GA-X58A-UD7 (rev. 1.0) BSOD while in WIN7 x64

[mosoo]

Hi,

First and foremost let me start of with saying that I love Gigabyte MOBOs - always used them, always loved their array of ports. But this model - GA-X58A-UD7 (rev. 1.0) - is driving me crazy. The problem I've got are the random BSODs I get when running either Lightroom, Firefox or even EasyTune 6. The error is about 95% of the time MEMORY_MANAGEMENT.

Config:
Intel i7 930
GA-X58A-UD7 (rev. 1.0)
Corsair TR3X6G1600C9 6 GB (3x2GB) 1600 Mhz CL9
Asus GTX260 768MB
Corsair 650W PSU
Also, the system boots from a Kingston 64GB SATA-II 2.5 inch V series

I've searched a lot of forums and it seems that this motherboard really hates RAM memory. I do know if this is the case for me, but I'm at the end of the line. I thought that maybe the proc was getting too hot (near 80 degrees when in full load), so I changed the cooler from stock to a Noctua. This brought the temp down to a 42 C max. The next thing I started to notice was that the MB would recognize either 4 or 6GB of RAM, so I upped the BIOS (running the final BETA version f8e). This is great, as it always recognizes the full 6GB, but if I run the RAM at the full 1600Mhz, activating the XMP profile setting in the BIOS, I get more BSODs than I blink. So I left the settings bare, running the RAM at a meager 1066Mhz. This brings the BSODs to about 2 per hour, with either a PAGE FAULT or MEMORY MANAGEMENT error. Also, this is the third set of RAM I am using. The first two were both of the same model, a Corsair CL7 1333, which I RMAed seeing that the MOBO doesn't recognize the full 6GB. I am starting to regret I did that, as MEMTEST86+ didn't show any errors on it.

I'm getting a new set of RAM tomorrow, which is on the recommended RAM list on the Gigabyte website, but I don't have too much confidence. The set is KHX1600C9D3K2/4G, 2x2GB hoping to run on the Dual Channel controller. I really don't trust that 3-channel one.

My question is: could the MOBO be faulty as it already rejected three sets of RAM? Could the processor have been damaged by that high temp? (note: it only ran at 80 for a couple of minutes) Could it be the SSD?

Thanks,
Cristi

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

It is true that this chipset seems to be fussy when  it comes to what memory it will work well with. However as long as it was regarded as compatible by the manufacturer it should have been fine.
 
Were the first two kits  on the QVLs?

I have just checked the Corsair website and it would appear the memory kt is suported by this board.
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1498848#other_modules

The other thing that it could be if you are sure the memory is not faulty is bent pins on the CPU socket. I would suggest posting a couple of close-up (Macro) images here for us to check for you.

[mosoo]

Well I thought about the bent pins-possibility and when I installed the Noctua cooler I had a really close look at the socket and found no bent pins. Any other suggestion?

Later edit: Also, I had a look over the compatibility list on Corsair's website and they actually list all their models being compatible with the UD7 I don't really think that's too trustworthy.

[Dark Mantis]

Well I thought about the bent pins-possibility and when I installed the Noctua cooler I had a really close look at the socket and found no bent pins. Any other suggestion?

Later edit: Also, I had a look over the compatibility list on Corsair's website and they actually list all their models being compatible with the UD7 I don't really think that's too trustworthy.

I wish I had a pound for every time someone assured me their pins were not bent!

Corsair make an awful lot of memory that isn't on the QVL for the UD7 I can assure you.

[mosoo]

ok, the thing is that the noctua ud-12 cooler is huge and taking a pic of the pins would require me to disassemble the mb. If I get it out of the case, the next logic step would be to just RMA it, and I don't want to do that. What would another point of action be?

[Dark Mantis]

OK we will wait for now but I think it is the most likely thing.

When you ran Memtest86+ on the modules did you do it singly in slot 1 and for at least 10 loops each?

[mosoo]

Got the memory yesterday and started importing and editing about 15 gigs of photos. No problems importing, although this process does a lot of I/O through the RAM, but when I started exporting to JPEG I started getting random grey files, no info in them, unusable. The good thing is that I haven't gotten a BSOD yet, for about 6 hours of use. Could the I/O process be related to the memory controller in the i7? Or maybe some bus on the MOBO? I'm just shooting in the dark here...

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

What memory did you get?

Could the I/O process be related to the memory controller in the i7? Or maybe some bus on the MOBO? I'm just shooting in the dark here...

I don't really understand your question here. It is all interconnected obviously but on what level are you meaning?

[mosoo]

It's a Kingston Hyper-X kit  2x2GB - 4GB 1600 Mhz CL9 (KHX1600C9D3K2/4G-KHX1600C9AD3K2/4G).

I was asking if the memory controller in the proc could be damaged because of the high temps it was subjected to when running on the stock cooler, but again I say, I'm just shooting in the dark. RMA-ing the MOBO would leave me without a workstation for weeks and I wanna get all the facts straight before I do that.

Thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

Of course there is a possibility that the memory controller on the CPU could be faulty but it is unlikely and the temperture shouldn't have caused any fault.

Are you still having the same problem with this new memory?
If so have you tried entering the timings and voltage manually into the BIOS rather than using the Auto setting?

[mosoo]

I entered the 9-9-9-20 timings manually. I had no BSOD last night, I'll have to see tonight how the PC behaves. The only problem I have is when "converting" JPEG files, some of them come out with zero information, or partially created - just like when you don't fully download the JPEG from the web you get parts of it grey.

[Dark Mantis]

I take it that yoiu have installed the modules in DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 ?

[mosoo]

Yes, and for some strange reason I installed the last set in the 1 and 2 slot. Fortunately, I checked the manual again and this time they're inserted correctly. Would there be any issue if they were installed in the 1 and 2 slots?

[Dark Mantis]

Yes, and for some strange reason I installed the last set in the 1 and 2 slot. Fortunately, I checked the manual again and this time they're inserted correctly. Would there be any issue if they were installed in the 1 and 2 slots?

It probably didn't pick up the second stick at all in that configuration but at best would only work in single channel mode which would be much slower.

With the modules inserted in DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 you are running in Dual Channel mode which is faster but not as quick as Triple Channnel mode obviously.

[mosoo]

Well the problem never left. I had a good run with the new sticks of RAM of about 3 months, then it started failing again. I'm seriously thinking that this mobo is cursed. I get a BSOD everytime I start Starcraft 2 now. Since the board (rev 1) is no longer on the market, maybe Gigabyte found out that this board just doesn't cut it? It seems that it's not available anywhere anymore (including rev 2). At least someone from Gigabyte could acknowledge this so I know I've wasted two years of my life working to fix an unfixable problem?