New Build Dead?

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 19:03

Hi, recently posted about upgrading my mobo/cpu/ram and now can't even get it to post. I should add that the CPU box came properly busted up when I got it (inside the outer shipping box).

This all started with the PC freezing (but mouse still moving) every few minutes. The CPU didn't appear to have any issues with CPU usage however. I then tried turning off that c9 state and also setting the ram from auto to the correct settings (1.35v, 3200 MHZ CL14 etc).

That lead to the PC not posting at all. Tried to reset CMOS using a screwdriver and that didn't change anything.

Tried flashback to reinstall the bios (same bios I orginally installed when I first built it).

Trying to flashback resulted in the PC being unable to turn off once it starts - fixed by removing battery.

Tried taking the battery out for 15min.

Tried individual ram sticks

Any ideas?

Spec:

3700x
2x8gb Ballistix Sport LT 3200mhz
B450 Tomahawk
1080 GTX
Corsair TX950w

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 19:18

OMG doing another flashback after resetting the battery may have gotten me somewhere. Will report back in a bit.

:EDIT:

Died again the moment I tried to reboot with 3200mhz CL16 1.36V on a single stick

Frustrating...

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 20:23

Meddling-Monk said:
Can you leave the RAM at Auto for the time being?

With the CPU stable (as you believe it to be in OP) run some RAM test software. See if any of them are faulty.

Good point, will do that now. Seems flashing the bios each time an overclock fails works at least.

The CMOS jumper seems a waste of time. Always had a button before, I’m just leaving the pc plugged in and holding a screwdriver between the pins for 20 sec.

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 20:59

So far no crash running P95. Noteworthy that the ram is very underclocked on auto at 1200MHZ and 16-16-16-39-53 T1

Wonder if I've just got ram that can't reach 3200MHZ. Going to let P95 run another hour since I want to see what CPU temp reaches (had massive issues getting the heatsink on and conscious it's contact could be poor).

May end up RMAing the ram if it can't do 3200MHZ CL16 @ 1.35V since it's rated at that.

Edit: just noticed despite installing the chipset drivers and this Adrenalin stuff 3 times, they’re still not installed apparently. Willing to bet it can’t support 3200mhz without them.

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 22:14

Ok I'm losing my mind now. For the love of god I cannot get the chipset drivers to install. I download them, run them, restart PC. Check the MSI "live" app to see what drivers you're missing and it says they're not installed. In fact, it says it for all the ones I've installed.

Seems pointless or me to try and overclock my ram so long as I can't get these installed.

Can't even find "chipset" in device manager to check there.

LuckyBenski said:
Don't forget that DDR RAM is double what it's reported at i.e. you're seeing 2400MHz.

It's perfectly possible that a bad overclock is upsetting your BIOS config. Lots of crashes from the same can also mess up your Windows install - reinstall Windows once you've got your overclock dialled in.

Good point, been many years since I did all this - not since my 2500k!

MumboJumbo · 18 Jul 2019 at 22:23

Tried installing AMDs ones instead then tried a 3000mhz overclock at 1.35v all auto timings and it’s failed to post.

It’ll get to windows at 2800 MHz at least but looked like it failed a post a couple times doing it.

I’ve had it for today. First time doing AMD and never seen such a flimsy motherboard that can’t even post when underclocking ram against its spec. Maybe the ram is just crap.

MumboJumbo · 19 Jul 2019 at 17:32

These are indeed AES, 3200mhz modules.

Tried booting at 1.4v 3000mhz and no dice.

Anyone know a better way to confirm the chipset drivers I have? At this point it looks like either a motherboard RMA or ram.

Seems like I have a hard cap at 2800mhz and even then it cycles posting just to get through that it seems.

I don’t know if my issue is I can’t seem to install chipset drivers or perhaps they are installing and I can’t identify them. MSI’s own tool certainly can’t seem to.

MumboJumbo · 19 Jul 2019 at 18:25

Good idea, I'll check that Danny.

Saw someone mention they had to turn XMP on to overclock their ram at all, going to look in to that and try and find that setting in the bios. Didn't see it when I was clicking about.

EDIT:

Thought I'd found out that my ram had the wrong product code but looks irrelevant, just a single stick product code.

MumboJumbo · 23 Jul 2019 at 18:03

Ok then guys so I'm unsure what to do next. Tried XMP, tried installing the chipset using 7 zip instead.

I need to decide if I RMA my motherboard or ram. The chipset issues make me think motherboard, but I'm also wondering if these boards just don't play well with crucial ballistix and instead I should return that and get new ram.

What's the best way to confirm the chipset version of a mobo?