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

[metalmike]

Hi,

I just put this together yesterday (650W PSU, i5 2500K, 500 and 1TB Sata II, optical sata, stock intel cooler) and I can't get system to come up if I use memory slots 3_1 and 3_1 per the manual for dual channel, nor 3_2 and 3_4 slots. If I put em in channel B as a pair (or single) the system posts and comes up. I have set optimized defaults in BIOS as well as ACHI for the controllers and disabled full screen logo. Default memory speed showed 1333 vs 1600 (voltage at 1.5v).

I thought I had been able to run 2 sticks in Channel A previously but now it just constantly resets during POST. I ran 2 sticks in channel B for 6 passes overnight with zero errors. Currently running other pair in channel B memtest (latest vis USB bootable setup). I don't understand why manual says to use the _1/_3 or _2/_4 slots for dual channel when the system won't even POST with them in that setup (either pair of modules). And now why it won't post with 2 in channel A slots. I am thinking this mobo is defective. I had gotten Win7 Home Premium installed yesterday with 2 sticks in channel B and system updates and some apps installed (av/malware/cpu-z, coretemp). Temps sit in upper 20's to low 30's at idle, ran a short Prime95 (64bit version and temps climbed into the 60's/low 70's range (not all case fans running (top/front intake/one next to PSU atm not connected).

BIOS is showing F9 and there is an F10 for this rev. board but @BIOS said there was no update available and on website doesn't appear to be one I need.

So a) why can't I run the modules in _1/_3 or _2/_4 slots, b) why won't it POST with all 4 installed and c) why will it not POST with sticks in channel A only? I am thinking this mobo is defective or there are some settings I am missing in BIOS. Also, why didn't it set to 1600 by default without me having to go into BIOS to set XMS profile which changed the speed to 1600 1600 vs 1333  1600 when I manually set the multiplier to 16.0?

Thanks in advance, I hope I don't have a dud for mobo....and the corsair HX650 PSU I bought may be dead too, using my older Thermaltake 650 till I can troubleshoot the Corsair.

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

You need to make sure that your memory modules are perfectly alright before worrying about the motherboard. For that you need to run the test properly.

Please follow these instructions exactly.

I would suggest that you download and run the latest version of  Memtest86+ to check your RAM first.

Memtest86+        http://www.memtest.org/

Insert one stick of memory in slot 1 and run Memtest on it for at least 10 complete loops/cycles and if there are no errors then swap it over with the next one and continue untill you have checked all  modules.
 
If you have any errors the module is faulty.

If you have any faulty modules you will have to return the whole kit as they are matched.

Post back when you have done that with the results.

[metalmike]

Hi Dark Mantis,

I ran a pair of em overnight for 6 full passes with zero errors. Currently running the other 2 for awhile as well with latest memtest+. Will report later on. Do I really REALLY need to do em all singly? If a pair passed 6 passes shouldn't that mean they are *ok* at this point? Otherwise this is going to take the rest of the weekend probably.

Thanks,

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

I know it is a pain but to be really meaningful you have to follow the instructions as I laid them out. Six passes isn't enough at all and quite often will show up problems on the seventh. Make sure that you mark all the modules so they don't get mixed up too.

[metalmike]

Alrught, going back to single module, that's going to take at least 2 days straight doing them solo. I understand why as well. But can you also explain why I can't put the modules in typical dual channel configuration on this board? i.e. 3_1 and 3_3 or 3_2 and 3_4 slots (meaning it splits them between channel A and B). I have not been able to do that or run all 4 at a time. I'll check back in a bit.

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

Not off the top of my head apart from if you have a dodgy stick of course. I take it you did buy all the modules as a single matched kit not singly ?

[metalmike]

Yes, I picked up the ram, a zalman cooler (may not fit all ram sticks so using stock cooler atm), mobo and some case fan replacements. First stick on pass 3 coming up on 4 (solo seems to take about 30-40 mins to make a pass (guestimate). I don't plan on overclocking the system (except memory to get it to run 1600 stable or if I have to (and don't want to since it's rated 1600 @ 1.5v)) and it'll be up 24x7 as main internet/some gaming/minor development (refreshing my brain/learning a bit of other languages) and maybe a bit of photoshop and my dvd ripping system to get my movies to my WHS box.

