I just received my motherboard from MSI (Z77A-GD55) that I sent in almost two weeks ago due to some problems. I've put my whole rig back together but as it turns out, none of the problems have gone away. Either this is because MSI didn't do their job right or maybe because it's a different piece of hardware that's causing these problems.

Basically, here's the list of issues I'm currently having;

- Motherboard LED strip flickers.

- BIOS is terribly sluggish. Often doesn't register mouse clicks.

- Can't change everything in the BIOS (things like CPU ratio, DRAM frequency etc).

- OS takes a little longer to boot.

- In CPU-Z, CPU changed speed upon every restart, ranging from 1600MHz to 3800Mhz.

- Interacting with windows is sluggish too (opening/closing/moving folders). Strobe-like effect.

- CorsairLINK 2 (for H80i) sometimes doesn't register the CPU or the attached fans. All properly connected to the motherboard.

- Videos play incredibly sluggish as well.

Basically my computer, from the BIOS to the desktop, is terribly slow.

So while the computer still functions just fine, I would really like to find out what is causing all these issues. Did MSI hand me back the same ol' motherboard? Could it be other hardware? I'll clarify too that this tower used to run flawlessly (same exact parts) before I had to RMA the motherboard. The problems listed above are the exact same as the ones I had two weeks ago. I know it's not my PSU because I hooked it up to a secondary rig I have (full gaming tower). It had no issues running that whatsoever.

(All other parts listed in sig below)

Edit: And for some effing reason my Windows deactivated. 3 days left...

WTF?!

[QUOTE="V4LENT1NE"]Is the CPU passing stuff like Intel Burn Test etc?[/QUOTE]

Before I sent out the motherboard (due to the same problems), it did pass IBT, both stock and overclocked. I don't think it's the CPU.

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

Im telling you. It's a hardware interrupt problem caused by either a faulty device ( most likely USB ) or a corrupted driver for said device. Start by unplugging your mouse, keyboard, usb hubs, etc.

Download This and I bet you will see hardware interrupts using 90-100% utilization on 1 or more of your cores.

[/QUOTE]

I will try this when I get home from work. Thanks for the suggestions!

UPDATE;

I just came home from work. I decided to unplug the keyboard/mouse and plug them in different ports, then started up the computer. Here's how it all went down;

- Booted into Windows.

- Noticed EVERYTHING WAS BUTTERY SMOOTH AGAIN! Things were back to normal... for the time being.

- I decided to reboot and jump into the BIOS.

- BIOS was still incredibly laggy. At times, while moving the mouse very slowly, the cursor would jump in the opposite direction!

- Exited BIOS and proceeded into Windows.

- Everything's back to the same ol' laggy bullcrap.

ProcessExplorer isn't showing anything significant. Am I just looking at the CPU usage only? Why are some things in red?

UPDATE 2;

I finally figured it out!!!

I deactivated the H80i (unplugged it) and rebooted. BIOS is now perfectly fine, Windows boots within seconds again and everything in Windows itself is running fast and steady as per usual. Something has got to be wrong with the cooler - something about its connection to the PSU or the one 3-pin connector to the motherboard that's causing all the trouble. I even tried a different SATA connection (it's SATA powered). Didn't do the trick. I restarted the computer twice to double check and yup, without the Corsair H80i plugged in, everything goes straight back to normal!

While it sucks, I'm glad it's somewhat figured out. I can simply mount the 3570K's stock cooler for now while I RMA the H80i.

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

Have you tried unplugging the USB link cable while leaving the cooler powered up? Sounds like a USB conflict of some kind. Possibly IRQ related.

[/QUOTE]

Ah well, I guess I could still hook it up without mounting. It would just really suck if I could've just used a different USB header for that CorsairLINK cable. I mean, if that was the solution of course. I should've tried what you suggested and just remove that cable because after all, besides the computer acting weird, the CorsairLINK software wouldn't detect the CPU temp or the fans properly (like one of two would be displayed but I couldn't change the fan speed at all). It's interesting how a simple CPU cooler hookup could cause such serious issues... even in BIOS!

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

Also, the fact that it went away when you swapped ports and then came back after a reboot means it is definitely software related so don't RMA your cooler either way. The replacement will do the same thing when you get it.

[/QUOTE]

It sucks that I didn't try unhooking the link cable. I mean, I may actually have (two weeks ago when I first began having problems) but maybe I just don't remember. The other thing I want to add is that the LED on the cooling unit itself also stopped working completely, so somewhere there's a problem with the connection to the motherboard as it's the CorsairLINK software that determines the color of the LED (when set manually for instance). No LED at all seems like there just isn't a proper connection. CorsairLINK would still read the CPU's temp but that was about it.

I'll look into that tomorrow (it's past my bed time!).

What I just find really interesting is that the H80i initially worked beautifully without any problems whatsoever for the first two weeks of ownership. I don't think I changed a lot on my computer. One day it just randomly decided to act up.

But anyway, I'll check the drivers tomorrow. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

[QUOTE="horgen123"]Wasnt that when you installed corsair linnk?[/QUOTE]

Nope. I had the entire cooling unit hooked up and everything worked flawlessly for those two weeks. I hadn't messed with any connections. I remember actually really liking CorsairLINK. I was able to manually adjust both fan speeds, the color of the LED and just monitor temperatures. So at that point it seemed like everything from the hardware itself to the software (drivers and programs) were totally fine. I'm still scratching my head as to why it's not working anymore. To me, logically, it's gotta be the cooler... or the link cable.

UPDATE;

I fixed the issue... by just buying a different cooler :P I ran out to grab the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo and mounted some Corsair AF120 fans to it. I used to have a Hyper 212+ on my first custom rig, years ago. This made me realize how easy it is to install a heatsink. I mean liquid coolers aren't bad but you've got more cables and a number of things you gotta clumsily install (radiator, fans and the unit itself). So this was an easy fix.

Now I'm wondering what kind of software will let me control the speed of the fans, if possible (before I buy a fan controller). Because right now these Corsair fans, which are meant for slower speeds and quieter noise levels, are running at their base speed I believe. The CPU is clocked at 4.2GHz via OC Genie II with idle temps of 31C.

UPDATE;

I fully hooked up the H80i to my secondary rig. Same problems minus the weird laggy performance in Windows. The cooler simply doesn't function properly anymore. The LED won't turn on, the fans are stuck at a fixed RPM and the CorsairLINK software will not detect the cooler.

I think I'll RMA it.