Author: parsec
Subject: X99 BIOS Update
Posted: 22 Aug 2016 at 12:33pm
We are lucky that Broadwell-E processors work as well as they do. Consider the standard Broadwell processors, are they popular with PC enthusiasts? In a few scenarios, yes, but for over clocking and general CPU performance, no.
Question for you, as well as using a Broadwell-E compatible UEFI/BIOS version, have you updated the Intel Management Engine (IME) software to the latest version? It won't work miracles, but without it you cannot over clock Broadwell-E at all.
Yes, the default Broadwell-E cache speed is 2700MHz, that is pure Broadwell-E, not ASRock. Did you notice the Broadwell-E AVX Cache Multiplier Offset option (or whatever it is called?)
You're familiar with the general Haswell AVX instructions stress tests problem I imagine? That is, using CPU stress tests with AVX2 instructions cause very high core temperatures? That cause throttling due to cores reaching ~100C?
With Broadwell-E, Intel added a UEFI/BIOS option that will reduce the maximum Cache multiplier when AVX2 instructions are being executed. This Cache Multiplier Offset option only allows a negative value, reducing the Cache multiplier. What does that tell us about Intel's faith in a Cache OC?
Not to mention that to OC the Cache in Haswell-E requires a non-standard 2011-v3 CPU socket! That's not Intel approved or supplied. How mother board manufactures got away with that one, I don't know. Given some of the problems one mother board manufacture seems to have with that socket, apparently destroying Haswell-E processors randomly, is that socket really that desirable?
I've read in an OCN Broadwell-E thread, that their IMC is better than Haswell-E, and have seen the proof. Of course to those guys, a DRAM voltage of 1.35V is the starting point.
IMO, DDR4 memory is a mess currently. Between Haswell-E/Broadwell-E and Skylake, the XMP profiles are not interchangeable. Mainly with VCCSA and VCCIO voltages. You must experiment to find the appropriate values and settings for your DDR4 memory, setting all that you can manually.
My ASRock X99 Extreme6/3.1 board has gained and then lost memory OC capability between UEFI versions. As compatibility is enhanced for some memory models, others seem to have diminished capabilities. DDR4 is still new, and it will take time before it gets sorted out. The X58/socket 1366 processors were infamous for their "missing memory" syndrome, I saw it myself on my X58 board, and that was with mature DDR3 memory. We seem to forget, nothing is guaranteed beyond Intel's specs, given our past success.
You may think an ASRock X99 Extreme4 board is an expensive, high end board. It's a mid range board, period. A $200 X99 board is really entry level, relative to this platform. Check the prices of the X99 boards by the company that you mentioned above. Yes, $500+ for some models. Over priced? Maybe, but I don't understand how ANY decent board can be sold for $100 or less.
Subject: X99 BIOS Update
Posted: 22 Aug 2016 at 12:33pm
 DStealth wrote:Just wanna share my experience - with P3.20 and P3.30 BIOS on Extreme4/3.1 - The OC soket is not working at all with 6800k With 5820k all is fine...Uncore and memory overclocking are terrible...even worse then they were on my previous board x99 extreme4... Will not waitng for a new BIOS probably and will leave my 5820k as it makes 3ghz+ memory and 4ghz+ uncore...in opposite to 6800k which was not able to get over 2700mhz memory w/o loosing some modules(Dual/tripple) and 3300uncore... Too bad, not sure if it's Asrock or Intel fault but is very annoying Just to worn new users willing to jump on Broadwell-E train to avoid this MB...not sure how it works on Asus boards BTW A photo with 6800k on the old board...the new one was terrible not even gonna share them http://i.imgur.com/gckq0t6.jpg Edit: On the other hand 5820k has become a complete new CPU...memory also. Very happy all at the minimum Voltages ~4300Mhz Uncore @ 1.3v + ~4.7Ghz@1.32v and 3025 cl14 T1 memory@ 1.3v...Just a miracle not achievable even closer with the old model w/o OC socket... http://i.imgur.com/1pR5swx.jpg  |
We are lucky that Broadwell-E processors work as well as they do. Consider the standard Broadwell processors, are they popular with PC enthusiasts? In a few scenarios, yes, but for over clocking and general CPU performance, no.
Question for you, as well as using a Broadwell-E compatible UEFI/BIOS version, have you updated the Intel Management Engine (IME) software to the latest version? It won't work miracles, but without it you cannot over clock Broadwell-E at all.
Yes, the default Broadwell-E cache speed is 2700MHz, that is pure Broadwell-E, not ASRock. Did you notice the Broadwell-E AVX Cache Multiplier Offset option (or whatever it is called?)
You're familiar with the general Haswell AVX instructions stress tests problem I imagine? That is, using CPU stress tests with AVX2 instructions cause very high core temperatures? That cause throttling due to cores reaching ~100C?
With Broadwell-E, Intel added a UEFI/BIOS option that will reduce the maximum Cache multiplier when AVX2 instructions are being executed. This Cache Multiplier Offset option only allows a negative value, reducing the Cache multiplier. What does that tell us about Intel's faith in a Cache OC?
Not to mention that to OC the Cache in Haswell-E requires a non-standard 2011-v3 CPU socket! That's not Intel approved or supplied. How mother board manufactures got away with that one, I don't know. Given some of the problems one mother board manufacture seems to have with that socket, apparently destroying Haswell-E processors randomly, is that socket really that desirable?
I've read in an OCN Broadwell-E thread, that their IMC is better than Haswell-E, and have seen the proof. Of course to those guys, a DRAM voltage of 1.35V is the starting point.
IMO, DDR4 memory is a mess currently. Between Haswell-E/Broadwell-E and Skylake, the XMP profiles are not interchangeable. Mainly with VCCSA and VCCIO voltages. You must experiment to find the appropriate values and settings for your DDR4 memory, setting all that you can manually.
My ASRock X99 Extreme6/3.1 board has gained and then lost memory OC capability between UEFI versions. As compatibility is enhanced for some memory models, others seem to have diminished capabilities. DDR4 is still new, and it will take time before it gets sorted out. The X58/socket 1366 processors were infamous for their "missing memory" syndrome, I saw it myself on my X58 board, and that was with mature DDR3 memory. We seem to forget, nothing is guaranteed beyond Intel's specs, given our past success.
You may think an ASRock X99 Extreme4 board is an expensive, high end board. It's a mid range board, period. A $200 X99 board is really entry level, relative to this platform. Check the prices of the X99 boards by the company that you mentioned above. Yes, $500+ for some models. Over priced? Maybe, but I don't understand how ANY decent board can be sold for $100 or less.