A load of problems in my PC

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onlymee0

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Mar 22, 2014
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4,510
I've been setting patiently a new computer from scratch, from 3 years now.
Initially I've acquired an Asus Gene II x58 mboard for my i7 929 processor, with a 2x2gb ddr3 mushkin blackascent @ 1600mhz kit and a nvidia geforge 260 gtx graphics card to go along with a corsair 650w power supply.
Right from the beginning, the system wasn't recognising the full amount of memory, setting only half of it. If that wasn't a surprise in win7 32bits, with the 64 bit version, that just wasn't acceptable.
I've decided to to switch the motherboard to my actual one, a gigabyte ex58-UD3R.
Even so, the memory detection kept going on so, after an exhaustive search for a solution, I've noticed that in the board manual, due to intel specifications, the dual channel system wouldn't work and only 1 dimm would be used with memory with above speeds of 1333mhz (weird). Thus I've decided to get a new memory kit, a 2x4gb ddr3 gskill ripjaws @1333mhz.
Surprisingly, the problem remained.
The system / OS detected the 8gb, but kept only 4gb available. The bios detected the dimms, but was using only 1. In a computer store I was told that could be so and that the PC would probably get the remaining 4gb only if needed.
My next step was to check the bios version, so I've decided to update it (from FI to FK).
Big mistake...
Now I wasn't getting even the PC to load the OS, as it was rebooting every time it get to the memory detection part.
I've decided to roll back the bios and, voila, got the OS to run as usual.
The memory problem remained.

In the bios menu, I've checked the timings and it was assuming those of my old kit. I've tried to set them manually, but it didn't solved a thing.
Mushkin told me that my kit was discontinued, and it was made for a different chipset (an AMD775, if I recall).
As my pc was idealized for gaming, according to my possessions, I was running Fifa 13 and NBA 2K14 perfectly, but when I've finally got and installed Hitman absolution, as I started playing the game, the PC just shut down and rebooted, as if there was a unexpected power down situation. It happened only with this game.
I then had to swith my power suply to a LCpower arkangel 850w modular, as my corsair one fried up due to an isolate power surge.
I've bought a plug set with a power surge protection.
But he problems remained, this being the memory detection and now the rebooting situation with Hitman.
Oddly, after installing the latest Thief - Master thief, it happened the same rebooting problem!
After installing CPU-Z, I was surprised to see that my system was working on a single channel memory situation!! (what the......??).
I've contacted gigabyte and thy told me to update the bios. Worse!
So I did using @bios, and got the same problem as before, but now I'm not getting it to rollback again as, though detecting my usb pen in the bios menu, the Qflash is not detecting it and I've tried everything!!!
I'm going nuts HERE!!!!!
HELPPPPPPP!!!


New update...
As I can't get win7 to boot with the latest bios version, is there a way to clean the CMOS?
Because if I try to rollback the bios using Qflash, I'm given the "Incorrect file size" error, as this version of the bios only supports files above 1mb.
So now the shots are: I can get the board to recognise / fix the memory problem, remaining with the latest bios version (I've checked and it still assumes the old memory kit timings'), or I rollback the bios-I-dont't-know-how, as the only way I've been seeing is with @bios (only work in windows environment, which I can't boot, thus a constant looping situation).
AAAARRRRGHHHHHH!!!
WTF
 
You meant motherboard socket (the chipset is a component on the motherboard). If I were you I'd probably try to sell the CPU and get a socket 1150 CPU and motherboard. Finding a good and relatively inexpensive LGA 1366 motherboard may be challenging as several seem to have memory detection issues and new ones don't really exist.
 


Hi there.
Yes, it was some faulty pins in the MB's socket.
Now I have a new dilemma...
1 - just try to get a "new" / used 1366 MB, risking with the memory problem as it can also be a chipset problem (or is it just the 1366 board? Or maybe the set???). Probably is the cheapest option...
2 - get a different board and chipset, but to work with a dual channel kit (so I don't have to switch it too)...
3 - get a different board and chipset, regardless of the memory kit (more expensive)...
I also have to remember that I just can't be upgrading the pc all the time, so it has to last for a while...
As this is a gamer pc oriented, what would be your thoughts???
Thanks in advance, man
 
1 - It isn't an X58 chipset problem because it doesn't include the memory controller; it's on the CPU. The problem is finding a used motherboard that doesn't have damaged socket pins. I wouldn't rule out the processor since it's the memory controller and the only part that you never replaced.
2 - You can't get a different chipset; you have to get an X58 motherboard.
3 - You already have a DDR3 memory kit, but it's difficult to determine how compatible it would be with a socket 1150 motherboard until you provide details about it.

If it's within your budget, get an 17-4670K and a Z87 motherboard. If not, then consider an i5-4570 and an H87 or a B85 motherboard.