Z390 with I7-9700K, issue

[veresdavid]

I was using my PC for about 6 months when I had an issue with my MB and CPU so I sent them back to my supplier, and from their service I got the MB back as "repaired" and got a new CPU but it stil not working with my new CPU which is an Intel Core-i7 9700k (I was using the same model before), the orignal MB is a Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro (Rev 1.0).

I tested the MB with another  CPU, an Intel Pentium Gold G5400, working fine.
I also tested my CPU on an ASUS TUF Z390-PRO MB, working fine.

The only combination which is not working is my old MB (Z390) and the 9700K CPU.
The BIOS version is F11.

The following is happening:
after the start-up the CPU debug led flashed once, then the DRAM led flashed once, the VGA led also flashed once, after that the CPU led had a shorter flash and the system powered down and powered up again, and the cycle repeated until I switched off the power supply.
Clearing CMOS did not help, I also tried to boot with dedicated graphics card but the outcome was the same.


I would appreciate any advice on what this can be or what can I try to fix it.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,
I have 2 of these boards, both with different CPU's i9-9900K.  One running F10, one F11.  Both are stable.

What memory are you using?  Is it on the QVL for your board?

First 6 months..  Does this mean the board and CPU combo working together trouble free for the first 6 months?

What changed?   

Did you upgrade the BIOS to F11?  If yes, how was the upgrade performed (QFlash or @BIOS)?

More info is needed. 


 

[veresdavid]

Hi

I am using Kingstone HyperX Predator HX432C16PV3AK2/16, I did not find it on the QLV

"Does this mean the board and CPU combo working together trouble free for the first 6 months?"

Yes, everything was working fine, one morning I was typing my password to enter to Windows and the PC shut down and it did not turn back again.

I had F11 BIOS, I dont remember what did I use to upgrade it when I first built the PC.

But yesterday evening, after 40+ failed boot, it started working... No idea why.
I upgraded the BIOS  with QFlash to F12K

In the BIOS the CPU was running at 4.6 GHz, but in the Windows it was fine except that I could heared some coil whining sometimes.

Today I put it back in the case, and now it has the same problem as before.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,
Moving target.  Best to confirm behavior and stability before making multiple changes. 

So, board and CPU was working OK outside of case (bench testing) with F11?

and also outside of case with F12K?...  but when you put it back in the case, the restart behavior returns?

Is this correct?

Thanks

 

[veresdavid]

Hi

"So, board and CPU was working OK outside of case (bench testing) with F11?"

So at first when I assembled the board and the CPU with one stick of RAM outside of the case, the problem (described in tmy first post) was present, after that I took out the RAM stick and powered on the PC, the MOBOs debug flashed were ping-pongind from CPU to DRAM I let it run like that until the flashing stopped and only the DRAM led was lit.
After that I shut  down the PSU.
Next I put the RAM back to the same slot as before and when I powered up the system I manadged to get into the  BIOS.
At that time intel factory cooler was installed on the CPU which was running like hell, I noticed that the CPU VCORE was a bit high and the  VRM temperature was rising constantly and there was terrible coil whining (which I can't remember from before). After that I switched the CPU to a pentium G5400 to flash the latest BIOS to the MOBO because that contains a few improvement to Vcore voltage and power management for the MOBO.

After that  I put back the 9700K in the MOBO and I manadged to boot into the BIOS, still terrible coil whining high Vcore, VRM temp, so I applied the factory defaults for the BIOS and after the restart VRM temp and Vcore was much better, coil whining was still present under load.

I put the 2nd RAM stick into the  MOBO and I manadged to boot again and that is where I left it for the day.

Today I installed it to the case and when I tried to boot the issue was present again.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,
Still nothing conclusive.

What are you other system specs?
PSU is?
Case is?
What are you using for cooling?
What do you have connected and where exactly?

Do you have any fan controllers, etc connected to the MB in the case?

I would continue to bench test, MB out of the case.

I suggest you go back to F10, (use QFlash), then perform an additional CLR_CMOS) stick with the 9700K for testing and use QVL RAM certified for your board.

Your experiencing too many individual issues which all appear to be related to component instability.

Testing or running a base install without QVL RAM can cause all sorts of issues.  Might work, might not.
Your coil whine is likely caused by your GPU.  If one is not present, then your choice of PSU (maybe).

I have found the VRM and voltage on the Z390 to be fairly stable.  Note, I do not OC as there have been some reports of VRM instability as OC demands increase.  F10 and F11 did improve VRM performance (tolerances).  Boards with earlier BIOS revs exhibited the most VRM variance, but again only in situations where above average overclocking was attempted.

Using a case with good static pressure is important for heat dissipation.   

I fear you will be forever chasing elusive behavior.  You have zero consistency since the first 6 months of ownership and  and all attempts to rectify have been more like band-aids.

Why did your supplier replace your first CPU?  Is it possible something was damaged?  You also said they "repaired" the board.  By doing what?  Only Gigabyte or an authorized repair facility can safely service or repair a motherboard. If your supplier made some kind of non-factory "repair' you may never be able to get the system to run properly. 

