Is this my first faulty motherboard?

[kag]

I'm building a new computer with the following relevant parts motherboard and RAM:
Gigabyte D75M-D3H
Two kits of Crucial Ballistix 2x4GB BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00 (total of four 4GB sticks)

It seems that the motherboard doesn't want to post (continuous short beeps) when a stick is in the two slots furthest from the CPU.

If I try with a single stick, it works with the two slots closest to the CPU, but it's not posting with the other two.

I can put two sticks in the first two slots closest to the CPU and it's fine. But if I put anything in the 3rd and 4th slot, it won't post.

I reseated the CPU twice, cleared the CMOS, checked behind the motherboard that a case riser wasn't shorting something.

Is there anything else I should try before asking to RMA?

 

[Bubbaleone]

Since the Gigabyte QVL doesn't list those memory modules, and Crucial's Memory Advisor doesn't list that mobo at all, I'd suggest testing with a module (or kit) that is verified compatible with the D75M-D3H before thinking about RMA.

 

[kag]

Actually, Crucial does list that motherboard and it says "Guaranteed-compatible with the Giga-Byte GA-B75M-D3H" on the BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00 product page.

 

[Ketchup]

The board you mentioned in your OP, Gigabyte D75M-D3H, is not listed on the Crucial website. The board you listed in post 3, the GA-B75M-D3H is. So verify your model, and we'll do what we can to help.

Since I have never heard of a D75 from Gigabyte, I am going to guess it was a simple mistype in the first post. Happens to all of us.

Let us know.

 

[Steltek]

What CPU are you running in the board? The Gigabyte website specifies on the support website that you are supposed to be running a 22nm CPU in order to support DDR3-1600 memory on the GA-B75M-D3H.

Also, since you can get it to boot on at least one stick, what BIOS revision is currently installed on the board? If it is less than version F14, I'd try doing a BIOS update to see if it might resolve the issue. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to check the DRAM voltages in the UEFI BIOS to ensure that the modules are being properly detected and the proper configuration is being used.

 

[kag]

Oops ketchup79, my bad, sorry. It's indeed B75M.

I did update the BIOS from F13 to F14, I forgot to mention it.

I'm running a Core i7 3770 (not K), which is supposed to be 22nm.

I'll try to force the voltage, but on the auto setting, it's at 1.5v when I check the BIOS with one stick.

 

[Steltek]

Oops ketchup79, my bad, sorry. It's indeed B75M.

I did update the BIOS from F13 to F14, I forgot to mention it.

I'm running a Core i7 3770 (not K), which is supposed to be 22nm.

I'll try to force the voltage, but on the auto setting, it's at 1.5v when I check the BIOS with one stick.

I wouldn't force it if it is on 1.5v as that is where it is supposed to be for those sticks.

At this point, I think you are down to having to decide between trying another set of memory modules or replacing the motherboard. If you are still within the return period for the board, were it me I'd go this route first as it really sounds like to me that you might have a defective board. If the problem recurs with a new board, you'll then want to either return the DRAM modules for a different set/brand or contact Crucial support to try to get a resolution (i.e. given that it was their configuration tool which got you in to this mess in the first place).

One thing to remember about manufacturer compatibility lists is that they usually match compatibility based upon specs and not actual testing. As a result, I always try to buy my modules based upon the actual memory QVL lists. Before buying a module not on the QVL list, I always do a google search to ensure others are using that module successfully with the motherboard at issue before I'll buy.

 

[Ketchup]

Looking at the manual, two sticks of memory should be installed in slots 1 & 2 or 3 & 4. Your description makes it sound like you are having difficulty using slots 2 & 4 (the two closest to the CPU). Since the manual makes no reference to this configuration working for this board, I wouldn't expect it to.

If you adhere to the specifications in the manual, and still have issues, you may want to send Gigabyte an email and see what they have to say.

 

[kag]

Sorry if my first post was confusing, here it is again.

From left to right, slots are numbered 4, 2, 3, 1.

With one stick, it only works in slot 4 or 2.

With two sticks, it only works when they are in slot 4 and 2, obviously not in dual channel.

Any other combinaison of slots or number of sticks makes the mobo continuously short beep.

 

[Ketchup]

Sorry if my first post was confusing, here it is again.

From left to right, slots are numbered 4, 2, 3, 1.

With one stick, it only works in slot 4 or 2.

With two sticks, it only works when they are in slot 4 and 2, obviously not in dual channel.

Any other combinaison of slots or number of sticks makes the mobo continuously short beep.

Yes, referring to slots 3 and 1 as 3 and 4 makes things a little confusing.

Honestly, I would return that board for something else if you still can. A lot of issues reported with this board on Newegg, which is where I buy a lot of parts.

For an I7, I would want a pretty nice board to compliment it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

 

[Kenmitch]

Are you just auto detecting your memory or are you setting it to spec? Using XMP profile?

Not much troubleshooting info in your posts other than it doesn't boot in dual channel mode.

Did you try booting up with one stick and underclocking your memory, shutting down and adding the 2nd stick in the correct slot to see if it'll post?

It's possible the MB is just struggling to setup your memory in dual channel mode.

 

[kag]

Shouldn't the motherboard be able to boot with one single stick of RAM, regardless of where it is located? If it boots in two of the slots but not in the other two, doesn't it mean that the board is faulty? That's the part I do not understand.

Anyway, I tried to set the voltage to 1.5v instead of auto and it didn't help. I also tried to enable XMP profile and it didn't help either.

ketchup79, what do you mean "compliment it with a nice motherboard"? I don't see what feature (important to me) is missing compared to Z77 boards.

 

[Ketchup]

ketchup79, what do you mean "compliment it with a nice motherboard"? I don't see what feature (important to me) is missing compared to Z77 boards.

To each his own. I mainly couldn't ignore all the negative reviews. One or two I could ignore, but on this one I stopped counting after a dozen.