I have recently acquired a Strix Z390-E Gaming based system that was built about 2 and half years ago. The system appeared to be working fine when I took delivery, but I decided to do a tear-down in order to address some questionable build issues and poor cable routing. To cut a long story short, when I finished reassembly the jolly computer would not boot.
My next step was to reduce the system to the minimum compliment of components for testing. So just MOB, Cpu, PSU and DRAM and using integrated GPU. The DRAM comprises a 64GB kit by G.Skill Ripjaws (2 x 32GB). The kit code is F4-3200C16D-64GVK. The system boots fine with a single stick in either of the two B channel slots (B1 or B2). The system will not go past the orange LED for DRAM POST in the Q-LED array when a single stick is in either of the two A channel slots (A1 or A2). Having one stick in A2 and the other in B2 for dual channel also leads to no booting (same result as one stick in A1 or A2).
I have done the following things as part of my troubleshooting:
• Upgraded firmware from 1401 to 2004.
• Cleared BIOS settings at every step (bleed all charge at batt terminals, after removing batt).
• Tried XMP2 settings.
• Examined cpu socket pins for any damage, none seen.
When I removed the cooler I notice that it was quite firmly screwed down. I did try to replicate this torque when I first replaced the cooler. On all further testing I’ve left the cooler loosely in place.
I seem to have exhausted the common troubleshooting measures for this condition that I am aware of. There is still one thing that may benefit from further consideration. While the 4 x 16GB Ripjaws kit is on the Asus QVL list for my MOB, the 2 x 32GB kit, which I have, is not. However when I look at the G.Skill QVL list I see that my 2 x 32GB kit claims compatibility with my MOB. So either Asus has not yet tested the 2 x 64GB combo and it might be fine, or they have tested it and found it problematic.
Remembering that the 2 x 32GB kit had been working fine for over 2 years since the first build of this computer, is it possible that the original builder had some method of initialising dual channel operation of this DRAM kit with a special set of under / over clocking settings which I don’t understand yet? (The original build was dual channel B2 A2)
The only other possible cause that I can think of is that I over-tightened the cooler when I first replaced it, thereby bending pins. However I’ve looked long and hard at the socket, taken hi res photos, and cannot see any sign of pin distortion.
I would be very grateful if anyone had ideas of how to further troubleshoot my loss of channel A DRAM. It is most embarrassing that this machine was working fine until I repaired it 😞
Cheers,
Andyh77
