GA-X58A-UD3R REV2.0 WIN7 4/6GB USABLE

[AK40Se7eN]

Hi, I just got this new computer a while and been having issues. I would list the problems in steps for easier understanding.

1. Computer is running fine, but noticed that Win7 is only showing 4/6 gb of ram usable.

2. Flashed the Bios to FB, load optimized default, restart, and change ram to 1333 8-8-8-24 1.64volt. (Bios default for the ram is 1066 7-7-7-20 1.5v, but my adata ram is labeled as 1600 9-9-9-24 1.55 - 1.75v no idea why it only shows as 1066 in the bios)

3. Random programs crash and bsod only on cold boot, ranging from memory errors to ntsf.sys, win32k.sys, ntkmlmp.exe, video driver bsod. But once the computer warms up (or 1-2 restarts later), everything will be fine and stable and win7 is reporting all 6 gb of usable ram.

4. If i run Memtest86+ right after cold start bsod, it will get thousands of errors within secs. And if I run Memtest after the comp warms up, it will be perfecly fine for 10+ hours of testing.

5. Have tried reseating all ram, test ram one by one, reinstall Win7, but cold start bsod is always there.

6. Revert Bios back to FA, load optimized default, restart, and change ram to 1333 8-8-8-24 1.64volt. And the Bsod problem is gone, but Win7 is reporting 4/6GB again, which is back to the start.

Does this mean there is something wrong with gigabyte's bios? I used @bios to flash the bios, could this be the problem? Or is it a known problem for x58a-ud3r's rev2.0 FB bios? I want to use all my ram, but I don't want all the bsod that comes with it. Please help me. Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
From recent experience I would think your problem most probably lies with beny CPU socket pins. You will need to carefully remove your CPU/hetasink/fan assembly and then inspect closely the pins in the socket. They are tiny and you may need a magnifying glass. The other option is to take some macro photos from diferent angles and post them here for us to scutinise.

[Peteruk]

So having BIOS FA gets you no Bsod even on a cool boot? No errors  in Memtest86+ from a cool start with FA?

And yes you will be limited to 4GB as your using 32bit Windows regardless if its Win 7. 

[Dark Mantis]

Well spotted Peter, I missed the 32 bit OS part. As you say the OP will not be able to use more than 4Gb(in fact just under) on a 32 bit Windows system.

[d3fiant]

Having exactly the same issues with a similar setup (see sig) with cold boot repeated BSOD, eventually the system boots and all is fine, doesnt matter whether I run FA, FB or FC1 No apparent pin damage on the socket under close examination

However I may be able to help with ur memory problem as I had a very similar issue, I had to turn on the Intel XMP Profile 1 in the bios which instantly upped the speed to match the DDR3 1600, it also ups the voltage to 1.65v.  if ur mem does need 1.75 (which seems high to me) then u may be able to manually update the voltage but I would check.  Hope that helps.

If u solve ur cold boot problem post here, Im ready to RMA this mobo, didnt have any issues with two other systems I recently built using the ver1 mobo

[Dark Mantis]

  if ur mem does need 1.75 (which seems high to me) then u may be able to manually update the voltage but I would check.  Hope that helps.

DO NOT put your memory voltage up to 1.75v it will blow your CPU. 1.65v is the maximum voltage suggested for safe running.

[d3fiant]

like I said, didnt sound right

[AK40Se7eN]

Thanks for all the replies, I am using Win7 64bit and I can get win7 to use all 6GB of ram with FB but i am having cold start bsod with that bios. I don't have any bsod issue with FA, just that Win7 is only using 4gb of ram. Last night I updated the bios to FC1 with Qflash. I am still at work right now, when I get home I will start up that computer and see if I will get bosd from cold start.

[Peteruk]

So with FB and optimized default No changing of the ram speed then does it run fine?

[AK40Se7eN]

I just got home, boot up this computer and after 2mins of usage I got bsod. I had set the bios to optimized default and changed ram to 1333 8-8-8-24 and 1.64v. After the bsod, I went to bios and set optimized default and didn't touch the ram, but I will have to wait till next day to know if I get bsod or not because it will only bsod on cold start.

[AK40Se7eN]

So with FB and optimized default No changing of the ram speed then does it run fine?

No, that is when the BSOD problem first came out. And that is the reason why I changed my ram settings because I thought the ram were under speed or under volts, but changing the ram settings didn't help with the bsod issue.

[Peteruk]

Is all the RAM in the white slots?

Try with just one ram stick in and even run Memtest86+ on each stick.

This could well be bent pins in the CPU socket as posted above.

[AK40Se7eN]

Is all the RAM in the white slots?

Try with just one ram stick in and even run Memtest86+ on each stick.

This could well be bent pins in the CPU socket as posted above.

All the rams are in the white slots, and I have already tested all 3 ram separately for hours with no error. The only time memtest would show errors is right after i get bsod and run memtest.

So in summary, bent pins can lead to the following
1. FA bios, win7 4/6GB usable and no bsod
2. FB bios, win7 6GB usable and cold start bsod
3. FC1 bios, win7 6GB usable and cold start bsod?

I will bring my computer to the company that build it and have them examine the board or switch to another one.

[nvarga]

I had same problem with UD5 rev2.0. Did you try to test every stick separately in each white slot?
Which brand of memory do you have?

Anyway, after testing of each stick, I found out that one stick is faulty. But other two also got me random errors in Memtest. So I think it was incompatibility issue. I changed G.Skill Ripjaws for Corsair Dominator and now everything works fine.

[Dark Mantis]

From looking at your posts I would say it is one of two problems. Either you have bent pins in the CPU socket or some of your memory is duff.