GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 Error Code 55 Memory Initialization Error

[arbrog]

I recently upgraded my motherboard, RAM, CPU and CPU cooler.  My new specs are as follows:

• GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 (Rev 1.0)
• i7-6700k
• 2x8gb G.Skill RipJaws V DDR4 3000
• R9 Fury X
• Coolmaster 750 watt power supply
• Raid Controller
• Internal Wifi card

When I turn on the computer the motherboard starts booting and everything turns on and gets power but then I get an error code 55 on the mobo and it shuts off and restarts a few seconds later.  Error 55 is a Memory Initialization Error so i tried re-arranging the RAM in every combination and even tried without but got the error every time.  I also re-seated the cpu and made sure none of the pins were bent. I am thinking it is not a memory issue but rather a motherboard issue.  Any thoughts/ideas on how to fix it?

[dmdilks]

The memory controller is in the CPU. So have you check the CPU socket to make sure you don't have any bent pins. Because by what you saying it doesn't matter if you have the memory in or none, you get the same code. Have you tried one stick at a time?

[arbrog]

Yeah I checked for bent pins and did not see any.  I also tried only a single stick and that also gave the same result.

[berte]

Hi, what's your mem slot ?
I've same problem with slot 1 and slot 3 dual channel mode.  Can you try mem slot 2 and 4?

[arbrog]

I tried both no luck

[berte]

what about one slot only, such as slot 4?

[arbrog]

Thanks but tried it no luck. I think im going to send the mobo back.  The fact that it does this even when no memory is in leads me to believe it is  a mobo issue

[murray]

I'd bet what happened to you is the same thing that happened to me. I've got a very similar motherboard and I kept getting the same error code 55. This is what I built:

GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 (Rev 1.0)
i5-6600k
2x8gb Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 2400
EVGA 1050W PSU

I was able to test those RAM modules in a server and they worked, so it was not an issue with the modules. My guess was on the 2133mhz socket and the 2400mhz modules (which are in the compatible RAM list, but anyway).

And I was right. I got another memory kit 2x4gb G.Skill RipJaws IV DDR4 2133

I specifically wanted to try with the smallest & slowest RAM to maximize compatibility, so I went for those.

I put a single 4gb G.Skill RipJaws IV DDR4 2133, and BINGO! it worked. I got into the Bios setup, Bios version was F2.

I tried 2x4gb G.Skill RipJaws IV DDR4 2133, it worked.
I changed the RAM frequency multiplier from "Auto" to "21.33" which fix the memory speed to 2133mhz, then removed the Gs.Skill modules and tried with 8gb Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 2400, IT WORKED! Also two of those worked together.

Went back to the bios, the bios was reading those modules as 2400mhz (and it even recognized that they had an XMP profile) but forced to run at 2133mhz by my previous configuration. Tried to switch back to auto > Code 55 AGAIN! (with the XMP profile switched off & with the XMP profile switched on).

Back to G.Skill, back to fixed 2133 speed, back to the Crucials, it worked again. So far as long as I didn't reset the CMOS, it was working.

I tried running all four modules at the same time, it worked. In order to do that, at least in "Auto" speed setting, the G.Skill 2133 had to be in DIMM1 (red), then another G.Skill 2133 in the other red socket and the two Crucial 2400 in the black sockets.

Then I updated the bios to the latest version F4. Nothing changed, all tests produced the same results as before.

Right now I'm running all four modules with a total of 24GB and they are running at 2133mhz. The only way I managed to run the Crucial 2400 modules is by forcing the bios to run the memory at 2133, either by fixing the memory speed or by putting the 2133 module in the first slot.

However, in order to get this system working, I see no way of doing it without buying 2133mhz DDR4 as I did or at least borrowing from someone else. They problem is that if you don't keep that 2133mhz ram, as soon as you clear CMOS, your system won't start anymore (because it will go back to the default "auto" speed for RAM").

I'll contact tech support to make them aware of this issue so they can release a new Bios version to fix this.

[arbrog]

Wow thank you this makes a lot of sense.  I thought about how the clock could be an issue but on Newegg, where i bought it from, it says:DDR4 3866*(*O.C)/ 3733*/ 3666*/ 3600*/ 3466*/ 3400*/ 3333*/ 3300*/ 3200*/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2666*/ 2400*/ 2133.  So i guess you need to get into the bios with a non overclocked speed, only 2133 and then you can boost them.  That is a huge issue and I dont really want to buy more RAM but who knows how long it will take to fix this.  My RAM also says compatible with the Z170 which makes me even more mad.  Do you get an error 55 even if you dont put any RAM in?

