ASUS Official Z68 Chipset Motherboards - Support Thread

@ error-id10t

As far as I know, there is also nothing to disable for SRT
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Correct! Disabled means, SRT is not set up, when I don’t use the RAID-Mode. I disabled nothing, it works automatically.
 
cisco guy said:
@Hushman

Just curious - what Heat sink are you using?
When taking apart mobo for RMA look extemely carefully for bent CPU pins while you are at it.
Based on my past experience with P67 Z68, I would only buy mobo from NE, due to their fast unquestioned replacement policy - no matter what the price. I am quite sure a new mobo will fix your prob.
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ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink- It does a great job keeping my CPU cool.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118003



Also thanks for the help folks as I now have my GTX 560 working, no more double POST and can wake up from sleep.

I pulled the battery for a minute (just as easy as using the jumpers), placed my video card in PCIE slot 3 (had to remove Motherboard from my small case- New, larger case is on its way), used all the BIOS tweaks such as disable C3, C6, etc and all is well.

One weird thing though as PCIE slots 1 and 2 would not work with my video card (tried both slots using auto, X1 and X4) but I knew something changed as I also could not use the iGPU (onboard video) where before with my video issue, the iGPU still worked with a video card installed in the PCIE slots. Thats why I ended up pulling out the MB so I could use the 3rd PCIE slot and that slot gave me video. Not sure if this issue will prevent me in the future from using my GTX 285 in Phys mode.

Lastly, I am not sure why ASUS thought of making the 3rd PCIE slot all the way at the bottom of the board (tough to access) as the preferred video card slot but they did. Personally, I would of preferred PCIE slot 1 as its much easier to access.
 
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@Hushman
Yeah, without bugs our machines run like Avatars, better than lions :D
__________

What are you guys thinking about EPU und VIRTU? Can these functions really save power? I’ve some doubts:

1. When I activate EPU, my CPU-temperatures remain always the same and fans don’t change speed. So what???
2. Yes, my Video Card goes idle with VIRTU, but I can’t see the power-saving-function.

It would be great, if somebody could explain me, why I should activate EPU and VIRTU.
 
@hushman

Thnx for reply.
I asked about your HS because I was curious if your mounting backplate is one that clears the 5 surface mount resistors, or if the arms dig into mobo traces - ASUS does not keep clear around the hole areas, there are delicate traces everywhere. So I will now research the Zalman.
My Thermalright 1156 bolt thru kit bracket touched the solder, and my TR Venemous pressure mount backplate was very injurious to traces. I also had the red VGA LED, so I get real interested when someone mentions that.

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1037575290&postcount=47

Edit: Just looked up the Zalman = backplate seems to be all plastic - no prob

So, you are saying the red vga LED is still on, but third PCIe slot works, other two still dont? You are fine living with this situation?
 
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priamos said:
2. Yes, my Video Card goes idle with VIRTU, but I can’t see the power-saving-function.

It would be great, if somebody could explain me, why I should activate EPU and VIRTU.
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This is what I'm wondering about Virtu too, like you said yes it's idling but everything is still running exactly the same as normal - there can't be that much power savings (temps are exactly the same too when idling).

Lastly, Virtu does not work with SLI.. it starts the program but they all crash and of course if you have 120hz monitor that isn't an option via iGPU.

add: to clarify - Virtu has it's place for encoding/decoding but I can't see why anyone would run in iGPU mode instead of dGPU.
 
I built a computer recently with the following specs:

Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4 GHz
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO
ASUS GeForce GTX 580 1536 MB
G.SKILL Ripjaws 16 GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
OCZ Vertex 2 60 GB
2x Western Digital Black 2TB (RAID 1)
Noctua NH-D14 Heatsink
Corsair AX850 PSU
SilverStone FT02 Case​

For the life of me, I can't get this thing to be stable. I've been plagued by hard reboots - the PSU clicks and the hard drives spin down and then the computer restarts through the BIOS. Occasionally Windows will just freeze (mouse won't move, keyboard doesn't respond) and I have to hit the reset button. This is more rare though.

