Would You RMA this ASUS Z-170A board?

[EstimatedEyes]

My Z170-A has had a few problems since my build, most notably that it won't post if an XMP profile is enabled. Also have had issues with AiChargerPlus causing random restarts that appear to have been solved by uninstalling the app, which I don't need. I have been able to get my memory to run at 2666 without using XMP, so performance boost from actually getting it to spec (2800) is probably negligible.

The board otherwise seems to run fine.

ASUS support has said the XMP fault is due to a hardware error, and has initiated an RMA, and appears to be ready to follow through by shipping me an advance replacement so I am not without a computer while they troubleshoot it (great service, assuming they do it).

Would you RMA the board? I am mostly worried about the current faults being a warning of problems in the future, as just getting XMP to run doesn't seem worth the hassle of replacing the mobo, especially if the board would otherwise run fine for the rest of its expected life.

Opinions?

 

[glamdringfh]

Yes. Return it.

ASUS is taking responsibilty for the defect and willing to replace it. There is no reason to keep hold of the faulty one, especialy since you also have a backup PC.

 

[dhvd79a]

"especially if the board would otherwise run fine for the rest of its expected life."

Do you trust a board that has a known hardware problem to run fine for the rest of its expected life. I wouldn't.

 

[kawininjazx]

If you RMA a board to ASUS they ignore your comments. They will just make sure the board turns on, then they will send it back to you. The only way to get a replacement is to fry the board before you send it.

 

[ajhockey3]

If you RMA a board to ASUS they ignore your comments. They will just make sure the board turns on, then they will send it back to you. The only way to get a replacement is to fry the board before you send it.

Never heard that one before, Care to enlighten me?

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU, what model of DRAM (model #), chances are good, depending on the CPU that A) The CPU can't handle 2800 at all (silicon lottery) or B) to run 2800 you will need additional voltage to the MC (memory controller) and possibly a an OC or higher OC of the CPU to carry 2800, both of these are possibles, see it all the time. Provide the hardware requested and we can likely get things to work right (also ensure you have the latest BIOS

 

[kawininjazx]

If you RMA a board to ASUS they ignore your comments. They will just make sure the board turns on, then they will send it back to you. The only way to get a replacement is to fry the board before you send it.

Never heard that one before, Care to enlighten me?

I run a computer shop, every board I ever RMAd to ASUS came back in the same condition like they never touched it. If a board had a problem with a USB header, it would come back with the same bad header. One had to have the bios reset to post, sent the same one back same problem. Therefore I fry the boards before I send them back so I get an actual replacemnt.

 

[EstimatedEyes]

Heard back from ASUS and they say they don't have a unit available to do an advance replacement. So if I want to do this have to go the standard RMA route, which means (for me) I will have to buy a new board and then try to resell the old one if it comes back repaired or replaced.

You all have captured my indecision perfectly --
its broke, of course replace it; otoh asus may say its not, then I'm stuck.

answer really comes down to what likely caused this and is it really something to worry about for the future or not, and not a lot to go on to guess at that. Even if its going to fry in 3 years I'd rather wait to buy a new one til it does, then to go through the hassle of buying a replacement now. If its going to fry in 3 months, different story.

its got a i5-6600K skylake cpu and 4x8GB mushkin blackline ddr2800 (16-16-16-16 36). bios is updated through 901 (1101 has potential errors so reverted back). cpu is a good one -- stable overclock at 4.8 Ghz through the Asus 5-way tool, temps <50 under load, and memory at 2666 Ghz @ 1.2012v.

I asked some of these questions for Asus too, and will post back when i hear their response.

 

[Tradesman1]

Try raising the DRAM VTT voltage up +0.07 then enable XMP and profile 1