New Skylake Build System Instability Issues

Hi guys, I recently built a new skylake mini itx gaming pc using the silverstone sx-600g power supply but am having the following issues.

I have installed all the latest intel and gigabyte drivers and even flashed bios to F5.

1. Occasionally when I turn on the PC, I get no hdmi video output from the onboard video card. When this happens, I have to either unplug the HDMI cable and replug it back in, while it's on. Sometimes, when this doesn't work I have to turn the entire system off, unplug it from the wall, and retry. After this, it works.

2. I am getting random lockups in the desktop. I would be just surfing and suddenly, everything would come to a halt for a few seconds. I'm using Windows 8.1, brand new fresh install, and at first I was getting weird mouse disconnects (i am using a logitech m510 wireless). Then the problems got worse as now my entire system would freeze for a few seconds.

CPU temps look fine however. Idling in desktop hovers around 25C, even while surfing, youtube, 1080 video playback, i'm sitting mostly around the 30-40c range, with max temps being 50C. I don't think the temperatures can be to blame for the instability right ?


3. Maybe this is part of the gigabyte bootup process, but after hitting the power button, i noticed it takes a good 7 seconds before I see the gigabyte logo come up on the screen. I haven't build much PCS recently, does the bootup logo take so long to come up these days ? I'm used to seeing pretty much instant power button -> logo on screen times in the past builds.

My question now is, which part can be defective ? If any can give some guidance would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks.

My suspicions at this point are either the motherboard or the PSU.

PSU (Silverstone SX600-G)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256109
On Newegg's site, I've read some really bad horror stories about the quality of this small form factor PSU. Unfortunately, since I am trying to install the 980Ti full length gpu, it's the only one that will really fit inside the Node 304 case. My question is, are the symptoms and issues I'm experiencing consistent with a potentially faulty PSU ? Can a bad PSU cause the system instability issues I am writing about or is it a all or nothing type thing ?

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128847

I read a review on the newegg site that mentioned how the mobo might be throttling the CPU due to cheap VRM's. Indeed, when i am in HWMonitor, i do see the CPU frequency go from 800 to 4000 frequently but that's completley normal behavior right ?


Gigabyte Z170N-WIfi Mini ITX Board
Intel Core I7 6700K Skylake CPU
Silverstone SX600-G PSU SFF
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2133
Intel 530 240GB SSD
Fractal Node 304 Mini ITX Case
EVGA 980 Ti (I have not installed this yet until I resolve all stability issues)

Since you already have a GPU, i would advise you to install it just in case there is something wrong with the onboard GPU.
After that we can focus to other possibilities.

Exactly what Sith'ari said, try installing the gpu and see what happens. If it's the same, next step try with one memory module at a time and in different slots. Get back with the results.

Cheers

alex.rizea said:

Exactly what Sith'ari said, try installing the gpu and see what happens. If it's the same, next step try with one memory module at a time and in different slots. Get back with the results.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Hey guys, so I've tried the following additional steps since:

1. RMA'ed the motherboard, and went for the Gigabyte Gaming 5 instead. Same freezing issues persist so I think we can rule out the mobo being defective.

2. Installed my EVGA 980 TI and switched to using the discrete GPU via HDMI. Same issues.

Guys, so i guess this leaves only two more possibilities ?

1. PSU - The Silverstone SX600-G PSU has had very negative reviews. I wondering can dirty /unstable voltages lead to the locks up I am experieincing ?

2. Bad RAM - I have the following 2x8GB Corsair DDR4 2133 RAM. I haven't tried running MemTest or swapping the slots yet. Do we really thing it can be RAM at this point ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233832

My first suggestion would have been RAM. Based on the Newegg reviews, the PSU might have some quality control issues regarding premature failure, but I'm not sure about the problems you're seeing.

Tsumi said:

My first suggestion would have been RAM. Based on the Newegg reviews, the PSU might have some quality control issues regarding premature failure, but I'm not sure about the problems you're seeing.

Click to expand...

Since the DDR4 RAMs are relatively new to the market, i also find it more possible to be our "suspect" rather than the PSU. (as Tsumi said, the problems you are describing, is less possible to be PSU related)
If you have a friend in order to be able to switch RAMs, that would be the best move i think.

P.S. I haven't read the customer reviews at Newegg, but all the major sites that have reviewed the SX-600G, have stated that this is one of the best (*if not the best) small-factor PSUs, although it shouldn't be pushed near its limits as it shows excessive (*and in some reviews out of spec) ripple.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014...x600g_600w_power_supply_review/1#.VkrUe7-Wzcs
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=395
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/silverstone-sx600-g-sfx-power-supply,4041.html
http://www.anandtech.com/show/9549/the-silverstone-sx600g-sfx-psu-review
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/psus/2015/01/16/silverstone-sx600-g-600w-psu-review/1

I would definitely try one RAM stick at a time and see if you can recreate the issues.

This is likely your problem

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2133

I've built 2 systems and only got them to work using G Skill DDR4