Z790 Maximus Hero Q-Codes 50-57 (game crashes)

[RickJamesBish]

Z790 Maximus Hero - 64GB G-Skill DDR5 - ROG 4090 - One 1TB NVME - Two 2TB NVME

Using DCS World as example but issue happens on other titles. System has been running fine until about 3 weeks ago when performance and locking issues started. The issues got progressively worse to the point I cannot play a game at all.

Noticed game was loading erratically. Would load fast and play normally. Next time would load extremely slow and once in the game with level loaded it would turn into a sideshow requiring killing the process. Could return to windows, which seems to run fine.

Initially had 32gb RAM and added 32 on recommendation from support received on DCS forum. This did not fix the issue and lockups got more frequent. This is when I noticed Q-Codes 50-57 displaying, and they seem to appear whenever a GPU accelerated app is loading. For example will not display when DCS World is loaded but will as soon as I start a mission. 

Things I have done.

• Swapped in identical MB
• Tried new RAM
• Re-installed Windows Fresh
• Reset bios / closed
• Installed windows on different drive
• Installed game(s) on dffnt drive
• Bios already updated on both MB
• Display Driver Removal tool
• Latest GPU driver
• All RAM passed multiple MEMTEST
• CPU passed Intel diag tool
• NVMEs passed manufacturers diag.
• Tried RAM in two slots as well as each stick individually.
• Tried same RAM Kit from a working system both in pair, individual and in each slot

The GPU is the only thing I cannot swap out since I don't have access to one. I did remove it physically and enable onboard. Will have to test again but if I recall I got same 5x error codes that way as well.

Today I am trying a borrowed identical CPU but seems Intel test would have reported something.

I am leaning towards GPU since the error come up when I load games and apps the utilize GPU acceleration.

Thoughts or recommendations welcome. 

[Silent_Scone]

Hi,
You need to remove one of the memory kits, first off as this will undoubtably cause more problems if the system was already unstable. Sounds like quite the disaster you're having. 

Combining and mixing memory kits isn't supported by memory or motherboard vendors. If you combine memory kits, the overclocked settings in which the kit is validated for XMP/EXPO are no longer valid. Purchase a single kit validated for the density and frequency you are trying to run. This is because memory vendors bin and validate the memory kit in the density in which it is sold. Whether we combine a kit with the same part number, frequency, timings or voltage the advice remains the same.

I'd recommend firstly listing full system specs including memory kit part number.

[RickJamesBish]

They are all the same kits..
Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 16Gx2 CL32-39-39-102 1.4v
F5-6400J3239G16GA2-TZ5RK

I do not overclock. XMP is disabled and with the exception to fan speeds and RGB being turned off, the bios is default.

I have also already tried two sticks in the recommended slots, which was my initial build, as well as the alternate two slots. Then tried just 1 stick in each slot, using each of the 4 sticks. After that I borrowed two more of the same kit from a working system without errors and tried those two in the recommended, alternate and each slot individually. Any combination results in the same errors. Also all 6 pass multiple MEMTEST86 full tests.

[Silent_Scone]

At any point have you tried removing the CPU and inspecting the CPU and pin-pad? 

Are you using a contact frame at all, or the stock retention bracket?

[RickJamesBish]

Yes I examined both ans they looked fine, but as stated I swapped out the motherboard completely. I am using the stock bracket but have a Thermalright arriving tomorrow. Also trying a known good identical CPU today. After that, i think i will have eliminated everything except the GPU, although I get the same error codes with the 4090 removed so I think it has been eliminated as well.

[RickJamesBish]

Update on what I have tried so far..

Things I have done.

• Swapped in an identical MB
• Re-installed Windows on original m.2
• Installed Windows on a different m.2
• Reset bios / cmos
• Installed game(s) on different m.2 in different slots
• Confirmed latest bios and drivers on both MBs used during troubleshooting
• Display Driver Removal to remove all GPU drivers
• Installed Latest GPU driver and also tried older driver
• Physically removed Strix 4090 from system and used DDU to remove driver
• CPU passed Intel diagnostics using Intel utility
• NVMEs passed manufacturers diagnostics
• Installed new RAM
• Tested all RAM used with MEMTEST86 multiple times and all passed with no errors
• RAM tried in all slots in pairs and individually
• Installed another i7-13700k from a working system
• Tried having only one NVME drive installed with Windows and games, in different slots

I think short of trying a different Keyboard, Mouse and monitor, I have tried everything. The issue occurs with the GPU removed, but since I only have onboard GPU to test with, I can't really test a game by actually playing it, but I can see the error codes display as they do when the 4090 is installed, so I don't think it is the 4090.

