Ram slots not working and random freezing/restarting (Gigabyte 970A-D3)

[normalnico]

Hi
I have recently purchased a computer with the following components:
AMD Bulldozer FX-8 8120 (3.10 Ghz Socket AM3+)
Samsung 120GB SSD 840
Gigabyte 970A-DS3 AMD (Socket AM3+)                                 (The motherboard says revision 3.0 on it)
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600Mhz Dual Channel Kit
Gigabyte NVIDIA GTX660 2GB DDR5
Windows 7 64bit

I have 2 problems:
The ram only seems to work in slots DDR3_2 and _4. In any other slots, the computer 'slightly' turns on - The CPU fan only spins slowly (probably 100-200 RPM) and there is no graphics output detected by the monitor. The 2 identical ram sticks also only work 1 way - only 1 stick works in slot 4... the other stick only works in slot 2 if the first stick is in slot 4. (The second stick doesn't work alone in any slot but the first stick works in slot 4 alone). Any configuration other than these and the computer only 'slightly' turns on.
Problem 2:
In the configurations in which it does turn on, the computer frequently restarts itself (doesn't shut down... just turns on again) and freezes (very suddenly and completely... even the numlock light won't turn on/off)... This will usually occur within about 10 minutes of turning on and happens most often when drivers are installing for anything (mboard/graphics card/random USB devices plugged in). Sometimes, drivers install without making the computer freeze, but not too often.

With the same model of motherboard, I had the same 'slightly turning on' problem, and it has been sent back and replaced with the same motherboard. (Perhaps the previous motherboard was the same as this, but the ram configuration which has worked wasn't tried before?)

The graphics card, ram and SSD all work perfectly in another computer.

Please could you give me advice on how I can fix this problem?

I'd be very happy to clarify or answer any questions needed to help you solve my problem

Thanks

[autotech]

Please list make and model of Power supply also. Also have you tried clearing the cmos. Also what version of bios are you using. That board shipped with FB but requires FD to run that CPU?

[Vezina]

The RAM may not be compatible with the board ,but i would also re-seat the CPU in the CPU socket.
The DIMM-s are linked to the CPU IMC.SO if some pin is bent some slots may not work same as when the board is defective

On the other hand the sticks may have very tight timings and the board design may allow such sticks to work only in the slots you ve said.
So you will need to buy get/test another kit ,maybe from a different manufacturer and see how it works.
Also the sticks must be properly inserted ,the DIMM-s clips should click! at insertion if done properly.
You should remove the system from the case and test it on a wooden surface , to rule out a possible short to the case, one stand-off to many and you have issues.

Keep in mind you are using a budget board with a FX 8120 CPU as well and an X8 CPU may perform strange on such boards.
Freezing can be IMC /RAM related.Or due to lack of CPU VRM power delivery for the CPU when Turbo core kicks in.