[dmdilks]

Wow thank you this makes a lot of sense.  I thought about how the clock could be an issue but on Newegg, where i bought it from, it says:DDR4 3866*(*O.C)/ 3733*/ 3666*/ 3600*/ 3466*/ 3400*/ 3333*/ 3300*/ 3200*/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2666*/ 2400*/ 2133.  So i guess you need to get into the bios with a non overclocked speed, only 2133 and then you can boost them.  That is a huge issue and I dont really want to buy more RAM but who knows how long it will take to fix this.  My RAM also says compatible with the Z170 which makes me even more mad.  Do you get an error 55 even if you dont put any RAM in?

This is a mistake about 80% of the people make. Yes it says you can run that memory. But you will have to really by theory OC the memory. That is why they put behind the clock speed a * or oc. It has been like this for years.

Most people think WOW I can run 3000 memory on the board. Yes you should be able to drop in 2400 to 3866 and it should run by default run at 2133. Like I said the memory controller is in the CPU. So is it the CPU or the board? 

The problem that the people are having with this series board is really bad. They are having problems with almost everything on the board.

[murray]

My RAM also says compatible with the Z170 which makes me even more mad.  Do you get an error 55 even if you dont put any RAM in?

My RAM is listed as compatible both on the Crucial website and Gigabyte's list of compatible RAM. Yet the issue is still there.

If I don't put any RAM in I do get error 55, but it reaches the error 55 much more quickly. I'd say it takes 3 seconds without any RAM and 6-7 seconds with 2400mhz RAM to reach error 55.

When there's at least a single module in, the systems checks more things, since it displays more codes before reaching error 55.

[mcmillions]

I'm also having the exact same issue. I have the Crucial Technology 16GB (2x8GB) Kit Ballistix Sport Memory - DDR4, CL16, PC4-19200, 2400MT/s. When using memory slots 4, 3 I get error code 55. When using 2, 1 I get error code 55. Although, when using memory slots 2,3 it'll post just fine. I'm also using the latest beta bios, w/o issue. Although, randomly I'll get a complete system lock up and will have to forcefully reboot the system. The BIOS seems incredibly buggy. One thing I'm going to try when I have time is to flip the dual BIOS to the backup, and try the same slots. It would be nice to be able to use the dual channel capability, but it seems broken. I'm also within my 30 days return window from the sstore, so I may just exchange. Having incredible difficulty determining if it's the BIOS bugging out or if it's a true hardware failure.

Thoughts?

[dmdilks]

The memory controller is in the CPU. So some where between the CPU & memory you are not getting a connection. Because if you take the memory out I think you will get the same error.

So I would look at the memory slots and pins in the CPU socket. If everything is OK than it is time to return it or RMA it. A bios update more likely will not fix,

[murray]

First answer from Gigabyte support was really disappointing. They claimed my issue is due to the i5-6600K not supporting DDR4 over 2133mhz and that I was trying to run "overclocked RAM". I reopened the ticket explaining that the i7-6700K has the same information regarding memory support and that Gigabyte lists DDR4 up to 3000mhz as compatible with this motherboard.

It should at the very least work at 2133mhz on auto, otherwise it's an issue with their motherboard.

This is a mistake about 80% of the people make. Yes it says you can run that memory. But you will have to really by theory OC the memory. That is why they put behind the clock speed a * or oc. It has been like this for years.

Most people think WOW I can run 3000 memory on the board. Yes you should be able to drop in 2400 to 3866 and it should run by default run at 2133. Like I said the memory controller is in the CPU. So is it the CPU or the board? 

The problem that the people are having with this series board is really bad. They are having problems with almost everything on the board.

[dmdilks]

First answer from Gigabyte support was really disappointing.

Under stand something is about 80% of the people that are tech support are there mostly to just answer the phone. I have talk to their tech support one time. That was many years ago. I don't deal with them. If I have a problem like this I will return or RMA the board.

They claimed my issue is due to the i5-6600K not supporting DDR4 over 2133mhz

 

This is in a way is true. By the spec's of the i5 & i7 it really only supports 1866/2133. That is without Over Clock. Yes I under stand 2400 to 3866 should run by default at 2133.

By the OP - "RAM in every combination and even tried without but got the error every time".

But the people that are getting the error 55 is that the board or the CPU isn't seeing the memory. So all the combination you try. If there is some thing screwed up between the memory slots and the CPU. It isn't going to work.

They most have had a batch of boards that are bad. Because the OP said he even tried it without memory and got the same error. That is telling me you are not getting a good connection in the memory slots.