EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

[dkct99]

Hi Everyone, so I received a replacement motherboard from Gigabyte after 2 RMA issues. (I'm not bashing them, I was fine with the process, this is just the situation). Anyways, with this new board, after some serious troubleshooting (many thanks to the peeps at Guru3d and OCZ) RAM sticks in slots 1 & 3 either cause my system to reboot or it fails any MEMTEST or RAM stress test.

My Bios setup: Ram Voltage 2.10. I have my timings set to 5-5-5-18.
Under advanced timing control I have the following:
RRD = 4
WTR = 4
WR = 4
RFC = 60
RTP = 4
Command Rate = 2T

Here is my setup:

• Q6600
• PSU 850 (Dynamo Something?)
• Gigabyte ED45-UD3P
• OCZ 1066 Mhz RAM 4GB
• 4850 1 GB (2X)
• Stock Intel cooler
• Vista 32
• ATI Driver 10.2
• Creative X-Fi sound card
• 2 internal HDs
• Big case with 3 fans
• Optical Drive

My question is, is it the board again? Since slots 2 and 4 work and individually the sticks work in 1. Something about the combo in slots 1 and 3 cause the failure. I'm guessing I got a refurb, but really don't want to be without a motherboard for another few weeks. Eventually I am going to have to use slots 1 & 3 when I upgrade to 64 Bit and 8 GB.

Thanks all.

[profJim]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Follow the recommended settings in this post, after you have first loaded optimized bios settings.
To provide additional detailed information, follow steps 1 - 4 in the post.

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Thanks ProfJim, I'll give this a try as soon as I get a moment and report back.

Appreciate the help.

[profJim]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Bad memory slots is a rare but possible problem. I've only seen a few setups in the forum where this was the problem.
Your motherboard should be able to post using slots 2 & 3 or 3 & 4 and pass Memstest86+. With either of these setups, your system will not be running in dual channel mode.
Another test you can try is using 800MHz memory speed and slots 1 & 3 and/or 2 & 4.

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

I didn't have time yet to go through your instructions. But I did just try placing a stick in slot 3 and seeing what happens and it returned an error almost immediately in MEMTEST. Slots 1, 2 and 4 all DO NOT return error at all. Do you think I should go through your instructions? Or that tells you it is a problem with hardware/Slot 3.

Thanks v

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Sorry, Meant thanks ProfJim, not sure who v is.

[Chike]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Get an RMA IMO.

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Yea, that's probably what is going to happen, this is just going to be the 3rd one this year. Not sure I want to part so quickly with my system again :-(.

[profJim]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

I agree, it sounds like an RMA is required.
Three motherboard RMA's in a year points to a problem elsewhere, possibly a faulty power supply or other hardware component. Have you used the exact same hardware setup with all three attempts? Same computer case? PSU? CPU? Memory? Video card?
Is your system connected to a UPS?

User error is a possibility. Have you taken precautions to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD) when assembling your system.

Try one final test, where you have removed your motherboard from the computer case and you set it up beside the computer case, resting on a cardboard box or some books. Connect all wires and cables and test memory slot #3 with each memory module.

Ideally you would test with a different psu, memory, and video card to help rule out possible problems with other hardware.

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

I was using different PSUs at the time, have a 600W and 850W. The first time it was the 2nd PCI-E Slot, the slot actually broke in two. So I sent that back and they repaired and sent it back but windows just never would see the second card. Sent that one back and got the current replacement, both PCI-E slots work, not a problem. But now the 3rd RAM slot is faulty. I'm not mad, these things happen, and I love the motherboard.

[dkct99]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Thanks ProfJim for all your help. I actually do work with an electrostatic mat and wrist card all the time. so I try to mitigate my own human error as much as possible. But it's always possible I may have done something.

[profJim]

Re: EP45-UD3P RAM Slot Issues

Glad to help out.
Good luck, let us know how things turn out with your replacement motherboard.