cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Rampage IV Extreme, no POST

Aeshma
Level 7
Hi all, hopefully you can help me with this issue. I'm running an R4E with a 3960x. The system has been booted and run succesfully for a few weeks now. Recently I started tweaking it more to get a few more Mhz out of it. After adjusting the CPU current capability(from 100% to 120%), I noticed in core temp that my cpu throttled back from 100 x 48 to 100 x 33, the temps dropped down about 6c(from 80c on the hottest core to 74c) and then the whole system shutdown. After attempting to restart the system I had no reaction to powerbutton. No fans, no post codes, the start and reset buttons on the motherboard continued to light up however.

I unhooked the power supply from the mobo and tested it first, it started up fine. I tried using a different power supply with the system but it again would not start up(psu fan clicks on a very brief moment then off again) I can't make ROG connect work but I can use the OC key to see the OSD Monitor, but the info isn't very helpful. I tried switching between bios 1 and 2 and clearing cmos. I also tried using BIOS Flashback from a thumb drive, the indicator light seemed to show it was successful, still no post.

After trying a number of other things(removing all but one stick of ram, swapping sticks, swapping different power connectors and supplies) I found that the system would at least stay powered on if there is no power to the cpu connectors. In this state, the OC key monitor predictably shows it stuck at CPU initializing. I unfortunately do not have another lga 2011 mobo or cpu to try mix/matching to see what died(if one of these two is indeed what died).

What seems to be the most likely problem?
7,112 Views
8 REPLIES 8

Aeshma
Level 7
I also jsut tried a two power supply test. One power supply to run the 24pin atx, fans etc. The second power supply with a jumper on the 24pin atx so it will start, but only supplying power to the cpu connector, it won't stay on if connected to the cpu connector.

Lastly, if I connect all connections as they should be, and then add a jumper to the 24pin connector to connect green to black, the system again will not start up.

So... Basically, connecting power to either the 4 or 8 pin cpu connector (or connecting a 4 pin to half the 8 pin connector) prevents the psu from staying on.

So what died?

Raja
Level 13
Could be the CPU or the board. Clear CMOS and try again. If that does not bring the board back to life, re-seat the CPU and use a single memory module in the slot furthest from the CPU (either side) and then see if the board will POST. If that does not work, try the second BIOS chip on the board.

Were you cooling the VRM heatsink? The fact that the CPU was throttling should have been an indication to you that you were pushing something too far - further than the cooling you were using could handle. If one gets to such a point it is an indicator to back off rather than keep pushing until something goes south...

Necrosan
Level 12
Have another board to test the CPU in?
Tough to say what exactly has failed.
MB: ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition
CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 (Cooled by Corsair H100i w/ Noctua NF-F12 fans)
RAM: 64GB G.SKILL RipjawsZ 1600 (10-10-10-30)
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX Titan X Hybrid
TV Tuners: 2 * Hauppauge HVR-1800
Case: CoolerMaster Cosmos 2

Unfortunately no second board to try the cpu in. I had stock cooling on the mobo heatsinks, the cpu is cooled by liquid via a 3x120mm radiator on a seperate loop from the gpu's. However, I wasn't using any increased voltage on any mobo components, and the cpu was set for 1.455. But my gut is starting to lean towards a dead VRM cap. Do you think this is RMA'able. I hadn't even pushed the board yet (I'd hope 1.455v with adequate cpu cooling and a pch temp of 38c isn't pushing). Would be a pity to have to cough up another 400-some dollars for another board.

Oh, and yes the cpu has been pulled visually checked, as well as the socket pins, and then reseated. And I've swapped 4 ram sticks in the furthest dimm slot on the right. Also, I have my pump tach on the cpu_fan header to register as an active cpu cooler, and the pump runs fine when powered seperately.

I'll also add, as to the throttling part. It wasn't a matter of minutes or even seconds, if I hadn't been staring at core temp after applying the change I wouldn't have noticed, it was almost instantaneous, there was no ignoring it and pushing it further, no high voltages or high temps on the mobo, the hottest cpu core peaks at 81c which is to be expected of a 3960 at 4.8ghz with adequate cooling under load. It was a matter of taking a stable overclock, and kicking in one added asus tool (digi+) and only taking it up one step, and seeing an almost instantaneous crash, after weeks of stability. (I'll also note, a number of reviews talk about having to push this particular feature to 180%, without killing anything, where I had only gone to 120%).

Jobeo
Level 7
well i've read many times on here they indicate you must have active cooling on the VRM when you are stress testing like that...

with the voltages you were using and the stressing you were doing there is no doubt you should have had active cooling.

although it sounds like it is too late here is something i've been using i find these real handy for spot cooling

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209044
Rampage IV Extreme
3930k C2 stepping intel cpu
Gskill 32gb kit F3-17000CL9Q2-32GBZH
GTX 760
GTX 560ti
Areca 1882 Raid Controller
Crucial m4 SSDs 256gb two disk raid 0
Enermax 1350w maxrevo PSU
Cosmos 2 case

Raja
Level 13
Jobeo's post says it all really. Increasing the voltage to the CPU significantly increases the current through the VRM. Watercooling on the CPU with no active cooling over the heastink at all is NOT a good idea...