There are lots of people that have/had a Q9650 (and a QX9650) running in a 790i mobo..A QX9650 is a
Quad Core E
xtreme (QX prefix) processor version of a Q9650 with an unlocked multiplier.
I'm thinking that unless you know for a fact and you've actually seen it working, that it's been damaged/degraded by a previous owner (or you) trying to overclock it with the FSB and/or otherwise applied excessive Vcore to it..You bought it used?
If the above is true, you could put the QX9650 in the board and then manually and temporarily set the CPU Core voltage (Vcore) from [Auto] to 1.4 volts (BIOS -> Advanced Chipset Features -> System Voltages)..Then Save & Exit..Then as soon as the mobo beeps (meaning the changes have been applied), turn off the PSU and put the Q9650 back in it and try again with the higher CPU voltage..If it's been damaged/degraded the extra voltage will help it to function, hopefully..And don't forget that you made the change manually and to put it back on [Auto] or clear CMOS before swapping in the QX9650 again.
The VID Voltage Range (stock Vcore) for both the
Q9650 and
QX9650 is 0.8500 - 1.3625 volts.
I can think of no other explantion why the QX9650 works and the Q9650 does not other than maybe the contact pads on the CPU are tarnished/corroded..If it boots with the higher Vcore, you'll know it's been damaged/degraded..If it still don't boot, you should go have the CPU tested at a PC repair shop or try it in another compatible PC, it may be toast.
The mobo manual is
here from EVGA if you need it.
post edited by bob16314 - 2017/10/22 03:57:48