RAM Shorting Out PSU?

Polish Hill · Sep 4, 2013

I recently embarked on a new PC build using Logical Increments to source the parts and NewEgg tutorial videos to build it. I got as far as breadboxing but haven't been able to get the computer to post. I went through the no boot checklist and got down past step 23 where the suggestion is to pull everything but the CPU and HSF.

With a mobo speaker I get long beeps indicating no RAM. I then install a stick of RAM and get silence. I've tried all four slots with both of my 4GB and received the same results. If this does indicate what the checklist says is the RAM shorting out the PSU (very rare), where does my solution lay? I'll also note that regardless of the beep status my CPU fan spins up initially but then ceases and yes both the CPU fan and 8 pin motherboard power are plugged in.

I've posted all my parts below in case that will assist with anything but I greatly appreciate any help.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055QYKQO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HSF: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heat Pipes (RR-B10-212P-G1)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL9 @1.5V UDIMM 240-Pin Memory BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006WAGGUK/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CPU: AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300 6-Core Processor Black Edition
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009O7YORK/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HD: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003
Ultra Plus - Solid-State-Disk - 64 GB

Case: Nzxt Technologies USB 3.0 Tempest 410 Steel Mid Tower Airflow Case - T410-001 (Black)

GFX: HIS H787F2G2M Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

PSU: SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&Tpk=SeaSonic%20S12II%20520%20Bronze%20520W%20ATX12V%20V2.3%20%2f%20EPS%201

Thanks

rolli59 · Sep 4, 2013

No ram beep normal, ram no beep normal, no video card and there is no beeps indicates board bad.

Polish Hill · Sep 4, 2013

rolli59 :

Appreciate it, I just tried two separate video cards with ram and got no beeps still. Is there anything else I can do to confirm the mobo is dead or is it time to rma this?

rolli59 · Sep 5, 2013

Beep with no ram is how it works same with no GPU. There should be no beeps when ram and/or GPU is installed, it means that the motherboard recognized that those are installed. If there are no beeps with one or the other installed then the board is not seeing that they are missing and it is most likely faulty.

Polish Hill · Sep 8, 2013

Received the replacement motherboard yesterday (same Gigabyte one) and after doing another breadboxing came up with the same results.

Only CPU/HSF = Single Beeps
CPU/HSF & ram = No beeps
CPU/HSF, ram, GPU = No beeps, no boot

The CPU fan still spins upon startup but then stops after a second.

I don't have a backup power supply to test but is that the likely culprit since the motherboard didn't solve the boot issue? Please let me know if I can provide any further information, my list of ideas is short at this point. Thanks.

rolli59 · Sep 8, 2013

You are connecting both motherboard 20+4 and CPU 4+4 power?

smeezekitty · Sep 8, 2013

Can you test the GPU in another system? Or try a different GPU?

Polish Hill · Sep 9, 2013

Yes the 24 pin power is plugged in and I've tried both a 4+4 and 8 pin from the PSU to the motherboard with the same results.

I tried this GPU in the system, keeping in mind its ancient but does work, and still got no boot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102624

rolli59 · Sep 9, 2013

And you are using motherboard standoffs in the case and checking that nothing is shorting?

Polish Hill · Sep 9, 2013

Yes, it's actually out of the case sitting on the box the motherboard came in. I pulled the aftermarket heatsink and replaced it with the stock one in case the thermal paste was an issue but no luck.

CPU fan did the same thing, spun on startup and then stopped with a minor jolt when I cut the power again.

rolli59 · Sep 9, 2013

Looks like it is between the board and the PSU then. It has happened that people get bad boards back so if you can test the PSU in a different rig then we would know.

Polish Hill · Sep 9, 2013

PSU worked to boot my current computer, only other thing I can hope is a friend might have some extra ddr3 ram blah.

rolli59 · Sep 9, 2013

You have tried with one at a time?

Polish Hill · Sep 9, 2013

Was trying with both sticks set up dual channel. Just went back in and tried each stick in each of the four slots individually and still no good. Never had any beeps though, same fan spin on startup and then stop each time.

rolli59 · Sep 9, 2013

Everything still points to the board unless we are overlooking something simple. If you have gone through this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems then I would contact Gigabyte again.

Polish Hill · Sep 9, 2013

Thanks very much rolli59, I'll see if Gigabyte has any further information and let you know if I reach a solution or have any updates.

Polish Hill · Sep 18, 2013

Hey everyone, I finally have what appears to have been the solution. After testing a new power supply and CPU I went with the last option and got some ram from a friend. Turns out it booted up with the new part. I plan on returning my Crucial branded 8 gigs, any recommendations on who is a comparable company with a great track record? I'd rather not replace it with the same brand out of spite and frustration. Thanks.

rolli59 · Sep 19, 2013

Gskill and Corsair are very popopular brands.

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