So I got the motherboard back, rebuilt the thing, pretty badly, and turned it on and the red and yellow lights still came on. MSI tested the board before sending it back, so we can rule out a bad motherboard – meaning I have to deal with AMD and G.Skill’s customer service departments. The RAM is all ready to be sent back, approved for RMA. I just need to pick up a padded envelope and go to the post office Tuesday. I haven’t heard back from the CPU manufacturer yet. It’s the weekend; give them time.

I’m getting the RAM replaced for sure. If AMD doesn’t replace the CPU, I’m out $350. The CPU is the second-most expensive computer part after the graphics card. Thankfully I just deposited my tax refund checks but it would be a drag if it had to go to that instead of weed or something.

I think computer equipment would be especially susceptible to RMA fraud (when you’d claim a good product went bad to snag a free replacement and resell it. Even cheap computer parts are $100 minimum.)

Just pretend you care, haha.

update: I heard back from AMD and they want you to jump through various hoops to be able to return it, including a detailed description of your troubleshooting efforts. Makes sense, since CPUs can’t be repaired.