Motherboard or CPU broken? Can't run more than x1 DIMM

Legend · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:13

I suspect either my motherboard (Gigabyte Z170 Gaming 7) or CPU (6700k) might be broken... I cannot run RAM in more than x1 DIMM no matter what I do. I have tried 4 different types of RAM at varying speeds, 2133, 2400, 3000 and 3200, and they all run perfectly with x1 stick, but the moment I add a second, I am getting an Error 55 code and it will not boot... it hangs before I have the option to even enter the BIOS. I have tried turning XMP on, adjusting voltages etc. but no luck.

Doing a search, this seems to be a common problem with this board, and many people point towards it being a memory compatibility issue and it only supporting 2133 RAM out the box, but I've tried a 2133 kit and no joy. It's been suggested it could be a faulty motherboard or even a bent pin on the CPU, but the sheer number of people who seem to have this issue would suggest the latter is rather unlikely.

Any suggestions? I have the CPU under water so it's going to be a right pain to remove that, but I think I've exhausted all my options!

Everything else seems to be running fine, so if there is a problem with the mobo or CPU, it would appear to be isolated to the memory channels.

scrivz69 · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:16

All similar threads I have read about an issue like this has been a bent pin or pins, even over tightening a cooler in one of them.

edscdk · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:16

1 chance in 1000 its the CPU id say... I assume you have reset setting to stock and tried like that? reseat the cpu see if any pins are bent (did not think of bent pins)

copycatuk · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:18

Another vote for possible bent pins - had this on an old board that would only use 1 dimm slot

Legend · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:20

If it is bent pins, is that fixable? Or is my CPU essentially borked if so?

edscdk · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:22

Legend said:
If it is bent pins, is that fixable? Or is my CPU essentially borked if so?

cpu has no pins the pins are on the mobo - if its out of line you can probably bend it back.. ive done it before with a pin!

Legend · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:25

edscdk said:
cpu has no pins the pins are on the mobo - if its out of line you can probably bend it back.. ive done it before with a pin!

Ah OK... well looks like the loop is getting drained then! PITA! I assume the bent pin will be visible.

copycatuk · 23 Jan 2017 at 13:56

Yes easily visible even to the naked eye

Legend · 23 Jan 2017 at 18:20

Could the block simply be tightened down too much, or is that wishful thinking?

I've discovered that slots 1 and 3 (i.e as numbered, the two right-most ones) are working. I can put a single or two DIMMs in both of these and it boots no problem, but obviously dual channel RAM needs to be in slots 1 and 2. It won't boot with even a single stick in either slot 2 or 4, it just gives me the error 55 code. So is it possible a bent pin on mobo would knock out DIMM sockets 2 and 4? Or does that point to something else?

Marcoloves360 · 23 Jan 2017 at 20:13

rma motherboard

IceWind · 24 Jan 2017 at 14:40

you know it could actually be the CPU since the memory controller itself is actually on the DIE

Legend · 24 Jan 2017 at 17:50

Well I've yet to drain loop and have a look, but hopefully will get a chance to do that tmrw. If there's no visible damage to the pins on the board, is there any other way to determine if it is the board or the CPU? Short of trying a new mobo of course.

pastymuncher · 24 Jan 2017 at 18:43

Before you drain the loop loosen off the cpu block a bit. I have seen this caused by a overtightned cooler/block before.

Legend · 26 Jan 2017 at 02:45

Turns out it was indeed a bent pin... several in fact, although one worse than the others. Managed to put back in place with a pin and all is running as it should now.

Marcoloves360 · 26 Jan 2017 at 08:38

How did that happen? Everytime install a CPU i fell scared after seeing this type of pictures around the internet, I did it like 10 times and that never happened. Could it be a poor motherboard? Or are you just clumsy?

Legend · 26 Jan 2017 at 12:43

Marcoloves360 said:
How did that happen? Everytime install a CPU i fell scared after seeing this type of pictures around the internet, I did it like 10 times and that never happened. Could it be a poor motherboard? Or are you just clumsy?

I honestly have no idea... it's never happened to me before, and I've put together countless systems over the years. I'm very careful, not a clumsy person, so I don't think it was my carelessness. I did buy the board from someone on the forums, so I suspect it happened in transit. I never checked it before I got the system up and running, but he assured me it was all working perfectly before.

Thekwango · 26 Jan 2017 at 13:15

Aw man was that on your watercooled build in your sig? Hope you got it all back together looking as good as it did!

Legend · 26 Jan 2017 at 13:16

Thekwango said:
Aw man was that on your watercooled build in your sig? Hope you got it all back together looking as good as it did!

No it's a new build I'm working on, watercooled though so a major pain to drain just for this lol! Lesson learned, always check mobo pins haha! At least it's all working now anyway.

Thekwango · 27 Jan 2017 at 14:57

Legend said:
No it's a new build I'm working on, watercooled though so a major pain to drain just for this lol! Lesson learned, always check mobo pins haha! At least it's all working now anyway.

ah cool - least it was only a work in progress!

would have been heartbreaking taking apart the build in your sig - it's a thing of beauty! glad to hear it's all working fine now