M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Catastrophe

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09-03-2010, 09:36 AM
OC Maximus

M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Catastrophe

This is not a ran't thread, just want to share my personal experience with this motherboard.

This board was purchased new from Newegg back in May and it died yesterday. Well, I hope its only the board and not the processor. Computer will not post, not beep, nothing. Only fans and pump come on when I press the power button.

This death didn't happen out of the blue, there were some clear indications that the board was dieing.

Two months after having everything up and running, 4GHz 24/7, crossfire stopped working. Come to find out PCIE lanes were stuck at 8x/1x vs 8x/8x. So I pulled a GPU and have ran with a single 5770 ever since.

Yesterday I rebooted and lost the display. Computer would beep but wasn't sending a signal to the display so I pulled the GPU and inserted it in the PCIE that was stuck at 1x and the display came back. I reset CMOS, pulled the battery, ect. And again confirmed that my primary PCIE slot, which should have been running at x16 with a single GPU but had been stuck at x8, was officially dead.

After and hour of running the GPU in the only working PCIE lane I noticed my display had frozen. So I went ahead and rebooted and nothing happened. Dead as a door nail. Pulled the GPU and tried the onboard graphics and still nothing. Reset CMOS, pulled battery, ect, and still nothing. Reseated CPU, checked all connections and still nothing. Dead, dead, dead. :shrug:

Now that my main rig is down after only 4 months I'm again shopping for a motherboard. I'm looking for a "Proven Solid" motherboard that can handle 4GHz 24/7, a pair of 5770's in crossfire, and last more than 4 months. No need for x16/x16 at the moment, x8/x8 will be just fine. Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time,
OCM
09-03-2010, 10:12 AM
chew*

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Maximus

This is not a ran't thread, just want to like to share my personal experience with this motherboard.

This board was purchased new from Newegg back in May and it died yesterday. Well, I hope its only the board and not the processor. Computer will not post, not beep, nothing. Only fans and pump come on when I press the power button.

This death didn't happen out of the blue, there were some clear indications that the board was dieing.

Two months after having everything up and running, 4GHz 24/7, crossfire stopped working. Come to find out PCIE lanes were stuck at 8x/1x vs 8x/8x. So I pulled a GPU and have ran with a single 5770 ever since.

Yesterday I rebooted and lost the display. Computer would beep but wasn't sending a signal to the display so I pulled the GPU and inserted it in the PCIE that was stuck at 1x and the display came back. I reset CMOS, pulled the battery, ect. And again confirmed that my primary PCIE slot, which should have been running at x16 with a single GPU but had been stuck at x8, was officially dead.

After and hour of running the GPU in the only working PCIE lane I noticed my display had frozen. So I went ahead and rebooted and nothing happened. Dead as a door nail. Pulled the GPU and tried the onboard graphics and still nothing. Reset CMOS, pulled battery, ect, and still nothing. Reseated CPU, checked all connections and still nothing. Dead, dead, dead. :shrug:

Now that my main rig is down after only 4 months I'm again shopping for a motherboard. I'm looking for a "Proven Solid" motherboard that can handle 4GHz 24/7, a pair of 5770's in crossfire, and last more than 4 months. No need for x16/x16 at the moment, x8/x8 will be just fine. Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time,
OCM

Why not just RMA board, it seems like you just got a bad one.

Early 890gx boards from all vendors seemed to have issues although ASUS I have seen the least amount of issues with save me running the NB at 1.7 volts benching on ln2.........
09-03-2010, 10:24 AM
Praz

RMA is what I would do also. I haven't had any trouble out of mine. The PCIe issue was a hint of possibly worse things to come.
09-03-2010, 10:29 AM
OC Maximus

No longer have the NB and MOSFET heat sinks which I replaced with water blocks. Doubt ASUS would accept my board without heat sinks. Also, since this is my main rig I need a board asap. I really liked this board while it worked. Kind of a bummer for it to go down so quick. I would just repurchase the same board if I wasn't so worried of it failing also. If I do purchase the same board again I could probably swap out heat sinks and RMA the bad board, hmmm..... I've never had to RMA before.
09-03-2010, 10:30 AM
DosDuoNo

remove the usb your using as a readyboost, or any other usb flash hard drive etc.

