Constant Freezing and No Display (No BSOD), Asus M5A97 evo r2.0, amd fx 8350, G-Skill 8GB Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 Dual Kit,

[rand0mpc]

Hey all,
Having build this computer about a month ago, it was working great.
Asus m5a97 evo r2.0
Amd fx 8350
Cooler Master hyper 212 evo
G-Skill 8GB Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 Dual Kit - Red
Msi Radeon R9 280X
XFX Pro 750 W 80+ Silver PSU
Windows 8.1

At first all was great, then one day during a game, I lost all video out however power remained to keyboard, mouse, motherboard and all fans kept spinning.
I thought this was caused by GPU overheating so using the MSI afterburner software I set some personal fan profiles ( probably overkill but everything was nice and cool)
Once again all was well for nearly two weeks.
Then it happened again 🙁
This time I knew it wasn't temps as I had been obsessively monitoring them using HW monitor.
I rebooted windows and all was fine for about 10 minutes then once again I lost all video output, this time not in a game.
From here things only got worse.
When ever I turned it on it would work for a few minutes, sometimes less, then it would either freeze or loose output ( I have never had a BSOD).
Having spoken to someone I know who works with motherboards and using Tom's Hardware the following was deduced.
It was probably the RAM
After much frustration and turmoil these are the results of all my endeavours.
Having used each dimm one at a time in different slots, I found one to be faulty but the other was still cutting out it just lasted longer.

( I was using the latest BIOS)

I cleared the CMOS using the jumper
Used optimised defaults in BIOS
Tried the MemOK! button on motherboard
I tried loads of different timings from Tom's and other forums
I reseated everything except the CPU
I tried the GPU in a PCI-E x4 slot where the computer ran for longer but still froze
I have used the dual bios on the GPU
Tried to run windows memory utility thing but it froze before it completed.

Managed to get RAM stable at 1600 MHz with some timings off Tom's but still cutting out circa 15 mins

The only thing I wasn't able to do was to swap parts out as I don't know anyone else nearby who has a built computer and shops were looking for loads so it would have been cheaper to buy more RAM than get it tested.

I was still getting the same problem so:

I have RMAd the RAM and have requested a refund
Which kit would you recommend? ( 2 x 4GB please preferably 1866MHz)

I am also RMAing the GPU but have asked for a replacement since I think it's a good card

Should I also RMA the motherboard?
Perhaps I should look to replace it with a different board?

Is there anything else I could / should have done before returning the parts?

Many Thanks

 

[spooky2th]

The PSU is the first thing I would have checked.

 

[Tradesman1]

Was the DRAM running at 1866 and the proper timings? With an 8350 I'd guess a problem with the voltage to DRAM and MC (memory controller), was probably marginal...the 8350 is rated up to 1866, at 1 stick per channel, so 2133 at 2133, or 2133 at lower freqs often needs to be fine tuned with freq/timings and voltages

 

[rand0mpc]

The PSU is the first thing I would have checked.

XFX Pro 750W Semi - Modular, I really don't think that's the problem

 

[rand0mpc]

Was the DRAM running at 1866 and the proper timings? With an 8350 I'd guess a problem with the voltage to DRAM and MC (memory controller), was probably marginal...the 8350 is rated up to 1866, at 1 stick per channel, so 2133 at 2133, or 2133 at lower freqs often needs to be fine tuned with freq/timings and voltages

In the end I was only using one stick, using loads of suggested timings, voltages etc. and still nothing.
However eventually I did get one stick working at 1600 Mhz for about half an hour before the same problem happened.
Since I've already returned the RAM, could you recommend any that work well with my board, you seem to be quite the expert from all the posts I've been reading recently.
Thanks

 

[Tradesman1]

I'd go the GSkill Snipers in 1866/9

 

[rand0mpc]

Thanks, I'll give those a go.
If the problem persists would you say its probably the motherboard?

 

[ben79b]

Did you find a solution to this?

Interestingly I have a similar build with similar problems. My hardware()

Amd fx 8350
Cooler Master hyper 212 evo
G-Skill 8GB Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 Dual Kit - Red. (Kingston HyperX Fury 2x4gb 1600)
Msi Radeon R9 280X
XFX Pro 750 W 80+ Silver PSU (EVGA SuperNOVA 750W)
Windows 8.1

Built the system a few days ago and until today I've suffering constant freezes and unresponsive monitor on boot. Restarting several times allows a boot but eventually system freezes after a few minutes of activity.

