Rampage III Extreme Memory Problem?

[AsbestosGlove]

I’m having some trouble with the memory detection on my system, and I need some help.

I have trawled the net in search of a resolution and I have tried various things listed below.
Unfortunately they have had no effect, so I’m looking for some suggestions, I do however have a feeling that the motherboard could be faulty.

I am also encountering the problem with the CPU temperature reporting only sometimes working and occasional failure to boot from the SSD array, that if have seen others reporting.

Problem
Bios and windows only seeing 8GB of the 12GB of memory.
CPU-Z sees all six sticks of memory.
System installed without problem and runs fine even though some memory is not detected
Each memory stick passes memtest OK individually
Dimm slots B1 and B2 don’t recognise any memory stick
Dimm slots A1, A2, C1 and C2 recognise all memory sticks


System Specification as per sig

Current Configuration
Bios is set for CPU at stock speeds,
Memory with XMP enabled,
SSD drives as raid 0 on the Intel ICH10

What I have tried so-far
Re-seated CPU a couple of times
Checked CPU socket for bent pins, no visible damage
Tried slackening back the heat sink retention bracket, from the default setting
Tried increasing heat sink pressure using adjustment bolt on Venomous X
Tried disabling XMP
Tried operating memory at 1066 MHz
Tried manually setting the Memory


Any sensible suggestions for a fix gratefully received.

Regards

[Terbinator]

Update the BIOS ?

[piggin23]

What memory are you using?

[AsbestosGlove]

I'm on 0802 bios, latest release - not sure whether to try a beta. i was previously on 0602 which gave me the same results.

The memory i am using is Corsair HX3X12G1600C9 – 12GB Ram set of 6x2GB sticks.

Asus came back to me with a 'try re seating the memory' which is a fair enough comment, but after trying all sensible permutations of all six stick in all six slots - not 64 permutations, but a stick in slot A1 to get the system to boot and then each of the other sticks individually in all of the other slots. All sticks work in A1, A2 ,C1 and C2, but no sticks work in B1 and B2. I think in doing that lot i have well covered the re-seating field.

Maybe I will give the beta bios a shot when I get home.

[kalniel]

but no sticks work in B1 and B2.

Looks like a clear cut case here - if you can get the same sticks working in each of the other slots but these slots produce no results then you have a reproducible reason for RMA.

[GoNz0]

have you set the memory by the xmp profile option in the bios ?

if you do not have the correct <1/2v difference between 2 setting if can cause the issue you outline.

XMP auto settings usually get round this.

[GoNz0]

Looks like a clear cut case here - if you can get the same sticks working in each of the other slots but these slots produce no results then you have a reproducible reason for RMA.

thats also a known cause if a cpu pin or 2 is bent, i would remove the cpu and take a close up macro of the socket pins, happened to me a few weeks ago !

i was lucky and could pull them straight.

[piggin23]

I was expecting you to say you had corsair GT's as there are a lot of people have the same problem with this motherboard.

This thread has a lot of good advice for R3E owners.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=250635

It mentions the problem of not seeing the whole 12gig and the problem appears to be solved by enabling XMP (which you have already done)

You would not be using a 980X would you?

[TheAnimus]

do you have another CPU to try? See if you can get B banks working, if not RMA.

[kalniel]

thats also a known cause if a cpu pin or 2 is bent, i would remove the cpu and take a close up macro of the socket pins, happened to me a few weeks ago !

i was lucky and could pull them straight.

I thought CPU didn't have pins anymore? The pins are on the socket -either way is a motherboard RMA.

[GoNz0]

its still a a pin that contacts the cpu in my mind, and further on in the post i said pins in the socket.

[AsbestosGlove]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Scan said to try an updated bios, tried the beta 0860 and 9124, no joy with them, back on 0802 for the moment.

I already had a couple of looks at the socket with a magnifying glass, will try the macro shot though - may give me a better view.

I'm on a 930 and don't have another 1366 to try so no options there.

Already read through the xtremesystems thread and tried the manual setting that others have got to work, no success there either.

Looks like i'll need to replace the board and/or cpu as i can't narrow it down any further.

I'll let you know the results of the macro shots.

[AsbestosGlove]

No bent pins seen under magnifying glass or using macro shots.
When you stare at them for a while though they look like one of those psychedelic 3D pictures you used to see - my head is burstin!

RMA issued, motherboard ram and cpu all boxed up now to go back, well see what results the scan guys get.

[TheAnimus]

Just make sure to detail as much about the RAM and CPU as you can (batch numbers, even serials never go a miss!)

If you bought the CPU + RAM from Scan too, ask them if they want them back too, that way if you have any issues with them replicating they can figure out the weak link.

[AsbestosGlove]

Hi Guys,

Update on the RMA. Scan got the MB, CPU and RAM back. Result was NFF!!

So I thought, at least I have not knackered anything....and no bent pins!

Got the kit back, and was pleased to see both the CPU and RAM were left in place.

Put it all back together and.....

wait for it... still only 8GB

WTF!

I have emailed them back asking where they saw the 12GB reported and what heat sink they used.
I have also tried the system on its side, as their test rig is probably set up that way - wondering if the Venomous X is playing a part in my troubles.

Seriously hacked off now.

[GoNz0]

thats scan for you