This topic will list any Tips, Bugs, and Workarounds for the Biostar T-Power X58 Intel powered Motherboard. The topic will be kept closed to replies to make it easier to review.
The Biostar T-Power X58 supports Dual and Triple Channel Memory Mode. At least 1 memory module must be in a channel 2 slot(A2) for the system to even POST. Those are the orange slots(A2,B2,C2)
The BIOS will show 2 sets of memory timings for Dual Channel Mode and 3 sets of memory timings for Triple Channel Mode....
It does show 1 set of timings when modules are installed 1 in channel 1 and 1 in channel 2, but my system was freezing when installing the operating system...
This screen should show 2 or 3 sets of Mem settings depending on if your running Dual or Triple Channel Mode. The 1 set of timings indicates incorrect placement of the memory modules:
-------------------- Too Many Computers,... Too Little Time ..... Com'on AM4! Posts: 26787 | From: Fire Island, NY | Registered: Feb 2003
This Motherboard is one of the easiest boards to set to a moderate overclock, because the TP-X58 auto-adjusts the voltages. Just turning up the CPU Frequency Setting with everything on default, will get you up to at least 3.8Gig! You do have to disable the Items listed below under "CPU Configuration".
Here is a set of BIOS settings designed to get you to that magic 4Gig! Certainly tweaking the settings from these, is highly encouraged...
"Overclocking Navigator" Intel Speed Step: Disable Ratio CMOS Setting: 20 (appears after disabling Intel Speed Step) CPU Frequency Setting: start @ 150; step to 200(ie: 150-160-170-180-190-200) QPI Link Speed: Full Speed DRAM Frequency: (set lowest value) Command Rate: 2T
"DRAM Timing Configuration" (Leave on "Auto" to start)
"Clock Gen Configuration" (All Default)
"All Voltage Configuration" CPU Vcore: +0.260V CPU Vtt: 1.30V CPU PLL: Auto DRAM Voltage: 1.70V NB Vcc: Auto SB Vcc: Auto QPI/PCIe PLL: 1.35V Note: 1) CPU Vcore minus QPI/PCIe should be about 0.04V 2) DRAM Voltage minus CPU Vtt should be between about 0.40V to 0.50V maximum. Less is OK.
"CPU Configuration" C1E Support: Disable Hardware Prefetcher: Disable Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Disable Max CPUID Valut Limit: Disable Intel Virtualization: Disable CPU TM Function: Disable Execute-Disable Bit: Disable Intel HT Technology: Enable Active Processor Cores: ALL A20M: Disable
Anything not mentioned should be as "Load Optimized Defaults" set them.....
The T-Power X58 Motherboard supports Triple Channel Mode Memory. This requires a 3-Module matched set. Evidently, the x58 Chipset has some special properties such that several Manufacturers offer "X58 Compatible" DDR3. Here is the Triple Channel x58 Memory @ Newegg.com:
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Getting Your Memory to Run at 1600 and Higher!
Many users are complaining that this Motherboard won't run their DDR3-1600 Memory at 1600. It appears that the BIOS doesn't set loose enough settings for all DDR3-1600 memory modules to POST and boot into Windows at 1600. Only one set of my DDR3-1600 will boot into Windows by just setting the Memory speed to 1600. And BTW, this assumes you have the CPU clock at 133. If you raise the CPU clock, the Memory speed increases with the CPU clock. To do the following, set Optimized Defaults" in the BIOS, save, and then go back into the BIOS to make the desired Memory settings.
Boot up the system at default settings and run Memset4.0 Click the "SPD" tab and record the DDR3-1600 timings and voltage that is displayed.
Here's the SPD table from my Corsair XMS 1600 stix. Anyone that doesn't have the 1600 memory table should try these.
Now go back into the BIOS and set the Memory timings and voltage that you have recorded. Make sure you set all the channels with the settings that are recorded. Any timings that were not displayed in Memset's SPD 1600 list, leave on "Auto". If a BIOS Memory timing won't go as high as the recorded SPD setting, just set the timing as high as it will go. If the BIOS doesn't have a particular memory timing, then it can't be set, correct? Do not use the "Reserved" options assuming those higher settings, but just not labeled !
If everything goes right, the system should boot right up at 1600. One of my sets even boots into Windows at the 1833 setting! Below are the screen shots of the T-Power x58 running at 1600 and at 1833:
-------------------- Too Many Computers,... Too Little Time ..... Com'on AM4! Posts: 26787 | From: Fire Island, NY | Registered: Feb 2003
Topic Closed
Com'on AM4!
