GA-X58A-UD5(rev. 2.0) cannot detect memory in DDR3_2, 4 or 6 & USB issue

[ChrisR]

Model Name : GA-X58A-UD5(rev. 2.0)
BIOS Ver : FB

Video card : Asus model : ENGT240
CPU : Intel i7-960
Operation System : Win 7 64-bit
Memory : Kingston 6 x 4GB x 1333 (DDR3 is Kingston KVR1333D3N9K3)
Power Supply : 850 W
Other kit : USB mouse, USB keyboard, Intel SS hard drive & Sony DVD

I have two problems:

Problem 1.

I can install 3 x 4GB DDR3 memory sticks in DDR3_1, DDR3_3 and DDR3_5 and the computer boots up successfully. I was able to install win7 and update bios. However, if I add a memory stick in DDR3_2, the computer will not boot up or enter setup. Adding all six memory sticks does not work either. Swapping the 3 x 4GB sticks in other combinations of 3 x 4GB is OK so it appears not to be faulty memory. I have also noted that when using 3 x 4GB in setup, the memory is only recognised as 1000 DDR3 but is clearly 1333.

What have I done wrong? Or is there a fault?

Problem 2.

I can use the USB mouse and USB keyboard OK. However, when I plug in a USB hard drive, the drive does not power up (lack of power). But a USB memory stick works fine in the same socket.

Is this also a fault?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Chris and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

If I can deal with problem number 2 first, unless it is a 2.5"" drive it will need a seperate power supply anyway.

Regarding the first problem it is a little more complex. My first thoughts are that it may be down to bent pins in the CPU socket. They are tiny and it is not easy to discern whether they are bent or not often. The best thing is to take a couple of macro(closeup) photos and post them on the site here for us to check for you. You can also look at the lands on the back of the processor and see if each one has a mark in the centre. DO TAKE CARE.

[ChrisR]

Thanks for your very quick reply.

Problem 1.

I will remove the CPU as advised and photograph both the CPU and the socket and post then to the forum site.

I should say this is a brand new motherboard and everything seemed to assemble fine without problem, setup worked fine with half the memory and I was able to install Windows 7 (64 bit) successfully. My SSD seemed a little slow, but I have read some of the posts about the SATA3 connection and will probably connect the drive to a SATA2 port. I also have another (mechanical) drive which I may try.

Problem 2.

I should have given more detail here.

The external drive is a 2.5"" Freecom Mobile Drive Classic 400GB USB-2.0. This works absolutely fine when connected to my existing home computer, office computed and laptop, and does not need any separate power supply. When connected to the GA-X58A-UD5(rev 2.0) motherboard it kept making noises trying to spin up and failing. I thought I had wrecked it, but since then it is working absolutely without problems on my other machines. I tried this on several of the USB ports. None seemed to work.

I did use a memory stick successfully in the same USB port. This indicated to me that the port was working but the supply voltage was perhaps a little low.

Could the USB problem be caused by a faulty power supply? And perhaps the memory issue as well?

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Chris

[Dark Mantis]

Could the USB problem be caused by a faulty power supply? And perhaps the memory issue as well?

Yes I suppose it is possible. I would have thought an 850W PSU woiuld have been enough but it depends on the make and model and how the power is delivered. Please list the details here.

[ChrisR]

Power supply is a Nexus Technology RX-8500 modular unit bought from QuietPC.

Link http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/powersupplies/nexus-psus

Chris

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks for supplying the link save a lot of time finding it. Althiough the PSU is fairly well made it is of the multi rail design for the 12V. This is often more troublesome especially when you are talking about high power devices. I  did notice on their blurb that they were a bit naughty really by describing it as a single rail design but when you look at the figures it is split into four rails of 20Amps.

[ChrisR]

I am finally in a position to update.

Changes:

Gigabyte support sent me an updated BIOS v FC2 which I successfully installed.

I returned my original 850w Nexus PSU and installed a 1000w Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold PSU.

Problem 2

My USB problem has been fixed. I believe this was actually a defective USB cable or USB end connectors rather than a BIOS upgrade or exchange PSU. The defective cable has now gone into the recycling bin and an alternative cable is being used.

My external Freecom USB hard drive is now accessible and so far has not given me any more problem.

Problem 1

I returned the Nexus Technology RX-8500 modular PSU because it was making a severe whining noise which was driving me up the wall. This noise seemed to vary depending on what the computer was doing. I just assumed there was a minor fault with the PSU as the computer was running (but without the full memory).

I returned the PSU to QuietPC. This was tested by their technical department who reported back two points:

1. There was nothing wrong with the PSU.

but

2. They had noticed in the past that the Gigabyte motherboards were very intolerant of a lot of PSU and usually made whining noises. The technician I was dealing with also has a Gigabyte motherboard and claimed he had been through most of the PSU available with similar whining noises.

QuientPC were very helpful and refunded the cost of the Nexus PSU. They recommended an 800w Coolermaster SilentPro PSU but could not supply themselves. I therefore bought a replacement PSU elsewhere.

After installing the new Coolermaster PSU, the whining noise has stopped, but more importantly, the motherboard now recognises and finds the full 24GB of memory. I have been testing now for about a week and I believe I can confirm that the replacement PSU has sorted the problem.

I did also install the updated BIOS v FC2 but only after replacing the PSU. It was the PSU change that sorted the problem. The BIOS upgrade may have made things a little more stable.

Thanks for your help

Chris

[Dark Mantis]

HI Chris and thanks for the updated information. I am sure that more than a few people will be interested in your findings. It would be interesting to see if this was a general fix for this problem or just a specialist fix for your particular board. Obviously the only way to tell is when some others have tried and followed suit. I will keep an eye on this thread for any progress.