Compatibility Check- Working on this build for 3 months.

clueless404 · Jun 16, 2014

Hi guys, I have been working on a computer build since March, three months ago. I have yet to get a post. I have built computers before, and have double and triple-checked my work on manuals, forums, and with paid professionals.

After replacing the CPU, Mobo, and PSU, there is one remaining part and I believe I know why the RAM is the issue. I finally looked at the mobo manual, and read the memory compatibility list. My RAM was one model letter off, skewing the whole build. I would like to double-check that my new memory I plan to buy is compatible (last time I checked with the previous ram on other forums too, and I was still off. I'm trying to check as much as possible before purchase).

Here's the specs:

CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
Motherboard Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150
Memory G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXL OR: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL (which one is better?)
Storage Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 240GB 2.5" SSD
Storage Western Digital BLACK SERIES 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 4GB
Case Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive LG BH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

Both RAM setups are listed on the manual, so I'm pretty confident it should work, I just want to be positive.

My main concern:

I'm worried because on Newegg these RAM(s) are listed as LGA 1155, etc. My mobo is 1150. Is that an issue even though the RAM was listed in my manual?

Thank you so much!

morgilroka · Jun 16, 2014

All ram is universal. The LGA is referring to the CPU socket types. (That cpu is compatible with that motherboard so don't worry). As for your question regarding the two different ram.. Don't worry about picking the perfect ram, they all do the same job and won't affect performance at all.

Just pick up these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429

Build looks good, good luck friend

swifty_morgan · Jun 16, 2014

nothing wrong with the ram. you can try just running 2 sticks until you get past the problem............. disconnect the HD's and see if you can get anywhere.

clueless404 · Jun 19, 2014

Hi everyone, RAM got here and it doesn't send a beep code or anything. No post. What should I do? Here's a video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDHqSKp2KUU
Please help- getting desperate now. Thanks!

swifty_morgan · Jun 19, 2014

i would have set the cmos....... never hurts........ anyways........... did you try with 1 stick of ram installed? and if it doesn't work try a different stick.

can't get into BIOS?

you do have a disc and are going to reformat?

swifty_morgan · Jun 19, 2014

i read a few reviews.......... asus must be pumping out lots of really crappy boards.

clueless404 · Jun 19, 2014

Haven't reset the CMOS- will do that tonight. I've tried a lot of RAM configurations- 1 stick, 2, etc. in the slots specified by the manual. Can I ask: one problem I have had in the past with other computers on resetting CMOS is the battery- how do you get it out? It must take a lot of force- but I don't want to damage it. How should I pull it out? Thanks guys!

swifty_morgan · Jun 19, 2014

there are little (silver are all I remember seeing ) on the very edges that hold the battery in. I use a fine blade screw driver and slip it across the battery and shove the little "clips" outwards. battery pops right out. if you're prying on it you're doing it wrong................ ANYWAYS........... look for the clear cmos jumper on the motherboard ( look in booklet or go on line and read the pdf for the board )................. all you have to do is move the jumper to the "short" pins and then just put it back where it was. real easy.

swifty_morgan · Jun 19, 2014

down in the lower right there is a 4pin fan header? right next to that should be the jumper............. yes/no?............. just above the first of three usb headers..( that would be right to left )

clueless404 · Jun 19, 2014

swifty_morgan :

Yep it's there. Would I remove the battery and then reset the jumpers and then reset jumpers or reset the jumpers, remove battery, reset jumpers? Just the order- I think I've read both ways in different places I just want to be sure. Thanks again!

swifty_morgan · Jun 20, 2014

just move the jumper to the other pin/then put it back exactly where it was. don't mess with the battery at all. make sure the machine is off when you tinker inside.

read the booklet. it's all there.

clueless404 · Jun 20, 2014

swifty_morgan :

Ok i will do that. Thanks!

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

Tried resetting CMOS... didn't change anything. What should I try next? Read the manual thoroughly- reading it again now. Let me know if you guys have any ideas. Thanks!

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

pull the graphics card out of the machine. hook the monitor cable on the motherboard. install 2 sticks of ram on dual channel slots. boot......... does it boot?.......... to BIOS?

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

swifty_morgan :

Nope. Nothing different- same thing. I've tried a lot of different things with the RAM while the GPU is out, such as 1 stick, 2, 4, in the specified slots and with different sticks of RAM. Is there anything else I can try? Thanks again!

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

i gotta say I think the motherboard is toast. just my guess............. too many people gave that thing bad reviews. and from what I've seen over the past 2 or 3 years ASUS has taken a nose dive as far as quality anyways.

one last thing to try............... try assembling the thing on a table top. eliminate the case from the equation. ( gotta ask......... you did install the motherboard stand offs before you put the board in the case ) ?

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

swifty_morgan :

Yep I did. If it's the motherboard again (my 2nd one now) what should I do? I suppose attempt to return it... but I'm past the 30 days thing- they'll also most likely not RMA it because they have records of my first RMA for the board. I'll probably take the build in to someone to work on it just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thank you for the help! I really appreciate it.

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

might be cheaper to buy another board in the long run......... asrock or gigabyte..... I wish the machine were here so I could mess with it. good luck with it and if you do find out what the problem is please come back to this thread and let everybody know............ could be something out of the ordinary, could be something so blatantly simple it's easy to over look.

last thing........... can you borrow any ram, even 1 lowly 1333 stick of anything and swap it in and out of slots...........???

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

Nope... other than the RAM from earlier, all the computers I own don't have compatible RAM. I will try to get the Z97-A from Newegg- sending them an email asking for a refund to buy that board. Can I ask if that board would still be compatible with all my parts? I'm triple-checking on PC Part Picker too.

Oh and would it be worth it to buy the Z97-A? It looks like a quality board- the reviews are a lot higher, and I might be able to get a refund if I get that one. I'll come back to this thread when I finally get my build running.

Thanks so much!

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

link the board would ya?

also....... the ram was 1.5v?

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

Yep 1.5v
Here's the board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132118
Thanks!

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

looks like your good to go.

more questions................ did you disconnect the big HD and do any tests? with the ssd only?................ did you disconnect the ssd and hook up the HD and do a test?

did you swap sata ports at all?

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

I did a complete external build with no HDs, nothing worked. I've tried for a long time with only the mobo, CPU, PSU, and RAM (and without memory a bunch). Ran a lot of tests... do you think it's just a crappy board?

Hopefully the Z97 is better.

swifty_morgan · Jun 22, 2014

it's always tough to make a call on the net but yes. what else can it be?

you have the 24pin and the 4/8pin power pin up by the cpu plugged in?

clueless404 · Jun 22, 2014

Yep- the way it's setup now is actually the way the guy from the shop left it- I haven't taken it apart because all that troubleshooting was done, then I gave it to him. Nothing's changed really, still no BIOS or POST. I appreciate your help, thanks! One more question if I can: should I order this new board or wait and contact someone else to take a look at the computer tomorrow? I'm leaning towards new board... not sure though

Compatibility Check- Working on this build for 3 months.

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