PC "locks up" (not no BSOD) with more than 1 stick of RAM in it.

[naytuh]

Howdy folks,

I recently purchased:

this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=)

and this RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=).

I have done extensive testing (from swapping out the power supply, graphics card, running memtest, the works!), and it has led me to find that the motherboard simply cannot utilize more than one stick of RAM (of any variation!) at one time. If and when I put more than one stick in, I crash upon logging into Windows almost immediately, or shortly thereafter. It is not a BSOD, but simply the mouse freezes/entire system freezes, and I have to hard reset. I am willing to try anything again or something new, though! Throw it at me!

Any thoughts on how I can continue to troubleshoot this or potentially fix it? Through the google searching I've found that people typically just gave up and RMA'd it, but often it wasn't my particular issue, it was due to a faulty motherboard, which honestly I have not yet proven. So how can I? I'd really rather not have to go through the RMA process, as I'd love to not have to give up computerin' for another week, but alas.

Please let me know if I can get you any further information!

Thanks everyone, very much!



Temps: http://i.imgur.com/q4ACh.png

Voltages/etc. (I have tried both one and two sticks of RAM with both 9-9-9 and these timings): http://i.imgur.com/q4ACh.png

DXDiag: http://pastebin.com/jUCpaMtX

C:\Windows\Minidump is empty, by the way, as I'm not having a full BSOD, I guess.

I am on the latest version of the BIOS.

I have already reset the CPU/cleaned it of thermal paste/redid the thermal paste/and there appeared to be no bent pins (as they are hardly pins anymore, really).

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)

[Tradesman]

Which BIOS are you running, is it the latest? You mention memtest, did you test each stick individually and did they each pass? If not try that with each by itself in slot 1 (run 4 or so passes of Memtest). If both pass, would then check the CPU and socket for any lint or possible seepage of thermal compound onto the bottom of the CPU or in the socket, while there also check for bent/broken pins. If all good there would guess bad slot on the mobo or possible bad CPU...the combo should work fine.....might also take a look at:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=11279

which gives some troubleshooting tips

[naytuh]

Which BIOS are you running, is it the latest? You mention memtest, did you test each stick individually and did they each pass? If not try that with each by itself in slot 1 (run 4 or so passes of Memtest). If both pass, would then check the CPU and socket for any lint or possible seepage of thermal compound onto the bottom of the CPU or in the socket, while there also check for bent/broken pins. If all good there would guess bad slot on the mobo or possible bad CPU...the combo should work fine.....might also take a look at:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=11279

which gives some troubleshooting tips

Thanks for the response! I will edit my main post with the details you've requested/mentioned:

I am on the latest BIOS. I will try out your memtest recommendations. I have already reset the CPU/cleaned it of thermal paste/redid the thermal paste/and there appeared to be no bent pins (as they are hardly pins anymore, really). I will check out the troubleshooting tips tonight and see what I can muster up! Thanks again!

[Tradesman]

Was referring to the pins in the socket it self. And when you replace the CPU cooler, have the EVO snug, but not real tight, if one corner is tighter than the others it can flex the mobo a bit and cause full contact between CPU and socket to be off

[naytuh]

Was referring to the pins in the socket it self. And when you replace the CPU cooler, have the EVO snug, but not real tight, if one corner is tighter than the others it can flex the mobo a bit and cause full contact between CPU and socket to be off

Oh! All right. Well, we did a nice scan of "all" of the pins on the motherboard (took a loooong time) with our laser pointers and we didn't see any problems on bother the motherboard and CPU/socket. I will check, however, if the cooler is too tight/not equally tightened, because when we reconnected it I didn't double check the technician's work. Thanks again for a response. You're all sorts of good ideas!

[Tradesman]

Have a few years experience w/ systems (32)