Unsolved issues, Possibly PSU or Motherboad? Been at this for a month now...

D34thbySp0rk

Prominent
May 2, 2017
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I've decided to re-organize this post, and update it on my findings. the previous way I had it formatted can be found here: https://pastebin.com/UiV7EJq8

My build:
I7-4790k
Asus Formula VII
Corsair Vengance Pro 2133hz 9-11-10-30 4x8GB (2 kits)
1080 TI FE (EVGA)
Corsair HX750i
840 EVO SSD (boot drive)
2x 1TB WD Blacks (in RAID 0)


Symptoms:

  • -GPU hit 90C+ due to precision XOC failing to apply fan curve, and completely freezing up on me. after this all these problems occurred.
    -Artifacts across 2 out of 3 of my monitors. Both using Displayport, one Using a Displayport to DVI adapter.
    -Artifacts seem to not occur when my Displayport to DVI monitor is unplugged.
    -When booted into windows, connecting the DP-DVI monitor, windows can't reconize besides it's a display device. but nothing else.
    -BIOS freezing as soon as it shows, up on screen. But only consistently in one scenario.
    -When BIOS freezes, It shows temps and clocks as N/A and will remain completly unresponsive.
    -When BIOS freezes it's instant, no delay, as soon as the display shows up, or even possibly before it shows up on my monitor.
    -BIOS will not freeze if GPU isn't installed and using on-board graphics.
    -even if BIOS freezes i can always boot into windows after I restart the computer.
    -If i get a cpu fan error(using a AIO water cooler), and press F1 to enter into BIOS, sometimes it will skip BIOS, and go straight into windows.
    -Will ALWAYS freeze BIOS if the following is true, change one and it might freeze, might not: XMP is on Profile 1, SSD is plugged in, and GPU is plugged in also. but change any one of these and it's a 50/50 that it might freeze. All plugged in; and it will freeze. 100% of the time. (Note: XMP sets the correct specs for the RAM @ 2133mhz, 9-11-10-30 1.5V)

Things I know are functioning "fine":
Have ran memtest86 for 10 hours on my RAM at my BIOS' stock speeds. no failures.
Memetest86 for 5 hours at 1866mhz 9-11-10-30 @1.5V (moba shows it's feeding it 1.523V-1.527V) with 0 failures.
ram has failed at 2133mhz 9-11-10-30 @1.5V which it is speced for. and also at 2000mhz

I have used 2 completely different 1080 TI's on the same motherboard. (EVGA shipped me one, before I had to return my old one. impossible for them to ship me the same card back, since I had both at the same time. EVGA has tested the 1080 TI I returned. and says it's functioning fine.

I've watched the PSU voltages both in bios and in windows for a few moments. the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V never even reach past ~2% fluctuations. and 12V rail is VERY stable. I don't have any equipment to check outside of that though. and really unsure what else i should be checking when it comes to the PSU

SSD is completely healthy, benchmarked and checked S.M.A.R.T. also Rapid mode is off, has been off

Now some more info:
After I tested my new GPU, and still got artifacts. (never tested BIOS at this point, or noticed anything wrong with it. Also had DP-DVI monitor connected) At that point I sent my Motherboard to ASUS with out further testing, they returned it with the BIOS flashed to the latest version. and CMOS reset.

I havn't looked further into artifacting with BIOS being all funky. but in the small benchmarks i've done, I haven't noticed anything causing further artifacts with the DP-DVI monitor unplugged.

At this very moment i'm packing up my motherboard, to ship it back to ASUS for more testing. I'll continue to update this as I continue to troubleshoot. And once the solution is found. I will be posting that as well. Any input and ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Hello... Test the card in another Computer will be a very good test at this time... report back the results for us B )

Another import item to do when RMAing electronic/mechanical component is to 'record the serial number" so to verify they are not sending back the same part to you... It happens B O
 

D34thbySp0rk

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May 2, 2017
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Will do, And for them sending back the RMA card, this is simply not possible. As that's sitting in a box, ready to be shipped in the morning. (Went with EVGA's Advanced RMA) They shipped me a replacement, Figured this would be a faster process.
Thank you for the reply.

EDIT: Just dawned on me, I got a GTX 970 laying around That I know is fully functional. Though... not sure if that'd be wise to drop in my moba... Just In case it could damage the card? I do plan on selling it to a friend at a later date.
 
Hello... Good point... wait for the new GTX in the friends computer "Test" before further testing in your MB would be a safer procedure at this time B )

Also get a magnifying Glass and Light... and look at your PCIE connector slots for any heat Discoloring or finger/contact/alignment damage too.
 

D34thbySp0rk

Prominent
May 2, 2017
3
0
510


So, my friend was unwilling to let me test my GPU in his computer, worried It may damage his. I did take a look in the PCI-e slot. and there's every so slightly, small amounts of discoloration at the bottom of the slot. about 2mm x 1mm wide. ASUS did test the Motherboard, and concluded that it was fine, returned it to me with the BIOS flashed.

I've also have taken the liberty of updating my original post. as there's a fair bit I've discovered. Sorry for such the delay. Life's been keeping me busy.