MaximusIV-Extreme Thread

[seba84_2005]

My oc on 24/7

[theoldtimer]

I have a question for anyone that knows the function of each pin in the Sandy Bridge 1155 CPU socket or at least the function of the two pins that are damaged in my Asus Maximus IV Extreme motherboard. One pin has the contact area missing (from arcing I think) the other is bent out of position but I’m not sure I know how? I’ve included photos below such as they are as I don’t own a nice camera, sorry.

I’ve had the overclocking hobby for quite some time and have killed my share of hardware over the years and have tried to learn from each mistake (read dead hardware). I try to buy good hardware in hopes of increasing the hardware survival rate but one thing I know based on history is that I can break just about anything. To prove it, lately I’ve managed to kill two of these M4E’s the longest either on lasted was four days or less.

I’m not saying anything was wrong with either one or that Asus is making a problematic motherboard after all if I had used either one as it was designed to be used both would undoubtedly still be working. Fact is out of the many motherboards I own Asus makes up about 60-75% of the total so yes I like them.

The first one died shortly after running heavy 3D bench’s using a 2600K @5.6GHz+ @1.65vcore LLC set @ extreme. This was using a SS phase change cooler temps@-45C+/- on the processor. I'm not sure that one was moisture related but I can’t prove it. I was running 4 GPU’s (1x5970+2X5870’s overclocked)

The second M4E (the one in question) died or stopped posting while using the same cooling plus the same GFX cards but the processor was a better one as it was running @5.7GH+ @1.62-1.64vcore with the LLC one notch lower if I remember correctly. Again this was during or after running heavy 3D benches but in this case moisture may have been all or at least part of the problem? Anyway this second one didn’t just die it did try to post but it just couldn’t complete the post. I wish I could remember the post code it stopped on but I don't.

Now the reason for wanting to know each CPU socket pins function or at least the damaged ones.

When I removed the CPU I examined the socket and found two damaged pins. One pin was bent down and to the right and also had the contact area missing. This may explain the frying or electrical arcing sound I heard when it was trying to post? The other damaged pin was also bent down and to the right but the contact area appears ok. I bent both pins back into alignment with their brother and sister pin rows. Of course the one with the missing contact are may be a little short of the target contact position?

I’m not sure how the socket pins are getting damaged unless it’s the combination of moisture and high current? I have changed quite a few processors in the 1366, 1156 and now the 1155 socket with little problem until the 1155 so I’m not a noob with them. I just don’t really see how I could damage the pins by carefully removing then replacing a processor but I guess most anything is possible. As I said before I have proven that I can break just about anything.

I thought about buying a 2500K (no HT) and installing it in the socket with the straighten damaged socket pins then try to boot it up and if it does post and test ok then I’ll leave that CPU in and build a gaming rig around it? If it won’t post I can still use the 2500K. Of course if someone in the know tells me that those two damaged pins if misaligned will kill the 2500K then I’ll have to think twice about even trying it? I just hate to throw the M4E in the garbage without trying to get it going but I don’t want to kill a 2500K either.

This first photo has a reading magnifier lying on top of the socket in hopes of increasing the magnification of my poor camera. Again sorry of the poor photo quality.

[Raja@ASUS]

Can't see the images here in the office but if it's the top side of the socket it's power related (VCC/VSS).

[MythSquare]

I got the same bent down pins on my Deluxe, I don't know how it turned out like this but I aligned them to a proper state and my 2600k works ok.

[theoldtimer]

Can't see the images here in the office but if it's the top side of the socket it's power related (VCC/VSS).

Thanks for the reply. Do you have access to a diagram with the pin assignments or a link to one?

I got the same bent down pins on my Deluxe, I don't know how it turned out like this but I aligned them to a proper state and my 2600k works ok.

Thanks for the reply. How did your motherboard react to the bent pins? I mean did it try to post but always stop at a certain bios code and if so what was the code? Did the processor that was installed when the pins were bent die or is it the same one you are using now after straightening the pins?

[Raja@ASUS]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have access to a diagram with the pin assignments or a link to one?



Thanks for the reply. How did your motherboard react to the bent pins? I mean did it try to post but always stop at a certain bios code and if so what was the code? Did the processor that was installed when the pins were bent die or is it the same one you are using now after straightening the pins?

Check the Intel site>technical documents, it should be in the first datasheet for Sandy Bridge.

