[Pardon]

Pre Build Help, Motherboard Won't Power On

Hey there guys, I have a CPU in the mail that I'm waiting on but I already have the rest of my stuff sitting in my room. I wanted to run some diagnostics to make sure nothing is dead in advance and I cannot get my power supply to turn on when plugged up to my motherboard and fans.

The power supply is not bad, I took it out and put a paper clip in the green wire/ground ports and plugged in all my fans on my Antec 902 and they work perfectly, and the power unit is quiet as a whipser. Could it be that my motherboard is already bad or could it be from not having a CPU in it and some sort of fail safe maybe?

Here's hoping it's not the motherboard being dead. :upset:

Details:

Motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3
Power supply: RAIDMAX AURORA 2 RX-700F 700W ATX12V V2.2

 

[Dblanchard1278]

First of all the psu could be better since it is the most important piece of hardware in the system. But any ways I believe you need the cpu installed to get it to do some thing like beep when it goes through post. Get a multi meter to test the psu and if it's bad return it and get a corsair or seasonic power supply your computer will run better and you wont have as much head aches like this one.

 

[Pardon]

First of all the psu could be better since it is the most important piece of hardware in the system. But any ways I believe you need the cpu installed to get it to do some thing like beep when it goes through post. Get a multi meter to test the psu and if it's bad return it and get a corsair or seasonic power supply your computer will run better and you wont have as much head aches like this one.

Yeah I would, if they didn't push beyond my budget. Either way, this one has good reviews and I'm not too worried about that, I'm just worried about the motherboard in general. I asked Asus too but they never reply to anything for me usually.

Edit: I have a meter of sorts but I'm not sure how to use it on a power supply.

 

[Tyree]

Raidmax PSU's are very low quality units. I would strongly suggest returning it and replacing it with a Seasonic or Corsair. Your major concern should be a quality PSU to supply clean adequate power to your other hardware. Spending more on a quality PSU insures against replacing damaged hardware if/when the low quality PSU fails.

A new build should be done on the bench.

Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can actually conduct electricity!
Install the CPU and heat sink.
Install 1 stick of RAM.
Install the video card and attach the power supply connection(s) to the card if your card needs it.
Connect the monitor to the video card.
Connect the power supply to the motherboard with both the 24pin main ATX Power connection and the separate 4 or 8 pin power connection.
Connect power to the power supply.
Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected.
Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. Consult your motherboard manual to find which two pins connect to your case's power switch. Then touch both pins with a screwdriver to complete the circuit and boot the system.

If all is well, it should power up and you should get a display. Then assemble the parts into the case and try again. If the system now fails to boot, you have a short in the case and need to recheck your motherboard standoffs.

If the system does not boot after this process, then you most likely have a faulty component. You'll need to swap parts, start with the power supply, until you determine what is defective.

 

[Pardon]

So in other words, just wait until I get my parts. I guess I'll do that and hope for the best.

Edit: It mysteriously works now after I popped the CMOS out for about 15 minutes and removed a stick of RAM. I'm pretty dumb since this is my first build, but could the extra stick of RAM have caused that? I tested both sticks in dfferent DIMM slots and it seems to be ok now. Strange if you ask me. Also for all the Corsair pushers: I plan to upgrade to a quality PSU, this one I know will last me for a while until I can afford it as a few friends have sported it as well with no issues. I don't plan to try and overload it, my system is very basic gaming stuff.

 

[Tyree]

Glad you got the present problem resolved and best of luck with the RaidMax.

 

[Pardon]

Glad you got the present problem resolved and best of luck with the RaidMax.

Again, I don't really plan on it lasting long. When choosing between returning my 5870 or that, it's pretty easy. I will be upgrading within the warranty to a corsair if you have any specific suggestions too. I plan to crossfire and overclock the crap out of my stuff basically so would the 850 unit be sufficient or would I need even more?

 

[Tyree]

I assume your planning on OC'ing after you replace the PSU with a quality unit?
A quality 750W would be sufficient and these two are tyhe best bang for buck now.
SeaSonic S12D 750 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151084

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Using more than one GPU yields a minimal amount of performance increase for the large amount of price increase.

 

[Pardon]

I assume your planning on OC'ing after you replace the PSU with a quality unit?
A quality 750W would be sufficient and these two are tyhe best bang for buck now.
SeaSonic S12D 750 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151084

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Using more than one GPU yields a minimal amount of performance increase for the large amount of price increase.

Yes, after I get a REAL power unit I plan to. Some games just need even more memory than this 1GB beast has (GTA), and I'm pretty well aware that crossfire isn't perfect, but it definitely helps. I doubt it's going to do a whole lot unless I really push the CPU beyond normal limits though.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll bookmark both and maybe even get an HX model instead when I get my paycheck. :smile:

 

[Tyree]

Two GPU's "might" yield a maximum 30% performance increase for the extra $400 + dollars.
Again, best of luck with the RaidMax PSU trying to run the 5870.

 

[Pardon]

Two GPU's "might" yield a maximum 30% performance increase for the extra $400 + dollars.
Again, best of luck with the RaidMax PSU trying to run the 5870.

There is no guarantee it would be another 400 dollar unit anyway since the 5850 also has some mild crossfiring ability with my current card. As for the luck bit, thanks, but I won't need it since I won't be doing any major gaming anyway just yet. :wave: What I will need most likely, is more run of the mill troubleshooting advice in the near future.

 

[Tyree]

Your money.....your decision. Low quality PSU's are a major contributor to PC failure and every PC repair shop that I know of has a stack of them in their junk pile to prove it. They also contribute greatly to my income. :grin:

 

[Pardon]

Your money.....your decision. Low quality PSU's are a major contributor to PC failure and every PC repair shop that I know of has a stack of them in their junk pile to prove it. They also contribute greatly to my income. :grin:

Well you can rest assured none of those are my dollars. :grin: I'd never pay somebody to fix something I can with a bit of research. Either way, thanks again for the recommendations; I will be upgrading to a corsair shortly after I move within the week so people will stop hammering me about it and I don't have to worry about failures.