New motherboard, CPU and GPU combination not working :(

**Sascha Willems** · 21-10-2006, 06:58 PM

Well, I already build I couple of new AM2-systems (including mine) and I don't think that it's a PSU-only issue. The only really important thing about the PSU are the amp?©re on 12V and 5V which should be at least 20A per Rail, and as long as you have the additional 4-Pin Connector (it's needed for the CPU's power) and the PSU has around 20A on the 12V rail it should be OK.

So I think it's a memory issue (especially as it takes some time till your system goes down).
The new AM2-socket is VERY picky about the memory, and in the other thread I saw that you ordered memory with only 533Mhz, which is far below what the AM2-Socket is able to use (800 Mhz, PC6400). So your issue could be an icompatibility between the board and the memory (did you take a look at the memory compatibility list for your board?), and in the worst case you also have to exchange your memory. ASUS' AM2 boards e.g. are known for having troubles with even expensive OCZ-modules, so as I build my system I went for G.Skill modules and made sure that they'll work with that board. But not everything is lost, as you could try to relax the memory-timings in the BIOS. And it's also possible that the board didn't recognize the memory and tries to use totally wrong timings, so try to change them somehow. Another possibility is that your board doesn't deliver enough voltage to your memory, modules usually have a voltage operation range (e.g. 1.9 - 2.1v for my G.Skill memory), so upping this by 0.1 or 0.2v could help too.

**tux** · 21-10-2006, 08:41 PM

hmm, i think it could either be a weak PSU or a DOA motherboard. i'm pretty sure its not an incompatibility because he bought a bundle

during the initial boot is the most stressful time for the PSU as everything powers up and goes through the POST. you didnt say if you tried booting the system with only the cpu, ram, graphics card (or no graphics card if its onboard). if it completes the POST and returns with a "no bootable media" error then you can try add the hdd etc. just keep adding each component back in until it doesnt boot and try the system with only that item.

also, while its struggling to boot up can you hear the hdd spinning up and down? that usually indicates a weak psu.

**savage** · 21-10-2006, 09:26 PM

Sascha, it was a bundle and they say that they test the whole MB with memory etc before sending it out. That is why I bought it as it was supposed to have been pretested. The 350W PSU was for my old MB, which I hoped would work with this new MB.

This evening I decided to use that PSU in an old machine I had and the machine booted up for about 1 second and then did not respond again. When I stuck the old machine's, old PSU back ( both were 350W ) in, the old machine started up again.

The support guy from Novatech reckons that with the new PSU everything will be fine as well. I have told him that it better be because if not I will send everything back for a refund.

It is due to arrive on Tuesday before 12pm, so hopefully Tuesday night everything will be hunky dory.