Hmmm where do I start...
 
Ok, so after my first E758 pooped out on me, I got my first RMA and had it running for a bit over a month now. Recently after installing a Venomous X I noticed my RAM came out as 4 out of 6GB in both Windows and BIOS (3.99 usable in Windows). Obviously something is wrong since I'm running 64-bit Windows.
 
Browsed around and found some possible causes (I'll try to list as much as I can remember):
1. CPU contact between socket uneven
2. Bent CPU socket pins on mobo
3. Too much mounting pressure of HSF (possible since the Ven X allows up to 70lb of pressure, which is what I did)
4. msconfig and system properties performance settings (tried all that)
5. Bad memory slot
6. Bad memory controller
 
So first thing I did was call up EVGA and explained it to them. They were nice enough to approve an RMA for me and emailed me a prepaid UPS label (doesn't get better than that does it?) Anyways the tech on the phone (I believe it was Chris) told me similar causes of my problem to what I found online, so I took out HSF and CPU and checked the socket. Perfectly fine and no bent pins etc. so I remounted my Ven X WITHOUT the pressure knob and booted up... BOOM 6gb RAM detected. How nice! So I thought maybe I don't need the RMA after all. Regardless I was still curious what caused the RAM problem, so I remounted the HSF with the pressure knob again. Booted up and to my disappointment the 3.99gb usable came up again. Sigh~~ so I took off the CPU again (getting very frustrated with recleaning and remounting CPU), put it on stock pressure and booted up. STILL 4gb RAM detected!!!! Prior to every installation I even made sure there were no dust/foreign objects in RAM or CPU sockets. Practically went through 2 cans of compressed air
 
So bottom line, should I go ahead and RMA the board? I know it's prepaid and free on my end, except for the downtime I'll have to deal with (reminder that EVGA rocks for doing this). Maybe the CPU memory controller went bad? Is it possible in this scenario since the CPU is still working fine? Any other possibilities I'd love to hear as well. Sigh

Roger that!

Hey buddy,

Have you tried to set the trL to +2?? Its one of the last sections undermthe
Memory features menu of the bios! It says that it could help resolve disappearing ram issues. After I set that i had my disappearing problem fixed. Although the issue crept up whenever in OCed my ram freq to 2000mhz+

Try this and hopefully it fixes the issue!!

Hey I run 12GB and I have never had much more than 10GB avail. That's bc the mem low gap uses 2GB for my vid cards. Could that be your case? If so, you don't have a prob.

mudvari

Hey buddy,

Have you tried to set the trL to +2?? Its one of the last sections undermthe
Memory features menu of the bios! It says that it could help resolve disappearing ram issues. After I set that i had my disappearing problem fixed. Although the issue crept up whenever in OCed my ram freq to 2000mhz+

Try this and hopefully it fixes the issue!!

 
I'll give that a shot right now, thanks!
 

jethc9
 
I have had the same problem with my X58. It all started after getting my Venomous X as well. You just have to be REALLY careful not to over-tighten when you mount it or this 3.99 usable problem happens. I know you said you tried it with a low pressure, but just keep trying with less and less pressure each time. After reading the OP I am almost positive this is your problem since I am familiar with it, and too much pressure on the CPU was the problem for me, and I had no bent pins either.

 
Yeah the first try remounting I took out the pressure knob so it was stock (40lb I believe?) and that solved the issue. But now I'm using it without the pressure knob and it's still showing 3.99gb usable. When it takes luck to determine whether a HSF will cause problems mounting on stock pressure is just unacceptable IMO.

how bout the ram have you tested it on another pc?

I am running stock heatsink right now, no more OC and stock everything. Good news is that the 6gb of RAM is reading correctly now both in Windows and BIOS.
 
Bad news is the Ven X seems like it's too tight for my CPU/mobo. Even without the pressure knob at stock pressure it takes out one of my RAM slots.
 
Frustrating indeed!!!!!!!!!

a replacement HSF like pro mega would've been a cheaper option for diagnosis!!! I had no problem with that sink, in fact, I like the mounting system so much that I got a mega shadow to replace my existing dust-filled Megahalem!! When I got my i7 970, I just cleaned, replaced the CPU, applied ICD, mounted the CPU, cleared
CMOS, rebooted & OCed to 201x21 (4.2GHz) & fired up windows; and guess what 3.99GB usable. So I rebooted and changed the trL to +2 and everything is back normal. Here's my setup:
CPU at 201x21 - 4.2GHz
vCore: 1.3125 (approximate)
vDiMM: 1.65
VTT: +125mV
QPI PLL: not sure; I'll fill this up once I get home.
Mem Ratio: 2:10
Timing: 6-9-6-24, 1T, +2 trL

If I were you I would try a different HSF preferably pro mega!!!

Good luck!!!

HalloweenWeed

Doesn't HSF stand for Heat Sink Fan? I'm a little confused by your post...

 
HSF = heatsink fan, so basically the heatsink along with its fan(s)