PLEASE HELP - What are the odds that two Mobo's in a row are defective?

[semperneoeon]

System Configuration:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 380 4GB Video Card 
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  

 

Trouble Shooting Steps I Already Did:

1. Make sure your BIOS version is compatible with the CPU generation you're trying to run in your motherboard, you can consult the manual or the manufacturer's website about this. (I built this using PCPartpicker... so I'm pretty sure but not positive that means they are compatible. Is this true?)
2. Check if EVERY power cable is connected. Auxiliary power connectors included.
3. Make sure the cable coming from your monitor is attached securely to the graphics card. Also make sure it is securely attached to the monitor itself.
4. Make sure your PSU is powerful enough to power your complete system.
5. Make sure your monitor works by testing it on a different computer.
6. If you have both a dedicated GPU and an iGPU, try your monitor on both the outputs on the graphics cards as well as on the motherboard.
7. Make sure all connectors and cables are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
8. Make sure your RAM, CPU and GPU are plugged in securely, reseat if necessary.
9. If the motherboard you're using has debug LEDs, check the error code and consult the motherboard manual to see what it means.
10. If you have a debug speaker connected to the motherboard, note the beep sequence and consult the motherboard manual or this thread to see what it means.
11. Try clearing your CMOS. (Yes, left the battery out for a whole 10 minutes!)
12. Try booting your computer with only a motherboard, CPU and one stick of RAM attached (if you don't have an iGPU, plug in your GPU as well ).
13. Make sure your GPU works (if you have a dedicated one), try it in another computer.
14. Make sure your RAM works, try it another computer.
15. Make sure the RAM is compatible with your CPU and your motherboard.

 

Additional information that may be relevant

1. I exchanged the mother board for a new one.
2. I'm putting a pea sized amount of thermal paste on the cpu before installing the cooler.
3. I've attempted booting w/o the storage device connected.
4. I've tried booting with each stick of ram as a stand alone.
5. I assembled outside the case, as well, to make sure the mobo wasn't grounding on something inside.
6. I called ASUS help desk and they couldn't help either.
7. Yes, I really did all 15 steps... multiple times.
8. Big thanks to @HPWebcamAble for helping with my initial trouble shoot.

I've built my rig twice now, with two different mobo's. After both builds, when I power on the comp, it goes through POST and stops at the BOOT_DEVICE LED. The manual simply says, "If any error is found, the critical component's LED stays lit up until the problem is solved." What are the odds that both mobo's are defective? I built the rig using PCPartpicker, even still, I went through to confirm that the parts are compatible. To my amateur understanding they are... HOWEVER, I admit I maybe wrong, as I am a noob.

Honestly, I'm open to any (rational) recommendations at this point and I thank you all for your advice in advance!

[Luc401]

Are you testing them outside of the case? Make sure nothing is shorting out.

[zMeul]

is it possible? yes

it's also possible the CPU was DOA - have you checked the CPU on a mobo that you know for sure it works?

[semperneoeon]

33 minutes ago, Luc401 said:

Are you testing them outside of the case? Make sure nothing is shorting out.

 

36 minutes ago, semperneoeon said:

I assembled outside the case, as well, to make sure the mobo wasn't grounding on something inside.

Yes, I have... after installing it in the rig though.

[semperneoeon]

9 minutes ago, zMeul said:

is it possible? yes

it's also possible the CPU was DOA - have you checked the CPU on a mobo that you know for sure it works?

No, unfortunately I don't own another pc and I don't have any friends with compatible mobo's. Question, would the critical system LED for the CPU stay on if that were the issue? There are LED's for the RAM, CPU, GPU, & BOOT DEVICE.

[zMeul]

36 minutes ago, semperneoeon said:

Question, would the critical system LED for the CPU stay on if that were the issue? There are LED's for the RAM, CPU, GPU, & BOOT DEVICE.

I do not know the particulars of ASUS mobo self diagnostics

[semperneoeon]

Check display drivers. If that doesn't work, use VGA connection. I was then able to see BIOS and the rest is history.