For some time I have intended to upgrade the CPU on my Intel DH87RL motherboard from a Core i5 4670 to a Core i7 with multi-threading capability. Not that I really need it with my typical usage, I just wanted it. I settled on a Core i7 4770K after going through Intel’s compatibility wizards for the motherboard model and the CPU model. Compatible, but not really.
After making the change, it would not boot. There were multiple courses of repeated HDD-activity-light-blinking in the same pattern, but no boot, no signal on the monitor. So I replaced the Core i7 with the original Core i5, and everything was back to normal. I did further research online and found a couple of posts on forums stating that since the DH87RL was not an unlocked board, the unlocked Core i7 4770K was not compatible. My experience seemed to support that conclusion to some degree.
So I ordered a Core i7 4770 and tried that. I got basically the same results, a repeating pattern of blinking lights, no signal on the monitor, and no boot. Again I replaced the Core i5, but it still wouldn’t boot. It wouldn’t even POST. The only light that came on was the power indicator light. I checked all the drive connections and tried again, but no go. I checked all the power connections, and when I unplugged the 2 X 12 main power connector and plugged it back in, I could feel movement in the board itself that I’ve not felt before in any previous builds I’ve done.
On the assumption that the motherboard might have developed an issue because of the inherent flexing of all my changing around of CPU’s, I ordered a replacement, another Intel DH87RL (they’re getting hard to find). I also ordered a new case, since I wasn’t all that pleased with the mini-tower case I had. Once all my pieces arrived, I gutted my old case, put the new motherboard in the new case together with all the drives and other bits and pieces. I tried the Core i7 4770 first, but again, only got a repeating pattern of blinking lights on the front of the case, but no boot. I removed it and installed my Core i5, and it’s all good once again.
There is no sign of a crack in the old motherboard, but it could be in the middle layer of the PCB and not visible from the outside. I have an Intel DH87MC motherboard that I’m not using, and a mid-tower case my son bought and decided not to use, so now I’ve got almost enough spare parts to build a “bench” machine, one I can do all my slicing, dicing and splicing to Windows 10 without worries. I’m leaning in that direction. About all I need is a PSU and some RAM.
