X79 Extreme3 - No Post

[Death_Punchies]

Hi,

I recently bought the following components to build a new PC:

MB - ASRock X79 Extreme3
Processor - Intel Core i7-3820 3.6Ghz LGA2011
Processor cooler - Arctic Cooling Freezer i30
Memory - 4 x 2GB Kingston HyperX 2400Mhz DDR3 (KHX2400C11D3K4/8GX)
Graphics - Asus GeForce GTX 560Ti 1GB
Case - Corsair Carbide 500R
PSU - Corsair TX650 modular PSU
SSD - 128GB Corsair drive
Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB

With all components installed I get the case fan and processor fans starting up but no post. I removed the RAM completely and I get 3 consecutive beeps, so I installed one DIMM in alternate slots and still no post.

I then removed all components and took the MB outside the case hooked up to only the PSU and CPU installed with cooler and no RAM or Graphics card - 3 beeps again as expected. Installed the RAM and nothing - no post or single system beep.

Assuming it's the RAM I then replaced it with a Kingston DDR3 1600Mhz HyperX CL9 DIMM with the same results. I've also tried Crucial's Ballistix Sport 1600Mhz and still nothing.

Anyone have any ideas what component may be faulty or installed incorrectly? There are no LEDs on this board to tell me where the problem lies...

[Reepur]

I had the same issue, In my case , turned out to be the RAM.

[Death_Punchies]

Thanks Reepur,

I've taken the memory out and tested it in a Dell Optiplex 990 PC using the Dell diagnostics and all came back ok. So I've now tried (and tested) the following memory that doesn't seem to work in the X79 Extreme3 :

Kingston KHX2400C11D3K4
Kingston KHX1600C9D3K2
Ballistix Sport BLS4G3D1609DS1S00.16FMR

I know only the top one is on the ASRock compatibility but assuming the RAM is ok from the tests on the Dell then could it still be compatibility - I'm reluctant to go out and buy more RAM that is on the list as it's starting to become an expensive build...!

[Death_Punchies]

I've just read a post on an Intel DX79TO board with a similar issue that is related to the BIOS revision on the board not being up to date enough to be compatible with the i7-3820 processor.

The BIOS version I have on my X79 Extreme3 board is P1.10. On the ASRock compatibility list the M1 revision of the processor needs BIOS P1.30.

Assuming I have the M1 revision (nothing on the processor seems to tell me this) could I see this issue where there is no post? And if so, how would I get the updated P1.30 BIOS installed with the current processor in place?

[profJim]

Is an 8-pin EPS12v or 4-pin ATX_12v power cable connector plugged in to the motherboard?

[Death_Punchies]

Hi Profjim - yep, the 8-pin ATX is connected + 24-pin main connector, and the 2 x PCI-E 6-pin connectors to the graphics card... so all good on power.

I'm pretty sure it's the BIOS revision (P1.10) on the board doesn't register the i7-3820 CPU so I'm going to try an earlier i7-3930K CPU tomorrow to see if I can flash the BIOS, return the chip and put the 3820 back. All very frustrating as it's a catch-22 unless you can get an earlier chip or a board with a later BIOS. If this fails I'll put a support request in to ASRock and see if they can send over an updated BIOS chip I can fit.

[profJim]

Good luck, let us know how you make out.