I've been using Prime 95 to stress test, and sometimes it gets up to a few hours, but other times it doesn't stay on for more than a few minutes. I've noticed that if I browse the web or something on my computer while prime is running I am more apt to get a reboot.

Memtest is 12 hours stable (enough for several passes) and the RAM timings are set to the manufacturer's specifications.

All the settings (besides the boot order and RAM voltage, see below) in the BIOS are stock - I did a CMOS reset. I have the most resent BIOS revision (606).

I have been having a few other weird symptoms:
  1. The default RAM voltage is way off (it defaults around 1.7 V or 1.8 V). If I try to boot with it like this, I don't even make it into the OS before the computer restarts. I dropped it down to 1.5 V and was able to make it into the OS, but it wasn't Prime stable. I tested every voltage increment between 1.5 V and 1.55 V and none of these were stable.
  2. If the RAM voltage is set to "Default", then the clock speed on my processor as reported in the BIOS is exactly 3400 MHz (which is correct). However, if I manually adjust the RAM voltage to something reasonable, the clock speed is slightly more than 3400 MHz (usually between 3414 MHz and 3444 MHz). I don't know if this is an issue or not. The BCLK is always 100.0 MHz.
  3. Unrelated to my motherboard, one of the hard drives in my RAID was making strange scraping noises. I ran an HD Tune speed test and it would always make these noises halfway through the test. I was going to RMA the drive, but then the other drive has started making this noises intermittently but not reliably. I mirrored over to a new Seagate hard drive just to be sure.

So yeah, I have no idea what the issue is. Initially, I thought that it might be the PSU (so I posted over on the Corsair official support forums), but now I'm leading towards the motherboard. One person in this thread had the same MHz issue that I'm having, and two other people have had stability issues. One of the stability issues was fixed by adjusting the RAM voltages (he had the same insanely high RAM voltage problem I have). Another was unresolved as far as I can tell.

I'm hoping somebody has some tips I can try. This is getting REALLY frustrating. I'm kinda tempted just to start RMA'ing the most likely part and then just going down the chain, but this will take my computer out of operation for a really long time in the worst case.

EDIT: One more thing - I turned off the TPU and the EPU switches on the motherboard itself.
 
@hardrive

Did you buy two 8GB kits or one 16GB kit?
2 separate 8GB kits are never guaranteed to run right by manuf
Try 2 sticks in A2 B2
The problem then becomes out of which package did they originally come - heh
 
priamos said:
Try to set the memory to X.M.P mode in BIOS setup.
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I just set this, gonna try stability testing now. Thanks for the tip, I didn't even think to try XMP (didn't even realize my RAM had it).

cisco guy said:
@hardrive

Did you buy two 8GB kits or one 16GB kit?
2 separate 8GB kits are never guaranteed to run right by manuf
Try 2 sticks in A2 B2
The problem then becomes out of which package did they originally come - heh
Click to expand...
I bought a 4x4GB kit, so everything should be matched.
 
Hardrive said:
I just set this, gonna try stability testing now. Thanks for the tip, I didn't even think to try XMP (didn't even realize my RAM had it).

I bought a 4x4GB kit, so everything should be matched.
Click to expand...

Oh, O.K.
XMP will prob fix things - careful, may be TWO XMP profiles (CPUID mem tab)
 
cisco guy said:
Oh, O.K.
XMP will prob fix things - careful, may be TWO XMP profiles (CPUID mem tab)
Click to expand...

I don't mean to jinx things, but that might have done the trick. What do you mean by two XMP profiles? I only had one choice in the BIOS, and it seems like all of the timings are all the same for each ram slot in the SPD tab of cpuz.
 
Hardrive said:
I don't mean to jinx things, but that might have done the trick. What do you mean by two XMP profiles? I only had one choice in the BIOS, and it seems like all of the timings are all the same for each ram slot in the SPD tab of cpuz.
Click to expand...

