Which is the problem: mobo or cpu (or my stupidity)?

kramertorium · September 16, 2020

Looking for a kind soul to give me some troubleshooting advice on an attempted new build (got the parts this morning)

Symptoms:

CPU fan spins, motherboard underside RGB lights up (orange)

monitor sees no signal at all (it doesn't blink or get rid of its OSD)

no beep codes (although I do not know if this motherboard uses beep codes)

motherboard: Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX

cpu: Ryzen 5 3600XT

That CPU is on the motherboard's compatibility list starting at bios "F2". I'd try flashing the BIOS but there's none available for download, leading me to think it ships with F2.

I'm testing with nothing installed but the CPU and ram; no storage, no usb devices, using on-board video. I'm using the stock cooler for now.

I don't have compatible a CPU or motherboard to test with, but:

I tried different monitors & cables

I tried a GTX 1660 instead of on-board video

I tried a power supply from a working system

I tried RAM from a working system

So unless I'm doing something colossally stupid, I think I must have a problem with either the motherboard or CPU.

Any suggestions for further testing?

Thanks everyone

September 16, 2020

The board doesnt have onboard video and the cpu does not have integrated graphics.

Since the B550 only supports 3000 series chips, the bios revision shouldn't be an issue.

1st. Be sure all connections are good.

2nd. Try and reset the cmos.

3rd. must use a discrete graphics card.

The board does have beep codes, but you have to plug in the little speaker on the front panel header. Your manual will show you exactly how to clear cmos and exactly which pins are for the little speaker.

Edit, now paying closer attention, the Xt model may very well need a bios flash to support the cpu.

Edited September 16, 2020 by ShrimpBrime
Additional Comment:

Applefreak · September 16, 2020

So first of your CPU does not have integrated graphics so the onboard graphics output won't work.

Have you checked if all cables power cables are properly seated. Also try removing the cpu and carefully putting it back in.

kramertorium · September 16, 2020

I knew I came to the right place!

It was stupidity. I totally forgot that this CPU wouldn't support on-board video, but I also couldn't boot with the GPU installed...but that was before I re-seated the CPU and RAM...this time it worked.

I'm old, I've built a zillion PCs, but not in a long time. Clearly I got rusty.

Thanks everyone!