[Help] Gigabyte GA-Z97MX

CloneageDK

New member
Hi everyone.

So, recently my brother got a new computer with the following specs:

MB: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX Gaming 5
CPU: Intel i5-4690K
GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G
RAM: Kingston HyperX T1 @ 1600MHz 2x4GB (some old ones originally used for an X58 system but they work fine here)
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
HDD: WDD Green 2TB
PSU: Corsair CS550M

The problem isn't a huge one, but simply that the system won't boot at, seemingly, random. 4 beeps can be heard from the little speaker (2 short - pause - 2 short) and then a reset is required.
Now to troubleshoot this, I've tried the following:

Replaced the CMOS battery - No change.
Replaced the RAM with some Kingston ValueRAM 2x2GB @ 1333MHz - No change.
Replaced the RAM with some Corsair XMS3 2x2GB @ 1333MHz (used in an old X58 system) - No change.
Booted using the integrated GPU - Seemed to fix the problem.
Booted using my Asus GTX 670 DirectCU II - Seemed to fix the problem.

With that information, I assumed something was wrong with the MSI GPU. But then I tried it in my X58 system running with a Gigabyte GA-X58-UD7 and a i7-940 and it ran flawlessly. No problems whatsoever.

Now when I say "seemed to fix the problem", the system would still fail to boot very rarely. No beep errors or anything, it just did nothing. No signal to the monitor or anything. This happened with both the iGPU and the GTX 670.

When the system boots, it works fine. Gaming is fine, stability is fine and well, it just works as it should.
Gigabyte support wants me to continue troubleshooting the RAM, but that can't be the issue, can it? After all, it works, mostly, fine when taking the GTX 970 out of the picture.
So I guess after that wall of text, that I want your inputs on this and to let me know if anyone has tried anything like this before?

Thank you for your time ^^
 
Is the monitor connected via DisplayPort? My brother had a similar prob and it got fixed by using a DP to DVI converter
 
Have you manually set the ram settings or enabled XMP in the bios?

Normally you can find out what the beeps mean.

Is it a 670 or a 970? You said both and this needs clarifying as well as the above
 
The RAM timings for the HyperX T1 is set with XMP. The ValueRAM and XMS3 doesn't have XMP profiles available, but is set at 1333Mhz as default which is what they're rated for. The timings are also set correctly by default.

The beep codes, according to Gigabytes own FAQ (http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/faq-page.aspx?fid=816), means Real Time Clock Malfunction. I searched for it on Google and some people suggested replacing the CMOS battery. I tried that, but it didn't change anything.

The 970 is the one bought with the motherboard and is the GPU that causes most problems. The 670 is one I have in another system.
I tried putting it in this new system to see if it fixed anything, and it made the beep error go away but the system will occasionally still refuse to boot, as mentioned.
However, it can't be the 970 causing it, because it works fine in another system. Well, it's obviously connected to the problem, but it works fine in my X58 system.
 
My first instinct in this case would be power supply, in the sense that there is not enough power from the CM550 you have.

Have you tried a different PSU with the system?
 
I have not, no. The GTX 970 requires less power than the GTX 670 though (which works in the system), so I can't see why that would be a problem =)
Unless I'm missing something here?
 
Alright, I tried it with a 1000W Cooler Master PSU and nothing changed.
Just for good measure, the Cooler Master PSU sits in my own X58 system daily and runs without issues.
 
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