then do all the clear cmos thing and unplug of course, let the power clear from anywhere

reboot...walla

then update bios...ill explain later

your welcome
09-03-2010, 10:35 AM
chew*

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Maximus

No longer have the NB and MOSFET heat sinks which I replaced with water blocks. Doubt ASUS would accept my board without heat sinks. Also, since this is my main rig I need a board asap. I really liked this board while it worked. Kind of a bummer for it to go down so quick. I would just repurchase the same board if I wasn't so worried of it failing also. If I do purchase the same board again I could probably swap out heat sinks and RMA the bad board, hmmm..... I've never had to RMA before.

It's quite possible that if what dos duo nuo suggested does not work, ASUS may possibly RMA board for you still. They may just send you a replacement equivalent to yours, etc with no heatsink if they can determine that failure was not do to improper install and or mounting of waterblocks.
09-03-2010, 10:45 AM
OC Maximus

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosDuoNo

remove the usb your using as a readyboost, or any other usb flash hard drive etc.

then do all the clear cmos thing and unplug of course, let the power clear from anywhere

reboot...walla

then update bios...ill explain later

your welcome

I did that countless times yesterday without any luck. Still went ahead and tried it again after you posted and still nothing, dead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chew*

It's quite possible that if what dos duo nuo suggested does not work, ASUS may possibly RMA board for you still. They may just send you a replacement equivalent to yours, etc with no heatsink if they can determine that failure was not do to improper install and or mounting of waterblocks.

I'll try and get a hold of them today. Whats the best way of RMAing a board?
09-03-2010, 10:52 AM
chew*

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Maximus

I did that countless times yesterday without any luck. Still went ahead and tried it again after you posted and still nothing, dead.

I'll try and get a hold of them today. Whats the best way of RMAing a board?

need to go to product support page and follow RMA procedures.

In you case a call to customer service explaining your particular case would probably be a good idea due to the installation of waterblocks.
09-03-2010, 11:03 AM
OC Maximus

Will do, thanks for your help everyone.
09-03-2010, 11:11 AM
SubZero.it

Strange, really seemed a solid board
09-03-2010, 11:17 AM
OC Maximus

It still may be, just not mine.

Got my RMA number, board will be in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone,
OCM :up:
09-03-2010, 11:36 AM
PaganII

Good luck with the new board. I love mine!. It ran 100% on all 6 cores 24/7 for 8 days during the WCG challenge with ambient temps in the mid 90s F during the daytime. (air cooled) Been rock solid gamer since.
09-09-2010, 06:48 PM
OC Maximus

Its in ASUS hands as of today.
09-09-2010, 07:11 PM
Panther_Seraphi

Good to hear. Keep us up to date.

Hope they approve the RMA
09-09-2010, 07:24 PM
OC Maximus

Thanks. I'm actually holding off purchasing another MB till I hear back from ASUS. Going from three computers (8 cores) to one laptop (2 cores) has been challenging to say the least. Need to get the main rig back up and running along with picking up a backup board.

Hey Chew*, how about selling me that M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 you flashed at me during your livestream the other day so I can have a cheap backup to beat up on. ;)

OCM :up:
09-09-2010, 07:29 PM
chew*

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Maximus

Thanks. I'm actually holding off purchasing another MB till I hear back from ASUS. Going from three computers (8 cores) to one laptop (2 cores) has been challenging to say the least. Need to get the main rig back up and running along with picking up a backup board.

Hey Chew*, how about selling me that M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 you flashed at me during your livestream the other day so I can have a cheap backup to beat up on. ;)

OCM :up:

I think if i sell that one I have no board to support end users ;)
09-09-2010, 07:36 PM
OC Maximus

LOL, fair enough.
09-09-2010, 08:24 PM
Glow9

http://declubz.com/blog/wp-content/u...repair-kit.jpg

I swear.... This pic is so old and yet I'm going to keep posting it until people remember it.
09-09-2010, 08:32 PM
OC Maximus

LOL :rofl:
09-10-2010, 02:10 AM
zoomee

I was just gunna post in here saying how my board is working perfectly - BUT I take it all back!.

