Only 2 out of 3 DIMMs detected..? [SOLVED]

[Zoeff]

Hello,

I recently purchased a P6T Deluxe V2 with an i7 920 and OCZ3X1600LV6GK memory. However, only two DIMMs are actually seen by the motherboard. In the post and bios only 4GB is shown, CPU-Z tells me that the first slot is empty while the 3rd and 5th one are occupied with 2GB of memory operating in dual channel mode (The manual recommends you install a set of 3 in these slots). I've already tried to swap memory modules to see if one of the modules is broken. CPU-Z still reports the first slot as being empty. The RAM is on the asus' memory support list for this motherboard. Am I missing something here?

Also, to actually get the 1600Mhz it seems to be requirement to overclock the CPU. However I'm struggling to find any relation between the two, is there a specific clockspeed my CPU needs to be running at? What kind of Timings would be recommended for me? I'm using the CNPS10X Extreme to cool my CPU and originally intended to overclock towards the 4Ghz mark.

I really hope my issue is simply related to incorrect BIOS settings rather than a faulty DIMM slot. Thanks for your patience!
- Zoeff

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I flashed my BIOS to the latest version (901).

 

[Gillbot]

reseat your CPU perhaps?

 

[Zoeff]

reseat your CPU perhaps?

I did that when installing the new cooler, would another try be worth it? It's not easy installing that thing..

 

[Gillbot]

yes, I believe this may be a common issue. Check the pins in the socket and the pads on the CPU. Since the memory controller is in the CPU, of the dimm and the dimm socket appear to be ok, the next logical choice would be the CPU/socket since that's where the controller are.

 

[Zoeff]

yes, I believe this may be a common issue. Check the pins in the socket and the pads on the CPU. Since the memory controller is in the CPU, of the dimm and the dimm socket appear to be ok, the next logical choice would be the CPU/socket since that's where the controller are.

Reseated my CPU, took a good look at the underside and the socket itself. Neither the CPU or the socket appear to be damaged in any way. Swapped some DIMMs around as well.

Still only 4GB detected and still shows nothing in slot #1 according to CPU-Z. 🙁

 

[RebateMonger]

I'm assuming you aren't overclocking anything yet? You definitely want to fix the missing memory issue before overclocking anything. I don't know much about DDR3 memory, but I imagine you'd be running it at 1066 MHz and the CPU at 2.66 GHz. Whatever the "standard" is.

 

[Zoeff]

I'm assuming you aren't overclocking anything yet? You definitely want to fix the missing memory issue before overclocking anything. I don't know much about DDR3 memory, but I imagine you'd be running it at 1066 MHz and the CPU at 2.66 GHz. Whatever the "standard" is.

I've poked around a bit with the clockspeed, but decided to try to fix this memory issue before actually figuring out how to create a stable overclocked system. Currently everything is set in auto mode.

 

[Yuriman]

You may want to check the socket again. A friend recently set up a 920 and his system was only showing 4 of his 6 sticks of ram. There was a single pin slight bent, and that alone was enough.

 

[Zoeff]

Looking at the socket again, there are still no visible broken/bent pins.

This time I also looked at what my motherboard would do in different RAM configurations and even tried adding extra DDR3 modules. The only thing I could figure out after trying 20 or so setups is that all slots do seem to function. Just not 3 red slots at once which they need to be in for triple channel.

Here are some photo's:

The 3 Corsair DIMMs are just for testing, the 3 OCZ DIMMs are the ones I actually am wanting to run in triple channel mode.

 

[RebateMonger]

I should mention that years ago, an apparently overly-thick and not-edge-chamfered memory module really tore up a memory slot in a new Soyo motherboard. It basically ripped several tiny copper pins in the memory slot right out of where they were supposed to be. With a microsope I was able to bend them back and put the ends back in place. But I never could trust that slot again.

 

[Zoeff]

I should mention that years ago, an apparently overly-thick and not-edge-chamfered memory module really tore up a memory slot in a new Soyo motherboard. It basically ripped several tiny copper pins in the memory slot right out of where they were supposed to be. With a microsope I was able to bend them back and put the ends back in place. But I never could trust that slot again.

Hmm, this pin does look somewhat odd...

 

[Zoeff]

Replaced the motherboard and all 3 ram modules were detected instantly without issues. It was probably the faulty DDR3 slot. Thanks RebateMonger! 😀