GA-EP45-DS3R and Core 2 Quad Q8200

[MadMax2911]

Sorry I wasnt trying to feed the Google monster, it just so happened that I needed to reinstall it or last time i reinstalled my OS and installed it and it asked to log in and then poof my bookmarks appeared. It must be something new they added as I did this before and it did not happen.
Last Firefox build I used was back with the Memory problem alot of users were complaining about. Chrome also feels faster to me then firefox.

I really want to get away from IE due to the script and active X vulnerabilities, which I have heard about. Also IE8 is a big target for hackers and robbers, why I had someone almost steal 800.00 one time. There was a charge on my statement that I did not authorize :( I did get it reversed, however. I have never even tried chrome to know what its about, sorry. I bet it is fast as they say and loaded with options, however there may be problems with NOD32 compatibility. So, I will have to pass on chrome, unless it has something, i want.

[Lsdmeasap]

ESET will be fine with any browser, if you want to try others!

I put browsers in this order, for anyone that want to hear my thoughts (Like I matter )

1. Firefox
2. Opera
3. Maxthon
4. Chrome
5. All other random browsers except IE
6. IE9/IE10

Max, you can install many browsers and test them out, you don't have to worry about it messing with your AV and you can install and use as many different browsers as you want.

So, install a few, and see which you like best, then uninstall all the ones you didn't like, easy test!

[MadMax2911]

ESET will be fine with any browser, if you want to try others!
I put browsers in this order, for anyone that want to hear my thoughts (Like I matter )

1. Firefox
2. Opera
3. Maxthon
4. Chrome
5. All other random browsers except IE
6. IE9/IE10

Max, you can install many browsers and test them out, you don't have to worry about it messing with your AV and you can install and use as many different browsers as you want.

So, install a few, and see which you like best, then uninstall all the ones you didn't like, easy test!

Hmm Opera and maxthon I hav not even heard of Maxthon Hmm going to google some about this maxthon. And IE is at the bottom of the list wow. I still like Firefox for now but will try others as you suggest.

About the tests I am doing for chike I have trouble figuring out the avg record for LinX that chike asked about. Also Cinebench gets stuck during one of the tests, maybe due to the EVGA 6600GT(Cant afford anything just yet, but looking anyway). I could transfer my 8800 GTS over here to try, hoping it does not get the dreaded sickness that is spreading for the 8800GTS cards. just one example here this guy is down to one of three cards left 8800GTS Problem - EXTREME Overclocking Forums Here is a wiki on the 8 series cards GeForce 8 Series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Seems there is a problem with Mobo that have PCI e 1.0 which my 8I945 board may may had IDK looking at specs now..... the DS3r has PCIe 2.0 graphics slot as well as the UD3LR too so if I had the 8800 GTS in the 8I945 then there would have been a problem me thinks. I hope nothing was damaged??
By the way how do i do the Linx test and capture the avg mac/flops etc??

[Lsdmeasap]

Maxthon is cool, very fast and customizable, be sure you get the free edition not paid trial version. Opera is very fast too, due to the way it cache's things. I'm a firefox user for sure, that's my main browser, but I do also use opera for certain things just to keep cookie tracking separate. I only suggest something other than firefox if you are looking away from firefox, otherwise I suggest firefox as I think it's best

For LinX, what Chike was asking about is the Gflops, he wanted your average or if you don't want to figure that out then post an image or give him your results for Gflops for all the test you did that you wanted him to see. Not sure on the Cinebench, but you might be right it could be that older card or drivers?

To capture LinX results you can take a screenshot (Print screen button, then edit paste into paint or other image programs), or screenshot with any tool you normally use. Or you can click "Log" in the lower right corner, then copy paste the log info here for him

Sorry, I just looked and the "File" menu of LinX can do both too, save screenshot or text log file, so you can do it that way too

[MadMax2911]

OK I finnally got some benchmarks that work and I can post. They are PC Pitstop.com,3Dmark06 MaxxMem (2) and LinX 0.6.4

Here is a link to 3DMark06 http://3dmark.com/3dm06/16572831
To run 3Dmark I needed the Approved drivers in order to have full functionality of the service online. I am now downgraded to 175.16 (can use 182 as well ) I will swap the video cards later after I get some tests done with this setup.

Lots of the benchmarks available are made for video cards that run direct X 11 in windows 7 (or vista). Sorry I just have to whine a bit about my situation. :(

Tried to install SANDRA with .NET auto downloaded but I got BSOD. Tried to fix .NET by running the uninstaller and choosing repair option and Uninstalled SANDRA due to its not running at all and creating BSOD. Later windows told me to update .NET so I did. Why didnt I just read the documentation about the huge .NET requirement, sigh! I may uninstall later if its not used by anything else??

Gues I am ready for some updated BIOS settings, where do I start first?
MadMax

[Chike]

3DMark Vantage should be good enough.
Can you please post your current settings?

[Lsdmeasap]

You can also use PCMark05 and maybe PCMark Vantage too. There is actually tons of benchmarks you can use, did you look through all the ones Stasio posted, I guess might not be many like we are thinking though?
Latest Overclocking Programs, System Info, Benchmarking, & Stability Tools

You can also do Geekbench and Fritz Chess, neither of those are in his list either, also MaxxMemm has another SuperPI type bench (You can do SuperPI too, use 1.5 XS Version)

And you can also check out RightMark memory Analyzer, I use that in reviews (If you need signed x64 file for it to run let me know, I have one for you!)

