Question A motherboard failure or hardware incompatibility?

[ineuw01]

1. Two consecutively purchased Intel 1200 Pentium Gold 6400 CPU, failed with the same ASRock Z590 Pro 4 ATX motherboard, with either one, or two Silicon Power DDR4 3200 Mhz 8 GB memory,
2. Tested the motherboard with both memory modules in slots 1 and 3 and 2 and 4. Then with single memory module in slot 1.
3. Tried the same with a set of 2666Mhz of a different manufacture.
   The components never started, except for the CPU fan.
4. The PSU is a 650 Watt Antec 80 Bronze with 40-50% capacity in use.
5. The motherboard warning lights rejected either, or both, CPU and the memory modules.
6. Contacted ASRock Tech support and reported the problem. They said it was a defective CPU.
7. Replaced the CPU, re-assembled the hardware, and it worked, but the 3200 mhz DDR4 was rated as 2666 mhz.
8. Successfully updated the BIOS from 2019 to the Jan 2023 update immediately, but there was no change in the RAM 2666 mhz rating.
9. The hardware worked for a day and then died.
10. Repeated the same tests as with the first CPU.
11. Returned the motherboard

I am looking for another LGA 1200 motherboard for the same CPU.

 

[dwd999]

Successfully updated the BIOS from 2019 to the Jan 2023 update immediately, but there was no change in the RAM 2666 mhz rating.

What Jan 2023 bios? Website says latest is version 2.00 4/14/2022. Did you follow the Instant Flash instructions?

ASRock Z590 Pro4

Supports 10th Gen Intel Core™ Processors and 11th Gen Intel Core™ Processors; 14 Phase Dr.MOS Power Design; Supports DDR4 4800MHz (OC); 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1, 1 x M.2 Key-E for WiFi; Graphics Output Options: HDMI, DisplayPort; 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC897 Audio...

www.asrock.com

 

[ineuw01]

YES, but we are both right! That is what I downloaded and installed successfully from the USB.
On first reboot, it was version 2.0, 2022/4/14.
Then some hours later, it updated to Jan 2023, without any action on my part.
I installed CPU-X, which the Llinux version, to monitor more closely.
I still have the "Z590 Pro4(2.00)ROM.zip" file with the download date of May 05, 2023. After it failed I waited for return approval and returned the motherboard on the 16th. I was already credited with the purchase. If I still have a screenshot, I will post it.

I am still searching for an ASRock product, but only because I am fond of its performance and reliability from prior experience with a LGA 1151 Pentium Gold.