Hi all,
I'm having some intersting problems with my setup and I wanted to post it here and hopefully get some support. Sorry but there is a lot to write here to be comprehensive about it.
I am running the following:
Intel DX79SR - Intel 3960X - 2x Intel 520 SSDs (120GB + 480GB+) in RAID (defaulted to RAID apparently) - ASUS HD7970 DCU2TOP (did have 2 in Xfire but one died with no OC) - Western Digital 2TB black caviar on Marvell controller - G.Skill RipjawsZ CL9-11-11-31 2N/T 2400Mhz - 1500W Thermaltake TP PSU - Thermaltake Level 10 GT LCS Chassis.
Pretty cool i think, but no, big problems out of the box. let me start by saying i've just recently "upgraded" to the DX79SR in place of my Rampage 4 Extreme. The R4E would BSOD all the time on stock settings and the first PCI x16 slot only ran at x8. Thought i'd just go intel since intel is technically the best, and i was somewhat wrong. Now let me list some of the problems, i'll try put things as easy as i can:
Okay so the first problem i encountered is that my RAM will not run in XMP 2400 @ 1.25v as specified, it just fails to post. Well most of the time. Right now it's running FINE as i type this, just enabled it like an hour ago through XTU. Now funny thing is i've had this RAM sit in Memtest for 12 hours in XMP after the first post fail and a week later trying again. Straight after the memtest i rebooted and it failed to post. WTH. Strange. And now it's running again just as a roll of the dice. Recapping on that test; I booted into the PC on normal SPD settings and tried again through XMP. Worked. BSODed while playing Battlefield 3 but only after 8 hours of playing it and a day of running normally before that. Failed to post so i reverted it back and left it to now. I'm going to run a heavily modded install of Fallout New Vegas on it now in XMP (runs about 3-4GB in RAM but the 3GB VRAM i have takes a bit off) and see how long it lasts. BTW CPU is not OCed usually, all standard, but today i have it set to 4.2Ghz in Turbo, no strap or BCLK adjustment (never have actually) just Turbo with voltage set to 1.38 and 2.0PLL. The GPU is factory OCed by 75Mhz whether that makes a difference or not IDK.
My theories; A) the CPUs IMC is bung or not that great, although temps never reach over 60 (it is liquid cooled). I hardly OCed it on the R4E - only to 4.5ghz turbo but constant BSODs on that for whatever reason i just left it standard with voltages set to spec. The DX79SR did fix the BSODs, so far only had 3 - last one being the RAM crash.
B) Overloading the IMC - I understand that all the PCI slots run from the IMC - so 3 HDDs and good GPU could affect it.
C) Purely because of something a heard was a problem with 7970 DCU2T - The factory OC of the 7970 makes the CPU do strange things. i don't believe this myself however.
Okay now the next thing: The bloody USB 3 Controller by Renasas or whatever. Now every time i boot the computer with a USB 3 device (I'm not using ODDs just USB sticks and never used anything else so far) the PC hangs at the Intel BIOS splash screen - with USB debug codes 58, 5A or 9B. Always them codes sometimes a different one of them each time, sometimes i seem them all run through, after the 2 MINUTES it HANGS for. Now i've read every thread on this community relating to this problem and I understand it has never been fully fixed in any BIOS but did fix some of the problems in some BIOS's. Now i did try USB Optimization - got rid of that real fast, couldn't even start the controller from device manager. I actually reflashed the BIOS after playing with that. I've also tried disabling boot from USB in BIOS. Now this is where it's at (on fresh 553? BIOS) - It hangs everytime it's plugged in and when it's not it only hangs for a couple seconds plus displays those codes quickly. Now with the front panel USB3's i can restart the device through device manager and it's good after that, but when i plug it into the back panel it can't be restarted just gives me CODE 10 (you know it) every time. Really is sad. Now in fact this is happening right now and i am using the latest drivers from Intel and Win Update, but can't solve it for the life of me. Also i wonder if it has anything to do with me starting the computer in XMP?
IMPORTANT FACT: When the computer fails to post the "VR HOT" light comes on flashing. ATM XTU is reporting that the VR is 43 degrees celcius. Weird.
I have tested my PSU if anyone cares to know, it's fine. has a lifetime warranty too so yeah it's rock solid
Another problem: Marvell controller only wants to run at 5GB/s for some reason. Why would Intel put that controller on their flagship board?
Reflections: I am truly lost with this stuff and so over buying expensive stuff that doesn't work. I know my way around a BIOS and how to OC if need be but if it ain't working at SPEC SETTINGS then WTH. I am disappointed with Intel for this board, oh and i BOUGHT 2 so i know it's not just limited to one board because the other does it too. So how about that.
ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT: I mentioned i've just started the computer in XMP for the first time in a while. It's running happily at 1.05v believe it or not, even with stress test active in the background while i'm typing. Again WTH. I will be interested to see if the VR light goes on again and the computer fails POST when i change it back to 1.25, maybe a setting of 1.2 will do it. Also the CPU is OCed to 4.2Ghz Turbo mode as mentioned, not BCLK or anything, i only touch the Turbo mode, BCLK fails post and stuffs up my RAM. It is a somewhat fragile but fast setup lol.
Really sorry for the long post, my longest by far EVER but it needed to be written.
PLEASE INTEL ANY HELP OR ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED AND WELL.... NEEDED. I HAVE SPENT A LOT ON YOUR STUFF, PLEASE SHOW ME SOME LOVE 
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