X99 Motherboard + Quad Channel = Boot Loop

[Jamoe]

My new build is well under way (installed windows 8 and updates ) but when I use all 4 ram sticks in quad channel positions the machine won't boot.

It's an MSI X99A Gaming 7 - http://www.msi.com/support/mb/X99A-GAMING-7.html#down-manual

There are a few things I still want to try:

• Check the system will boot with each piece of Ram (on it's own)
• Test various ram slots with known working Ram
• Workout whether slot 7 is at fault.

I should add that it boots with 1 stick in slot 1, I've also tested it with 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3.

It's failed with ram in 1,3,5,7 and I think 1,3,7. It might be that slot 7 is at fault so I'll consider that as well.


If anyone can think of another angle or suggest some bios setting I might have missed take that would be great.

Hopefully get around to more testing tonight.

Thanks in advance.

(see previous thread http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?41493-New-PC-Time-Skylake-Build/page2)

[Gunda]

I'd also check the voltage required for your sticks of ram and ensure the bios has that fixed and NOT set to auto, sometimes with all 4 sticks the auto voltage can play up.

[Jamoe]

Cheers Gunda, I'll look into that

I do recall someone saying something about using the OC Genie got there system to boot so perhaps that would impact the voltage.

[TeaLeaf]

I take it the system boots with each individual stick on its own in slot 1?   If you have a duff stick then that might cause it, but Gunda's voltage suggestion is a good next step imo, make sure it matches the ram preferences.

[Gorion]

Check if it supports all dimms to be populated at whatever speeds or voltages you're using.  Sometimes they only support all dimms populated with the sticks listed in their ram compatibility list.

[Jamoe]

Yea there's a very specific order to the slots 1,3,5,7 should be populated first. Although to run in duel chan it's 1 and 5, triple chan is 1,3 and 5.

[Jamoe]

I take it the system boots with each individual stick on its own in slot 1?   If you have a duff stick then that might cause it, but Gunda's voltage suggestion is a good next step imo, make sure it matches the ram preferences.

That will be the first thing I try tonight.

I don't really know what I'm doing with voltage stuff so I'll need to read up.

[Jamoe]

So the motherboard is broken. I've tried 1 stick of known working ram in slots 6,7 and 8. None of which post. Apparently it's a known issue with these boards.

I ordered with Amazon but I'd missed the return thing by 1 day. I tried Live Chat (thanks Uni) and within 5 minutes I had been given a refund for the board and free post label to print.

Going to order a replacement from the dmw shop. wish me luck.

[Gorion]

You should consider getting a different mobo.  A SABERTOOTH_X99 for example.  My Z77 variant is rocking solid.

[Jamoe]

Ill look into it, as I had already installed w8 and MB drivers I figured a straight swap would be easiest.

Edit; it's another £60 so I think I'll have another go at the MSI. It does look the part though.

[Gorion]

Well Sabertooth mobos have 5 year warranties, and gizmos which protect slots against dust, plus directed airflow via tunnels.

That's why it's slightly more expensive.

[Jamoe]

Well, still no stock and I've grown impatient.. ordered the Sabertooth which should come Tuesday

Appears that it's not so much an issue to switch motherboards these days. Plus it's the same chip-set so shouldn't be too bad.