Dead Sabertooth

[SARGE]

So disappointed as this is first time ever had a DOA. Wouldn't POST and I don't think this or last one have beeps or my ears can't hear. It does have lights and the "Mem OK" light is red. One of 3 fan connectors don't work. Manual shows one of the fans as a CPU yet mobo clearly labeled chassis fan. CPU connection obvious also on board. Was trying the Kingston 1600 I knew was good on other mobo, 2 sticks. Was using the slots shown in manual but they are A2 B2 so another misprint. So moved them to A1 B1. Still a no-go. Tried my GSkill 1600 and same. Got out my 1333 and same.

I think they were in such a rush to get this put out they didn't bother editing the manual but one can work around that. I know you guys swear by Newegg and I spend $$ there. If I'd bought this at Fry's (actually cheaper) I could run up the street and exercise my 3-year warranty and bring another home versus RMA and mail delay. I asked my bud there how do they know it's not something I did and he replied "unless you smashed it with a hammer", we swap it out on the spot. No questions asked.

[glc]

Did you try it out of the case?

[birddog_61]

Sorry to hear that Sarge, it sucks to get everything ready and then have a dead component. Especially when you have to mail it back, you are lucky you live so close to two computer stores, if I were you I would buy everything I could from them. I would do what glc recommended and try it out of the case to be entirely sure before I sent it off.

[rwest]

Yeh Sarge, really sorry for your luck. I know you'e been anxious to get her going. Ive been following along. She's gonna be a beast when up and running.

[SARGE]

I actually dislike the Sabertooth. Have to get a 50x50mm fan to use as the Ass't Fan to blow air down underneath the shield; no problem unless you've already installed a large cpu cooler. Unless I missed it, battery is nowhere to be seen and the shield comes off somehow. At this point I don't care but will use the opportunity to investigate it further physically. And if you drop a screw into the wrong spot, you're turning the case and shaking it out - a huge negative. If the shield is the only difference among the other Asus P67s, I see no plus in it at this time.

[David M]

I would not give up the ship just yet. Try what glc says first.

[SARGE]

I did all that and next time will do b4 the build. But only to save the hassle of removing everything. Only advantage I can see is you know it POSTS b4 installing into case.. I can see if stand-offs are interrupting any connection in case or some foreign material grounding/shorting a solder connection as I install, which is all you're really looking for to begin with.

I followed the rules and then some. All on a piece of cardboard. Swapped out 4 sets of RAM, 3 video cards, another PS, removed the beast cooler to check/recheck the CPU, a different monitor and monitor cord. Sheesh. All I know is that the "Mem OK" light is still red and no POST. I assume that light refers to the RAM only, but may include other stuff. I will investigate. In the sticky forum one post suggests that a HS can pull so much juice that the mobo shuts down, but geez, that was back in the dark ages. Nothing to do with the failure but I will say this - stay away from this board with the shield. A gimmick that someone thought up on the graveyard shift. Absolutely no positives.

[David M]

Sarge, I have been wondering, are those air ducts removable so you can clean the components under them? I can just imagine them getting filled with dust or not being able to inspect for burn spots or bad capacitors. It does seem gimmicky when the stuff that gets hot already has heat sinks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageG...%20Motherboard

[Deathdiesel]

I would assume so, i know the ducts would work cooling wise, its just a matter of how annoying or etc they would be.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by David M Sarge, I have been wondering, are those air ducts removable so you can clean the components under them? I can just imagine them getting filled with dust or not being able to inspect for burn spots or bad capacitors. It does seem gimmicky when the stuff that gets hot already has heat sinks.

Not that I can tell. Looks to be all one piece, even fits over the I/O. You'd have to remove everything even at that. The cmos pins are at least exposed. When I put the video card in I dropped the screw and it rolled under the shield. Had to turn case on its side and shake 'til it came out. That right there hacked me off.

[David M]

Hmmm. It does not sound like a good idea creating a Habitrail of air ducts on a motherboard that cannot be easily cleaned or removed. Even Habitrails can be taken apart to remove the hamster crap.

Google Image Result for http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/406431361_16e0667c1e.jpg

Were it me in your situation I would trade in the Snaggletooth for this board....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-714-_-Product
It costs more but comes with more goodies to play with.

[SARGE]

I was looking at this one. I do know I'm not getting another Sabertooth, no how, no way. Fry's has in stock for same price. I like seeing everything on display on their wall.

Newegg.com - ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by David M Sarge, I have been wondering, are those air ducts removable so you can clean the components under them? I can just imagine them getting filled with dust or not being able to inspect for burn spots or bad capacitors. It does seem gimmicky when the stuff that gets hot already has heat sinks. Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

You can't see a CMOS battery either.

