GA H55-USB3 2.0 & G.Skill 4GBECO RAM (1.35v) compatibility - new HTPC build

[Rob69sage]

Hi!  I'm preparing to build an HTPC using H55-USB3 2.0 motherboard & Intel i3-550 CPU, and I'm concerned that I may have chosen the wrong RAM, which is G.Skill PC3 12800 rated at 1600mhz (2X 2GB - P# F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO).

(I've included the primary components for this build at the end of this post)

This memory IS on the GB compatibility list for this board, but I think I may need to overclock it. ??  ...and I'm worried this may overheat the system (using stock CPU fan).

I'm concerned (and a little confused) about the 1.35v rating of the RAM, and it seems that the default for this board is 1.5v.  Has anyone successfully used this MB/RAM combination?

When I initially power on the board to install the OS, do I immediately need to reduce the voltage to 1.35v in the BIOS?

I'm also planning to use a Sata II SSD drive for the initial install of Windows 7 PRO 64-bit.

Are there any BIOS settings that I need to tweak for the RAM / SSD in my situation (other than AHCI) before installing Win 7?

I searched in the forums but couldn't find any setups that were the same as mine.  ...so I figured that any responses might also benefit others in the future with setups similar to mine.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!


System components:
MB:Gigabyte GA H55-USB3
CPU:  Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale (using integrated GPU)
RAM:  G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO (1.35v)
OS:  Windows 7 PRO 64-bit
HARD DRIVE:  Intel SATA II 120GB SSD X25-M SSDSA2MH120G2K5

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

This memory IS on the GB compatibility list for this board, but I think I may need to overclock it. ??  ...and I'm worried this may overheat the system (using stock CPU fan).

Overclocking memory won't have any appreciable effect on the CPU but why do you think you have to overclock it anyway ?
You can usually run with the memory at a lower voltage than is stated and if they say it is compatible then hopefully they are right. Anyway just because the RAM will run at 1.35v doesn't mean you can't raise the voltage a little. I must admit I don't know why you went for this memory when there are plenty of better memory modules on the market.

The setup for a SSD is pretty much the same as for a magnetic disk as far as loading the OS. I would suggest that you put it on the first SATA2 port and set the controller to AHCI.

[Rob69sage]

Thanks for the reply.  I guess the memory will be downclocked to1333 (unless I OC) if I'm understanding correctly (still learning!), and from what I've read I'll probably have to set the timings & voltage manually in the BIOS.

Yes, in hindsight I should've probably gotten that Kingston 1333 1.5v RAM that I almost bought.  Would that be a good choice if I have problems with the 1.35 RAM?  ...or do you have any suggestions that have worked for others in the past?

Thanks again!

[Dark Mantis]

You might be lucky and the "Auto" setting will just set them up with no problem. I would try that first. If not we can try and find some complimentary settings that will work.

The Kingston probably would have been a better choice as would Corsair. The best thing to do when specifying memory for a build is to check on the memory manufacturer's website for their QVL (Qualified Vendor List) for the particular motherboard. It will list all RAM that has been tested as working ok.

[Rob69sage]

UPDATE:  I got everything assembled & the RAM seemed to work fine.  I had to enable XMP and enter the timings manually.  I also set the multiplier in the BIOS to 10X.  I ran MEMTEST for 24 hours & got NO ERRORS.

The system ran fine for over 3 weeks.  ...until this past Sunday it rebooted by itself.  It started back up & seemed to work OK.

I was going to run some diagnostics on it last night, but when I got home it was too late.

The system was rebooting over & over.  Here's what it does:  The fans start up & run for about 5-10 seconds.  There is NO display on the screen.  Then everything "clicks" & shuts off for about 3 seconds, and the process repeats over & over.

I tried using only 1 stick of RAM (tried both sticks).  It made no difference.  I also tried disconnecting all hard drives except the primary SSD drive with the OS.  Same thing.  I also unplugged the system & let it sit overnight (in case of overheating or a heat sensor issue).  I tried this morning, but it still reboots over & over.  I can NOT get into the BIOS to change any settings.

I've read about many others having nearly identical problems with GB motherboards (rebooting), and it seems that an RMA is usually the only solution.