Been getting this really HIGH-PITCHED whining noise coming from what seems like the mainboard when I overclock and stress test. Having all fans set to minimum its VERY audible and even whacking them up to full my wife gets upset claiming 'your overdoing it' - 'GOD DAMN IT WOMAN STFU - *COUGH COUGH* I mean sorry babe, your misguided in your thinking' :mad:

Sticking my head inside the case (more or less) its defo not coming from my PSU, nor my GPU (as has been reported on other forums) - but from around the CPU area. It can't be the corsair H50 pump!?! - as no-one else has reported similar problems from it and its wierd it mainly happens when I stress test my system - DEFO Not the CPU - Can only be the mainboard. Grrrrr!!!!!

No way I'm gunna sit here without a PC for 2 months whilst it RMA's - As it only happens when I overclock/stress test think I'm gunna sell the board and go for the Crosshair (just the excuse I needed :) )
09-10-2010, 02:39 AM
BeepBeep2

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomee

I was just gunna post in here saying how my board is working perfectly - BUT I take it all back!.

Been getting this really HIGH-PITCHED whining noise coming from what seems like the mainboard when I overclock and stress test. Having all fans set to minimum its VERY audible and even whacking them up to full my wife gets upset claiming 'your overdoing it' - 'GOD DAMN IT WOMAN STFU - *COUGH COUGH* I mean sorry babe, your misguided in your thinking' :mad:

Sticking my head inside the case (more or less) its defo not coming from my PSU, nor my GPU (as has been reported on other forums) - but from around the CPU area. It can't be the corsair H50 pump!?! - as no-one else has reported similar problems from it and its wierd it mainly happens when I stress test my system - DEFO Not the CPU - Can only be the mainboard. Grrrrr!!!!!

No way I'm gunna sit here without a PC for 2 months whilst it RMA's - As it only happens when I overclock/stress test think I'm gunna sell the board and go for the Crosshair (just the excuse I needed :) )

That happens with alot of boards. (Ever heard a graphics card do this? Nvidia cards do it all the time) It's just a product of the board having to supply a %*#$load of power to the motherboard.

Some boards with a stronger 8+2 phase won't make this noise, but my Gigabyte 790X-UD4P used to do this a lot.
09-10-2010, 03:05 AM
zoomee

ASUS 8+2 Phase Power Design
Longer Life & Higher Efficiency!
Unleashes ultimate memory performances with independent power to core components, while providing fast transient response and stability for the CPU under heavy loading or overclocking modes.

Apparantly this board has the above. I've noticed the noise has got worse over time - maybe the reason why my overclock doesn't stay stable these days come to think of it - hmmmm, the plot thickens.

I just been reading up on it thinking it was my Corsair H50 - there three main culprits - PSU, GFX then mainboard in that order. Defo not coming from the PSU as thats way down at the bottom of my case so noise would be quickly isolated to there, Defo not GFX either as its coming from around the CPU area - which denotes mainboard.

i mean its not as if I'm bigtime stressing the mainboard! - i'm only asking it to give 0.1volts more to the CPU! - stock is 1.32volts - I set it to 1.42 :(
09-10-2010, 05:54 AM
Ket

Whats the cooling like on the MOSFETs and NB? The hotter components get the more inefficient they become, requiring extra power and producing more heat. At the very least its probably worth trying a remount of the cooling with some decent TIM.
09-10-2010, 10:26 AM
zoomee

Its just the standard Heatsinks etc mate - I'm not willing to pull them off just in case I void any warranties.

As it only happens when I'm oc-ing I've got a buyer lined up for it - lol. I don't use the built in IGP so thought i'd invest in something more suited for oc-ing:

Just ordered my Asus Crosshair IV Formula today - should be with me tommorow :up:
09-10-2010, 10:52 AM
Ket

Truth be known, manufacturers know they use crap TIM and do a sh|t job when it comes to choosing the mounting of the mobo cooling. I've never come across a manufacturer yet thats not RMAd something because I took the cooling off and done a proper job of it. Eitherway, doesn't effect you now I guess as you got a new mobo incoming :D
09-10-2010, 12:13 PM
Dumo

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomee

I was just gunna post in here saying how my board is working perfectly - BUT I take it all back!.

