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i2500k Memory Controller Failure?

Phunky

Phunky

Phunky

Associate
Joined
19 May 2003
Posts
1,396
Location
Saltaire, West Yorkshire
So was testing a returned mobo that I picked up cheap on eBay (Asus p8z77-v deluxe for £37!) and during testing I figured out that it was the first PCIe controller that was failing but then I started to get Q-CODE 55 errors (Memory not installed).

I took everything out and attempted to boot with a single stick of RAM in DIMM_A1, then A2 and still got the error. Test DIMM_B1 and B2 and system posted fine, which I found really odd.

So thought mobo much just be really shot and started to rebuild in my old board, only to then get the same error in the same DIMMs. Really had me confused as couldn't see any damage to sockets on either board and every HAD been fine prior to the swap.

Went out and bought a new PSU and CPU (i3570k) and tested it in both boards and they both POST with RAM in any slot. This has led me to thinking the memory controller might be shot.

Now the ASUS was overclocking the 2500k by default with some of the bios/mobo switchs and I did notice it pumping a bit more volts than it needed to, but when it did I would restart and turn it down - it certainly wasn't running for long but CPU-Z did show 1.6 at one point and i'm thinking this might have done it, even if it was only for a min or two.

Has anyone ever had anything similar? Should I RMA the chip back to Intel?
 
What is the best way to clean them?

I've gone over them with a ear bud in the hope it would magically work, but no luck at all.
 
Try a toothbrush.
If you are going to RMA the chip I wouldn't get to aggressive.
Don't use a scouring pad :)
 
ROFL :) was thinking more along the lines of using an 99% alcohol solution or something, but if just rubbing with a toothbrush could help ill give it a go
 
Yes a solvent is good.
You also need something mildly abrasive, hence the toothbrush.
Use some dry paper first, you will see a bit of oxidation removed by it.
 
I'll give it a go, cheers for the advice.

Gutted as that chip was a really good clocker, could run with really low volts.
 
Looking at grabbing some TIM-clean at lunch to try, would that be ok on the pads? I know it's fine for getting grease off but not sure about the underside or could I get away with nail remover?
 
Nail polish remover may well contain lanolin or similar.
Best use something else.

Tim Clean is OK but a bit expensive for what it is.
 
Had some in the cellar so gave that a quick blast over lunch, didn't work :( although didnt use a tooth brush as didn't have time to nab a new one.

Will give it one last go this evening then its off for a RMA.
 
Make sure none of the pins are bent on the motherboard too.

I remember having a motherboard with a bent pin in the top right corner and it used to bring up memory faults when certain dimms sockets were used.
 
On a 1155 CPU? I've checked over the pins a number of times and there fine, this happens on two diff boards so it unlikely that both have same bent pins.

Plus new CPU works fine in each board too.
 
Yeah i've had that issue before on a 1155 CPU but as you've tested other boards does sound like the CPU

OT slightly but are you playing CSGO?
 
Look at the pins in the socket... I had a similar problem from a board I also picked up cheap off ebay, it would not run with both DIMM slots populated.

I had a look at the socket pins and the set that connects the CPU to the DIMM slots were slightly lower down then the others making contact poor. I bent them up slightly with a needle and problem solved!
 
Cheers but pins are fine as I get the same error on two boards, both of which work with a i3570k
 
Intel have just shipped me a replacement i2500k, now the question is do I go back to using that or keep the 3570k?

I've not really pushed it as always planned on going back to it the 2500k or do I flog both and mobos I have and get something totally new...
 
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