GA-Z170X-GAMING G1

[PureFunJay]

Hi all, have search the web and so many forums without luck. To start here's my build... (NewBie)

MB: GA-Z170X-GAMING G1, bIOS F7

Memory: Dominator® Platinum Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 2666MHz C15 Memory Kit (CMD32GX4M4A2666C15)
 XMP 2.0 Actif profile

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-6700K Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.20 GHz) Running at 4.20 GHz

GPU: STRIX-GTX960-DC2OC-4GD5

Storage: 2X, 950 PRO NVMe M.2 SSD 256Gb---} Running RAID 0 ---> Windows 10 Pro installed, Letter C:
             2X, 850 PRO SATA III 2.5inch SSD 512Gb --->Letters D: (programs install and games), Letter F: (Free/Temp Folders)
             2X,WD20EFRX(Red/NAS Drive), 2TB, SATA 6Gb/s, 5400RPM, 64MB --->Letter e: (Data Drive), Letter I: (Windows backup/restore points/drivers backup) 

Optical Drive: LG BlueRay Writer
                              Asus BlueRay Writer

PSU: HXi Series HX1000i High-Performance ATX Power Supply — 1000 Watt 80 Plus® Platinum Certified PSU (EU Plug)

CPU Cooling: Hydro Series™ H100i v2 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler


Question 1

Can i run RAID and AHCI on Z170 chipset? I have in bios a raid set up for my two M.2 950 Pro drive with Windows 10 Pro installed. I'd like to run my two SSD 850 Pro in AHCI mode and not in RAID as they are not in any RAID Arrays. Secondly Samsung Magician won't work in RAPID MODE cause don't detect drive in AHCI mode. To try and correct this i have plug the two SSD 850 Pro drives to the ASMedia® ASM1061 chip (GSATA 8&9). Result i blew the two drives and had to sent them back to Samsung for replacements. Now i have the drives back, i redid the test, results BIOS and Windows do not see them at all. So how do i plug my SSD 850 Pro drives in-order they work in AHCI mode? Plz help...


Question 2

Since this MB can handle only on RAID array (even tho i have build no problems a second RAID array in BIOS), and want AHCI mode or second RAID array i have bought a Sata 6G PCI Express Card model: SI-PEX40064. I have installed it in a PCI Exp slot and installed drivers. Bios can't see it or Windows. Any ideas on this?

If any info is needed, plz ask
Thanks 

[dmdilks]

AHCI & Raid are about the same. The performance is really the same. Here is a link to info on this.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/4gke4k/a_closer_look_at_ahci_vs_raid/

[shadowsports]

PureFunJay,
To expand on what dmdilks posted...

Non RAID member disks connected to a controller set to RAID operate mode will operate as AHCI, but the operate mode is typically listed as RAID since only one operate mode can be selected.  However, you should look at each interface in the BIOS, as it might be possible to set an individual interface to AHCI as long as the disk is not a RAID member.  The same way you can enable/disable Hot Plug if supported.  I have not tried to create 2 separate arrays on a single z170 controller..  you can try this, but I suspect it won't work.  Be nice if you could post your results after trying.

Last I checked, the AsMedia controller only gets 1 PCIe lane, so you will only get 1/2 the performance connecting two disks to this controller regardless of operate mode. 
 

[autotech]

I have this motherboard  Quote;  I have not tried to create 2 separate arrays on a single z170 controller..  you can try this, but I suspect it won't work.  Be nice if you could post your results after trying.

Since I have this board I can verify that you can only set one raid array on the z170 controller. If my understanding is right if you are using raid it is the same as AHCI. I always use raid in my computers with 2 ssd drives and 2 spare hard drives.

[PureFunJay]

Ok, thanks for your input.
When I bought this MB I build every in build description brand new all parts. I was not aware of the RAID limitations, so I build 2 differently arrays in Bios. First was my two M.2 SSD 950 Pro. The second array was my two WD RED 2T. Set up in Bios was a breeze. Got to mention at that time was running F2 BIOS version. I run like this for six months fine without problems. When I tried what was written in my first post, and blew my two Samsung 850 Pro SSD, made a ticket to Gigabyte support. Then and only them they told me my MB could handle only one RAID array! Six months have pass by and my system was running fine!! I undid the seconde array from new knowledge and wanted to retest the AsMedia chip. So they say only one array, but ran two different ones no problems. And inadition  in Bios the Create tab still appears regardless of number of array set ups. Yes my system was stable, after all set up pass a whole week of stress test, of all kinds. No problems were noted or seen. Heat never raise over 35 degrees C. 

[PureFunJay]

Input from first post...

