Solved 6th core not working

[proudtobegreek]

On a X980 (ES) that works fine with 5 cores(set in BIOS),if configured to 6,boots and crashes right after.The strangest thing is that it works flawless in safe mode.Its about a rig that fell into my hands,so system specs do not correspond.Mobo is a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R with 10 gb of RAM DDR3 1600 PSU 550W.If we solve this problem i am gonna buy it,so its kind of important if it can be done.Any suggestions?

 

[Solarstarshines]

Question is it overclocked?

 

[proudtobegreek]

No,its not.Performing like a charm with them 5 ,but as soon as the sixth is enabled, im gettin them skycoloured screens...

 

[proudtobegreek]

should i consider the silence as a "no deal" advice?

 

[fseal]

Well that's not looking good :/ I'd pass or ask for a big discount and then be happy with 5 cores.

Safe mode may actually limit the processor to a single core.

10 GB is kind of a funny amount of ram. Dual channel would normally be 4, 8, 12, 16, triple channel would be 6, 12, 18, 24. Not that 10 may not be legal for the MB, it's just... odd...

Could maybe try this: If the ram modules are different sizes, lets say it's dual channel and you got 2+2+1 in channel A and 2+2+1 in channel B. Might try taking out the two 1Gigs and see if it runs better with 8 Gig, just in case the memory mismatch is causing problems (Could be different manufacturers and speeds etc)

 

[Layback Bear]

Normally it means nobody has a answer for you. Have you checked if their is a bios update that address that exact problem. I have just got off the phone with my Intel dealer and he stated that Intel has no reported problems using that chip on a Intel board. All 6 cores work. He doesn't install that chip on other brand boards. A bios update might also address that 10 gig of ram.

 

[proudtobegreek]

An exact pairing of modules did not help.Bios is up to date and detects all six,includes temps,usage etc.Tried to approach msconfig but cant make it because it crashes too fast and safe mode doesnt let me do that.Anyway,i ll better step back on that purchase,better sour than sorry.Thank you everybody for beeing supportive,again.Great to know someone is listening(reading) out there...

 

[F5ing]

If it's not too late, you might try burning a Linux OS to disc and see if it can utilize all 6 cores. If so it may be a Windows issue rather than a problem with the machine itself. If it responds the same way Windows does then I think you've narrowed it down to the machine itself.

 

[proudtobegreek]

Smart thinking,already tried with a handy XP disk with no result,should be a machine issue,unless Linux would be a much "closer approach".

 

[F5ing]

Certainly seems like a machine issue, but was just trying to rule out other potential culprits.

I was going to suggest trying a run of Prime95 but it seems rather pointless if you can't run all 6 cores for any length of time.

May be worth pulling the processor and checking connections. May as well check everything else inside there if you do go in.

 

[proudtobegreek]

Took a look under the hood and didnt find anything like physical damage.Made sure of all connections,even gave it a try with no paste at all,its a no go.This machine is on its way back.Should i mark as "solved" or would i mislead members?

 

[F5ing]

I'm thinking to go ahead and mark as solved as it seems the thread has evolved to the point where the issue points to a true hardware problem rather than software/configuration, thread is a week old, 240+ views, etc.

And you've also seemed to have made up your mind based on responses. I'm thinking you can mark it now, or wait a few days in case there's someone else that might post some relevant info.

 

[proudtobegreek]

I ll do that.dont want to slam the door to anyone who would even try to help.And judging by the views,i could not expect more in a weeks time.The thread title alone...

 

[Solarstarshines]

Did you ever try that CPU in another board to make sure it isnt the cpu itself

? if it comes down to the cpu working properly on another board then i would assume the MB is the problem

There is no reason why you have a 6 core chip that only lets you use 5 cores

I'm really thinking the mainboard is your real issue because that makes no sense other wise

 

[proudtobegreek]

You are absolutely right,nobody could or has pinned the problem down to only the processor.I would have gladly made the swap,but my p5b cant handle them 6 cores,and i dont know anybody around who owns a board that could and would be willing to get in such a procedure.But you sir,are absolutely right.
PS with no intention to insult. BIOS (aka MB) detects all six,is that like pointing a finger at CPU?

 

[F5ing]

BIOS (aka MB) detects all six,is that like pointing a finger at CPU?

That may be right. I guess the only way to really know is you putting in another 6 core processor and trying it out.

I wonder if running Prime95 on 5 cores would reveal anything. I don't know enough about using it and making evaluations based on what it reveals. But it seems if one of the cores doesn't work there may be a likelihood there's a problem with one or more of the others.

 

[Layback Bear]

You could go into Boot Advance Options and see if some one has be tinkering in there. At the top their should be (NO) check marks in number of processors or in the max memory.

 

[Solarstarshines]

You are absolutely right,nobody could or has pinned the problem down to only the processor.I would have gladly made the swap,but my p5b cant handle them 6 cores,and i dont know anybody around who owns a board that could and would be willing to get in such a procedure.But you sir,are absolutely right.
PS with no intention to insult. BIOS (aka MB) detects all six,is that like pointing a finger at CPU?

It may show you all 6 cores but them working effectivly is another issue there are plenty of cpu's with 4 cores turned into 3 or a 3 core turned into 2 based on one of the cores being faulty or unable to keep up meaning problems

I understand it was tested etc by intel but just seems the CPU has an issue and maybe there is a way to have a shop or someone test it for a small fee

No worries about it being an insult you only giving us all the facts of what you see which is good informantion

 

[proudtobegreek]

Thanks everybody for the support.The machine is on its way back,fiddled with it about a month to no avail,it was worth the try.Marked as solved due to be a hardware failure and not OS.
PS.I didnt ignore your prompt about msconfig Layback Bear,just had no luck with it either.

 

[F5ing]

And thank you for the update!