bad x99 Asus boards?

[mac_angel]

Core i7 6850k
G-Skill 3200 RAM and Corsair 3200 RAM (not at the same time, just swapping and testing)
MSI X99A SLI Plus (original mobo). Problem board for thread is Asus X99A II
Corsair HX1200i PSU
Corsair 280 watercooler (can't remember the exact model, before the LED stuff)

I have an existing system, but the motherboard is starting to crap out on me (sensors, fan control, USB and ethernet cutting out intermittently, etc). I had a friend send me his Asus X99A II motherboard that he got back from warranty, but never used - he bought a replacement. He said he never even opened the box, so I was the first to try it. Plugged everything in, press the power button, starts to cycle up, and then shuts down after a couple of seconds. Q codes go off before I can see what it's stopping at, but generally not the same one each time. Tried different RAM slots, even different different RAM manufacturer, different GPU, tried swapping the CPU power cable around since the new one uses and 8 and a 4 and my older system just uses a single 8 (power supply is a Corsair HX1200i, so powerful enough). Tried flashing the BIOS, resetting, changing the battery. All same results. Put everything back in the original system and it's working, just poorly.
Googling the problem it seems that Asus has problems with the X99 chipset boards. Even talking to their tech support they were rather fast to offer an RMA. I don't give up easy, so wondering if there's something I'm missing. I've reseated everything a few times over. Only one thing I can think of is trying to change out the second CPU power cable with another (first board used a single 8 pin, Asus uses an 8 and a 4). I did try it in different ports on the PSU, as well as swapping them, and choosing opposite 4 pins from the 8 pin cable. I really doubt it's the second cable since it was brand new. I put the old system back together, and a little hesitant about tearing it all down just to try a third cable.
Short of trying anything new, as I mentioned, I did find a lot on Google that Asus X99 boards are pretty bad. Is there one that I might be able to push for that is more reliable?

 

[romirez]

Not heard about total bad Asus x99.
Brand new mobos may come with old/bad bios.
Check with CPU+Speaker only. Wait for beeps.

 

[mac_angel]

Not heard about total bad Asus x99.
Brand new mobos may come with old/bad bios.
Check with CPU+Speaker only. Wait for beeps.

well, since it's shutting down, and at different times during the posting where even the last Q-code that displays is different before shutting down, I don't see the speaker being any help. And as I said, I do have the old system back up and running, I'm on it now. I just can't do any more than regular web browsing. But at least that's something, and I'd prefer not to unhook everything, tear it down, and plug everything in again just to listen to a speaker. I do thank you for the idea, and I might end up giving it a try over the weekend, but I'd like to get a few ideas set up before doing all that.

 

[karenjoly]

I have used the x99/A-USB3.1 for a couple of years now with the same cpu you have and have never even bothered to update UEFI. I have heard some on-line complaints sure but here she's a beauty. I am blessed tho cause I have always bought ASUS and never had an issue, like since 1999.
I even named my new pup asus.

 

[mac_angel]

I have used the x99/A-USB3.1 for a couple of years now with the same cpu you have and have never even bothered to update UEFI. I have heard some on-line complaints sure but here she's a beauty. I am blessed tho cause I have always bought ASUS and never had an issue, like since 1999.
I even named my new pup asus.

do you have any suggestions I could try to get this to work? It's literally DOA. My friend that sent it to me said he sent his original one back for warranty, and upgraded - bought a new, better model, while waiting for the RMA. When he got the board back, he said it's just been sitting on the shelf. He never even opened the box until he offered to send it to me, and that was just to look to see if the I/O shield was there (it's not). I've tried all the basics, including swapping out the battery - though that was also the battery with the existing motherboard, the one that's giving me problems. I can try another battery, but I doubt that's going to be it.
If I was forced to make a guess. I'd think there was something wrong with the temperature since the first start up lasts the longest. But with thermal throttling, and me seeing the thermal paste definitely being spread out from the pressure, I really don't think that's it.
What also sucks is my memory isn't the greatest any more. I actually used to be an IT technician at IBM. I've been on disability for a while now, and I know I have forgotten way more than the average tech geek even knows. I'm really wanting to believe that Asus didn't send a DOA mobo, and that I'm just missing something.

FYI. Part of the reason I believe my old mobo is dying is one of the temp sensors reports 127*C, and the next one reports 12*C. All the rest are 26*-27*C, CPU idle is 20*-23*C. Closed loop, in the basement, so ambient is pretty cool, but definitely not 12*C. Plus other problems, including not getting SLI to work correctly any more. Not sure if a GPU is having problems on top of everything else. Today I'm going to put them in another system and try some things.

 

[karenjoly]

That board has a series of problems I normally associate with the power supply. I would replace the Corsair and use the cable connections as required by the cpu in particular.
Otherwise this version of the ASUS x99 chipset board is worth a try.

 

[mac_angel]

That board has a series of problems I normally associate with the power supply. I would replace the Corsair and use the cable connections as required by the cpu in particular.
Otherwise this version of the ASUS x99 chipset board is worth a try.

troubleshooting the MSI board a few weeks ago, majority agreed that the problems I was having were chipset related. I don't see how the power supply can change the thermal sensor readings on the motherboard. I don't mind giving it a crack though. I still have the older power supply, another Corsair, but an 850. Since I'm just testing the motherboard issues, on both motherboards, when I get a chance, I'll just throw in a small GPU. The 850 isn't strong enough for a core i7 6850k and two Asus Strix GTX 1080ti OC.
At the moment I'm just installing Windoze on an old m.SATA drive that I found from a few years ago onto my friend's computer. Picked up the motherboard on eBay and was really surprised when it showed up and had an m.SATA slot right under the CPU. And, yes, it's m.SATA, not m.2, lol. My old m.SATA drive is an OCZ, that should tell you how old it is, lol.
Worst case scenario, I'll be gaming on that thing until I get the mobo RMA'd.