I have flashed with the 0803 BIOS (first thing I did) and have set the pcie/pci speeds locked to 100/33. Still no difference. Just so I have my thinking right, I have tested the chip at 334 x 9 and its stable, temps are 50C under load. Am I correct in thinking that lowering the multi to 6 and increasing the FSB basically takes the cpu out of the equation and boils down to the mobo being able to handle the FSB? 450 x 6 is 2.7ghz and the chip is capable of this, but as I said there is just no post at anything over 344. The LCD displays "CPUINIT", the fan on the 8800gtx spins up full tilt and thats how it stays. I have to switch off, clear the cmos and start again.
If anyone thinks it could be the board I will send it back, I dont mind having a poor clocking chip but I bought the mobo on the basis that it was a good clocker. Can always drop another chip in at a later date (which was the plan) but dont really want to have to uproot the mobo at a later date. Thanks for taking the time to help me on this one, really appreciate it.
Edit: i have downloaded bios 0601and 0702 and am going to flash to those and see if it helps any. 0803 apparently introduced the 1333 strap, no idea if this has anything to do with it but I am going to give the old ones a go. If not I will get another board and hope that one works, if not then Ill give up!