Z77 extreme 4 m - RAM/PCIe problem (SOLVED)

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   Howdy. Got some problems with my Z77 extreme 4 M, socket 1155.
I have two monitors; main monitor connected to my AMD R9 290x, and secondary monitor connected to Intel graphics.

First issue: When I'm gaming, the video signal disconnects from the main (AMD gfx) monitor only, and the computer freezes up entirely. I can see this on the other (Intel gfx) monitor. This only happens when I game; if I reboot and avoid launching 3D applications it runs without a hitch.

I've run windows' memory diagnostics tool, and it informed me that I have a memory problem

So, I switch around my RAM sticks to test for defects. One chip at a time, the problem persists. I probably don't have 4 defective RAM sticks. Or do I? Anyway.

I send my R9 290x to service. They stress test it and find no errors. Probably not the 290x.

The problem keeps happening, but after the last instance, I can't get any signal at all from the R9 290X on boot.

I boot to bios to check how the hardware is connected. Apparently the PCIe x16 slot is empty.

Which is patently untrue:

So, has anyone come across this issue? I'm testing out the second PCIe 3.0 x16 port on the mobo to see if it's just a defective port. Either way it seems to be a mobo problem.

Full specs:
z77 extreme 4m, 1155
Silver Power SP-SS750M, 750W
i5-3450
AMD R9 290X
16 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM (4x4)

Edited by patsy02 - 29 Oct 2017 at 7:31pm

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patsy02 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2017 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote patsy02 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Z77 extreme 4 m - RAM/PCIe problem (SOLVED) Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 9:46pm
	Howdy. Got some problems with my Z77 extreme 4 M, socket 1155. I have two monitors; main monitor connected to my AMD R9 290x, and secondary monitor connected to Intel graphics. First issue: When I'm gaming, the video signal disconnects from the main (AMD gfx) monitor only, and the computer freezes up entirely. I can see this on the other (Intel gfx) monitor. This only happens when I game; if I reboot and avoid launching 3D applications it runs without a hitch. I've run windows' memory diagnostics tool, and it informed me that I have a memory problem So, I switch around my RAM sticks to test for defects. One chip at a time, the problem persists. I probably don't have 4 defective RAM sticks. Or do I? Anyway. I send my R9 290x to service. They stress test it and find no errors. Probably not the 290x. The problem keeps happening, but after the last instance, I can't get any signal at all from the R9 290X on boot. I boot to bios to check how the hardware is connected. Apparently the PCIe x16 slot is empty. Which is patently untrue: So, has anyone come across this issue? I'm testing out the second PCIe 3.0 x16 port on the mobo to see if it's just a defective port. Either way it seems to be a mobo problem. Full specs: z77 extreme 4m, 1155 Silver Power SP-SS750M, 750W i5-3450 AMD R9 290X 16 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM (4x4) Edited by patsy02 - 29 Oct 2017 at 7:31pm

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25633	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 10:45pm
	Try the following: 1. Check the slot for damaged contacts/debris 2. Try another PSU, if the PSU is dying the extra load from the GPU when you game could cause issues like this. 3. Try using one of the other PCIe slots for the GPU and see if it detects there. Let us know what happens.


patsy02 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2017 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote patsy02 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 11:12pm
	I'm trying the other PCIe x16 slot right now. First, I can see it connected in BIOS. But then, when trying to install the AMD driver that I'd tampered with (clean install), the PC freezes mid-installation. This happens twice, forcing me to power it down manually. After the second power down, I can no longer get a video signal from the AMD card, and the card is no longer registered in bios. Same as with the first PCIe x16 slot. I can't really find any damage or debris, nor is it likely that both slots are damaged. I'll be trying switching out the 750W PSU then with a new 450W Cooler Master PSU, then. I think 450W should be enough, at least for testing? Edited by patsy02 - 28 Oct 2017 at 11:13pm

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25633	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 12:31am
	450w is cutting it close with an R9 290x but it should be ok to test with if it is new and has at least 20 amps on the 12v rail. I wouldn't use it long term however. The R9 290/x are extremely power hungry. By the sound of your issue power could certainly be behind it. I would recommend at least a 550w 80+ certified PSU from a known good brand. Try with the 450w if you have it on hand, if it works then pick up something more suitable. If you still encounter the issue with the 450w, check the temperature of the air being pushed out the back of the 450w unit, if it is hot/warm then it is likely it can't handle the draw from the 290x. If it's cool then double check all your power connections and make sure there is no corrosion etc in the sockets. Also disconnect any non essential devices that could be drawing power from the PSU.


patsy02 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2017 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote patsy02 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 12:51am
	Gotcha. I know it's a power hungry card, but I've run a power hungry system before on a 500W PSU without a hitch. Anyway, I'm installing W10 on a new hard drive while I'm in there I'm rummaging. God I hope it's the PSU and not the mobo that's croaked. Will report back.

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25633	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 2:55am
	Good luck


patsy02 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2017 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote patsy02 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 7:30pm
	I got the system hooked up to the 450W PSU, and everything's running without issues so far. The PSU seems to be able to handle the R9 290X @ 1440p/60Hz. I'll run some more games in the coming days to be sure, but for now consider this solved. Thanks, dude.