Can I start (power on) Motherboard without CPU ?

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vikbot

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I want to test my Motherboard and PSU but without CPU for some reason.. Can I do that ? I have connected every required cable of PSU to Mobo. Also CPU cable of PSU with the motherboard (ATX_12v_2x4). My question is should I unplug that and power on the mobo because there is not CPU on it or just leave it connected.. ? Will it cause any harm ?

I have also attached HDD, RAM etc.. Should I remove them too ?
 
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geofelt
no, not wrong, but if there should be a problem, it is easier to find and correct things if the motherboard is outside the case.
It is called "breadboarding"

Just lay the motherboard on cardboard or such, connect the psu, cpu, cooler, graphics and ram.
Many motherboards have a power on button. Otherwise, momentarily touch the twp front panel power pins to start the motherboard.

I next run memtest86+ from a usb stick to check things out. I will even install windows and test our overclocking outside of the case.
When all is good, only then will I install the motherboard and other parts in the case.
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geofelt

geofelt

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Some newer motherboards have the capability to update the bios without a cpu or ram.
I would imagine that you would need electricity to do that.

I see no problem trying, but I don't think you would learn much.

Try it and tell us what the results are, and what the rest of your parts are.

Is this a Skylake rig and you are awaiting the cpu?
It seem that the I7-6700K parts are delayed.
 
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vikbot

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No, I don't want to do anything like Bios update etc.. I just want to turn it on without CPU (also don't want display to pop up) , I just want to turn it on. But I have contacted the CPU cable of PSU with motherboard so should I disconnect that first to turn the motherboard on because I don't want to put CPU on it now. I have also connected RAM, HDD etc... Should I disconnect them also ?
 
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vikbot

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So, I can't test only the motherboard by powering it on ? I don't want to put CPU as of now but just test the mobo.... Then should I disconnect the CPU cable of PSU or leave it connected ?
HDD, RAM is also attached.. Do you recommend to detach them too if I want to only test the motherboard ?
*I'm not looking to update Bios.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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No reason to not have everything connected.
No harm will come.
I only mention bios update without cpu or ram to illustrate that it IS possible to power on some motherboards without a cpu.

Do not expect to see anything of interest though.
Fans might spin and the hard drive might hum, but that is about it.
 
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vikbot

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Thank you very much buddy :)
Last question... Should I leave PSU's CPU cable (ATX_12v_2x4) connected to the motherboard as there is no CPU ? Will it trigger any problem ?
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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No, not a problem. plug it in.
That cable adds capability to the motherboard for cpu overclocking or additional graphics cards.

Are you doing all this outside of the case? If not, I recommend that until you get it all working.
 
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vikbot

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No, I'm doing inside... Is there something wrong ?
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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no, not wrong, but if there should be a problem, it is easier to find and correct things if the motherboard is outside the case.
It is called "breadboarding"

Just lay the motherboard on cardboard or such, connect the psu, cpu, cooler, graphics and ram.
Many motherboards have a power on button. Otherwise, momentarily touch the twp front panel power pins to start the motherboard.

I next run memtest86+ from a usb stick to check things out. I will even install windows and test our overclocking outside of the case.
When all is good, only then will I install the motherboard and other parts in the case.
 
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fidelity101

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The answer to my original question: Yes you can...at least with the Asus Deluxe II motherboard. When you power up without a CPU, the error code shows 00 which according to the manual is "Not used" but means "No CPU". A little confusing but now that I have identified the motherboard and CPU as the source of my problems, I'm back to 100% and hopefully this information helps someone else down the line.

 
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