i7-5960x on Asus X99-E WS - issues

[Xythras]

I've built an X99 system with these specs:
Asus X99-E WS (updated to 0801 BIOS)
i7-5960X
64GB DDR4-2800 ->G.Skill F4-2800C15Q2-64GRK
Win 7 x64

Issues:
- Is there a way to SUCCESSFULLY disable Turbo Mode and set a Core Ratio over 33 (since it shows in CPU-Z that multiplier is between 12-33)? Seems that setting a Core Ratio over 33 automatically enables TurboMode, and then it has a mind of it's own showing in CPU-Z values between 1199Mhz (idle = x12 multiplier) and 2999Mhz (Prime95 full load = x30 multiplier) nothing close to 4500Mhz as supposed.
- what would be the best BIOS settings in order to convince it to stay over 4000Mhz constantly instead of idleing and messing around.
- Getting RAM work at 2800 with CPU OC above default is a pain also. I get either RAM OC or CPU OC but not both at the same time. Not to mention the long booting time. Compared with my older system Maximum V Extreme + i73770K it takes forever. Even loading CPU-Z takes twice the time.
- would be nice to find a good OC tutorial for Asus X99-E WS. I don't know what is wrong with this board, but I am seriously thinking switching it for a Rampage V or X99 Pro/Deluxe.

Any suggestions?
Are the other Asus X99 boards easier to tweak?
I guess Asus was too eager to get more X99 boards on the market and didn't checked all the details for bugs.

 

[gskill support]

CPU configuration there's tons of controls for Turbo Mode, Ratio, speed step etc. Did you take a look at the manual?

Speed Step is what causes it to 'mess around'. If you enable XMP, it will disable that feature, so you can do that as well. Otherwise, all these features can be tweaked in BIOS/EFI.

Enable XMP, check to see if that's stable, then you can try raising the CPU Ratio. As far as loading, what hard drive are you using?

I don't think there is an OC tutorial for that specific motherboard, but there are ones for RVE that you can use a a general guide. The settings you need to change are the same. The many advanced settings available you don't even need to worry about.

Yes, ASUS X99 motherboards are the best/easiest for overclocking this platform.

Bugs are mainly ironed out, BIOS is solid. Keep us posted!

 

[Xythras]

Eventually, I found out the that SpeedStep need to be disabled in order to jump over the stock clock.
With XMP enabled I can't OC the CPU and the CPU @4500Mhz will work only with 2133 RAM. Regardless the voltage increase.

I tested the RAM with memtest for about 48h. All 13 tests completed for 3/4 steps and for the last step I left it only 7 tests. No errors whatsoever so I stopped it.

To me it looks like these X99-E WS boards are not mature. If they have trouble working with 64GB DDR4-2800 what should be expected from >3200 DDR4?
Now is at 4500 with 2133 RAM. I'll stress it a little then going back in...hope to have some good news latter.
.... Prime95 Freezes the system in an instant at this settings. ....

The Asus manual is not very helpful. Doesn't explain in details every setting/function.
As regarding the drives, I use a 256GB Samsung 850 Pro for OS and other two 850 Pros 512GB for data.


P.S. This build is a pain the ass comparing with the OC of a i7-3770K on a Maximum V Extreme with 32GB DDR3-2133. That old system runs OCd at 4.5 for 2 years now, sometimes even for more than 30days without a reset and at >90% usage.

 

[gskill support]

Can't compare ROG boards with anything else. Now you know. 😉

 

[Xythras]

I managed to get it to work at 4450 with XMP @ 2800 but not stress testing it yet.

First I'll play some Battlefield 4 / Metro Last Light Redux on Ultra @1440p with a couple of dozens of WinXP VMs in the background generating fake web traffic and see if it's stable enough in order to do my thing.
If it does the job and let me play games meanwhile is fine by me.
The older rig wouldn't let me play while running 20-22 VMs. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.