[theoldtimer]

Check the Intel site>technical documents, it should be in the first datasheet for Sandy Bridge.

Thanks, I found the socket diagram with pin layout assignment. The way I read it the damaged pins in my socket are A24 (VCC power) this is the pin with the missing contact area. The other pin is B23 (VSS ground). I'll try to get a better look at those two pins to see if it is possible they somehow came into contact with each other? If so I suppose that could explain how pin A24 lost it's contact area?

[MythSquare]

Thanks for the reply. How did your motherboard react to the bent pins? I mean did it try to post but always stop at a certain bios code and if so what was the code? Did the processor that was installed when the pins were bent die or is it the same one you are using now after straightening the pins?

The motherboard felt pretty good cuz I've stuck with no problems whatsoever and It was quite a relief after when I first saw bent down pins thinking I did it when taking CPU off the socket even I have no idea how it could even happen.
So no problems with posting and code is AA. Yes it's the very same CPU, I recently easily overclocked it to 5GHz to make some memory bandwidth tests.
I don't know how it's gonna turn out in the future cuz Im about to RMA the motherboard. It's old B2 rev. Deluxe.

[Raja@ASUS]

Thanks, I found the socket diagram with pin layout assignment. The way I read it the damaged pins in my socket are A24 (VCC power) this is the pin with the missing contact area. The other pin is B23 (VSS ground). I'll try to get a better look at those two pins to see if it is possible they somehow came into contact with each other? If so I suppose that could explain how pin A24 lost it's contact area?

Arcing is a possibility. Possible causes include over-current (way beyond specification current handling for the socket) or over-current due to poor contact caused by excessive torque from cooler mounting.

-Raja

[st0ned]

Ok here is my daily OC for the one looking for "settings"





It's the end of daily OC for me, this is with my replacement B3 board, bios 1101, 1458 proved it self less stable.

LCC @ 75%

Under load voltage is 1.370v in the measurement point

[MythSquare]

st0ned, what's the memory? Do you use a fan to cool the memory down?
thank you.

[st0ned]

It's a gskill 2x4Gb cl8 PC14800. Yup I use the include fan "thing". Because they get warm to toutch with no active cooling.

Pic:



Mems performance:

[theoldtimer]

The motherboard felt pretty good cuz I've stuck with no problems whatsoever and It was quite a relief after when I first saw bent down pins thinking I did it when taking CPU off the socket even I have no idea how it could even happen.
So no problems with posting and code is AA. Yes it's the very same CPU, I recently easily overclocked it to 5GHz to make some memory bandwidth tests.
I don't know how it's gonna turn out in the future cuz Im about to RMA the motherboard. It's old B2 rev. Deluxe.

Good luck with the RMA my friend. I wouldn’t think there would be a problem if they can’t see any bent pins?

Arcing is a possibility. Possible causes include over-current (way beyond specification current handling for the socket) or over-current due to poor contact caused by excessive torque from cooler mounting.

-Raja

I think it’s possible to load one corner of the cooler more than another to the point of causing too much or too little pressure on that corner. I have found that if I had that condition the system wouldn’t post. Then after carefully measuring the threads above the nuts on the cooler’s retaining screws making that distance equal for all four screws would allow the system to post.

For my use I think this socket is too delicate. I think it’s fine at default settings but for and old heavy handed overclocker like myself it hasn’t proven to be that robust.

I installed a 2600K in it then flipped the switch and it posted right up. After some testing I did find that the DIMM B2 slot is dead though. Oh well I’m just happy that it posted the loaded windows.

I didn’t clock it up or stress it that much just wPrime 1024 @stock settings. I think I’ll just stick in a case and make a gaming rig out of it.

[Malik]

Guys i have problem and i dont know where it is cause.

Max which i make with my stuff is 5.2Ghz with 1.52V. When i want go higher i have some problems:

- 53x - post bios and then black screen with cursor
- higher cpu voltage - cpu over voltage error

In this case, i go to bios and gave ignore on voltage monitor. After that the same like with multiplier - black screen

On both cases, when i have black screen - i have AE code on mobo LCD.

Here some info about hardware:
1. M4E bios 1303
2. CPU batch: L042B635

And some screen:

[st0ned]

Guys i have problem and i dont know where it is cause.

