ASUS RAMPAGE III EXTREME BIOS - V1601 - Updated OROM MOD

[pir8man]

This is a fork from ZioMod.  He has moved on from this Motherboard and can no longer test and thus develop new updated BIOS'.  
You can find information about his work in his original thread >here<

DISCLAIMER: bios is provided "as is". Flash it at your own risk! I won't be responsible for any damage.

BIOS Details:
Built from latest R3E BIOS (BETA) version.  As I understand it,  the only change from the official 1502 and the latest available 1601 R3E beta bios was Memory Compatibility.

The individual Option ROMs were then updated to newer firmware and/or BIOS versions.  Option ROMs updated are IRST (Intel SATA/RAID Controller), Marvell (SATA-6G), Jmicron (PATA), NIC and injected ASUS SLIC 2.1 tables:

CPU Microcode Updated to latest [106A4 Revision 13 (2015-06-30), 106A5 Revision 1D (2018-05-11), 206C2 Revision 1F (2018-05-08), 206C0 Revision 1C (2009-12-14)].
INTEL ICH10R SATA RAID Controller: v13.5.0.2164 (SSD TRIM support in AHCI and RAID modes)
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Bios : v1.0.0.1038*
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Firmware: v2.1.0.1413
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Bootloader: v1.0.1.0002b*
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.08.01 (AHCI Patched)
INTEL 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.50
SLIC 2.1: ASUS (SSV3/MMtool method)
(* == patch was pre-existing from ZIO Mod S17)

WHICH TO CHOOSE:
Which to use:

Flash Sxx:
Only use if you run Windows 10 and want INTEL SATA in RAID mode.
Windows 10 requires updated RST software, which in turn requires newer ROM for compatibility.

Flash Sxxi:
If you run Windows 10 and use INTEL SATA in AHCI mode.  Also for ANY other OS using either AHCI or RAID modes.
As no RST software compatibility needs to be overcome, it is best to run the proper ROM for our ICH10 chipset.  (fastest benchmarks with this ROM).

Flash Sxxt:
If you need ALL the add-on hardware enabled at the same time.
the newer NIC OROM takes up too much memory to fit everything.  This one uses the older/smaller OROM that can still fit in BIOS memory with all the other devices enabled.

DOWNLOAD LINK:
All my releases are now hosted via Gdrive. Download Link
NOTE:  S23o is the three BIOS releases above with older CPU Microcodes.  These are not patched for Spectre/Meltdown bugs, but also do not have the associated performance hit.

Recommended Win7 Driver for Mavell controller : v1.2.0.1049 WHQL for Win7-8 x86/x64
Recommended Win10 Driver for Mavell controller : v1.2.0.1049 WHQL for Win10 x86/x64

Recommended 32bit driver for Jmicron controller: 32bit JMicron JMB 36x RAID driver v1.17.65.11 WHQL
Recommended 64bit driver for Jmicron controller: 64bit JMicron JMB 36x RAID driver v1.17.65.11 WHQL

[pir8man]

Coming from ZioMod's S17, my first version is S18...

CHANGELOG:
S17 -> S18

Intel ICH10R SATA RAID Controller: v13.5.0.2118 -> v13.5.0.2164 (SSD TRIM Patched)
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Bios : v1.0.0.1033 -> v1.0.0.1038
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28  -> v1.08.01
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.13 -> v1.5.43

S18 -> S19

CPU Microcode Updated
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.08.01 -> v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched)
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.43 -> v1.5.85

S19 -> S20
CPU Microcode Updates : 106A5 Revision 1D (2018-05-11) and 206C2 Revision 1E (2018-01-23)
INTEL 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.85 -> v1.5.50  (Fix PXE Boot)

S20 -> S21
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C2 Revision 1F (2018-05-08)

S21 -> S22 
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G - Firmware: v2.2.0.1125 -> v2.1.0.1413 (Drive Xpert fix)
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched) -> v1.08.01 (AHCI Patched)

S22 -> S23
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C0 Revision 1C (2009-12-14)


=======================================================================

Best choice for Win10 users with Intel SATA in RAID mode.

Intel ICH10R ROM is updated to latest version for compatibility with Windows 10 RST software versions.

Recommended Intel RST Win10 Driver: patched v13.6.x from HERE.
Recommended Intel RST Win7 Driver: Intel RST software v13.5.2.1000

[pir8man]

Benchmarks fastest on ICH10R controller.

