Need help please Ram not working

[Hammersdawn]

Hi All,

I have just experienced a similar issue, and reading this thread thought it relevant to add to it rather than create a new thread.

The Issue:
System Spec
Case: NZXT Phantom
MoBo: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme (3301)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3930K
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB(4x4GB) DDR3 2400Mhz
GPU: ASUS nVidia GeForce GTX 690 4GB
SSD1: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
SSD2: Crucial M4 256GB
SSD3: Crucial C300 256GB
Monitor: Samsung SA950 (1920x1080)

1. Yesterday evening I changed my CPU cooler from an Antec KÜHLER FLOW to the Corsair H100i, a very simple process without any installation issues.
2. Following the installation booted up and immediately was prompted "new processor installed" entered bios, set memory profile to XMP 2400, minor overclock to 4.3, checked the balance of settings, saved and restarted.
3. Immediately afterwards system would power but not post, manually reset bios system posted however noted that the system was now only showing 12GB Ram, and a message saying "Overclock failed".
4. Entered Bios, left default settings, saved and exited, system booted normally however only 12GB Ram.
5. Shutdown system and reseated all my modules, booted up but no luck only showing 12GB.

Note* Ram seating prior to any issues, A1-B1-C1-D1

6. Following manual slot testing it appeared C1 was not recognising the module.
7. Reseated Ram to A1-A2-B1-B2
8. Boot up 16GB detected, entered BIOS enabled XMP 2400 with 4.3 Overclock
9. Booted into Windows and ran Burn Test and other benches without issue
10. Ran Memtest - 100% pass
11. Shutdown, cold start - Bios post "Overclock Failed"
12. Reset BIOS, again XMP 2400, 4.3 Overclock, save restart, repeat all tests - 100% success
13. Shutdown, cold start - Bios post "Overclock Failed"

Now I am scratching my head, standard restarts no issue, cold start "Overclock Failed"

Anyone have any ideas, firstly why C1 would just stop working, secondly "Overclock Failed"

One last note, prior to new H100i installation, system has been stable with XMP 2400 and 4.3 Overclock for around 12 months.

[HiVizMan]

Re seat your cooler. I suspect that there is uneven pressure causing your ram issue.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi HiVizMan,

Thanks for quick response, just to be sure I understand, uneven pressure on the CPU itself could cause this type of issue?

[HiVizMan]

100% will cause this issue. And will cause many other issues too.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi Again,

Ok basically reseated processor, cooler and ram, 1st post shows 12gb, then system will not post, do a bios reset and posts with 12gb.

Removed all RAM, put one module in C1, bios reset, system wont post at all.

Any ideas?

[HiVizMan]

Yip - look in my sig you will see a guide to memtest86+

Follow that guide and take notes of what works and what does not

[Arne_Saknussemm]

If everything was stable for 12 months I would suggest it is purely a case of the new cooler displacing the CPU. Reseat it... maybe altering orientation of cooler or basicly until it doesn´t cause problems.

When tightening the thumb nuts only use fingers and 1/4 turn on each.... on alternating opposites all the way down...

Some RAM failure might have happened coincidentally but that is a long shot I reckon......

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

Thus far done pretty much everything short of pulling everything out and reseating the lot....lol

I have already run memtest with A1-A2-B1-B2 configuration with 100% success for all tests, I have now put the modules in a B1-B2-D1-D2 configuration and running memtest, so far 35% complete no errors.

It is just a mystery why 1 slot specifically C1 stopped working.

Once test concludes will post result.

[Hammersdawn]

P.S. I think the frustration is if the whole right bank was giving issues I would understand the seating issue, but it is just C1.....arggg

[HiVizMan]

The fact that it is one slot is what tells me that there is a pin or two that are not aligned onto the pads on the bottom of the CPU. 🙂