Windows 7: Hardware Problem with New Build

Hi folks

Building a new machine with a Z68 mobo a friend gave to me
Bought i3 3220 (ivybridge), 2x4gb ram, 120GB SSD, CM Elite case & psu

So installed everything powered up got 4 beeps shutdown
Reset mobo as had been used before got 3 beeps
I tried unplugging everything but cpu/fan/ram
Tried each ram stick in each slot etc checked cpu seated properly
Tried everything i could think off got 3 beeps always

Finally i figured mobo might need bios update to run ivybridge chip (which was already supposed to have been done in old system) so i ditched the Z68 and ordered a gigabyte Z77-DS3H, so now all components are brand spankers

Assembled everything 3 short beeps, pause, 3 short beeps shutdown
Same as before unplugged everything same beep combo
Only mobo cpu/cooler/ram same beep combo
Went to my office robbed some ddr3 out of my i7 system swapped it and still got 3/pause/3 beeps each stick in each slot and still the same
And i have noticed on power up cpu fan goes full speed for a few seconds then when beeps start it runs slowly dont know if this is relevant

Now im stuck
the only components i havent swapped out is the cpu & psu, but is it possible the cpu is faulty, is this a common thing ???

PS ive built a few systems over the years and troubleshot a few so have a bit of experience with this

Any input greatly received

I have a Gigabyte Z77X UD5H motherboard. It has a diagnostic (debug) LED display for errors. Does your board have this?

As everything except the CPU and power supply has been swapped one of the two is suspect. There is no 3 beeps listed below in what I found, but continuous short beeps is a power issue. If you have a different power supply you can try that would something to consider. If its not the power supply the only part left that has not been replaced is the CPU.

I did a google search for Gigabyte beep codes and keep coming up with the Award BIOS beep codes. The 3 short beeps you are getting is not listed..

A: The following Award BIOS beep code descriptions may help you identify possible computer problems.
(For reference only.)
1 short: System boots successfully
2 short: CMOS setting error"]
1 long, 1 short: Memory or motherboard error
1 long, 2 short: Monitor or graphics card error
1 long, 3 short: Keyboard error
1 long, 9 short: BIOS ROM error
Continuous long beeps: Graphics card not inserted properly
Continuous short beeps: Power error

No it hasnt got any LEDs unfortunately

Sorry i should have mentioned its got AMI UEFI bios and all the beep codes i could find relate to first 64k of memory failing (which is why i swapped out ram) but that is for three short beeps i couldnt find anything for 3/pause/3 combo. I am starting to wonder if it is the cpu but has anyone heard of a faulty cpu out of the box ?
Its a shame my i7 is the older 1366 x58 type or i could have proved it

Did the case come with the PSU? If so, then this is quite likely the culprit. Most, if not all, PSUs that come supplied with cases are inferior units that are woefully incapable of putting out the power that they state. In addition, their power regulation is usually poor. You can tell a good quality PSU, not only by its make, but also by its weight (the better quality unit being the heaviest). My case came with a 500W unit that I ditched in favour of my XFX one for those very reasons.

The psu is a cooler master 500W that came with the case didnt think i would need anything more than this as no gfx or sound cards as this is new machine for home/family use nothing to taxing

That beep code (3-short), and the 64k address check error all points to bad RAM.

I would first test the sticks with Memtest in another computer. But you said you used known good sticks so this may be a waste of time. (I'd waste the time, personally).

Are you sure the all RAM you are trying to use in this board is compliant? Correct voltage (1.5v normally) is most important. Other than that it is just the rated speed must be at or below the set limits without overclocking). 1333Mhz and below should be fine.

Or there could be an problem with the board or the RAM slots. Check the manual and be sure there are not any sneaky jumpers (like that other thread) missing.

Also check to be sure that the 3220 is listed for that motherboard with the correct revision number, and assume you have an older BIOS. If you need a more recent BIOS to run the Ivy Bridge you could be up against the same problem linneymeyerhere had with his build (couldn't use CPU without flashing to a newer BIOS - couldn't flash BIOS without CPU).

Let us know what you find.

I was checking for this, and came across what is mentioned above. In addition, the first set of error beeps you received (4) also points to a memory problem. Since you have changed everything bar the PSU and CPU, it is unlikely that the motherboard and RAM are at fault. It is more than likely to be the CPU, since the memory controller is built-in and it is a memory controller issue that you are having.

Thanks for your replies, just to update, i didnt really consider the psu would be a problem and was in the middle of breadboarding it so i quickly opened up another machine and plugged the two mobo powerleads into my board sat on a wooden table with only ram and cpu in and still got same three beeps followed by another three beeps so i think i can count the psu out, that leaves the cpu as the only untested component.

Now im afraid it could be the bios issue but im not sure how to be certain, have checked the manu site of mobo GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-Z77-DS3H (rev. 1.1)# and cpu list states four versions of my chip with N0,P0,E1,L1 stepping all supported from bios version 8 but 8 is the earliest available bios for my board so i was thinking this is the version the board would be shipped with (correct me if im wrong please) and i also am not sure what stepping version my chip is. Have chip and box in front of me but cant tell

Also i noticed that on manu website it refers to my mobo as revision 1.1 but my board says 1.0

My recent MSI P67A-GD80B3 mobo with the update for the i7 3770k was well not updated and the four beeps I got turned out to only need a bios re-flash to the correct update. This without a working CPU was a issue, so if you can't flash the bios with a usb or something or can find a friend who'll loan you a Sandy to post with then you may be forced to mail this in for flashing with Gigabyte?

Thats what im afraid of. I got a Z68 that i thought had that problem thats why i went out and bought a new Z77 thinking it wouldnt have this problem as it says its compatible with 22nm IB chips. Now im wondering if i should get a cheap G series 4xx, 5XX or 6xx SB chip to update with