After putting back my SSD's back to Z170 chip I had lost all data on my D: drive (installed programmes and all my games) I decided to reinstall Windows. Everything went well with no problems. Once all installed, drivers all to date, Windows updates all done, Windows starts well and after 5 mins freezes! Nothing responding, not even the HHD light shows activity. A force shut down was needed to reboot. After computer shut down, I powered it up again. I was lock in what I think we call a " Bios boot loop ". When I power the computer, it starts for 3-5 secs and shuts down, restarts 3-5 seconds and shuts down. Never reaching Bios post!!?!! This never ends until I unplugged it. Any ideas what's going on with my rig? I cleared CMOS with no change. Manuelly put Bios to secondary, Windows started and after a few minutes, same thing happened. Windows froze, force shut down, lock in BIOS boot loop. Not sure what to try next?

[dmdilks]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it. But your memory is design for X99 boards. They are on the list of memory at Gigabyte. Plus for some reason we have seen people have more problems with 2666 memory. Then any other memory. Try one stick to see if you can get it to boot. Then just run them at stock speed to see if everything is stable.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/dominator-platinum-series-32gb-4-x-8gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-cmd32gx4m4a2666c15

[PureFunJay]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it. But your memory is design for X99 boards. They are on the list of memory at Gigabyte. Plus for some reason we have seen people have more problems with 2666 memory. Then any other memory. Try one stick to see if you can get it to boot. Then just run them at stock speed to see if everything is stable.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/dominator-platinum-series-32gb-4-x-8gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-cmd32gx4m4a2666c15

I did know that for the X99 board. Keep in mind, I build this almost a year ago. Back then DDR4 was new, only specs and no board certified. I chose out of Gigabyte memory supported list. Got Windows running again (with memory at stock speeds ), but computer freezes all the time and needs a reboot. So I have yank out my memory out, and tested them one by one as you suggested. Computer runs fine and seems stable with only one bar. So using Intel Extreme Tuning Utility I run a stress test of 10 minutes for each bar. Past no problems. Tested again but one hour each, again past no problems. These test were run at stock speeds. Tested in pairs, and again past all ok stress test!! Putting kit of 4 bars with it's own fans kit and will see.

[PureFunJay]

Ok, put all ram back in but not the fans kit. Fired up windows which started no problem , but after a few minutes froze again. Had a buddy at home who made me the remark that only 2 out of the four ram bars led were light up, hummm! Never remark them because of fan kit over them. They all tested out good, bios and windows seeing them no problem! So power down, took the two bars who's led won't lite up, replace ram in proper sockets for 2 bar config. Fired up system, no problems. Windows running well but still feels sluggish. Stress test for 2 hrs, ok. Still can't help to think about F7 BIOS. Like the new features, but find system unstable. Anybody body else thinks or feel the same? So decided to install F8 beta bios. The flash went well. All done. Fired it up and pow! Found back the joy of my build. Speedy, stable, and faster response time, maybe due that running only the led ram bars... or not!!?? Stress test 2 hrs and ok. Anybody body else using F8 bios? Will see if it stays stable and no more freezing?!? Thanks for all your support, always enjoy new input or new insights. Will sent other two ram to Corsair for replacements. Another feeling is Corsair Link v4, think it may make windows sluggish? Lost one temputure prob in Corsair Link on motherboard readings.

[dmdilks]

Will sent other two ram to Corsair for replacements. Another feeling is Corsair Link v4, think it may make windows sluggish? Lost one temputure prob in Corsair Link on motherboard readings.

But the thing is you said you tested all the memory and tested fine. Have you tried them together by take the other 2 out to see if they run. It might not be the memory it could be the board. 

[PureFunJay]

You were right, swap the two ram bars, and system working fine. Did think it was the MB when the ssd blew, and when retesting, ssd not showing in Bios. Now MB can't handle 4 ram bars without louseing stability.How I go about testing the MB for return?

[dmdilks]

What country you in and how do they handle RMA's. Here in the USA all we have to do is start a RMA. Tell them what the problems we are having and most of time they send you a RMA #. Plus as long it is still under warranty. You should be fine because you have own it for about year right. The board should have at lease a 3 yr warranty.

http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/customer-service.aspx

[PureFunJay]

I'm from Canada and yes covered by 3 years warranty. Thanks for info and will start RMA ticket. Seen losts of Stress test by never saw any for MB!? Any stress testing software for MB?

[dmdilks]

There is software out there, but it you are putting in the memory in the other two slots and having problems. Plus for a MB that has been running fine for a year. Then you start having problems then it is more likely the board. What slots are the memory in? One of the channel could be bad.

The four memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:
Channel A: DDR4_2, DDR4_4
Channel B: DDR4_1, DDR4_3

[PureFunJay]

Contacted my reseller, and he tells me this MB is discontinued?? Anyone can confirm this?
Suggested GA-Z170-SOC Force!! No wifi-Bluetooth and only 1 Lang entree, s*** sound chip to compare to mine! What u all think?