CHANGELOG:
S17 -> S18i

Intel ICH10R SATA RAID Controller: v13.5.0.2118 -> v11.2.0.1527 (SSD TRIM Patched)
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Bios : v1.0.0.1033 -> v1.0.0.1038
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28  -> v1.08.01
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.13 -> v1.5.43


S18i -> S19i

CPU Microcode Updated
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.08.01 -> v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched)
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.43 -> v1.5.85

S19i -> S20i
CPU Microcode Updates : 106A5 Revision 1D (2018-05-11) and 206C2 Revision 1E (2018-01-23)
INTEL 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.85 -> v1.5.50  (Fix PXE Boot)

S20i -> S21i
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C2 Revision 1F (2018-05-08)

S21i -> S22i
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G - Firmware: v2.2.0.1125 -> v2.1.0.1413 (Drive Xpert fix)
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched) -> v1.08.01 (AHCI Patched)

S22i -> S23i
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C0 Revision 1C (2009-12-14)

=======================================================================

Best choice for Win7/8 and Unix users with Intel SATA in AHCI or RAID mode, And Win10 with Intel SATA in AHCI mode.

Intel ICH10R OROM is only updated to fastest performing version (not the latest).

Recommended driver >INTEL IRST 11.2.0.1006<

[pir8man]

There is a little known issue with this BIOS that has crept up on us with updating modules beyond the official 1502 BIOS had.  The Modules have grown and their memory footprint has grown along with it.  Unfortunately the R3E runs out of BIOS memory space if we have ALL ROM Modules updated and enabled.  I have created a test BIOS with only the RAID ROM downgraded to 10.1.  This has a much smaller memory footprint (85kb) and may allow all of the other modules (LAN, jMicron SATA, Marvell SATA_6G, and Intel SATA2) to be enabled.  Intel RAID OROM 11.1+ are all 100KB memory footprint.

If you need ALL hardware enabled on the R3E, try this BIOS and let me know the results.

I have not been plagued by this issue myself as I have never needed to enable my JMicron (SATA) controller. 


CHANGELOG:
S17 -> S18t

Intel ICH10R SATA RAID Controller: v13.5.0.2118 -> v10.1.0.1008 (SSD TRIM Patched)
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G Controller - Bios : v1.0.0.1033 -> v1.0.0.1038
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28  -> v1.08.01
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.13 -> v1.5.43

S18t -> S19t

CPU Microcode Updated
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.08.01 -> v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched)
Intel 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.43 -> v1.5.85

S19t -> S20t
CPU Microcode Updates : 106A5 Revision 1D (2018-05-11) and 206C2 Revision 1E (2018-01-23)
INTEL 82567V-2 Gigabit Network: v1.5.85 -> v1.5.50 (Fix PXE Boot)

S20t -> S21t
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C2 Revision 1F (2018-05-08)

S21t -> S22t
Marvell 91xx SATA 6G - Firmware: v2.2.0.1125 -> v2.1.0.1413 (Drive Xpert fix)
JMicron JMB36X Controller: v1.07.28 (AHCI Patched) -> v1.08.01 (AHCI Patched)

S22t -> S23t
CPU Microcode Updates : 206C0 Revision 1C (2009-12-14)

=======================================================================

Best choice if you need EVERY add-on device enabled.

If you can live without even one of the following:  Jmicron SATA2/eSATA; Marvell SATA3; Intel LAN; USB 3.0... You would be better served by one of the versions listed above instead.  The ICH10R ROM is downgraded to allow the add-on hardware to fit it's own ROM in the limited 1MB BIOS memory space.

Recommended Driver >Intel RST 10.1.0.1008<

[pir8man]

My Setup (for reference):

CPU:   INTEL XEON W3680 - 3.33GHz
(overclocked to 3.73GHz on stock voltage)

RAM:   24GB (6x4GB) DDR3-1600 ECC CAS:9
(due to IMC limitation, memory is clocked at 1333 with CAS:7)

Motherboard: Rampage 3 Extreme

BIOS V1601 (S22i OROM MOD)

Intel Controller in AHCI mode v11.2.0.1527
Marvell Controller: DISABLED
JMicron (SATA) Controller: DISABLED

Intel NIC V1.5.43

PCIe Cards:
Nvidia GPU
SAS HBA

[f00z]

