I am at wits end and very sad. I'm an experienced builder but have hit a wall here.
I have my CPU (Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor) installed and seated properly. The cooler is mounted and not too tightly screwed on. I'm in pure 'troubleshooting' mode where I have the MoBo out of the case with only the 24 pin power and ATX power connected along with 2 8M DIMMs (G.Skill Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory).
When I connect to power, the LEDs go on, the fan on the cooler spins, and LED code lights up. It then settles on 55, which maps to "No memory installed".
I've tried each DIMM in each memory slot, each time with the same error. I've hit the 'reset' button on the MoBo between each set. I've disconnected all system fans from the mobo. I've removed the CPU cooler from the CPU and lifted the chip out; it's in perfect condition as is the seat it sits in. Clean, nothing bent, missing or misshapen. I've loosened the screws attaching the cooler to the MoBo to just finger tightened.
Each time I get a start and then a 55 code.
I refuse to believe the board is bad -- that just seems like a crazy corner case.
What else can it be? Please help me.