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Suspected dead 2600k CPU

Durzel

Durzel

Durzel

Soldato
Joined
10 Oct 2003
Posts
5,518
Location
Wiltshire
Following on from this thread I suspect my retail i7-2600k CPU has died.

Basic configuration is as follows:
  • ASUS Maximus IV Extreme
  • Intel Core™ i7-2600K CPU (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz)
  • 8GB G.skill Ripjaws-X F3-17600CL9D-8GBXLD
  • Antec Signature 850W PSU
  • Noctua NH-D14 heatsink/fan
Built this system shortly after buying it from OCUK and it had been running without issue for a couple of months. The only overclocked component in the system was the graphics cards - 2 x ASUS 6950s (flashed to 6970) running a known-good overclock. Everything else is running at its default "optimal settings" BIOS configuration.

One day I was using it without issue, switched it off as normal to get some food. Shortly afterwards I tried booting it up again and it wouldn't POST. Q-code LCD on the motherboard just said 00. It initially shows 00, then shutdown then start up again, after that it would show 00 forever with the fans spinning but no POST or beeps.

Thinking perhaps the motherboard had died I removed it and got it replaced under the Sandybridge recall program. I received the new B3 board back from ASUS last Friday, rebuilt PC and tried switching it on and was surprised to find it doing exactly the same thing as the old board.

Things I have tried/eliminated:
  • Graphics cards - neither are installed, PC doesn't get as far as even acknowledging with beeps that there is no video
  • Memory - PC does the same thing whether memory is installed or not, does not acknowledge if no memory is installed at all
  • Motherboard - it is conceivable that I received a DOA B3 motherboard from ASUS, but for it to behave in exactly the same way as the old (presumed defective) board is a bit too coincidental?
  • Loosened the heatsink screws slightly (maybe too tight?)
  • Removed motherboard completely from case and tried running it on a cardboard box (assuming mobo was grounding on case) - same result.
I have also tried another old Enermax 550W PSU - unfortunately it was designed for P4s so only has a 20-pin ATX power connector, and 4-pin instead of 8-pin extra power. Despite this when trying to use it the PC behaves exactly the same way - 00 on Q-code LCD, no POST, no beeps. I'm fairly confident therefore that the Antec PSU isn't faulty.

Is it possible for a CPU to just randomly die? I've never had an Intel CPU fail on me out of the blue, especially one that is barely 2 months old.

Would appreciate any help/assistance anyone could provide. Additionally if there is anyone in the Westbury/Trowbridge/Wiltshire area who wouldn't mind helping me see whether it definitely is the CPU that is faulty I would be hugely grateful and would shout them a beer or two :)

Sorry for the long post but thought I'd give as much details as possible.
 
have you tried reseating your cpu? also check the underneath of the cpu and the cpu pins on the board for any dodgyness
 
Sorry should've said I checked that, although I haven't yet checked it on the new motherboard.

When I removed the CPU to RMA the old motherboard I checked the underside of it, there was no obvious marks. Likewise the CPU socket didn't have any obvious bent pins, etc. I'm pretty meticulous (anal?) when it comes to building stuff so I would be surprised if I had damaged it through installation.
 
what does the 00 code mean in the manual? also have you reset the cmos? try doing that proper reset people did for the p8p67 when they were having problems....cant remmeber the procedure but im sure you can find it quick
 
00 is listed as "Unused" in the manual. It has shown 02 once or twice, which is (iirc) "Microcode loading".

I tried clearing CMOS (jumper and removing battery for 10+ minutes) on old board, and switched between BIOS banks. On new board, which obviously would have a fresh CMOS and BIOS it's behaving exactly the same way.
 
try sticking a molex power plug into the connecter on the mobo and see if anything different happens

at times like this when you havent got another cpu to test with then you have to try anything you can.
 
Already did that, it's currently connected. :(

That said the Molex should in theory only provide additional power to the PCI-E slots, which are currently unpopulated.... In an ideal world if there was someone local to me I could let them test my CPU which would remove all doubt.
 
Having looked at your other post, I see you mention using Gskill thats rated or being run at 1.65, isnt it the case that these Sandybridge processors should not have the DRAM set higher than 1.5v? As per the OCUK product page:

***OVERCLOCKING GUIDELINES***

- Do not exceed 1.35-1.38v core voltage, doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Do not overclock with BCLK, again doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Recommended memory voltage is 1.50v, so make sure to run your memory at 1.50v, higher could limit lifespan of the CPU
- These recommendations come from OcUK and Intel, your warranty is un-affected but we highly recommend you adhere to the above to make sure your CPU lifespan is un-affected
- All Sandybridge CPU's worldwide should be run at the above or lower voltages, no higher!

Im probs way off the mark, but just a thought?
 
I've had this problem before, all be it with an Athlon X2.

Mine was down to damaged RAM.

Was OC'ing on them for months at much higher speeds than rated before.

Bought new RAM and it worked. Old stuff was dead.

Just buy a cheapo stick. Could do the same with a CPU. If refunds policy does not permit buy second hand off ebay and sell again if doesn't work, you will gain or lose a couple of quid.

Again had no posting etc no matter what I did.
 
I'd be inclined to agree with you except for the fact that it does the same thing whether any memory is installed or not. It doesn't even acknowledge that there is no memory installed.
 
Unlikely you've killed the chip. Provided voltages are within the guidelines the things are damned near indestructible.
 
I'd personally go back to a basic setup, yes it may not acknowledge the missing GPU or Memory but that could be causing issues. Use a single stick of memory in slot 0 and one GPU in PCI-E 1 and leave the CMOS battery out (with the PSU unplugged) for at least 30 minutes. Aside from that it would seem to point towards the CPU.

The easiest way to check would be to order another 2600K on a credit card. CPUs do fail, although it is rare, that or post it to someone who can test it. I don't mind offering if that is your only option and you can't find anyone local, I have quite a few 1155 boards to test it in.
 
Kribby2006 said:
Having looked at your other post, I see you mention using Gskill thats rated or being run at 1.65, isnt it the case that these Sandybridge processors should not have the DRAM set higher than 1.5v? As per the OCUK product page:

***OVERCLOCKING GUIDELINES***

- Do not exceed 1.35-1.38v core voltage, doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Do not overclock with BCLK, again doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Recommended memory voltage is 1.50v, so make sure to run your memory at 1.50v, higher could limit lifespan of the CPU
- These recommendations come from OcUK and Intel, your warranty is un-affected but we highly recommend you adhere to the above to make sure your CPU lifespan is un-affected
- All Sandybridge CPU's worldwide should be run at the above or lower voltages, no higher!

Im probs way off the mark, but just a thought?
Click to expand...

What does DIMM voltage have to do with the cpu?
 
Speed: You have email :)

What's frustrating is that I would be happy (relatively speaking) if I knew I'd caused this through overvoltage or ham-fisted installation or something, but for it to just die out of the blue when it's running completely stock settings is just bizarre and very frustrating.

I had less aggro from my Vapochill based system, and this was supposed to be a less stressful solution!
 
Hmmm... unfortunately I don't have any spare DDR3 that I can try. :(

I've removed the CPU from the system now so it seems logical to try and actually test that in another PC (if I can find someone willing to help!)
 
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