GA-H55-USB3 doesnt post, keeps rebooting with 8 GB GSKILL RIPJAWS

[Dark Mantis]

Actually I meant between the i3 and i5 CPUs not the atom.

[adiman]

Ok So I was probably not as dazed while updating f/w. It is GA-H55N-USB3 F5 .

Power is honestly not the issue here guys - I removed the HD5570 GPU to check this up and it still fails to post with 4x2 gigs ram.

[Dark Mantis]

Ok so if we accept that it is not a power issue, when you did the BIOS update did you clear both the DMI and CMOS?

[adiman]

Hi Guys,

So over the past 36 hours I did the following:

1. Discovered that the GA-H55N-USB3 is the one with a problem and it may be something wrong with an entire batch. The RIPJAWS ram modules will work when either one is placed in the DIMM slot closer to CPU. But neither one works when used in the other DIMM slot.

To confirm that this DIMM slot was defective, I tried using another DDR3 module that I have running in my desktop (2gb) into this slot - and the motherboard fails to post again.

The worst thing is, I bought another identical GA-H55N-USB3 motherboard from different retailer this time (to get it quicker) - and SURPRISE - it has the same frickin issue.

Extremely disappointed with Gigabyte - this was my first Gigabyte product and I'm really wondering what the hell I'm going to do now. I have two motherboards I need to RMA.

I tried the RIPJAW memory in my desktop - btw. Both modules worked as expected.

2 motherboards with same problem - defective dimm slot - perfectly fine otherwise - really poor quality control :|

[Peteruk]

Or maybe a bad CPU? RAM controller is in the CPU.

Your desktop that you tried the RAM in would the CPU be a LGA 1156 ? if so you could put it in the GA-H55-USB3 to test and you will need a Graphics Card too depending on what other CPU you have...and your PSU from your desktop.

[adiman]

Nope, the desktop is a Core i7 920.

And if I had to bet on a motherboard being defective and mem controller on the Core i3 being messed up, I'd choose the motherboard.

I dont feel like buying a new processor to check if something is wrong with the one I have now - will switch to Intel's H55 and check.

[adiman]

Out of curiosity - can you point me to single link online where someone's been able to detect and troubleshoot a bad mem controller on Core i3 etc processor which runs fine on 4gigs but fails to even post on 8gigs.

[Peteruk]

Too bad you couldn’t test that ...hope the Intel H55 works for you.

[Dark Mantis]

Have you checked for bent pins on the CPU socket? It is probably the most likely scenario. We have had a lot of them recently and this isn't a fault that is special to Gigabyte it is inherent in all socketed Intel chip platforms.

[adiman]

Hmm.. Having hot tea now. Will check it and get back to you guys. Thanks for this interesting tip !

[Peteruk]

Out of curiosity - can you point me to single link online where someone's been able to detect and troubleshoot a bad mem controller on Core i3 etc processor which runs fine on 4gigs but fails to even post on 8gigs.

I don't know any but two GA-H55N-USB3 from two retailers does seem like a bad mem controller to me....either that or... hey does your desktop motherboard have two or more 2GB sticks in? If so try putting two of them in the GA-H55N-USB3.  

If it boots then it a problem with the BIOS not handling 2 x 4GB which you would need to contact Gigabyte to fix it. If it still doesn't boot bad GA-H55N-USB3 or bad mem controller in CPU.

[Dark Mantis]

Hmm.. Having hot tea now. Will check it and get back to you guys. Thanks for this interesting tip !

It might be worth trying Peter's idea first if it is feasible if not remove the CPU and check the socket. The pins are very small and you will probably need a magnifying glass to see them properly. Often they are not bent a great deal but it is enough to either short against another pin or not make contact with the pads on the CPU. If you are at all unsure take a few close up photos(macro) and post them on  the forum for us to check for you.

[adiman]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71788250@N00/5023706697/

This is how the first board looks like. I don't think i see any bent pins.

[adiman]

Added another pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/71788250@N00/5024332822/

[adiman]

This probably the best shot for analysis - uploading this on rapidshare cause the image services I tried mess up the image quality.
http://rapidshare.com/files/421283762/IMG_0290.JPG