GA-X58A-UD3R DDR3_5 memory slot problem

[mack]

Hello,

I brought my PC 18 months ago and its been great. Reciently I had a boot failure message and noticed only 4GB of the 6GB of ram was showing on the post screen. Windows shows 6GB ram with 4GB available. Previously both post and windows have shown the full 6GB.

Ive confirmed it not the RAM, I can use any of my RAM sticks in DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 with no issues.

Only when I add a 3rd stick in DDR3_5 is the memory no longer correctly reported.

I had a good look and I can see nothing wrong with the slot and the memory is correctly seated.

What should I do next?

Thanks

John

[Aussie Allan]

  Sorry to be a pain but if we/I don't a ask and we miss a memory problem ..... it can go in very BIG circles ....

                   " Ive confirmed it not the RAM" ..... So you tested each Dimm with memtest86 for ten passes each in your boards slot 1 ....Right?

  Time spent here can save you days smacking your forehead on the screen ..... You may be right about 3_5 and an RMA but let's hit this the right way from the get-go and rule out all the other things it MIGHT be!

  P.S ....Plenty of time.....your boards got 3 yrs of warranty.

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

Please can you give a brief run down of your system hardware.

Are you sure that the full 6GB originally was available ?

If so I think that the next step would be to check the CPU socket for bent/burnt pins.

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

[mack]

Thanks for the replys, the help is much appreciated!

  Sorry to be a pain but if we/I don't a ask and we miss a memory problem ..... it can go in very BIG circles ....

                   " Ive confirmed it not the RAM" ..... So you tested each Dimm with memtest86 for ten passes each in your boards slot 1 ....Right?

  Time spent here can save you days smacking your forehead on the screen ..... You may be right about 3_5 and an RMA but let's hit this the right way from the get-go and rule out all the other things it MIGHT be!

  P.S ....Plenty of time.....your boards got 3 yrs of warranty.

  Aussie Allan

I did it by swapping the RAM sticks, any of the 3 will work in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 slots.

Im burning memtest86 now, I will follow your advice and post the results.

Please can you give a brief run down of your system hardware.

"Ultima Viper" Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz @ 4.00GHz DDR3 System
SW-129-MS Windows 7 Professional 64 bit OEM
MB-235-GI Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3
Motherboard
CD-099-LG OcUK 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM
HS-005-PL Prolimatech Megahalems Rev B CPU Cooler (Socket
775/1156/1366)
CP-318-IN Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366) - OEM
HD-211-SE Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM
(ST31000528AS)
FG-006-SH Sharkoon Silent Eagle 2000 120mm Fan - 3/4 Pin
MY-008-PA Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 (1600MHz) Low
Latency Tri-Channel (PVT36G1600LLK)
CA-110-AN Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gaming Case - Black
GX-134-OK OcUK Value GeForce GTX 480 1536MB GDDR5 PCI-Express
Graphics Card
CA-023-CS Corsair TX 950W ATX SLI Compliant Power Supply
(CMPSU-950TXUK)
HD-050-OC OCZ Vertex 96GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive
(OCZSSD2-1VTX96G)

Are you sure that the full 6GB originally was available ?

If so I think that the next step would be to check the CPU socket for bent/burnt pins.

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

Im positive the full 6GB was available, it was showing on both the post screen and in windows.

I will take a look at the CPU but im doubtfull as it was previously working, I havent touched the CPU or the heatsink. Its exactly how overclockers installed it. I will test the memory first then check the CPU. I need to order some themal paste so I might take a day or two to post the results.

[Aussie Allan]

    Cool! ....well done..... looking forward to all the results ...

   Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Im positive the full 6GB was available, it was showing on both the post screen and in windows.

I will take a look at the CPU but im doubtfull as it was previously working, I havent touched the CPU or the heatsink. Its exactly how overclockers installed it. I will test the memory first then check the CPU. I need to order some themal paste so I might take a day or two to post the results.

It doesn't necessarilly follow that the pins are undamaged because you havent touched the CPU as sometimes they can burn electrically on the tips. Anyway make sure that you post a couple of clear macro photos preferably without flash.

[mack]

Finally got around to pulling the CPU, here are the photos:

http://s1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg589/mack350z/CPU/

I cant see anything abnormal with the socket, on the cpu I can see a few pins are very slightly darker than the other.


Please let me know if you can see anything wrong.

Regards

John

EDIT: the discoloured pins can be seen on the far left row of pins

[mack]

I  finally got around to running a full 10 passes on each RAM stick and they have all passed with flying colours.

I'm positive it's not the memory now and the CPU and socket looks fine so I guess that leaves the motherboard?

Whats the next step?