Some RAMs have a 'standard" XMP and a more agressive XMP. I'm too lazy to look yours up. If you only see one, thats fine. Also depends on which bios running.
 
cisco guy said:
Some RAMs have a 'standard" XMP and a more agressive XMP. I'm too lazy to look yours up. If you only see one, thats fine. Also depends on which bios running.
Click to expand...

Hm.... I see. Anyways, this seems to have done the trick, I've used my computer a bit through about 5 hours of stress testing and all looks good. Thank you both for the tips, you've fixed a really elusive problem for me!
 
@Hardrive

X.M.P.-Mode brings your hardware components in harmony! BCLK remains stable at 100,0 MHz and Ram gets a perfect tuning. Yeah, your machine is cool, you've fantastic components. :D
 
piquadrat said:
You can control CPU_FAN, CHA_FAN1 and CHA_FAN2.
But CHA_FAN1 and CHA_FAN2 are connected in parallel so both getting the same voltage at the given moment.
No requirement for 4-pin coolers and if you connect those with 3-pin plugs the board will use CPU temperature reading for controlling CPU_FAN and Motherboard temperature reading for controlling CHA_FAN1/2.
Well... at least in UEFI.
Because as I stated earlier in the thread for some unknown reason Fan Xpert in windows uses only CPU temperature reading to adjust rpm of all three fans. Why? I don't know. And I see nobody cares.
Click to expand...

Then why with a 3pin in CPU is the fan running at full speed even on "silent" mode, and using the "test" function in Fan Xpert it comes up with full speed for fan powers 20-100%?

I recall only one ASUS board I had where the 4pin header could control both 4 pin and 3 pin fans. (P5W-DH Deluxe) My last 2 required you to plug into a controllable 3pin header.
 
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Hi Deusfaux,

Silent-Mode is a Gimmick!
I can change between Silent, Standard, Manual and Turbo, but it has no effect on my fans. Forget these Modes!
 
um, what? They're not a gimmick. I'm posting because I'm confirming that the 4pin headers cannot fan speed control 3pin fans.

It's would not be a new thing for ASUS boards, in my experience.

The nature of my query would also confirm that TO control a 3pin fan, I need to select a particular header of the available choices to be able to lower it's speed from maximum.

Where's the gimmick?
 
o.k. they're not a Gimmick.

Probably I've made mistakes by connecting my fans. I really tried a lot of different options, but these modes have no effect to my system. I would appreciate somebody could explain how it works. Thanks :D
 
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So I have a quick question / issue. ( sleep )

I have the following

p8Z68 deluxe
2600k OC'd to 4.4 using just the the AI suite ( I'm lazy )
16gb of Corsair XMS3 at 1600mhz / 1.65v
560ti
750w psu
5HDDS ( 1x ssd, 1x 2tb black, 1x2tb green 2x 1tb greens )

I've read here and other places that the z68 chip had sleep issues. Well I didnt have any till I OC'd with AI Suite.

Now that I'm OC'd, it goes to sleep.. when I wake it, the PC wakes, but the screen doesn't come on. So I have to 10 second hard boot it ( since the reset button doesn't do anything ) . when turning it back on, it will run for about 5 seconds, turn off for about 5-7 seconds, then turn back on ( still not turning on the screen ) then I have to push reset to get it running again.

how can I fix this? what could be the issue? Is it the OC? Would OC'ing the manual way versus the AI Suite fix it?
 
@scojosmac

Now that I'm OC'd, it goes to sleep.. when I wake it, the PC wakes, but the screen doesn't come on.
Click to expand...

yeah, same bug here

SOLUTION: Disable Internal PLL Overvoltage in BIOS Setup and Standby-Bug is fixed ;)
 
Figured I'd throw an update out there for you cisco guy.

Fixed the problem with a BIOS update to 0606.

Voltages read correctly now as well - this latest BIOS update fixed many problems. I kind of got hosed by buying this board because I was just looking for what looked good and had good reviews and the specs I wanted, turns out these Z68 boards are rather new and thus prone to these types of problems.

Anyway, all is well now. Stable and no crashes and running at a solid 4GHz with plenty of headroom for more OC if necessary.
 