[Dark Mantis]

Well of course you are going to have to make a few alterations to get all your memory running harmoniously together anyway because of the extra loading on the memory controller. Probably just increasing the DRAM voltage and maybe a tweak of the QPI/Vtt too.

[metalmike]

OK, 1st stick 13 passes, zero errors. 2nd stick 17 passes, zero errors. I just popped in the 3rd of 4 and it'll be going for about 6-7 hrs to hit 10 passes. So by tomorrow morning I'll have it completed.  There are sooooo many options in this BIOS it's nuts, especially since it's been a few yrs since I had to go back into BIOS to tweak things. 

[metalmike]

Ok, I ran 11+ passes on each 4GB stick since the other day and all passed with no errors. What do you want me to do next Dark? I am at your bidding to get this sucker running. I have to do a bit of research on the Corsair PSU to find the 2 pins to short to test outside the case to see if it even turns on. I am hoping it isn't bad but initial installation doesn't look good. I want to focus on memory/current hardware for the time being to get it working with the 4 sticks. I am running F9 on this motherboard. F10 doesn't appear to be a need for me with regards to info on Gigabytes site for what it adds to functionality.  I have Prime85 for Win7 64 bit installed as well as latest CPU-z and CoreTemp tools should I need them.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

Well that's great news anmyway and now we know the memory is good and can be relied upon.  I know it was a pain but it's one of those things that needs doing.

The PSU test is easy. Just connect up some load like a fan or something similar and then on the 24 pin plug find the green wire. There is only one and using a straightened out paperclip or something like that short out this GREEN cable with any of the BLACK cables. Then plug the PSU into the mains and turn it on. It should fire up and the load (fan) should run. If you have a multimeter you can check the voltages although remember that they might be higher than expected as they are in a no load condition. The black cables are all ground (zero volt).

[metalmike]

Hi, I will work the new PSU later on. I am more concerned with getting the mobo running with the 16GB memory at this point. Only peripherals are 1 500GB boot/install drive (has Win 7 prem. 64 bit already installed/enabled and a handful of apps at this point), a 1TB data drive (previous XP SP3 from prior mobo/setup), and a DVD/CD-RW optical SATA drive (will be looking to add a BD-Rom in near future for ripping my BD discs to add to my WHS HP MSS ex485 system). I am more concerned with getting this current setup working. The PSU can come later on. I just need to find the pins to jumper together to see if it even turns on. With it installed it did not even bring its fan on but again, this is secondary for time being.

So, what is next with the mobo and memory and BIOS settings to get things working at basically stock CPU speeds and 1600mhz memory speed (I do want to run it at rated speed, not 1333 which it defaulted to). And again, thx for the assistance. The newer BIOS (not just this mfr/mobo) has changed a LOT since '07! I had oc'd my E6850 and E8400 CPUs (2 diff. desktops) to 3.6Ghz back in '07/'08 but I backed them back to stock since I really didn't need the oc'ing for what I use either desktops for. I did enjoy trying it out/testing things out then. For now this will be 24x7 for this system. So let me know what you want me to do next and I'll get back to you after I try it.

You do remember i wasn't able to put a pair into channel A nor 1 in 3_1 and 3_3 for dual channel configuration. I am assuming this may be voltage related or a bad mobo. BIOS F9 and don't see need to go to F10 per what it shows it adds to BIOS.

Mike

[Dark Mantis]

I do feel that you are tryiong to run before you can walk here to be honest. You are saying that you are not interested in getting the memory working at stock speed and only want to run it at 1600mhz.  The thing is when something is not working properly it is a case of going through various stages to get it working before worrying about trying to get extra speed out of it. Once it is running perfectly and stable then you can start tweaking it for extra performance.

The info on the BIOS often doesn't tell the whole story and so I would be inclined to use QFlash to update the BIOS version to F10 now. Make sure that you disable the Keep DMI Data on the homepage when you are doing the update.

Post back once you have completed that.

[metalmike]

Well I would like to get all memory working at 1333 which appears to be default speed in BIOS. I just flashed to F10 and only 1 stick of memory is installed on slot 1. What's next?

[Dark Mantis]

If the BIOS was picking up all the sticks before then I would reflash it back to F9. I don't remember you mentioning a problem with the BIOS seeing the RAM before.

In the end I hope to get everything working as it should but that does mean taking smaller steps to get there often.