Hi,
I believe I have three (3) faulty modules in a kit of G.Skill Trident X F3-2400C10Q-16GTX memory and have tested thoroughly to come to this conclusion. Below is my testing methodology and results - any assistance to resolve this issue is appreciated.
Platform details:
Intel Core i7 4770K
GIGABYTE Z87X-OC
G.Skill Trident X F3-2400C10Q-16GTX
Corsair AX1200i
Intel X25-M
Notes:
- The RAM kit has only ever been used with XMP profiles - no manual overclocking; that was meant to happen on this platform!
- The CPU is new, first use, fresh out of the box and cooled by a Noctua NH-U12P with a push-pull 2-fan configuration
- RAM is on motherboard QVL found here: http://download.gigabyte.asia/FileLi...ga-z87x-oc.pdf
- Motherboard was received from Dinos22 (GIGABYTE Technical Marketing Executive ANZ & Team.AU member) and was tested and found to be fully functional prior to handing over to me
- Corsair AX1200i is new, first use, fresh out of the box and works on X58 platform
Initial Setup & Testing
System initially setup with 2x DIMMs in slots 1 & 2 (orange DIMM slots) which returned a beep code of consecutive beeps and froze on POST code 15.
I removed the memory and tested individual DIMMs starting in slot 1 (orange slot closest to OC Gear area).
This resulted in the following finds:
1x DIMM boots @ CMOS cleared defaults (1.5v) and passes MemTest using both XMP Profile 1 and Profile 2 @ 2400 10-12-12-31 with vDIMM manually set to 1.65v. Tested to work in every DIMM slot.
3x DIMMs won't boot at either CMOS cleared defaults (1.5v) or with 1.65v vDIMM pre-set with the good DIMM. Tested in every DIMM slot and same result for every slot.
An error during POST at code 15 can indicate a number of issues including an incorrectly seated CPU (leading to incorrect contact between socket pins and CPU pads), faulty memory or faults within the connections in the DIMM slots.
Upon further discussion with Dinos22, he suggested getting some electronic circuit board cleaner to clean out the socket, DIMM slots and nearby areas of any possible contaminations/debris causing poor contacts. I used the same cleaner as used by Dinos22 and Youngpro.
Actions Taken
- Pulled down system
- Using electronic circuit board cleaner (Jaycar Servisol Cat. NA-1008) sprayed CPU socket (front and back), DIMM slots (front and back), bottom of CPU (it was brand new/first use, cleaned regardless) and contacts on DIMMs (both sides)
- Dried thoroughly with hair dryer
- Tested each individual DIMM in all four memory slots
Note: went all-out and used a whole can of cleaner to be thorough.
Tested based on the following layout:
DIMM1 = Orange slot closest to OC Gear
DIMM3 = Black slot closest to OC Gear
DIMM2 = 2nd Orange slot
DIMM4 = 2nd Black slot
Results from testing with F5m BIOS
Module #1 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM2 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM3 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM4 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
Module #2 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM2 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM3 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM4 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
Module #3 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = beep @ code 15 then power loop repeat @ code 15.
DIMM2 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM3 = beep @ code 15 then power loop repeat @ code 15.
DIMM4 = beep @ code 15 then power loop repeat @ code 15.
Module #4 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM2 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM3 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM4 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
Results from testing with X05 BIOS
Module #1 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM2 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM3 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
DIMM4 = boots, launches MemTest, full pass with zero errors.
Module #2 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM2 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM3 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM4 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
Module #3 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = begins POST and freezes on error code 15 - fans on heatsink and PSU keep spinning, no beep code from speaker.
DIMM2 = begins POST and freezes on error code 15 - fans on heatsink and PSU keep spinning, no beep code from speaker.
DIMM3 = begins POST and freezes on error code 15 - fans on heatsink and PSU keep spinning, no beep code from speaker.
DIMM4 = begins POST and freezes on error code 15 - fans on heatsink and PSU keep spinning, no beep code from speaker.
Module #4 testing post-clean:
DIMM1 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM2 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM3 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
DIMM4 = consecutive beeps (beep-beep-beep etc) @ code 15, no progression past this.
Next Steps
So there it is. Everything points to three (3) faulty DIMMs in this 4x4GB kit.
I haven't made an RMA request for two reasons:
- The G.Skill website said to come here to trouble shoot before lodging an RMA request
- I no longer have a receipt/invoice/proof of purchase for this kit - kit purchased 2 months prior to obtaining the rest of the platform and paperwork has been misplaced
Can I proceed to make an RMA request based on the information provided here?
If so, will I get Samsung based ICs again? The 5th-8th digits in the serial number are 1500, which leads me to believe the modules are using Samsung ICs (obviously, haven't been able to confirm this through testing). I have not tampered with the heat spreaders etc.
Thanks for reading.