DS3 Help needed

[ggriffiths]

I recently purchased everything I needed to build myself a nice, new machine. I got a DS3 rev 3.3, E6420, as well as some other really nice parts. My problem is this:

I'm attempting to water cool this beast. I took the original HS off the northbridge and put the waterblock on there. When I boot the computer it hangs almost instantly. I'm pretty sure this is due to the northbridge overheating, and here's why: I put the stock heatsink back on, and it would run, but only for a few minutes before overheating. I'm very sure it's the northbridge because it is extremely hot to the touch. The farthest I have ever gotten was having it start an XP install. It died within 2 minutes total of boot up, and it only got this far because I left the unit off for a while. I did a very good job or removing the crappy HS, taking off the thermal paste and applying a very thin layer of Arctic Silver 5.

If I have to order a new waterblock I will, but I was wondering if there was anything you guys could suggest to try so I can ensure I don't have a bum board. Normally I check them to make sure they work prior to taking things apart, but for some reason this time I didn't (and it looks like it might bite me in the butt).

Geoff

 

[dopee123]

Try some electrical tape, you might be shorting something out. If that doesn't work, I'd RMA the board. Sounds like a lemon.

 

[ggriffiths]

Where should I try the electrical tape at?

Also, here's something else for you to chew on:

I left the machine off last night, and attempted to start it up again just now. It seemed as though it was hard locked from the start. I was not able to get into the BIOS. What I find odd is that I have been able to get into the BIOS in the past (last night) and I haven't changed anything.

 

[dopee123]

My DS3 had the same issues when my backplate was shorting out the CPU socket. If you could, try the setup outside the case, put your motherboard on a cardboard box and check the backplate if you can.