Thanks! Great work to you and original ZioMoD
I am testing it now [1601_s18_slic_trim]. Seems to be working except I can't verify TRIM working with two ssd in raid 0 using trimcheck.
EDIT: After waiting about an hour in between running trimcheck it appears to be working but it could just be overwritten with something else, will have to keep testing.
EDIT: Running into issue where my 'active time' is sitting at 100% and the whole system is slow (30MB/s on drive benchmark on raid0); not sure if it's the new firmware in the bios for the RAID controller or what yet. May be a side effect of TRIM starting to work which I am debugging, slows down to a crawl for a while and then comes back to normal now.. This does seem likely related to TRIM because it only happens when a large amount of data is deleted. Keep in mind im testing with 2 OLD SSD in raid0. Going to test with M.2 to PCIe adapter with PCIe SSD to see how fast this board can pull data from it. Long live the R3E Will keep posted here.
INDEED is a side affect of TRIM working the raid slows down to what feels like a floppy drive, haha..
CONFIRMED Trim is working in RAID0, although when it's doing its thing it slows down the RAID (sometimes 20 minutes) like I stated above to ridiculously slow speeds until it's done doing what it needs to. For example after windows 10 weekly optimization which trims the disk with the defragment/optimize program. Granted my SSD's are from 2010 and one of the first models to even support TRIM so your results might vary with newer SSDs. Using 13.6.3.1001 driver and the BIOS 1601_s18_slic_trim.rar.

It [TRIM] does seem to be working on the Marvell controller with SSD in non-raid configuration which it wasn't before though (takes a few minutes).

Also for those of you wanting to use windows10 and intel RST, here's a very valuable resource [since intel rst direct from intel no longer works with old chipsets like our x58]:
http://www.win-raid.com/t11f23-Modded-In...igned.html
You can download the RST graphical UI interface and service v14 for win10, and then use the 13.x built in win10 driver or use the custom signed drivers by importing the key.
Marvell drivers are here:
http://www.win-raid.com/t29f25-Recommend...ivers.html
We have a 91xx so the one you want is v1.2.0.1248 on there, I'm using it verified working properly.
Side note the Marvell controller seems to be connected with x1 PCIe lane so it's limited to 5gbps TOTAL which is kind of weird since it has two 6gbs SATA ports. So honestly I'd only connect one fast device to it, or two slower ones like hard drives in raid.

[pir8man]

thx f00z. keep up the great feedback. I highly recommend PCIe SSD on this motherboard. Even the PCIe 1.0 x4 slot is faster than either sata controller on this board.

[f00z]

thx f00z. keep up the great feedback. I highly recommend PCIe SSD on this motherboard. Even the PCIe 1.0 x4 slot is faster than either sata controller on this board.

No problem, in fact I JUST earlier today ordered a PCIe x4 to M.2 adapter card and a Samsung 950 PRO so I'll be testing that as well as testing two WD Blue and other hard drives in raid 0 instead of SSD.   I'm using I7 980X on this board (OC to 4ghz) and still haven't found anything that maxes it out in terms of multithreading, single core performance isn't the best but it's not too bad especially now that most new applications are finally able to take advantage of threading.  It's been running 24x7 for 6 years at 4ghz and no issues, testament to the durability of this thing it was a good investment.

[pir8man]

I just completed maintenance window... I updated to S18 BIOS and upgraded to Xeon W3680 CPU. Coming from BloomField 965, I expect to be quite happy.

I do not use the TRIM BIOS as my SATA based drives are WD Black RAID0 pair that run from Marvell controller, and my optical drives are on the Intel Controller. My OS drive is a PCIe RevoDrive3.

EDIT: I can build with different IRST module versions if S18 is that slow with TRIM maybe we have found the limit of this system.  Unfortunately I cannot test TRIM feature myself, so I need tester(s).

NOTE: CPU upgrade is amazing. If anyone is still on BloomField, get the W3670 or W3680 for this board.  Both are great bang for the buck and make the x58 chipset a dream.   My new cpu went from 3.33GHz (25x133) to 4.62GHz (22x210) memory is 3x4GB ddr3-2000MHz (@2100Mhz).  OMG it's fast!

[f00z]

Got the PCIe SSD but seems to be capped at around 1000MB/s , not sure why. EDIT: Got 1600MB/s in another program but seems maybe limitation of PCIe 2.0, this thing is supposed to do 2700, and also 270k IOPS but it's doing 90k.
Also, it's impossible to boot from it which is really REALLY annoying as I wanted to use it as the boot drive. NVMe need the UEFI BIOS which r3e isn't.. /grumble
How did you get it to overclock so well? I have a 980x which is basically the same thing as the W3680 and it's not happy at 4.6ghz although 4 is great
HOW Did you get it to boot from a PCIE drive? My BIOS won't see it? is it some special card with controller/option rom etc?
(Crazy I have 7 hard drives in my computer now testing various things.. lol)

Check out the attached benchmarks.. the OCZ SSD's aren't even SATA3
I want to know how my super old SSDs are outdoing the new Samsung 950 at the lower block sizes even though they are in raid0 should be no contest