>Net is best installed via Windows Updates, and should be done in a certain order
Mailbag: Should I re-install the versions of the .NET Framework in a specific order? - Aaron Stebner's WebLog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

[MadMax2911]

3DMark Vantage should be good enough.
Can you please post your current settings?

3Dmark Vantage only runs with Vista and Win7 AFAIK.
To Lsdmeasap Thanks for the links and other suggestions and sorry for my complaining about my troubles. I usually stick to BMs that I have used in the past that I know work, what happened to SANDRA IDK. I did look over there for a minute but only needed a few tests. As for the .NET thanks I will write a note to myself to read the requirements of the programs in the future. :)

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.33GHz

Clock Chip Control 
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.........5...............:5
tRCD ..........................7...............:5
tRP'............................7............... :5
tRAS...........................24...............:15

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first. Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go
Advanced Timing Control
I would like to do something with these settings as they are all on auto is this not bad?
tRRD...........................................auto
tWTR..........................................auto
tWR............................................auto
tRFC...........................................auto
tRTP...........................................auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:auto
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................auto
These too should be set to some value right?
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 6 for both Channel A and B 
6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.25
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: << 1.2
If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much. Optimal range for overclock would be 1.2-1.5 depending on Vcore, try to keep at least .1 under vcore. Auto is fine if not overclocking
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5
<< If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much. Optimal range for overclock would be 1.5-1.65. Auto is fine if not overclocking

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: auto
<<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.1<< 
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; auto<<< Leave 
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: auto<<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: NOT AVAIL<<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: NOT AVAIL<<< Leave
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: auto<<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: auto<<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: auto <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: NOT AVAIL

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB
Note also have automatic fan controls disabled will post back names of settings.
Its in the cooling section I think and the specific name of the setting is 
"CPU Smart Fan control = disabled "

MadMax

[Chike]

Lets begin with the following, should be fairly easy start:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.80GHz

Clock Chip Control 
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066 MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.........5...............:5
tRCD ..........................7...............:5
tRP'............................7............... :5
tRAS...........................24...............:15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................auto
tWTR..........................................auto
tWR............................................auto
tRFC...........................................auto
tRTP...........................................auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:auto
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................auto

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................: 7
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.25-1.3 << shouldm't need much above default
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: << 1.2-1.24 
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.5 <<< or one click up 
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.16-1.24 
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........; auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: auto

[MadMax2911]

entered all values and system is working ok. Here is the setting I am using now.


Motherboard:GB Model:GA-EP45-DS3R Rev#:1.0 Bios Version:F11i
Cpu:Intel Model:Core2 Quad E8200
Ram: Brand:Mushkin Model/Part#:Blackline/996599 Link-->996599 - 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500 5-5-5-15 Blackline (Dual Kit)
Power Supply Unit: Brand:Antec Model#:TP3-650 Wattage:650watts
----> Replace "Auto" with manually set values.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster -------------- : [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ---------------------- : [7x]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio ----------------- : [xx] not avail
CPU Frequency -------------------------: 2.80GHz

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control --------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) --------------: [400]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ---------- : [100]

C.I.A.2 ------------------------------ : [Disabled]
Advanced Clock Control ------- [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive ---------------------- : [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive -------------- : [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew (ps) ------------------ : [0]
MCH Clock Skew (ps) ------------------ : [0]

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance ------------------- : [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile --- (X.M.P.) --- : [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch ---------------- : [Auto] S
System Memory Multiplier -------------- : [2.66D]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ---------------- : [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable ---------------- : [manual] <-- set to MANUAL for overclocking

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time --------5 ---------- : [5]
tRCD ------------------- 5 ---------- : [5]
tRP ---------------------7 --------- : [5]
tRAS ------------------- 24 --------- : [15]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWTR ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWR ---------------------8 ---------- : [Auto]
tRFC ------------------- 68 --------- : [Auto]
tRTP ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ------------------ : [Auto] <--- Auto or 0 is OK

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength --------- : Press Enter <--- press ENTER to modify memory sub-timings when overclocking

Channel A
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to AUTO
tRD Phase1 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps
Channel B
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to AUTO
tRD Phase1 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank) ----------------- : [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal -------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1.250v ---- : [1.263]

CPU Termination --------- 1.20V ------ : [1.20]
CPU PLL ----------------- 1.50V ------ : [1.5]

CPU Reference ----------- .76V* ------ : [auto] temp setting will change to.76 or .80 later or to advised setting

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.10V ------- : [1.16]
MCH Reference ----------- 0.76V ------- : [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref ------------ 0.900V ------ : [Auto]
ICH I/O ----------------- 1.50V ------- : [1.50]

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ------------ 1.80V ------- : [2.0]
DRAM Termination -------- 0.90V ------- : [Auto]
Channel A Reference ----- 0.90V ------- : [Auto]
Channel B Reference ----- 0.90V ------- : [Auto]

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 ------------------ : [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect -------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ---------------- : [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support ------------------- : [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) ------------ : [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function --------------------- : [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology -------------- : [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ------------- : [Dis]