PC cant boot when 4 RAMs inserted, boots with 2 RAMs

[tosstoss]

today I have built my new PC with asus z10pe-d16 WS motherboard and 4x16 GB kingston RAM. I am not able to boot up the machine with all 4 RAM sticks (A1 B1 C1 D1 slots) inserted, it gets stuck on the q code 67 (cpu dxe initialization). When only 2 RAMs are inserted (A1 B1 slots) then the machine boots up fine.

I have tried switching the first 2 RAMs for the second 2 RAMs, as long as any RAMs are in the first two slots the boot works, with 4 RAMs it doesnt. So the RAM sticks themselves should be fine.

Does anyone have any idea what can I do or try now to further pinpoint the issue?

 

[veladem]

What exact RAM do you have?

 

[tosstoss]

this kingston 64 GB RAM kit - http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-2133MHz-KVR21R15D4K4-64/dp/B00NLZANJO

 

[alexoiu]

I suggest re-seating the CPU, taking a picture of the CPU socket and posting it here.

 

[Barty1884]

You're 100% sure you're populating A1, B1, C1 & D1? The seem to 'flip the order' of the RAM modules

Section 'B' (for CPU#1) goes:
A1
A2
B1
B2

You then use section 'D' on the other side of CPU #1 but they're 'flipped' (as if you rotated the board)
Keeping the same orientation of the board, you'd then have:

D2
D1
C2
C1

So you'd populate the 1st & 3rd slot on the board (in section 'B')
Then the 2nd & 4th (in section 'D')

https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1010860/

Of course, if you're 100% sure that's already accurate, then I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[tosstoss]

Goddamn those chinese cpu sellers!! Thank you alexoiu for suggesting to re-seat the CPU, I noticed that it is scratched on the bottom!

Here is a pic - http://s33.postimg.org/wl9j4v1z3/cpu.png - those are actual two tiny holes, deeper than just scratches, I have no idea how it is possible to damage the cpu like this.

I have ordered the CPUs as a pair and I have put now the unscratched CPU in the CPU 1 socket and the PC boots up fine and all 4 RAMs work. I assume it is correct to say now that those two holes on the CPU caused this issue and I should complain to the seller to get a new second CPU? Although it really sounds strange to me that the holes prevent the CPU from working with 4 RAMs but 2 RAMs work with it just fine

 

[Barty1884]

Depending on what those 'holes' are hitting, as in what those pins control.

It's highly possible it's part of the memory controller & the damage impacts it's ability to communicate properly with the 'B' bank of DIMM slots.

 

[alexoiu]

If in the memory controller area, then a faulty contact CPU-motherboard can cause this kind of issues. Not very common, though, with CPUs. Usually, the pins in the CPU socket get bent.