Auto
Command to #CS Timing: :2
Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control : 1000mV
CPU Clock Skew Control : Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control : Normal
System Voltage Control
DDR2 OverVoltage Control : +0.20v
PCI-E OverVoltage Control : +0.2
FSB OverVoltage Control : +0.2
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control : +0.175 (1.5)
MCH Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control : Normal
CPU GTLREF1 Voltage* : Normal
CPU GTLREF2 Voltage* : Normal
CPU Voltage Control :1.5 (1.425)
Normal CPU Vcore : 1.2725


Advanced Bios Features
CPU Multi-Threading: Enabled
Limit CPUID Max to 3: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect: Disabled
CPU Enhanced Halt(CIE): Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 : Enabled
CPU EIST Function: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled

 

[pturtle]

Hi All,

I've got a pretty standard setup of X38-DQ6 (of course), Q6600 GO, 2 x 2G Corsair Modules, 8800GT, 700W Power Supply, etc.

Using info from this forum and elsewhere, I've got the machine stable at 3.51Ghz (390x9) and it'll pass OCCT, Prime95, etc without problems.

Only hassle I have with the machine is that it'll go into S3 Standby from Vista Ultimate x64 but gets stuck in the endless power cycle trying to wakeup. In the end I have to switch off the power supply and when switched back on and the power switch hit, Vista then starts up as if coming out of S3 Standby, but BIOS is set back to 2.4GHz.

BIOS settings below, any ideas?

MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
Robust Graphics Booster: Turbo
CPU Clock Ratio: 9x
CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz) : 390
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) : 100
C.I.A.2: Disabled
Performance Enhance : Standard
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) : 2.00B
Memory Frequency(Mhz): 780
DRAM Timing Selectable : Manual
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time: : 5
DRAM RAS# to CAS# : 5
DRAM RAS# Precharge : 5
Precharge Delay(tRAS) : 18
Advanced Timing Control
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) : Auto (3)
Rank Write to READ Delay : Auto (3)
Write To Precharge Delay : Auto (6)
Refresh to ACT Delay : Auto (42)
Read To Precharge Delay : Auto (3)
tRD : 9
tRD Phase Adjustment : Auto (0)
Command to #CS Timing: : Auto (2)
Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control : 1000mv
CPU Clock Skew Control : Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control : Normal
System Voltage Control Manual
DDR2 OverVoltage Control : +0.25v
PCI-E OverVoltage Control : +0.20v
FSB OverVoltage Control : +0.20v
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control : +0.15v
MCH Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control : Normal
CPU GTLREF1 Voltage* : Normal
CPU GTLREF2 Voltage* : Normal
CPU Voltage Control : 1.37500v
Normal CPU Vcore : 1.22500v

Advanced Bios Features
CPU Multi-Threading : Enabled
Limit CPUID Max to 3 : Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect : Disabled
CPU Enhanced Halt(CIE) : Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 : Enabled
CPU EIST Function : Disabled
Virtuaalization Technology : Enabled

Thanks in advance
Paul Turtle
(Sydney, Australia)

 

[Kurrgan]

Originally posted by: Kurrgan
Good day Ladies/Gentlemen,

I've reached a suitable over clock with my new ram but I am having issues with stability.
Is it difficult to run this ram at a 1:1 ratio? AM I missing voltage here which would stabilize the OC?
I took Salamander's advice here and set the ram settings to auto, I'm not as luck as he has been it seems.

Here are my spec's

My Spec's

GA-X38-DQ6
BIOS F6b
Q6600 G0 Stepping
2 x2 GB PC2-8000 G.Skill
HIS Radeon HD 2900 Pro (BIOS flashed to XT tho)
Silverstone Strider ST75F 750W
NCIX Water Cooling Essentials 240 CPU Water Cooling Bundle
74 GB WD Raptor
2 x 500 GB WD Drives
Zalman ZM-MFC2 4 Fan Speed Controller
Pioneer DVR-212D


MY settings:
BIOS:F7

MB Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
Robust Graphics Booster: TURBO
CPU Clock Ratio: 9x
CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency(Mhz) : 390
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) :105
C.I.A.2: Disabled
Performance Enhance : Standard
System Memory Multiplier 2.4B (2.00B)

