x99 extreme 6 shows code b0 (or 60), I think it's b0 as the b has no top crossbar.

Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E

tried G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) F4-2800C15D-32GVR first, both sticks in all possible slot configurations - then 1 stick, same result. Removed and reinstalled the CPU and redid the memory shuffle with the same result. Returned the memory and got

GeIL 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000) Gaming Memory Model GPR432GB3000C15QC

Installed 4 stick (I thought that might have been the issue) - found that slots c and d are reversed from a and b... ok... (btw, I don't like the single latch, especially when having memory errors) and, yep, b0 again with 4 sticks (a1b1c1d1) and 1 stick (a1 or b1)

g.skill and geil both say the memory supports x99, what now? is the mb fubar?

b0 or 60 are both memory error codes. X99 chipset boards are finicky creatures. That's not an excuse, but given what I've read about other mobo manufacture's X99 boards, we are lucky to have an ASRock X99 board.

I have an X99 Extreme6 board, but the X99 Extreme6/3.1 version. Not much if at all different that I can see, except for different UEFI versions.

I know exactly what you mean about the labeling of the DIMM slots. Your description of it is correct.

They are configured as:  A1 A2  B1 B2   CPU   D2 D1  C2 C1

I'm NOT saying this configuration is wrong, but what is of significance is the location of the '1' slots and the '2' slots, as in A1 and A2 or C1 and C2.

This is from my board's manual about the use the DIMM slots:

Due to Intel® CPU spec deinition, please install the memory modules on DDR4_A1, DDR4_B1, DDR4_C1 and DDR4_D1 for first priority.

I agree with the statement above, which I will elaborate on more below.

Unfortunately, when using two DIMMs as you are, their location is ambiguous given this information.

A non-intuitive bit of information from Intel about the order of use of the DIMM slots is this:

Populate the the DIMM slots that are the farthest from the processor first.

We might also ask if memory channels have a priority when we have four/quad channels on an X99 board. I have never seen any information that specifies a priority of channels. So channel priority is not a factor.

IMO, the main rules we need to follow are populating the DIMMs farthest from the processor first, and use the number 1 slot in each channel first.

Also, populating each of the available channels first takes priority over using both DIMM slots in each channel. This makes sense since having as many memory channels as possible in use will provide greater memory bandwidth than fewer channels.

So if you accept this information, then the layout of the DIMM slots on our board, and the information in the manual, we can figure out the optimal configuration when using two DIMMs.

Two DIMMs in a quad channel X99 board should be put in slots A1 and C1.

Very important, every time we move memory from one slot to another, we MUST clear the UEFI/BIOS! If you don't do this, you're on your own.

When inserting memory in DDR4 boards, notice that the connection side of the DIMM is curved. When you insert a DIMM in a slot, check the edge of the DIMM slot, and the memory DIMM itself. The line the top of the DIMM slot makes is a great reference point to check if the DIMM is fully seated. You should see none of the DIMM's contact points above the DIMM slot, or if you do they should be ALL at the same distance above the top of the DIMM slot.

My DDR4 DIMMs have small gold dots along the DIMM's length, which I use as a reference to determine if the DIMM is fully seated. Each DIMM model may have its own markings, etc, that can be used to check for complete and proper insertion.

So, two DIMMs in slots A1 and C1. Clear the UEFI/BIOS after inserting the DIMMs. Verify the DIMMs are fully seated.

If you still have a problem, let us know. Good Luck!!

tried a1 - c1, cleared cmos, no joy. on power on, shows 19 then changes to b0 in less than 2 seconds. do I need to go through all the possible permutations of 4 sticks and 8 slots?

Oz666 wrote: (sigh) I already have 5-6 hours of bench time into this machine and haven't installed a drive or seen the bios screen.

Ohhhhhoho don't rock the boat.

Today I assemble a board/cpu for a customer and 20mins into running the friggin' NEW(!) Corsair H105's pump goes belly up. Lovely, just lovely.




On to your problem.

If you or parsec knows if this is possible, use one stick of that GeIL in the appropriate slot and see if you can get her to at minimum just boot into the BIOS.

That G.Skill you have there is 16GB sticks and I'm thinking, since you haven't yet made it into the BIOS tp up-flash to the latest BIOS that those stand a good chance of not running until you up-flash. The X99 platform is relatively new(ish) and the board manufacturers have been pushing BIOS update out their doors to keep up with the still ever expanding influx of new and higher MHz memory.

Barring the GeIL not working beg borrow or steal some from a friend or maybe even one of your customers you're chummy with to try with.

But I'm left thinking that this is all BIOS and in turn memory compatibility related.

At the inside of PCIe3 and just above it lie your two BIOS chips. On them should be a sticker with the BIOS revision that ASRock sent them out their doors installed/flashed with. Assuming this board is New and not a refurb or second hand the numbers on the sticker(s) will be represent what your board is currently flashed to and running.

My guess is it's now considerably dated, the current BIOS rev. of the board as it is now.. Thus way way missing out on many memory compatibility related BIOS updates behind.

Success!

As posited by others, a bios update fixed the no boot issues I experienced. (1.90 -> 2.10) However, I did have to install slower memory to get a bootup so that a bios flash was possible. (2x8GB of adata 2133 was installed) the 4 x 8GB of geil potenza 3000 are now running at 3000 may try for 3200, only a 6.66% upclock... if anyone is interested - say so and I will post clocks, timings and temps after burn in amd a bit of tweaking

Thanks again for the help and suggestions - really bites that the faster memory wouldn't boot without the bios update that was needed to get the system to boot so that one could do a bios update. I have had similar issues before, but it's been a long time.

FYI, if you are flashing from a USB, use the port in the corner of the board by DDR4_C1, recognized immediately.

Now the work begins.


Edited by Oz666 - 12 Jan 2016 at 4:13am