GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Rev 1.3 Corsair Vengeance 16GB problems (4x4GB set)

[metalmike]

I was never able to get the system to come up with all sticks installed. Only with 2 maximum in slots 1 and 2. It resets constantly if I put 2 in slots 3 and 4 or split between slots 1/3 or 2/4. And that was with F9 installed.

[Dark Mantis]

It would be worth checking for bent pins on the CPU socket also.

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.
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.

[metalmike]

I'll see what I can do later tonight once home from work. I am hoping there are no bent pins (due to my inserting cpu or defective as could be issue returning to NewEgg).

[Dark Mantis]

Well it is the sort of problem that would give those symptoms. Certainly worth checking in case that is what is causing your problem.

[metalmike]

I have to find how to turn off the flash on the camera but it looks like there may be a damaged pin in there. I tried moving it slightly with a small jewelers screwdriver and it seemed to be loose....www.darkenedsoul.net/cpu_pic.JPG is the better of the ones that weren't overly bright. Now it seems I'll have to RMA and hope to get it replaced... I don't think I forced the CPU down onto the pins and it was a snug fit with no undo pressure needed to lock it down. And my vision sucks in regards to really small stuff (glasses, etc....).

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

You certainly have some damaged pins in there. Even with the quality of that photo I could spot at least two that weren't right! Try and get some more pics if you can but you are going to have to RMA the board anyway as it looks far too bad for you to be able to fix yourself.

[metalmike]

I am going to package it back up tonight and do the RMA thing with newegg.

[Dark Mantis]

I don't know how you will stand with Newegg as they are a retailer and a lot of retailers wont accept pin damage as they say it is customer carelessness.

You might have to contact Gigabyte US and deal with them directly.

[metalmike]

Hmm we shalll see in the next week or so on that. In regards to the PSU I put in a paperclip to the green wire and a black wire and powered it up and the fan kicked in. So are we thinking it may be ok? That's next item to test in the case with the new mobo once I get that straightened out. I am hoping NewEgg replaces it with no issues, else not sure how hard it is to deal with Gigabyte directly.

[Dark Mantis]

It sounds like the PSU is firing up and so I ex;pect that it is working alright.

It might be a good idea to try the motherboard outside of the case as you are going to have to dismantle it anyway.

The next thing is to remove the motherboard from the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory/graphics card and PSU from the case and put it on the cardboard. Add the keyboard and mouse and try and boot. The system should try and make a beep or series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

I can't speak for Gigabyte US but their office over here is very friendly. It usually depends on how you approach other people as to the response you get I find. 

[metalmike]

I sent the mobo out last night (it willl be shipped later this afternoon via UPS to NewEgg) so the only possible testing I could do is with my old motherboard (Abit IP35 Pro) but I have to find where I put it. For now I may just wait to the replacement board.  And were you serious to only put a grain-of-rice sized dollup of the paste? That seems a tad small amount, I thought it was smaller than a dime (like half a dime size perhaps)? I know you want a thin coat that gets spread around after fan/cooler is installed on top of the CPU. I may try to see if my Zalman 9500 will fit on it and not block slot 4 memory when new board arrives and I have CPU seated properly and no bad pins.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I was certainly serious about the size of a large grain of rice approximately. Too much is as bad if not worse than too little. Most people tend to be heavy handed in applying the compound. It literally has to cover the surface and in theory you should be able to read the printing on the surface of the CPU through it once spread. Just make sure that you use a good quality TIM as that is more important than shovelling it on!

Don't bother testing with another motherboard as that would be a total waste of time. It is only your board that we are interested in.

[metalmike]

I wonder if I am in the boat as this thread shows: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,6322.0.html which I happened to come across while looking for this forum at work. Interesting that others are having quality issues with their socket 1155. I am not sure I did anything to the socket on inserting the CPU, I can't guarantee that but it's kind of hard to damage the pins IMHO if you put it into the socket properly and just close/lock it down. Hopefully NewEgg will get me a new board by end of next week. In the meantime I have to use my ASus Laptop (G73 JH BestBuy model) or my other desktop to game on (E6850 w/4G Corsair Dominator dual boot XP SP3 Pro/Vista 64 Ult.). I think I'll re-download the client for my online game onto desktop as it's more comfy sitting in my chair vs hunched over table in living room on lappy.

Again, I don't believe I bent that pin(s) as I am pretty gingerly in doing CPU insertions and they've come a ways from the old days of CPU installation. And for paste I will go gingerly on applying it once I get board back and inspected. I really REALLY hope newegg replaces it this time.

[Dark Mantis]

It is always a hard thing to prove either way whether the damage was done pre or post purchase. I must admit I always thoroughly scrutinise the socket on receiving a motherboard just in case as it is much easier to put your case if everything is unopened and just arrived.

[chunkd]

I have the same problem, Channel A is toast. Nothing will work in it, I tried different types of Ram too. They only thing that will work is one ram in DDR3_3 or DDR3_1 or both in 3/1. This is a brand new board I will be RMA'ing it tomorrow and hope to get a board that works...