Now the system doesn't boot at all, or I assume so, as there is no output to the monitor but fans are engaged, motherboard light is on and hardware appears to be powered.

At a loss of what to do at this stage?
Apologies if I have raided this thread but thought the similarity in hardware set up was relevant.

 

[spooky2th]

Did you find a solution to this?

Interestingly I have a similar build with similar problems. My hardware()

Amd fx 8350
Cooler Master hyper 212 evo
G-Skill 8GB Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 Dual Kit - Red. (Kingston HyperX Fury 2x4gb 1600)
Msi Radeon R9 280X
XFX Pro 750 W 80+ Silver PSU (EVGA SuperNOVA 750W)
Windows 8.1

Built the system a few days ago and until today I've suffering constant freezes and unresponsive monitor on boot. Restarting several times allows a boot but eventually system freezes after a few minutes of activity.

Now the system doesn't boot at all, or I assume so, as there is no output to the monitor but fans are engaged, motherboard light is on and hardware appears to be powered.

At a loss of what to do at this stage?
Apologies if I have raided this thread but thought the similarity in hardware set up was relevant.

See if you can boot into BIOS. Make sure it is et up right if you can. Also, flashing the latest version might help even if you are already running the latest version. Sometimes the bios develops problems and a re-flash corrects the problems. Don't forget to set up the bios correctly after a flash or a reset.

 

[ben79b]

Just successfully updated to latest bios using flashback. Managed to get into bios then the system froze whilst still in bios. Took several restarts to boot into bios then froze again. Does this sound like a motherboard issue?

 

[spooky2th]

Try one stick of memory at a time in each slot. Do this with each stick to maybe narrow down a problem. Could be bad memory, the MB or even the CPU. Also, check the voltages on the PSU. If you have another one or can maybe borrow one, try that and see if the problem goes away.

 

[rand0mpc]

Did you find a solution to this?

Interestingly I have a similar build with similar problems. My hardware()

Amd fx 8350
Cooler Master hyper 212 evo
G-Skill 8GB Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 Dual Kit - Red. (Kingston HyperX Fury 2x4gb 1600)
Msi Radeon R9 280X
XFX Pro 750 W 80+ Silver PSU (EVGA SuperNOVA 750W)
Windows 8.1

Built the system a few days ago and until today I've suffering constant freezes and unresponsive monitor on boot. Restarting several times allows a boot but eventually system freezes after a few minutes of activity.

Now the system doesn't boot at all, or I assume so, as there is no output to the monitor but fans are engaged, motherboard light is on and hardware appears to be powered.

At a loss of what to do at this stage?
Apologies if I have raided this thread but thought the similarity in hardware set up was relevant.

Just successfully updated to latest bios using flashback. Managed to get into bios then the system froze whilst still in bios. Took several restarts to boot into bios then froze again. Does this sound like a motherboard issue?

Eventually, yep.
Did everything and everything, machine was running latests bios but still froze in bios, I know what I'm doing in that respect, all set up properly.
RMA'd mobo and all fixed although I went for a Sabertooth 990FX this time as it is much better suited to the fx 8350 so if you can I'd reccomend that.
I know how frustrating it can be but stick with it 😀

 

[ben79b]

Thanks both for the input. Just tested ram as mentioned still no boot. Isolated devices and tested individually including GPU in secondary PCI slot - still no boot. Did manage one boot to bios checked voltages and all in normal range before system freeze again. Looks like RMA is on the cards and will consider the sabertooth as a replacement but just wondering why it is more suited to the 8350?

 

[rand0mpc]

Overall just a better board and much better chipset.

 

[ben79b]

Quick update. I RMA'd the board back and upgraded to the ASUS M5A99FX. Once installed, exact same problem - no post.
Also, the new board facilitates LED feedback to show issues with attached components. In this case the red CPU light was lit constantly. Finally, I managed to find a computer shop that could swap out the processor with an older AM3 CPU and voila, system posted successfully.

Conclusion: Faulty CPU.

 

[spooky2th]

Cool, now you know. Problem solved.