So, the puzzle continues

Please, list all connected devices including the USB ports ? 
 
Number & type of Monitor(s) / does monitor(s) have USB Hubs that you are using?

RAM?  - Brand & Model # - using XMP settings in BIOS? 
        - is the Voltage for RAM set to Auto or did you set V, manually (to the RAM Mfg setting on sticker on RAM)? --> set it manually if on Auto 

MB BIOS ---> which BIOS are you using / have you tested?  
 
Are you setting the MB PCIe lane Manually (in BIOS) to PCIe 3.0 -- before you install the 10G NIC


Z690 CPU (all only have 20 PCIe lanes) 

1 - PCIe 5.0 @ 16x (or 2 @ 8x)

1 - PCIe 4.0 @ 4xZ690 Intel spec Chip-set Expansion Options

• Direct Media Interface (DMI) Revision 4.0
• Max # of DMI Lanes 8
• PCI Express Revision 3.0, 4.0
• PCI Express Configurations ^‡ x1,x2,x4
• Max # of PCI Express Lanes 28 
   
   
  OK looks like you are using 16 + 4 +4 +1 = 25 of the available 28 PCIe lanes ... before you install the 10G NIC
   
  adding the Intel X550-T2 PCIe 3.0 x4 card --- requires 4 more PCIe lanes, So GPU should drop to 8x
   
   
  

   EVGA Z69-0 DARK Manual

  PCIe Lane Distribution
  ❑ PE1 – x16 (Gen5, x16 lanes from CPU, x8 shared with PE2)
  ❑ PE2 – x8 (Gen5, x8 lanes from CPU)
  ❑ PE3 – x4 (Gen3, x4 lanes from PCH, x4 shared with PU)
   
  M.2 Lane Distribution*
  ❑ M.2 Key-M (110mm, Top, M.2_1) – Gen4 x4 from CPU
  o This slot supports PCIe M.2 SSDs / Intel® Optane.
  ❑ M.2 Key-M (110mm, Middle, M.2_2) – Gen4 x4 from Z690 PCH
  o This slot supports PCIe M.2 SSDs / Intel® Optane
   
  M.2 Key-E (32mm) – Gen1 x1 from Z690 PCH
  o This slot is pre-installed with the EVGA Wi-Fi/BT Module
   
  
   
   
  

• DDR5 2x 32GB DIMMs, Kingston Beast 5600Mhz - XMP yes
• MB Bios: forgot to check this. iirc I've got it updated to the latest version from sometime in 2023
• Monitors: 2x. Once of them has USB devices plugged into it. I'd have to check, but I have most all of the ports on the back of the mobo populated with USB devices. Including joysticks, mouse, keyboard, mic, etc. I'm not using any USB hubs/expanders.
• I have tried to manually set the PCIe lane to PCIe 3.0, as well as disabling the bluetooth/wifi U.2 device (I don't use it)
• Because of what you mention about the PCIe lanes, I've tried both with and without the USB PCIe card. So, should be using max of 28 lanes with the NIC installed.
• I did notice this in the device manager. I tried updating all intel chipset drivers using their tool, and it says all of the drivers are up to date. I've confirmed the 10Gb NIC is working. So, basically everything is great except for the fact that i lose a RAM stick!
• ETA: the image didn't work. it says there is a yellow ! on the 'resource hub proxy device'. it says this device is currently waiting on another device or set of devices to start. Dependencies PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7AFC&SUBSYS_10633842&REV_11\3&11583659&0&C8
   
  

Sounding more like a CPU or MB socket issue; unlikely by maybe a MB issue.
 
If any of those many, tiny contact fingers under your CPU are even slightly out of place ... anything from a Bent Pin in the CPU socket, to an uneven CPU or over tightened CPU cooler .... might be the root cause of this issue.

 
We have no idea of your experience level or attention to details; so, I'm just going to ask the following questions.
 
How sure are you that you:
 
1) Installed the CPU, gently & kept it level, when placing CPU into the MB socket?


2) That you kept the CPU level while tightening the CPU cooler, tightening in the correct pattern in small steps?


3) That you did not over tighten the CPU cooler mounting screws?
 
The last tests I can even think of: 

Remove ALL USB devices - except mouse & KB; this includes Disconnecting that monitor USB hub.  Also disconnect the CASE wires/plugs from the MB ....(sound, USB, reset, start ...) & use only one monitor for testing
 
We want to test that PC as bare-bones as possible
 
Next test would be to remove any Drive .... except the Boot drive & test again

last possible thing to try ---> Pull the MB from the case, place on the MB box & test again

 
 
 
 
 
 

I've got experience building PCs, probably built close to 30 or 40 of them (showing my age, I just realized I joined these forums 15 years ago!). I am confident I've got the CPU mounted properly, and know what to look for wrt bent pins and such etc. Plus, I've had no issues in the 2 years I've been using this system with RAM or BSODs randomly or anything like that. Bent CPU pins I know can manifest themselves in mysterious and unexpected ways, but as mentioned, I'm as certain as I can be that I didn't screw anything up installing it, and that the pins weren't bent before I mounted the CPU and waterblock. I had some trouble when I built it the first time with RAM, and wound up having to swap kits out. This was one of the earlier DDR5 boards at the time, and getting the RAM and timings and such was a little tricky at first. So, I'll just chalk it up as some kind of compatibility issue and move on (next reboot after I'm done working I'll double check the BIOS is up to date though).
 
I may continue tinkering with it and doing the usual stuff you mention. tbh, I don't have as much free time for tinkering as I once did, and may just shelve this project until it's time to upgrade when Z890 comes along. For now, I can live with the onboard 2.5Gb NIC, especially since I don't really NEED 10Gb yet as my file server is still spinning rust - plans for the future to upgrade that to SSDs. What prompted all this is that I've been slowly upgrading my home network infra to get to 10Gb, and my main workstation/desktop PC is pretty much the last remaining item that can't do 10Gb.
 
I very much appreciate your help with the troubleshooting! I will update this thread if I fix it, just in case it helps someone else.

Wish I could have helped more.
 
Maybe I missed something? ---> Email contact EVGA Support at Support@EVGA.com if you do need further assistance.
 
Point them to your thread ---> https://forums.evga.com/FindPost/3625993
 
 
 
After you do those tests Time for a ---> EVGA RMA, if it is still under warranty
 
check warranty status https://www.evga.com/community/myProducts.asp
 
OR
 
enter the serial number here:  Warranty Check
 

Not your fault at all!
 
I just checked, and it is still in warranty. I'll reach out and see what they say.

mokrunka
Not your fault at all!
 
I just checked, and it is still in warranty. I'll reach out and see what they say.

Will look for your update