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GA-Z68X UD4 BH3 will Only Run RAM in Certain slots, Won't POST if in Others

rohit91

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This is a really strange problem that's been bothering me for a while. I've been searching around and a few people on this board have the same problem. Basically, if I have my RAM in slots 1 and 3, it's okay and will boot but if I have the RAM in slots 2 and 4 it won't. I tried running the RAM in slots 2 1 and 2 for dual channel but it won't boot then either. What happens is, the computer will boot for a second, all the fans will spin etc. but then just restart and then loop this process.

I just recently built this PC, about 2 weeks ago:

i5 2500k
GA-Z68X UD4 BH3
G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
ATI 5770 1gb (upgraded to 6850, more below)
Corsair HX 620W PSU
X-fi xtrememusic sound card
windows 7

The computer is OC'd at the moment to 4.1 and the RAM is running at default everything.

So basically, when I first built the computer, the RAM was running in dual channel (with the f5 bios too). Then one day, I decided to upgrade to the 6850 and then do a heatsink reseat, took out the CPU to clean it and everything, installed the new video card. I then booted but I started getting that restart loop. Fast forward to the next day and I figured out it was a problem with the RAM. I moved the RAM over the slots 1 and 3 so it's in single channel and it works now. I tried the RAM in slots 2 and 4 and it won't boot, 1 and 2 it won't boot.

I've tried updating my BIOS to f8, still won't work. I tried resetting the CMOS by holding a screwdriver to the jumper pins for a few seconds but it still wouldn't work. I've finished MEMtest with 0 errors as well.

Any ideas?
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 03:12:33 am by rohit91 »

Dark Mantis

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Hi

Basically it is because you are using the wrong slots.  Try putting the modules in a Dual Channel configuration instead of where you have them now.

Channel A: DDR3_2, DDR3_4
Channel B: DDR3_1, DDR3_3

There is more information regarding this on page 16 of your manual.
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

rohit91

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No I know that, I've seen that. If I try to run it in dual channel configuration, the computer doesn't POST and keeps restarting. I know which slots the RAM should be in. It just won't work if I do put it on those slots.

Dark Mantis

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  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
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Have you tried running one of the other older BIOSes ?

Does it run with one module in the first slot ?
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

rohit91

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I've tried with the F5 and F8 bios only, I can try F7 today. The RAM will work if in slot 1 and 3 but not 2 and 4.

rohit91

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Have you tried running one of the other older BIOSes ?

Does it run with one module in the first slot ?

I just tried f7 bios, no luck. I tried XMP, no luck. One module in slot 2 won't POST. One module in slot 4 it won't POST but in 1 and 3 it will.

Dark Mantis

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  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
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In that case it would seem as if there is a problem with memory Channel A. Channel B appears to work properly. This is quite possibly the CPU as the memory controller is built into that now. I would RMA it. ;)
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

rohit91

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In that case it would seem as if there is a problem with memory Channel A. Channel B appears to work properly. This is quite possibly the CPU as the memory controller is built into that now. I would RMA it. ;)

I took it to get an RMA but the NCIX tech said that a pin was bent on the motherboard and that I can't return it now. Is there nothing I can do? Can it get fixed?

Dark Mantis

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  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
Did you purchase it all built up then ?  If so if the pin was bent then it is their responsibility and should replace/repair the motherboard.
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

rohit91

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Did you purchase it all built up then ?  If so if the pin was bent then it is their responsibility and should replace/repair the motherboard.

No I built the PC myself

Dark Mantis

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  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
I don't understand then why you took it all to the shop for an RMA for the CPU! Anyway whether the CPU socket on the motherboard had a bent pin or not it shouldn't affect you RMAing the CPU. Did you actually see the bent pin ?
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

rohit91

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I don't understand then why you took it all to the shop for an RMA for the CPU! Anyway whether the CPU socket on the motherboard had a bent pin or not it shouldn't affect you RMAing the CPU. Did you actually see the bent pin ?

Oh I think you misunderstood, I didn't specify! I meant I took my motherboard to RMA and there was a bent pin on the motherboard socket. I couldn't tell that there was a bent pin...it's really hard for me to tell but I believed the tech.

Dark Mantis

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  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
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We are used to determining any damage done to the pins on the CPU sockets so if you want to post a couple of really clear macro photos, we should be able to confirm this for you.

Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

p13m4n

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I have the same problem with the same CPU, RAM, and similar motherboard (GA-Z68XP-UD3). I bought everything from Direct Canada, a sister company of NCIX (pretty much the same company, just different storefronts). Perhaps they received some bad stock from Gigabyte, who knows.

EDIT: I decided to check the CPU socket. It turns out it was 1 (read: ONE) pin that was off by mere microns, JUST barely noticeable to the naked eye. For some reason, it was shinier than the other pins - I probably wouldn't have been able to notice it if it wasn't. I was able to gently nudge it back into place. I knew how delicate these pins were the minute I lifted the plastic cover for the first time, so I know for a fact that I installed the CPU *very* gingerly. Thus, I'm reasonably certain that the socket arrived like that. It also appears to me that a majority of people with this exact problem have Gigabyte motherboards; perhaps Gigabyte needs to enforce better quality control on their CPU sockets. Of course, it's certainly possible that the bent pin was of my own doing, but considering that it was ONE bent pin, somehow shinier than the other pins, and that the socket was exposed for all of maybe thirty seconds before I gently put the CPU on top of it, I find this unlikely.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2011, 12:28:55 pm by p13m4n »

rohit91

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Well I'm pretty scared to bend it back TBH. I don't want to make matters worse.