Asus POST Code 53 (Solved -- incompatible memory)

[UselessBlueprint]

Solution: Used RAM from the Qualified Vendor List at the appropriate speed. Better research would have prevented this.

 

 

Motherboard: Asus X99-A (USB 3.0)

CPU: i7 5820K (cooler: Corsair H100i v2)

GPU: EVGA GTX 960 SC

RAM: 16 GB EVGA DDR4 2400 MHz (2x8GB)

PSU: 650W (EVGA, cba for model)

 

Problem: Q Code 53 ( memory initialization ) - slow reboot loop

 

Attempted solutions:

MemOK button
Tested RAM individually in each slot

Every method of BIOS reset I know (did not flash, however)

Reseated CPU twice, inspecting pins with a loupe (all looks good to me)

 

 

Details: I had this error when I first build the machine yesterday. I let it sit for a little while with no power and the battery removed. After that, it took several reboots before I finally got into the UEFI/BIOS. It worked for the rest of the night, and managed to boot into windows as well. (Note, the RAM was only running 2133 MHz according the UEFI/BIOS and task manager, but that's fine because I was going to set it up for 2133 anyway. Unfortunately, this was the only DDR4 I could find at my local shop today when I replaced the RAM.)

This morning I returned the RAM I initially bought, as one stick always failed to show and I assumed it was bad. The original RAM is the same kind as what I am currently running. Now I am getting the same 53 error, but no methods have been able to resolve the issue today.

[Moonzy]

tried booting with only one stick of ram? if that works for each individual stick then test each ram slots

could be either that is broken

[UselessBlueprint]

Just now, Moonzy said:

tried booting with only one stick of ram? if that works for each individual stick then test each ram slots

could be either that is broken

Worked last night with one stick, and the other never worked at all.

After replacing the RAM to solve was I assumed was a dead stick, I can no longer POST with either single stick in any slot or one of several random combinations of two sticks.

[Moonzy]

3 minutes ago, UselessBlueprint said:

Worked last night with one stick, and the other never worked at all.

After replacing the RAM to solve was I assumed was a dead stick, I can no longer POST with either single stick in any slot or one of several random combinations of two sticks.

possible to try different motherboard?

[UselessBlueprint]

2 hours ago, Moonzy said:

possible to try different motherboard?

Possibly at work tomorrow. I'm not ready to believe it's the motherboard, as the system worked fine last night (minus one stick of RAM not showing up). I also find it hard to believe I would have gotten two bad sets of RAM in under 24 hours.

 

Further Research:
I noticed that EVGA is not explicitly listed as having compatible memory with my board. I honestly didn't expect a big issue, considering that it is DDR4 at a reasonable speed. Nevertheless, I will try to test a set of RAM from the QVL before I go return the motherboard. 

 

Do not respond until further notice.