Auto
Memory Frequency(Mhz): 936 (Auto)
DRAM Timing Selectable : 5
Standard Timing ControlCAS Latency Time: : Auto
DRAM RAS# to CAS# : Auto
DRAM RAS# Precharge : Auto
Precharge Delay(tRAS) :
Advanced Timing Control
ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD) : Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay : Auto
Write To Precharge Delay : Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay : 42
Read To Precharge Delay Auto:
tRD : Auto
tRD Phase Adjustment : Auto
Command to #CS Timing: :2
Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control : 1000mV
CPU Clock Skew Control : Normal
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control : Normal
System Voltage Control
DDR2 OverVoltage Control : +0.20v
PCI-E OverVoltage Control : +0.2
FSB OverVoltage Control : +0.2
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control : +0.175 (1.5)
MCH Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Reference Voltage Control : Normal
DDR Termination Voltage Control : Normal
CPU GTLREF1 Voltage* : Normal
CPU GTLREF2 Voltage* : Normal
CPU Voltage Control :1.5 (1.425)
Normal CPU Vcore : 1.2725


Advanced Bios Features
CPU Multi-Threading: Enabled
Limit CPUID Max to 3: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect: Disabled
CPU Enhanced Halt(CIE): Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 : Enabled
CPU EIST Function: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled

Woohoo,

Well I'm off to a good start now, I played with my config and editied this post with the changes, the old values are in "( )" I guess I just to up the voltage a bit, I got 1 Hr in OCCT stable, going to test again later with Orthos.

I may play somemore with the SPD and see if I run it a little higher??? for those using these G. Skill dimms whats the best settings you found for your config's? I just wanna start tweaking this system now if everything comes back stable, I may try and 3.6 Ghz after aswell. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

**NOTE**
Orthos has been running for almost 5 hrs now and no issues, looking good so far. My temps are peaking at 65 degrees Celsuis which isn't too bad I think, I'm running a dual ras Water Cooling setup on this and just wondering if someone with similar setup is getting approx the same temps? Should I lower the Voltage a little to lower temps and stress test again?

Also would you think that stable with OCCT and Orthos x 2 (set affinity for CPU 0 & 1 for one process of Orthos and 2 & 3 for the other)?


Thanks

Kurrgan

 

[taal24]

I'm purchasing an E8400 along with Gigabyte X38-DQ6.
My question is will the E8400 POST with the out of the box version of the X38-DQ6. If not what are my alternatives?

From their website it seems the E8400 was supported with from the F7 update.

And a general question, how do you guys like the X38-DQ6 although I'm pretty much set on getting it , any quirks I should watch out for?.

 

[imported_Desperado]

Since I don't seem to be getting any response on the general "motherboard" area, I'd thought I would submite myself to abuse here ;-)

I am using the following:
GA-X38-DQ6
QX9650
Mushkin 1066MHz, 5-5-4-12, 2.2V, 2GB (2 x 1GB) memory
Ultima 90 cpu cooler
Vista Ultimate 64 bit

I can easily get 3.6GHz by just upping the cpu multiplier to 11 (11X 333MHZ).
However I would like to raise the FSB to 400MHz and lower the multiplier to 10.

I am having a tough time getting any stability when I adjust the FSB or even just up the multiplier to 12 (for 4GHz) (won't boot into Vista).

Looking for any suggestions as to what settings to set/tweak that will help me gain stability and speed.

I can provide more information later tonight if needed.

Appreciate any advice you are willing to share.

 

[Salamandar]

Originally posted by: CyberWarrior
Well all taiwanese mainboard manufactures use at least one of taiwanese semiconductors, like VIA, REALTEK, JMICRON. Even in the expensive ASUS mainboard they some how include at least one taiwanese component. I dont like taiwanese products at all, they are very cheap and there research is zero.

There are alot of best chip makers like TEXAS Instruments, Cirrus Logic, Analog Devices, Silicon Image. And these all are the best pioneers. Still i say taiwanese motherboards are not worth for the money.

If you don't like Taiwanese products then clearly you are posting in the wrong place....and clearly you hate computers!