Max which i make with my stuff is 5.2Ghz with 1.52V. When i want go higher i have some problems:

- 53x - post bios and then black screen with cursor
- higher cpu voltage - cpu over voltage error

In this case, i go to bios and gave ignore on voltage monitor. After that the same like with multiplier - black screen

If you have Internal PLL overvoltage enabled then there's nothing you can do, your chip sucks, either way 5.2G with 1.52v it's a bad chip after all.

[MythSquare]

Guys i have problem and i dont know where it is cause.
Max which i make with my stuff is 5.2Ghz with 1.52V. When i want go higher i have some problems:
- 53x - post bios and then black screen with cursor
- higher cpu voltage - cpu over voltage error
In this case, i go to bios and gave ignore on voltage monitor. After that the same like with multiplier - black screen
On both cases, when i have black screen - i have AE code on mobo LCD.

You need a better CPU. That's all. My first 2600k didn't even want to reach 5Ghz below 1.5v.


st0ned, I see you beforehand have a better memory. I've got cheap G.Skill and was able to get only this

[Malik]

You need a better CPU. That's all. My first 2600k didn't even want to reach 5Ghz below 1.5v.[/IMG]

That bad news for me Maybe ivy will be better.

[angkies]

anyone know what function of "Memory Bandwidht Booster" ? thx a lot

[FlanK3r]

Good luck with the RMA my friend. I wouldn’t think there would be a problem if they can’t see any bent pins?



I think it’s possible to load one corner of the cooler more than another to the point of causing too much or too little pressure on that corner. I have found that if I had that condition the system wouldn’t post. Then after carefully measuring the threads above the nuts on the cooler’s retaining screws making that distance equal for all four screws would allow the system to post.

For my use I think this socket is too delicate. I think it’s fine at default settings but for and old heavy handed overclocker like myself it hasn’t proven to be that robust.

I installed a 2600K in it then flipped the switch and it posted right up. After some testing I did find that the DIMM B2 slot is dead though. Oh well I’m just happy that it posted the loaded windows.

I didn’t clock it up or stress it that much just wPrime 1024 @stock settings. I think I’ll just stick in a case and make a gaming rig out of it.

Hehe, maybe a sign "back to AMD platform" No, serisouly, how this look with diferents RAM slots?

[theoldtimer]

Hehe, maybe a sign "back to AMD platform" No, serisouly, how this look with diferents RAM slots?

I still clock the AMD stuff there just hasn't been anything new from them for a while.

I will admit that I like the Sandy Bridge and I like the M4E very much also. If the Intel 1155 CPU socket design was as robust as AMD's then it might stay under me. I doubt Intel has an updated 1155 CPU socket designed around an anvil coming anytime soon though?

[Falkentyne]

If you have Internal PLL overvoltage enabled then there's nothing you can do, your chip sucks, either way 5.2G with 1.52v it's a bad chip after all.

Not necessarily a bad chip. Depends on what he can do 5 ghz on.
Might be a decent chip...just not a high clocker.

Now if he needs more than 1.5v for 5 ghz then its a bad chip.

[Carnage9270]

What's the general concensus on high voltages and chip degradation? If the cooling in your system will keep your temps under 80C while stress testing is it safe to have your voltages up at 1.5 or above? I've seen lots of discussions about chip degradation with high voltages but I've always thought if your temps remain low (well under tjmax) it shouldn't cause any degradation.

[Raja@ASUS]

What's the general concensus on high voltages and chip degradation? If the cooling in your system will keep your temps under 80C while stress testing is it safe to have your voltages up at 1.5 or above? I've seen lots of discussions about chip degradation with high voltages but I've always thought if your temps remain low (well under tjmax) it shouldn't cause any degradation.

Temps aren't really an indication of the overall possibility of degradation. Running stress tests around 5GHz and you start pulling double stock specification current level - some chips will handle this better than others.

[Carnage9270]

Temps aren't really an indication of the overall possibility of degradation. Running stress tests around 5GHz and you start pulling double stock specification current level - some chips will handle this better than others.

So even though temperatures remain low, the current draw can cause degradation?

[MythSquare]

Carnage9270, it is not a proper thread to your question. You'll be better off learning this problem on your own on Internet. This way you understand a lot more about how cpu works. I just want to notice that heat is not a main reason of degradation it's one of the consequences of physics behind the CPU chemistry.-) You can kill not only CPU with high clocks but motherboard socket too even the temp is under control.