ASUS Rampage III GENE

[tremorz82]

Hello,

I built a mATX machine tonight to find out it won't post. Here's the specs...

CPU: I7 CPU @ 3.06 Ghz
RAM: G>Skill Ripjaws 4GB x 2 1600
Mobo: ASUS Rampage 3 Gene
HDD: 2x 640 GB Sata-3
GFX: ASUS Nvidia GTX 450 1 GB

Anyways, this thing drops dead at the memory. I have tried each mem module in all six slots individually and ran MemOK! each time. Failed every time. Do I need to be running tri-channel? I did run ROG on my lappy and it says Memory Detect in each mem slot.

Please tell me what I need to do to fix this!! Thanks in advance!

 

[ko888]

What is the exact model of the G.Skill memory modules?

The model number should be something like F3-12800CL...

Did you go into the BIOS setup and manually enter the memory timings and voltage?

 

[tremorz82]

I am using G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

I can't get into BIOS. No video display. Nothing attempts to boot. It just red lights on DRAM and goes no further. First build in a few years. Kinda frustrated.

Thanks.

 

[jaquith]

Interesting, the R3G must be closeout sale - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/285297-30-donimator-2000mhz-runs-1066mhz

CLEAR CMOS. Use the RED Slots. If needed clean the RAM contacts with Isopropyl alcohol, insert damp, clean and repeat, allow to dry 10 minutes.

Failure - Clear CMOS and bread board. I assume ALL of the power is running to the MOBO: 8 pin, 24 pin, 4/6 pin to the gtS 450.

 

[jaquith]

Duh, the G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL is a Dual Channel Kit. Not my # anything choice, but see below.

 

[ko888]

I am using G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

I can't get into BIOS. No video display. Nothing attempts to boot. It just red lights on DRAM and goes no further. First build in a few years. Kinda frustrated.

Thanks.

Do you realize that the F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL is not designed for use in X58 chipset motherboards?

The G.Skill specifications for that RAM state that it is for use in Intel P55, AMD 790 Series and AMD 890 Series chipset motherboards.

Check G.Skill's specs here for the Qualified Motherboards List:

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=239&c1=&c2=&search=RjMtMTI4MDBDTDlELThHQlJM

Your motherboard isn't on there and no X58 chipset motherboards are listed either.

 

[tremorz82]

Well, turns out the problem was me. I didn't realize the memory wasn't seating properly. Once I fixed that, board booted up fine. I have Win7 x64 installed and now just waiting on some games to install.

I do have aanother conern tho, when the machine boots/reboots, POST likes to tell me my CPU is over temperature. I'll get into BIOS and it reports the CPU running @ 185 degrees F. Doesn't matter how long the pc has been on, it always displays the over temp. BIOS came already updated to 0704.

Windows does report the temps to be aroud 135 +/- degrees F @ idle. Does this look alright??

Thanks!

 

[ko888]

Is the CPU cooler's heatsink making proper contact with the CPU's heat spreader?

Are you using the stock Intel provided CPU cooler or a third-party cooling solution?

What thermal interface material are you using?

 

[tremorz82]

It's all stock HS & F same for thermal paste.

 

[jaquith]

If you're not OC'ing then my assumption would be first, assuming the Stock CPU cooler, that it had all its thermal paste, second that it too isn't sufficiently making proper contact, third the fan isn't spinning correctly. Check its seating for ANY loose pins!

85C is WAY TOO HOT! At stock speed & stock CPU fan -> idle 35~38C is considered normal, and 45C~50C running full load e.g. Prime95. The variance is your ambient temps {72F~80F}.

 

[ko888]

Your 135°F (57.2°C) at idle is too high.

What monitoring application are you using to display the temperature?

Is the temperature that you are reporting the temperature read by the sensor chip or is it the temperature reported by the thermal diodes (core temperatures) on the CPU's silicon die?

 

[tremorz82]

@ko888> I am using the AI II Suite that came with mobo. Not sure which the program is reporting from.

EDIT: I just finished pulling the HS, turned it 1/4 to the right and reinstalled. I really dislike what intel uses for HS mounts. Bothers me having to push on the MB like that. BUT, after doing so, I booted the MB, got into BIOS to see CPU temps; immediately showing ~30 degree C or less. In Windows, I saw a 5 degree hike and it stayed there.

I've built PC's in the past; but shoot, you don't keep up with the tech, it'll kick yer butt!!

Thanks for he help!!

 

[ko888]

The Probe II Temperature portion of the AI Suite II reports the temperature provided by the sensor chip.

Core temperature is usually 10°C higher.

The Intel Core i7-950 has a max TCASE of 67.9°C. TCASE is the temperature measured at the geometric center of the top surface of the integrated heat spreader.

Definitely check the mounting of the Intel supplied cooling solution. The push pins used to secure it are crap. I never use the Intel provided cooler in my own builds. I always use a third-party one like the high end Thermalrights.

 

[ko888]

@ko888> I am using the AI II Suite that came with mobo. Not sure which the program is reporting from.

EDIT: I just finished pulling the HS, turned it 1/4 to the right and reinstalled. I really dislike what intel uses for HS mounts. Bothers me having to push on the MB like that. BUT, after doing so, I booted the MB, got into BIOS to see CPU temps; immediately showing ~30 degree C or less. In Windows, I saw a 5 degree hike and it stayed there.

I've built PC's in the past; but shoot, you don't keep up with the tech, it'll kick yer butt!!

Thanks for he help!!

Those temperatures look quite normal now. Good job.

 

[jaquith]

I am using the AI II Suite that came with mobo.

Don't use ASUS or any MOBO utilities except maybe the USB "On/Off" and then only if needed. Those utilities cause more problems then they solve. Google yourself.

It's common that people are afraid to 'crack/break' their MOBOs and all too often items, you name it {CPU HS, RAM, GPU, etc}, are often poorly connected or mounted and subsequently fail to properly function.

For temps and testing, I use:
1. Prime 95 as a "Stress Test"
link - http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/

2. CPU-Z for Settings Summary
link - http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

3. CoreTemp 0.99.x
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

4. Memtest86+ to check memory corruption
link - http://www.memtest.org/

5. HWMonitor
link - http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

 

[cdonais]

Your power supply should a lest be 650W or above and no less otherwise you will get nothing.

Hello,

I built a mATX machine tonight to find out it won't post. Here's the specs...

CPU: I7 CPU @ 3.06 Ghz
RAM: G>Skill Ripjaws 4GB x 2 1600
Mobo: ASUS Rampage 3 Gene
HDD: 2x 640 GB Sata-3
GFX: ASUS Nvidia GTX 450 1 GB

Anyways, this thing drops dead at the memory. I have tried each mem module in all six slots individually and ran MemOK! each time. Failed every time. Do I need to be running tri-channel? I did run ROG on my lappy and it says Memory Detect in each mem slot.

Please tell me what I need to do to fix this!! Thanks in advance!

 

[ko888]

Your power supply should a lest be 650W or above and no less otherwise you will get nothing.

That's not true.

For a single GeForce GTS 450 graphics card system the power supply should have a +12 Volt continuous current rating of 22 Amps or greater and at least one 6-pin PCI-E Supplementary Power Connector.

A power supply's wattage means nothing if the +12 Volt continuous current rating requirement cannot be met.