Gigabyte EP45-UD3P

Hey ! Im new here =) Nice to meet you all. I JUST built a new system First time actually =D I did all my research and everything is compatible. Heres my build and then ill get to the problem

Q9550 Proccesor
Antec 900 Case
Zalmen 9700 cooler
Gigabyte EP45 UD3P
Caviar black 750Gig
Windows 7 Home Full
Gskill 4 Gig Ram 1066
ICEQ 4670 512mb

Now i read up that this motherboard has a huge problem with
1066 ram but i noticed that AFTER i ordered everything.
I'm currently waiting for the Hard drive and OS. But i
started the system up to see if everything turned on just to
make sure. Everything started up and i was very pleased to
see that. The red lights on the motherboard are ALL on green
orange and red. Is that supose to be on? Remember i dont have
the Hard drive or os on it. I wanted to check if there was video.
And there is not ANY picture at all moniter doesnt even blink.
Im going to start my questioning off with Is this all normal?
should i wait out until I get the Hard drive and os or is there
something supose to show up? Thanks EveryOne.

i'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure you should still be able to post without a hard drive, and you will definitely be able to post without an OS. that motherboard is a complete hit or miss with its memory controller, so here's a few questions:

what slots are you running the memory in, and are you running both sticks?
are you sure everything is plugged in? (if everything is plugged in you should see all of your fans running, including the ones on your graphics card)
the lights being on is normal for startup, but once the computer posts they should turn off. (im pretty sure they indicate processor load)


let me know asap!

Our standard checklist and troubleshooting thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] t-problems

You do not need a keyboard, mouse, monitor, or any drives to POST. You will need a monitor to see any messages.

Neither the Antec 900 case nor the motherboard have a system speaker. If you don't have one, you will need one, particularly with a nonworking system.

Is your memory voltage set to factory specs? And while I am talking about memory, let me say, "There ain't no such thing as DDR2-1066 RAM." Got your attention now, yes? DDR2-1066 RAM is simply DDR2-800 RAM that has been tested to run at the higher speed, usually at an increased voltage and more relaxed timings. The G'byte boards have no particular problem with the faster memory.

Summary of my systems:
GA-EP45-UD3P | Q9550 OC'd to 3.6 GHz (425 MHz X 8.5)
GA-EP45-UD3L | Q6600 OC'd to 3.6 GHz (400 MHz X 9)
GA-EP35-DS3P | E5200 OC'd to 3.78 GHz (315 MHz X 12)

actually the more recent p45 gigabyte boards have a huge load of problems (relatively large amount) running 1066 memory at max speed, ESPECIALLY gskill (not gskill's fault tho, purely gigabyte's poor response).

i say it's a relatively large amount because most boards have no problem running ddr2 1066 at their full speed, but there are way more boards with defective memory controllers than should be the case with such a large manufacturer like gigabyte. it honestly is a toss-up with the ep45-ud3p, each one needs to be tinkered with on a case-by-case manner in order to get 1066 to run (there are a good number that can auto-detect settings at 1066, and even more of these boards auto-detect the memory clocked at 800)

if you can't post with 1 memory stick (either in slot 1 or 2), then you're motherboard deserves an RMA

if you CAN post with just 1 stick in, and you CAN'T post with two sticks in corresponding dual channel slots (ie slots 1&3, 2&4), then in this case try running with two sticks in slots 1&2 or 3&4. if you CAN post with two sticks NOT IN DUAL CHANNEL (no dual channel would mean the memory is in slots 1&2 or 3&4) then it means your memory controller is broken and you need an RMA, no big deal.



basically, ddr2 1066 needs to be manually set to run at listed speed, but the board should still be able to post at ddr2 800 with auto settings.

I Tried taking the memory out and tried different kinds and everything I seriously do NOT hear the proccesor. I think its the power supply or the motherboard. I tried 1 Memory stick i tried a different brand and everything but nothing. Im going to take the computer to a computer fix place and see what they can do. How well does newegg go with DOA's?

So do you guys think its the power supply or the motherboard?

I just did a hardware swap this week on my puter and installed a EP45-UD3P and had no issues. I also installed 8 GB of new OCZ Reaper DDR2 1066 and it auto detected that is was 1066 and timings were corrrect.

No. The 6 pin connectors are PCI-e power plugs. The pinout is different for the 4 and 8 pin CPU power plugs.

You need a system speaker to troubleshoot or you will just end up blindly replacing parts.

As far as autodetecting 1066 settings is concerned, it depends on the values programmed into the RAM SPD chips. A lot of what is sold as DDR2-1066 RAM has only DDR2-800 values programmed into the SPD memory. That does not mean there is a problem with the memory controller.

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Thought I'd post the solution here just incase someone reads it. The one network port was causing the problems...when i disabled it via the bios it became stable. I still sent it back for a replacement. Been rockin ever since without having to disable anything.