Even when done carefully, swapping your CPU can result in problems.  Misalignment, bent PINs, etc.   

I know this is a massive amount information to process, but you have so many unknowns it difficult to isolate behavior which can have more than one cause.



 

[veresdavid]

Hi

My setup is:
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro (Rev 1.0)
CPU: Intel Core-i7 9700k
Memory: Kingstone HyperX Predator HX432C16PV3AK2/16
PSU: Corsair RM750X CP-9020179-EU
VGA: PowerColor Radeon RX 5700 XT
Cooler: BeQuiet Drak Rock Pro 4
SSD: Corsair MP 510 CSSD-F480GBMP510I
The case is Zalman K1 with 6x120mm fans

Do you have any fan controllers, etc connected to the MB in the case?
No fan controller was attached to the motherborad, in fact I did not connect anything to it just power,reset and hdd cables of the case.
No GPU, no extra hdd, just the boot m.2 device. I cleared the CMOS numerous times(with pins and also by removing the battery)
I haven't done any OC, evething(settings) was out-of-the-box.
Why did your supplier replace your first CPU?  Is it possible something was damaged?
You also said they "repaired" the board.  By doing what?
Unfortunately I bought them from a webshop, so I can't contact the service myself and even tho I asked the webshop, they could not provide me with the information as to what was repaired on my MB, and I also don't know the reason why did they replaced my CPU.

I checked the CPU socket as good as my eyes let me, no sign of any physical damage. And my other CPU (Pentium G5400) can boot and work 100% of the start-ups
BTW why is there a dual-BIOS sytem on the mobo? I didn't find any method for switching between them. I see no point.

And thank you for your help so far!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,
Thanks for the additional information and compliment, but I've done little at this point to actually help. 

Using the following, try setting the memory values for your RAM manually in M.I.T.

Intel® Extreme Memory Profiles (Intel® XMP) 2.0. Total capacity is
16GB. Each module has been tested to run at DDR4-3200 at a
low latency timing of 16-18-18 at 1.35V

Z390 Manual, refer to page 27+ for memory settings:

https://download.gigabyte.com/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_z390-aorus-pro_wifi_1001_190708_e.pdf

See this page for additional Translation, module number decoder.  (also) Latency timing is located near the bottom.

https://www.hyperxgaming.com/unitedstates/us/decoder

The CPU's default is:

DDR4-2666

The RAM looks like it will run at or close to 3200Mhz

Good Luck!

[veresdavid]

Hi

Sorry for the late reply.

I actually realised that I made a typo with the memory type, it's actually PB instead of PV, so  HX432C16PB3AK2/16 and it's on the QVL.

I haven't tried the XMP yet, because at first it was working with the out of the box settings, maybe I will give it a go.

By the way have you diabled the C-States in your BIOS?

I read that it can fix the coil whining for me.

I'm planning to buy a new MOBO while I battle with the supplier. Do you have any suggestion for a brand and type in this price range? I checked out a few models similar to this (Asus boards have inferior VRM, MSI boards were not recommended at all etc.) This board has the best hardware specs by far but the Gigabyte BIOS/support is a little bit underwhelming so I'm a litte bit hesitant to buy the same product. Any thoughts on that?

P. s. Merry Christmas

[shadowsports]

Happy Holidays,
I tend to stick with what works and am fairly brand loyal.  I used Asus exclusively for over 12 yrs.  After owning, building and upgrading a countless number of systems, I had a BIOS flashing failure that resulted in a bricked board.  Although I had a back up, was connected to a UPS, was flashing at the BIOS level and received a "successful" message, the board was left bricked and unrecoverable.  After research, I found the issue was the result of a flawed process.  Not something I had done incorrectly.  Asus "Crashfree" BIOS and boot block recovery both failed as well.  So their single BIOS promises were nothing more than marketing hype.  I contacted support fully expecting them to do the right thing.  Replace the BIOS chip.  Simple 8 pin IC, pop out and pop back in.  I got the run around, and that's when I realized Asus was full of "you know what".  I ordered the chip myself and 7 days later the entire experience was a unpleasant memory.  However, that $30 decision on their part cost them all of my future business.  I walked away. 

Moved on to Gigabyte and never looked back.  No regrets either.  The fact is, all hardware fails and any manufacturer can have product issues.  How they choose to support their customers and rectify problems is what defines them and builds reputation amongst the user community.   

If it were me.  I'd stick with Gigabyte.  They use high quality components, have exceptional manufacturing and attention to detail.  I think the Pro/WiFi board is worth the additional cost.  Its about $20 and even if you never screw on the Wi-Fi antennas the Bluetooth is a nice to have option.  My Z390s are both solid, and have been very stable performers.  I recently added new audio using the optical out and the sound quality is great.  I'm not going to tell someone not to buy another brand if that's what they want to do.

My preferences:
For Motherboards: Gigabyte
CPU: Intel
Memory: Corsair or GSkill
GPU: EVGA
PSU: Corsair or EVGA
Storage: Samsung