Tonight I'm going to try to find a speaker to connect to the board to "count the beeps", and then maybe short the CMOS jumper.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?   ...and is there any possibility that the RAM, or the RAM settings in the BIOS may have somehow caused this?

Any info or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

System components:
MB: Gigabyte GA H55-USB3 Ver 2.0  BIOS:  F7
CPU:  Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale (using integrated GPU)
RAM:  G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO (1.35v)
OS:  Windows 7 PRO 64-bit
OS HARD DRIVE:  Intel SATA II 120GB SSD X25-M SSDSA2MH120G2K5
Storage HARD DRIVES:  (2) Hitachi Deskstar 5K3000 2TB

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

It's hard to say what caused this as we don't know yet what "this" is!

I would say start with clear the CMOS completely.


Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[Rob69sage]

Thanks, Dark Mantis. 

I'll try your suggestions when I get home this evening & post the results.

[Dark Mantis]

I agree though that a motherboard speaker/buzzer would be very helpful and might save you a lot of time.

[Rob69sage]

OK... I tried removing the CMOS battery, unplugging & waiting for an hour, but still no change. 

I don't have a post speaker, so I took a speaker out of an old walkie talkie & connected it to a 4-pin speaker plug from an old PC (connected to the outer 2 pins) & plugged into the MB, but there's no sound at all when the PC is rebooting. 

I've tried unplugging all the devices (HDs, DVD drive, etc...), but it has no effect.  I also tried with no cables connected (no mouse, keyboard, monitor or network cable), but same outcome.

This thing just seems dead & nothing I do seems to change the constant rebooting.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again for the help!   

[Dark Mantis]

UPDATE:  I got everything assembled & the RAM seemed to work fine.  I had to enable XMP and enter the timings manually.  I also set the multiplier in the BIOS to 10X.  I ran MEMTEST for 24 hours & got NO ERRORS.

Do you mean that you can boot from a cd but not from the hard drive ?

[Rob69sage]

No I can't boot from the CD either.  

I ran memtest back when I assembled the PC over 3 weeks ago, and it ran fine with minimal use for 3 weeks. 

Then I noticed that it rebooted by itself this past Sunday.  I was NOT even using the PC when this happened... I just happened to be nearby & heard it "click".  ...but when it rebooted it seemed to work OK when it came back on.  Maybe this was the beginning of the problem?   

 ...and on Tuesday I found it in a loop constantly rebooting over & over.

Hope that helps!

[Dark Mantis]

Always difficult when you cna't even get it to boot successfully as it could be any number of things. I would suggest that the memory or the PSU are the most likely culprits. I know you have tested the RAM before but it might be faulty now. What PSU are you using ?

[Rob69sage]

I've thought about the PSU, too.  I'm using a Corsair CMPSU-600CX, which I purchased new when I built the system.

I have an older ATX 400 watt PSU I could try, but it's an older standard, ATX 2.03.  I think I remember reading that the current standard is ATX 2.30.  Do you know if it would work with the H55-USB3 MB.    I guess I need to check the plugs to be sure.

...and as far as the memory goes, is it common for BOTH sticks to go bad at the same time?  I tried using only 1 stick, with each stick, but still same rebooting problem. 

If I do replace the memory, do you have a recommendation for DDR3 1333mhz RAM?  "The egg" has some 2GB Kingston sticks for around $22 each (KVR1333D3N9/2G).  These ARE on the QVL list for the H55-USB3.  I might try a pair of these if I can't get anything else to work since they're pretty cheap. 

Thanks!

[Dark Mantis]

I would say it unlikely that both memory sticks would go at the same time unless some external influence caused it like a spike or something. The PSU should work fine as long as it has the correct connections ie 24 pin and 8 pin . if not you can get an adapter cable just to check.

[Rob69sage]

The PSU I have has 24-pin and 4-pin ( not 8 ), so I couldn't use it.     Did you say there's an adapter cable?  Even if so, I'm sure I'd have to order it & wait for it arrive.

I'm checking with a friend to see if he has a newer PSU I can borrow, but I havent' heard back yet.

I went ahead & ordered those 2 sticks of RAM yesterday.  I'll test everything when they arrive next week.  Even if the existing memory is OK, I can still use the extra memory.

So I guess all I can do now is wait.

If I find out anything else, I'll post it here.

Thanks again & have a great weekend!