Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3 RAM sockets 2 & 4 not working

[Ben]

I purchased a new M/B (GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3) Installed 4 X 2Gb  RAM chips all worked for a while then it went into post on post off mode, discovered that when I put the mem into the sockets 2 & 4 it would still do this, but if I put them in 1 & 3 no probs. tried every configuration I could think of still no luck.
I emailed Gigabyte for help they suggested that the board may be faulty & to return it to the vendor to check it out. (won't go into detail regards the vendor)
Someone suggested it could be my CPU (Intel 17 2600)
All my ram chips are working OK.
So why will it now only work in these 2 sockets & not the other 2?
My system is as follows:
M/B; GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3.
CPU; intel i7 2600.
GPU; Gigabyte 1GB GT430.
PSU;corsair TX650.
H/D western dig blu 1tb.
Monitor; AOC 27"
Memory; 4 x 2Gb Kingston Hyperx ddr3 1600
Hope you can help
Ben

[F5BJR]

*
Have you tested only with the 4 memory sticks in slot1 one by one ( only one) , you can only test as this ?

After 2 * memory sticks in slot 1 and 3 , after the other 2 memory sticks only in slot 1 & 3 and only to the end all the 4 memory sticks

Pierre

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Firstly are you running these modules at the default 1333 or the overclocked 1600mhz speed ?

Are these modules listed as compatible for this mothereboard and if so where ?

Did you buy them as a matching kit ?

[Ben]

I have tried putting them in 1 at a time.
If I put in all 4 it goes to post & just repeats, when i put 1 or both in sockets 1 & 3 everything is fine, they were bought as 2 sets, if I put 1 or both in sockets 1 & 3 plus 1 or  both in sockets 2 & 4 it goes post & repeats. I have changed speeds etc to no avail. What I cannot understand is if sockets 2 & 4 are not working how come I am getting these problems if there is no power then surely nothing would happen & I would still be able to have all chips in but it would just be running on 1 & 3?

[Dark Mantis]

I have tried putting them in 1 at a time.
If I put in all 4 it goes to post & just repeats, when i put 1 or both in sockets 1 & 3 everything is fine, they were bought as 2 sets, if I put 1 or both in sockets 1 & 3 plus 1 or  both in sockets 2 & 4 it goes post & repeats. I have changed speeds etc to no avail. What I cannot understand is if sockets 2 & 4 are not working how come I am getting these problems if there is no power then surely nothing would happen & I would still be able to have all chips in but it would just be running on 1 & 3?

Thanks for the extra info but you still haven't answered my questions:

Firstly are you running these modules at the default 1333 or the overclocked 1600mhz speed ?

Are these modules listed as compatible for this mothereboard and if so where

Also did you mark the different kits so that you can use them without getting them mixed up ?

[jstein86]

What happens if you put it in ddr3_1 and ddr3_2 only?

[Ben]

Yes I have tried  1333 also ran it at standard speed removed everything auto still nadda.
Also all ram have been marked so I now which pair is which.
The ram will run in sockets 1 & 3 but not 2 & 4 regardless how I install them.
They are all matching pairs.

[jstein86]

Very interesting.

I think i have the exact same problem. I am using also Kingston ram it has a 1.65v, is yours the same?

 I decided to buy some PNY ram which is 1.5v so i didnt have to play with the bios setting and couldnt get it to work in slots ddr3_1 and ddr3_2 it would only work in ddr3_1 and ddr3_3. I wonder if this is a common problem.

(Also as a heads up at one point i changed the voltage to 1.65 along with a few other settings per the suggestion of a fellow member and the computer started to really heat up. I am not sure 1.65v ram is good for this board.)

[Ben]

Spot on with the voltage on the ram sticks, 'j' good to see someone else is having the same problem,(well not good if you know what I mean)
So this is weird, the shop wont take it back as they say its my problem, they reckon I fried the 2 sockets with static discharge, I have been fixing computers since the old Commodore/Amiga days & have never fried anything, except eggs & bacon.
I am planning to email their parent company regarding customer service or the lack of, also will email Gigabyte regarding this again & letting them know what the vendors reply was to my motherboard problem, probably wasting my time on both accounts but what else can I do, by the way the shop I purchased it from was "MSY'.
I will probably save up some money toss this board & get an upgraded one.
Hopefully I can get this fixed one way or another as its driving me nuts.
Thanks everyone
Ben

[Dark Mantis]

The thing is this board /chipset was designed to run the memory at a lower voltage than the previous board where 1.65v was fine. That is why you really need to purchase modules that are happy running at their fastest speed on only 1.5v like the Corsair Vengeance.

Have either of you checked the pins in the CPU socket for bent ones/damage ? These would give you the same symptoms that you are finding.

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

[Ben]

OK  "DM" will try & give this a shot,will let you know if anything happens, I have seen photo shots of the same sockets with bent or missaligned pins in other sites will probably need a magnifying glass & toothpick for this, I don't possess  a camera with macro but will see what I can do.
Thanks.
Ben

[Dark Mantis]

Well good luck Ben and it isn't so daunting when you actually get down to it. Just take your time and be careful.

[rohit91]

Very interesting.

I think i have the exact same problem. I am using also Kingston ram it has a 1.65v, is yours the same?

 I decided to buy some PNY ram which is 1.5v so i didnt have to play with the bios setting and couldnt get it to work in slots ddr3_1 and ddr3_2 it would only work in ddr3_1 and ddr3_3. I wonder if this is a common problem.

(Also as a heads up at one point i changed the voltage to 1.65 along with a few other settings per the suggestion of a fellow member and the computer started to really heat up. I am not sure 1.65v ram is good for this board.)

I am getting same problem so you are not alone on that.

Any updates Ben? I am curious. Having same problem.

[Dark Mantis]

The real slots to fill for configuring as Dual Channel memory would be DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 or DDR3_3 and DDR3_4.

See page 16 of your manual for clarification:

Channel A: DDR3_2, DDR3_4
Channel B: DDR3_1, DDR3_3

[Ben]

Sorry about the long wait but I ended up frying my board.
From the beginning, I took it back to the shop where I purchased it from as I was not game to remove the CPU at this point.
When I got there I mentioned my problem, they seemed vague, mentioned I fitted the CPU myself bright light came on, the assistant removed the CPU from the motherboard & informed me that I had damaged pins, mentioned that funny enough when I removed the protective covering from the socket housing that I did notice a dull area at the top right corner but put it down to poor light in my room.
Short story, they said I damaged it warranty now void, tried to explain that was how I got it them not listening, said to fix it myself ergo one fried board.
Purchased another board (same as the other) from a different outlet had them check the CPU housing on the board & also fit my CPU in the socket took it home & as you can now see everything is working great all 4 sticks of ram happily humming away.
Have noticed that there is a lot of complaints regarding this from other sites, was wondering if gigabyte plus stores know about this?
Have emailed gigabyte regarding my problem but their reply was lost in translation, also emailed the vendors parent company no reply. no surprise.
Again sorry about the delay, just angry that i wasted good money on another board when they could have sorted this out.
So with hindsight I will make sure that whenever I purchase anything I will have it checked out at the shop first save a lot of pain & money that way.
Ben