That standby fix didn't help me, I had to enable wake by pci(e) to make resume work.


PS: selfquote

karod-ger said:
Hi,
in the UEFI Bios you can set an administrator password for locking the Bios. And a User Password for locking Bios and preventing unauthorized boot up.

How can you combine this with pre-boot authentication like it is possible with Upek Eikon's fingerprint reader?

There is the user guide http://www.upek.com/support/downloads/windows7/legacy/ (direct link: http://files.upek.com/SendPackage.asp?Key=1W6RU1I113643545921LEJWLTMLJKYVM )
See user guide topic 5.1 and 5.1.1
Click to expand...
 
Just as an FYI since I've seen this asked a few times (including by myself) but I just recently finished an Asus Maximus IV-Extreme Z install and was able to do the following.

Crucial 256GB M4 SSD on SATA 1 with the OS install
OCZ 60GB Vertex 2 SSD on SATA 3 with a Seagate 3TB 7200 RPM Harddrive in SRT mode on SATA 2.

Seems to be running ok so far.. I have to install a few more games etc.. on the 3TB to see if the SRT mode is working ok or not.
 
Is 4.4 ghz with auto voltage, idle at 39/40, load at 65/70 good? ( using AI Suite )

z68 deluxe
2600k
Cooler Master V8 cooler


If I were to manually OC...where should I start?
 
scojosmac said:
when turning it back on, it will run for about 5 seconds, turn off for about 5-7 seconds, then turn back on ( still not turning on the screen ) then I have to push reset to get it running again.

how can I fix this? what could be the issue? Is it the OC? Would OC'ing the manual way versus the AI Suite fix it?
Click to expand...

Is this still happening, if yes remove AI Suite (the OC parts of it like TurboV etc).
 
DualBoot-Bug

Set BCLK to 100,0 and problem is fixed.
(with BCLK 100,1 or 103,0 or whatever you have it again)
 
had problems posting like all of you people said here.... just decided to refund the board and picked up the Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3.

Sorry Asus you let me down this time.
 
Thanks, Virtu stopped working for me for some reason and was about to reinstall, will try the new drivers.

add: yeap, did the trick and Virtu works again.
 
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Volcanon said:
Figured I'd throw an update out there for you cisco guy.

Fixed the problem with a BIOS update to 0606.

Voltages read correctly now as well - this latest BIOS update fixed many problems. I kind of got hosed by buying this board because I was just looking for what looked good and had good reviews and the specs I wanted, turns out these Z68 boards are rather new and thus prone to these types of problems.

Anyway, all is well now. Stable and no crashes and running at a solid 4GHz with plenty of headroom for more OC if necessary.
Click to expand...

Thnx for update.
Well, thats what new bios are supposed to do - fix stuff, heh.
 
I have the mouse freezing issue whenever I connect a usb 3.0 device into usb 3.0 port.
anyone know what's the problem is ? I have the latest usb 3 AsMedia 1.4.5.0.driver installed
 
icecpu said:
I'll give this a try, is this version older or newer ? it has 5 # digit, i'm using 1.4.5.0, 4 number digit.
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It's newer. 12 > 4

It's suppose to be 1.04.5.0 but most driver makers don't add in the additional zero.
 
I'm having memory issues with a new asus z68 machine:

ASUS P8Z68 V-LE (everything default, 401 BIOS)
I5-2500K
8GB (2x4) Mushkin DDR3 1600 1.5v
Crusial M4 SSD
Thermaltake 850 watt PSU

The system goes into an endless cycle of reboots with a particular stick of RAM in it. One of the 2 modules posts just fine, in any slot. If the other module is installed either alone or together in any slot, the system will not post. After powering up the "MemOK" LED will flash red. The system will then reboot to the same result, over and over.

At first I thought it was just a bad stick of RAM, but I'm thinking it's something else now. Both sticks work just fine in my other machine (2600k, P8P67 Pro). They will post just fine, no issues at all, and are very stable.

Anyone have any ideas?
 
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