Diagnosing Memory Function Problem

I have recently built a new Intel P55 chipset based system with an Intel Core i3-530 (Clarkdale) processor. The system did not function as expected.

The system is able to accept DIMMs of DDR3 memory positioned to run in single-channel mode. When the DIMMs are configured in dual-channel mode, the system fails to POST. (The bolded text describes the problem)

I tried using different brand and speed memory modules and received the same result (no POST in dual channel mode).

From what I have read for a P55 system, the memory controller is on the processor (in this case, Clarkdale).

I concluded that the motherboard was defective, the processor was defective, or both the motherboard and the processor were defective.

What part of the built system has the greatest likelihood of being defective?

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The following are relevant parts of the system:

Motherboard: Motherboard: ASRock P55 Extreme
Manufacture Website: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P55 EXTREME
Chipset: Intel P55
BIOS version: 2.20

Processor: Intel Core i3-530 (Clarkdale)
Manufacturer Webpage1: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=46472
Manufacturer Webpage2: http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLBLR

Power Supply: OCZ OCZOCZ850GXSSLI (OCZ GameXStream 850W Power Supply)
Manufacturer Webpage: http://www.ocztechnology.com/produc...rmance/ocz-gamexstream-850w-power-supply.html
Mechanical Diagram: http://www.ocztechnology.com/res/manuals/OCZ850GXSSLI.pdf

RAM: G.Skill F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO (2 x 2GB G.Skill DDR3-1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Memory)
Manufacturer Webpage: http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=247
Rated voltage: 1.35 volts

did you try and run a memory test on each module individually? i can tell you the CPU is the least likely culprit (yes i know the memory controller is on the CPU). the chips are rock solid so i would look at the memory modules and then the board.

I just went though this tonight with a fresh from RMA ASUS board. My second DIMM slot is faulty it turns out.

Try on single stick with 1 pass memtest in every slot. tests 5 or 7 will probably show you the problem

You can physically inspect the board (magnifying glass looking at the top of the dimms, but mine showed no problems)

Neuromancer said:

I just went though this tonight with a fresh from RMA ASUS board. My second DIMM slot is faulty it turns out.

Try on single stick with 1 pass memtest in every slot. tests 5 or 7 will probably show you the problem

You can physically inspect the board (magnifying glass looking at the top of the dimms, but mine showed no problems)

Click to expand...

I have tried using one stick of RAM only, but that, of course, must use single-channel mode. I have tried RAM in all RAM slots; RAM functions when in any of the RAM slots expect where they should configure for dual-channel mode (matched pair).

Have you tried upping IMC and / or DRAM voltage, and I assume the no-POST in DC occurs w/ the DRAM multiplier at 8x = 1066MHz DRAM frequency?

redduc900 said:

Have you tried upping IMC and / or DRAM voltage

Click to expand...

redduc900 said:

I assume the no-POST in DC occurs w/ the DRAM multiplier at 8x = 1066MHz DRAM frequency?

Click to expand...

I have tried that frequency, as well as other frequencies. The result is always the same: no POST for dual-xchannel mode.

The olny way it seems to confirm whether the problem is the CPU or motherboard is by trying the current CPU or motherboard with a different motherboard or CPU (respective order). It is difficult, however, finding another Socket 1156 motherboard to try my CPU in.