Been getting this really HIGH-PITCHED whining noise coming from what seems like the mainboard when I overclock and stress test.

Your board is fine
09-10-2010, 07:09 PM
BeepBeep2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ket

Truth be known, manufacturers know they use crap TIM and do a sh|t job when it comes to choosing the mounting of the mobo cooling. I've never come across a manufacturer yet thats not RMAd something because I took the cooling off and done a proper job of it. Eitherway, doesn't effect you now I guess as you got a new mobo incoming :D

Trust me, they are fine. The heatsinks on my 890FX board are basically the same and they are suprisingly efficient. NB temps on load are 40c :up: and the heatsinks are very warm (they are transferring heat).
09-13-2010, 01:27 AM
zoomee

Recieved my Crosshair on saturday - needless to say I was highly dissapointed! It screeches just the same as my M4A89GTD!

A)- Voltages are all over the place! - on stock settings vcore kept jumping around from 1.28 to 1.32 - then as high as 1.42!!! - wooot! - tried latest official BIOS from Asus (1005)- same thing.

B)- At one point the CPU VID, VDDA VID and another voltage sensor stopped working for like 5 seconds!!! - This board is highly unstable!

C)- The board (even though the supplier reckons is brand spanking new) had a hand written white label sticker on it (labelled m14 or somat!) and the mac address label looked like someones been trying to peel it off!!! lol! You'd expect more from a £160 mainboard!

D)- Lastly - i wasn't impressed by how much hotter the chipset is on a 890FX board v's a 890GX one - 5 Degrees C hotter....

Needless to say I've already arranged for a refund and am gunna stick with the M4A89GTDPro/USB3.0 - All is forgiven baby - come back to daddy! :)
09-13-2010, 03:22 AM
BeepBeep2

lmfao.
09-13-2010, 03:32 AM
zoomee

lol - I knoes mate - you did tell me ;) :rolleyes:
09-16-2010, 08:20 AM
OC Maximus

Spoke to ASUS today and it looks like they are just waiting for a replacement board. It was DOA so I get a new board. :yepp:

OCM :up:
09-16-2010, 08:58 AM
Valg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glow9

http://declubz.com/blog/wp-content/u...repair-kit.jpg

I swear.... This pic is so old and yet I'm going to keep posting it until people remember it.

I swear, i got a very similar tool, but just for Gigabyte hardware. Works on Gigabut's MBO, GPU and any other :banana::banana::banana::banana:ty things they create.
09-16-2010, 02:39 PM
OC Maximus

ASUS Repair Status now went form "WAITSWAP" to "Packing" today. Wooo Hooo! lol
09-17-2010, 11:07 AM
OC Maximus

Asus received my motherboard on 9/10 and a new board is on its way to me today 9/17.

7 Day turn around, not bad at all.
09-22-2010, 12:16 PM
OC Maximus

Looky what fedex dropped off today.

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...I/DSC02918.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...I/DSC02923.jpg

I was only expecting a motherboard and I got a brand spanking new retail box from ASUS. Good on ASUS. Now lets see if this thing fires up.

OCM :up:
09-22-2010, 12:28 PM
chew*

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC Maximus

Looky what fedex dropped off today.

http://i464./albums/rr4/383HEMI/DSC02918.jpg

http://i464.83HEMI/DSC02923.jpg

I was only expecting a motherboard and I got a brand spanking new retail box from ASUS. Good on ASUS. Now lets see if this thing fires up.

OCM :up:

Glad everything worked out, I told you ASUS is preety level headed with this stuff if user error is not an issue, Looks like you got a spare heatpipe assembly now to. :up:
09-22-2010, 01:42 PM
OC Maximus

Quote:

Originally Posted by chew*

Glad everything worked out, I told you ASUS is preety level headed with this stuff if user error is not an issue, Looks like you got a spare heatpipe assembly now to. :up:

Yeah, I probably wouldn't have even sent it out for RMA if it wasn't for your advice in post #2. I thank you for that. ;)

Now I'm just waiting on you to test that spare board before you send it out to me :p:

OCM :up: