Dark Rock 4 owners - i need re-assurance.

Plec said:
**** - I'm going to have to try a different case. 4 screws (top 3 and second one down nearest edge of backplate loosely fitted to limit sliding) and, still operational with driver installs and 6 restarts. I realise, very limited testing but it would have normally corrupted by now.

It's not really proved anything more that i'm already assuming but it's another piece of evidence that's forced my hand into testing in another case after i've finished a few calls :/ (Damn you @Danny75 :D - i knew i had to do it, but i needed a shove, your test gave me no way out, kudos, and #$*&ing bloodies!)
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lol

And yes, limited testing too early to say. Keep us posted.
 
OK, no surprise, Windows becomes corrupted in a different case too - so very damning for the motherboard.

Put in an RMA (waiting for reply- but will have to buy replacement now and get them to reimburse when they've done their testing as I need a working system now.

YAY - of sorts - knackered. Stripped down the old system in approx 3 minutes flat, It's going to take a lot longer to assemble - cables and drives everywhere....
 
Danny75 said:
Best of luck new mobo sorts it, does seem like it's been narrowed down to that now.
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Cheers @Danny75

Ordered a replacement from OcUK - should arrive tomorrow.

Awaiting reply from Customer Services forum but they're usually pretty good (suspect they're busy with lots of panic buying/prices) and i've been as detailed as i can, outlining fault. Plus, the RMA (refund of the new board - as it's gone up) should be a formality, in theory. Especially, if i have an up and running system tomorrow...

But, appreciate that they're probably busy so refund delay is small price to pay for up and running workstation (i hope!).
 
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Plec said:
Cheers @Danny75

Ordered a replacement from OcUK - should arrive tomorrow.

Awaiting reply from Customer Services forum but they're usually pretty good (suspect they're busy with lots of panic buying/prices) and i've been as detailed as i can, outlining fault. Plus, the RMA (refund of the new board - as it's gone up) should be a formality, in theory. Especially, if i have an up and running system tomorrow...

But, appreciate that they're probably busy so refund delay is small price to pay for up and running workstation (i hope!).
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what you go for buddy ???

if under 14 days should be very quick, unless MSI is very slow
 
OcUK are dealing with the RMA as I type (very quickly and courteously i might add) - so much easier using their CS forums.

orbitalwalsh said:
new B450 toma ? Pro-A is same board but smaller heatsink
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Forgot about the heatsink (would have bought the other bequiet) - but the Dark Rock 4 should be fine on a fully functioning board. I've fitted bigger coolers on flimsier boards and never had a problem like this. Admittedly, no m.2 slot...
 
Plec said:
OcUK are dealing with the RMA as I type (very quickly and courteously i might add) - so much easier using their CS forums.


Forgot about the heatsink (would have bought the other bequiet) - but the Dark Rock 4 should be fine on a fully functioning board. I've fitted bigger coolers on flimsier boards and never had a problem like this. Admittedly, no m.2 slot...
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order the xtreme for yourself then ?

hopefully sorted by weekend
 
Well, the guy in the returns forum has been excellent - testing needs to be completed, as i reported a fault, but I will receive a full refund regardless, when testing is done. The guy was, succinct and answered all my questions quickly and accurately.

I've not had to return anything to them, personally, in ages, as i make all the people i build for buy and return via their own accounts. But, credit where it's due @Jargan (hope he doesn't mind being doxxed), made the whole process very simple - kudos. A relief with what i'm having to juggle this week (kids home too) - i feel like i'm spinning plates while trying to model the solution to the Travelling salesman problem...

@Yewen, @fiveub (preferred 5UP :p) and @StigBourne were excellent in the past too - presuming they still are but not crossed paths in a while (although i think yewen moved on - i can't keep track, i've been on these forums too long.)

Anyway, a few more hours, then beer o'clock - it's virtually Friday, @tamzzy :p

*Will keep you posted when receive new board tomorrow (hopefully).
 
Fingers crossed all works as it should with new motherboard.

My hat is off to you. You've done a lot of trial and error testing in short amount of time.
 
doyll said:
Fingers crossed all works as it should with new motherboard.

My hat is off to you. You've done a lot of trial and error testing in short amount of time.
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Thanks, @doyll, appreciated your input.

Unfortunately, i didn't be get my new motherboard today as it looks like it got held up in processing. I think they're experiencing much more demand than normal, and probably reduced staffing levels (guessing) - so i won't have any updates until Monday
 
Well, DPD have informed me i'm receiving my replacement motherboard this morning - so either OcUK did me a solid or DPD are expediting all deliveries regardless of weekday/weekend (original slot was due Monday).

I've received a replacement DR 4 too (different company as had credit to use), as i wanted that ruled out in diagnostic process. In hindsight i regret not buying a Noctua/Mugens but no stock - as I have nagging doubt about the DR 4's fitting, and the pressure it applies, via its method on this particular board when using the m.2 slot. I realise the stock cooler did the same - but that was after the placement of the DR4. This time i may install stock cooler first test and then the DR4 (if i have time) as that will be as conclusive as my testing could get if the problem was to present itself again.

Or, i install the DR 4 with the motherboard already installed into the case which should limit any flexing... (But would be a PITA to fit.).

*Realise - that the DR4 shouldn't be an issue - and have read nothing like this anywhere else - but as mentioned, no other examples of an NVMe and DR4 combined with this board so no data to cross reference (none that i've found with a brief search.). If it did fail, it would point to a board vulnerability - but for now i'm hoping it pops into life and allows me to get rid of some boxes, and concentrate on other things when not working...

Thoughts?
 
Thinking of buying the Noctua NH-U12S - i can only get the Cromax for next day delivery so £10 more for a cooler you're never going to see :/

Looked again at the DR 4 (especially the replacement) - my gut keeps telling me that it may be contributing factor, and the Noctua fitting i know is not as pressured/brutal - and as @EsaT said:

EsaT said:
And without spring loaded screws there's no sure limit for force caused by mounting system of cooler itself.
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This has been bugging me too. As mentioned, i've fitted a couple of these on other systems no issues - but these had no m.2 slots (close by). But, with the m.2 slot so close - and as i have fitted the PITA that is the DR3 in the past - I was just happy that the install process was easier. But, now i've had to fit one right next to an m.2 slot which has given out ambiguous results - and time to reflect - i'm doubting the motherboards capability to support this type of clamp fitting compared to the lesser sprung screw fitting (not worried about weight).

When i took out the new replacement to inspect - the retention bar obviously hasn't been bent/moulded yet by fitting - and the gap between bar and bracket is huge on both sides (bigger than in my initial picture with a pre-fitted so pre-bent bar - reminder: https://imgur.com/75LJZvl). The 'initial' force really does seem excessive to mould the bar to top of HS, when closely inspected. Don't get me wrong - it's a great, secure fit, quieter running than the Noctua - cheaper too - but I'm not prepared to go against my gut over £20 with return costs. Too little time and i would kick myself self if i had the same problem develop when i've considered that this could be a possible reason (I still blame the board design if this is the case - but i need to move on and i know a spring loaded cooler works fine.)
 
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Spring pressure on IHS from base of cooler is determined by design, same as mounts without springs. All of the top tier cooler companies design their mounts to applie the right pressure. It doesn't matter if they have springs or not, mounting pressure is most important part of mount design. The shorter the spring is compressed, the higher it's rate of pressure right up to when screw bottoms out and stops turning, same as tightening mount with no spring. Both are designed to apply same amount of pressure when screws are tight. Hope that makes sense.
 
I've managed to overtighten a Noctua NH-D15S in the past so the system wouldn't start until I loosened the screws a quarter-turn or so. Don't ask me how I managed to fumble that... I guess I was expecting the spring screws to just stop turning beyond a certain point.
 
doyll said:
Spring pressure on IHS from base of cooler is determined by design, same as mounts without springs. All of the top tier cooler companies design their mounts to applie the right pressure. It doesn't matter if they have springs or not, mounting pressure is most important part of mount design. Hope that makes sense.
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It does - but from my experience (I'm not as informed as you with coolers) - i've found that the bar method has to apply, initially, more force to level out the bar - this has never concerned me in the past.

The Noctua fitting does not exact the same amount of initial force for fitting (neither does the Mugen 5). And although i accept the DR 4 is within tolerance - from personal fitting it's got a greater pressure tolerance than some of its peers. That coupled with my very strange issue (very weird everything considered), which i agree may be unrelated, but for the sake of £20 i can remove another possible factor (i accept it may not be.)

Put, it this way - had i fitted the DR 4 and got the same results i would feel sick to my stomach - mainly because i would have kicked myself. Purely, as i anticipated that it might be a contributing factor and spare time is a novelty at the moment...

Danny75 said:
I've managed to overtighten a Noctua NH-D15S in the past so the system wouldn't start until I loosened the screws a quarter-turn or so. Don't ask me how I managed to fumble that... I guess I was expecting the spring screws to just stop turning beyond a certain point.
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You're killing me @Danny75 :D

The NH-U12s are babies in comparison - and i'll only be fitting finger tight (i normally do).

Hopefully, my bar/spring comparison makes sense - it's that initial first fit, when it bends the bar. My unproven theory is that it 'may' have been a factor in compromising the slot - but again i blame the motherboard, still have a lot of love for the DR 4 - prefer it's cooling/quiet ability.
 
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Balls, i'm debating fitting the new DR 4, but with the pre-fitted bar from the old one. This would take out that initial extra exertion of bending/flattening the bar.

If it failed again - it has to be a design fault with the motherboard.

Thoughts, @doyll, @Danny75, @EsaT, @orbitalwalsh? Or, does the Noctua argument make sense?

*I'm really short of time (writing this in-between doing 2 other things) - but i'm wasting even more time due to a nagging suspicion that i'm experiencing a fault due to a rare combo of DR 4, specific motherboard and use of NVMe...

So much simpler had it been a suspicion of a dodgy cable, PSU, memory...
 
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