Last effort is to try different RAM kit all together. Although my current kit worked for nearly a year with no apparent issues, I do not see it on the ASUS QVL. I have one that is listed on the way.

Anyone that is following this, what does the "Socket Support" column represent in the memory QVL list?

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

Regarding the memory spec, although "F5-6400J3239G16GA2-TZ5RK" is listed in the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO QVL, it is supported for one kit with two modules.

Please attention to the official motherboard website under "Support," > memory QVL>"Check purchasing and installation guide," which state:

Ensure that all memory modules are from the same validated memory kit. Do not mix DIMMs from different memory kits—even if they are the same brand and model (e.g., two DIMMs each from two different memory kits). 
Mixing and matching DIMMs can result in a failure to boot and compatibility issues.

Additionally, please also ensure installation in the DIMM_A2 and B2 slots as recommended in the user manual.
Concerning the Q-code, could you clarify if codes 50-57 appear during the booting process or while using the system after booting?
Regarding the game loading erratically, may I ask if the situation you described happened after any changes were made? For example, adjusting the BIOS settings or connecting an external device
Could you confirm your current BIOS version? If you haven't updated to the latest version 1801 released on December 22, 2023, please consider updating and clearing CMOS, then check again.

Thank you.

[RickJamesBish]

The codes (some of them) display during boot up. Once in windows they seem to stop but return during the loading of a game or application like Photoshop. The kits is installed in the two recommended slots.

1. Originally had one F5-6400J3239G16GA2-TZ5RK kit (same error codes but can play all games). A poor running DCS game got me investigating the QCode display, which I had never paid notice to before. 
2. Added another F5-6400J3239G16GA2-TZ5RK (same error codes but then all games lock up)
3. Removed both kits and got one F5-6800J3445G32GX2-TZ5RK. This took the system back to running like it was originally. All games running fine with the exception of the DCS title and also still have the codes during boot and game loads.

   I understand the 4 dimms made issues worse because it's not supported, which is why I removed them and went with 2 32 Dimms.  I do not understand why the the 50 series codes are displaying during boot and during game / application loading.

   I eliminated my specific Motherboard, CPU and RAM, by replacing them with the same components, basically building a new system. The error codes still display on boot up and game loads.

   Is there a way I can create a provide a log from the bios that would help in figuring this out? 

[RickJamesBish]

I have now eliminated all hardware as far as my original components being the issue. I did so by building a new system consisting of the same hardware with the exception of the Video card, which I put a borrowed card.

• New Maximus Hero
• New Ram (2 16gb listed as compatible on ASUS site installed in recommended slots)
• New CPU
• Borrowed Graphics Card (3070)
• New NVME drive
• Updated MB Bios to latest
• Installed Windows
• Updated Windows
• Installed two games (DCS and Ready or Not)
• New KB and Mouse. Unlikely causing the issue but just in case)

Still get the same occurrences of the 50 codes. I am confident the issue is the Asus MB / Bios and that the codes have been displaying since my original build but just never noticed them.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

Due to the ongoing local holidays in our area, my response time may experience delays.
I apologize for any inconvenience the delayed replies may have caused.

Could you please confirm if the hardware brand and model you are currently using are as noted in your signature?
Please share the following information to help us further consult with the relevant departments
(as you've tested two configurations, please provide the following inquiries separately to avoid confusion)
- the current BIOS version and the images of manually adjuesting items in BIOS, or whether it is the default
- the serial numbers of your motherboard via DM
- the brand, model name, and part number of the DRAM currently installed
- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed
- are there any extensions or adapters used to connect any devices, such as GPU or SSD?
- the OS version and OS build
- the name, version, and crash frequency of the game where this issue occurs
- a comprehensive video recording of the issue, including synchronized recording of CPU and GPU temperatures during gameplay, the situation at the time of the crash, and the subsequent reboot after the crash

Thank you.