[Deathdiesel]

Hmm, well ill be sure to let you guys know how my build goes, i just purchased my computer with a sabertooth board. Ill be sure to use a magnetic screwdriver though, and possibly figure out a way to remove the shield.

[ScoJoh]

Yeah... me too. I have this board on the way.... guess we'll see!!

[glc]

I think you may be overanalyzing things. The shield has its purpose.

[David M]

It acts as a child proof cap keeping little fingers off your capacitors.

[jdeb]

Sarge,

That is a great board and I wish I would logged in earlier but I have been real busy with family issues as of late. Did you use the mem ok feature? The light is red? You need to press the button down until it flashes and turns off then it should boot right up. I am not sure of your memory but I know Rip Jaws will do that. YouTube - ASUS MemOK!

I also have no idea for all your fans. The armor is not a gimmick, it works as intended, out of the box. However, I have only used the stock CPU coolers.In terms of screws falling in, yes I could see that happening but I use a nice magnetic Phillips head screw driver.

You may be over-thinking it Sarge. I think it is one of the top three intel boards being made right now. 1. Asus WS, Asus X58 Sabertooth, Asus P67 Sabertooth

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by jdeb Sarge, That is a great board and I wish I would logged in earlier but I have been real busy with family issues as of late. Did you use the mem ok feature? The light is red? You need to press the button down until it flashes and turns off then it should boot right up. I am not sure of your memory but I know Rip Jaws will do that. YouTube - ASUS MemOK!

I pushed the Mem Ok button so many times I scratched my hand - looks like a cat got me. A tight fit with the cooler. I had to remove the rear fan on cooler all those times can do it blindfolded. Finally did it out of the case with same sets. Did it on 4 sets of Ram and shouldn't have to on any if was compatible, but understand the use of it. Btw, tried all the Ram on another mobo and every one including the GSkill did fine. Am sure it's a good make, but not this particular one.

[DOS_equis]

Originally Posted by SARGE I pushed the Mem Ok button so many times I scratched my hand - looks like a cat got me. A tight fit with the cooler. I had to remove the rear fan on cooler all those times can do it blindfolded. Finally did it out of the case with same sets. Did it on 4 sets of Ram and shouldn't have to on any if was compatible, but understand the use of it. Btw, tried all the Ram on another mobo and every one including the GSkill did fine. Am sure it's a good make, but not this particular one.

Have you tried loosening the heatsink completely (with the system flattened out on a bench) and just trying to boot it up with the heatsink just resting on the CPU? I have read before that if the heatsink is overtightened it can make a board (at least with the X58) go into a rolling boot or not see all of the RAM sticks. There is one heatsink design (sorry I can't remember the name of it right now) that has a "preload" screw that you can set after the heatsink is installed and apply extra pressure to the assembly. If this is done too much it can cause problems by excessive flexing of the socket. What does it do with no RAM or GPU card in it at all? Beeps? Lights? I know this can be a PITA, especially when you just want the thing to wake up but it might just be something simple. I honestly wouldn't want the heat shroud on there either. I like to have access (physical or visual) to the board at all times so I can see if there is an issue if a problem crops up. I also agree with David M on this, it does sound like a dust bunny habitrail in the making.

DOS_equis

[DOS_equis]

Hey Sarge how did you do with solving this problem? I'm kinda curious what the problem was.

DOS_equis

[David M]

I was in Fry's and looked carefully at a Sabertooth. There are screws on the underside of the board which allow you to remove the hamster tunnels. This of course means you must remove the motherboard for cleaning or inspection.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by DOS_equis Hey Sarge how did you do with solving this problem? I'm kinda curious what the problem was. DOS_equis

I canned the mobo. Weird thing is I got the Pro version for new stuff to see if all my parts worked and had to replace the cmos battery. Back with another Sabertooth and works perfectly. Can do w/o the shield and as David writes, it's removable. I haven't taken the time to see if all the parts match up with the Pro, etc., and frankly don't care right now. If the shield is all that separates them, I say not worth it.

[DOS_equis]

Originally Posted by SARGE I canned the mobo. Weird thing is I got the Pro version for new stuff to see if all my parts worked and had to replace the cmos battery. Back with another Sabertooth and works perfectly. Can do w/o the shield and as David writes, it's removable. I haven't taken the time to see if all the parts match up with the Pro, etc., and frankly don't care right now. If the shield is all that separates them, I say not worth it.

Ok cool. I guess it was DOA then. That explains a lot. Thanks for the update.

DOS_equis