PC won't start. Faulty GPU or PSU?

Alex_278

Commendable
Sep 4, 2016
8
0
1,510
Hey there and thanks in advance.

So I just moved to a new apartment and got my PC back together. (I had taken out the GPU and the heat sink while I moved so they didn't get damaged).

I plug everything in. Fire it up. It boots just fine up until the welcome screen. Then shuts off randomly. I figure it's no big deal. Start up again. But now I have no signal coming to the display.

Here's what I've tried so far :
Double checked all connections.
Reset CMOS battery.
Took out GPU, cleaned out socket and put it back in.
Changed RAM slots.
Stripped down to bare minimums and tried to start up.

What happens is my PC boots, with or without GPU. Runs for a few seconds, then shuts down again.
Please note I can't get into BIOS because I don't get any kind of signal to my display.
Though what's weird is when I reset the CMOS battery it didn't shut down. But when I plugged the GPU back in it shut down almost instantly.

So I'm not sure if it's a faulty PSU or GPU (or even both)
Here are my specs :

- PSU: Xilence XP500R6 500 watts (80+)
- MB: Asus M5A78L-M LX3, AMD 760G
- CPU: AMD FX-6300 6x 3.8GHz
- Cooler: Scythe Katana 4
- RAM: 8GB DDR3-RAM PC-1333
- GFXCard: Nvidia GeForce GTX950 2GB, Palit StormX OC
- Hard-drive: 1000GB S-ATA2, 300MB/Sec.
- Operating system : Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

In the chance that I do need a new PSU. What would you guys suggest?
Thanks in advance to everyone!
 
Solution
Hopefully the new thermal paste will solve your issues. I also have a FX6300 setup and live where it is very hot - 99F today and I am in an upstairs room with lots of electronics so keeping the room temp around 80F is a struggle in the summer. You may want to try underclocking the CPU by adjusting the multiplier using AMD Overdrive. That will increase your thermal margin on the hottest days of the year. I have one intake fan on the front of the case and one exhaust fan on the rear, plus the psu fan which takes air from inside the case and exhausts it out the back. I have a Zalman cpu cooler (also a pain to install).

Ie2ia2D.jpg

theiDunnotouch

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
138
0
10,710
Try getting hold of another GPU, any dinky GPU will work so long as you KNOW it's working. If it boots it's the GPU, if not it's probably the PSU, though before splurging money on another PSU I'd also check the RAM with some other RAM sticks. Should you identify a problematic PSU I'd recommend any PSU that's at least 80+ bronze from a well known manufacturer. Check Jonnyguru for some very well written reviews that offer a scoreboard at the end to assess the performance of the PSU
 

Alex_278

Commendable
Sep 4, 2016
8
0
1,510
For what it's worth. My screen did seem to randomly flash black a couple times randomly for just a split second last week before I moved. I didn't think much of it. As of right now I don't have any other GPUs or PSUs or ram sticks so I'm thinking that I wanna narrow it down till I found out what's exactly causing the issue and then opt for an upgrade.

But so far I've had absolutely no luck.

The MB lights do turn on. The GPU fan DOES spin at full speed. The PSU connections are good and the fan is spinning but I still get no display and I still get a random shut down.

If anyone has run into this before or has a clue please let me know.

Thank you
 

theiDunnotouch

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
138
0
10,710
If you've got time on your hands but no parts to spare try disassmbling everything and starting from scratch, might solve the issue. Let's hope someone here has run into the same thing and can give you a better lead
 

Alex_278

Commendable
Sep 4, 2016
8
0
1,510
So here's the surprise.

I stripped it down to a bare minimum. One stick of ram, CPU and PSU. Started it up. Still shut down. Took out the ram and tried again. Still shut down.

So I took the heat sink out and it was warm-ish but nothing out of the usual. I touched the CPU and it was BOILING hot. I took it out, let it ventilate a bit. Put everything back in (except the CPU) and booted up. Started just fine. No shut downs. I put the CPU back in and it booted.

Looks like the thermal paste on it has worn off and needs to be replaced but I'm not sure if that's the only issue. Gonna change out the thermal paste tomorrow and see if it works.

Hopefully that's the issue and not a faulty anything.
 

theiDunnotouch

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
138
0
10,710


Well there you go, put some fresh Thermal Paste and check if the mounting mechanism still works and if there is pressure between the CPU and the Heatsink


Let's all be thankful that you didn't roast the CPU!

Best of luck, do report back on your progress
 

Alex_278

Commendable
Sep 4, 2016
8
0
1,510
Yea I booted up and the CPU was hitting 80c/175f.
Ran for a minute or so then shut down.

I do live in Arizona and it's like 105f outside so I don't blame the CPU for being so damn hot. Getting thermal paste tomorrow and trying it out. Hopefully it works out. The heat sink and fan are running at full speed but still can't keep the temp down so I definitely need to change out the paste.

Will report back.
 

theiDunnotouch

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
138
0
10,710
What heat sink is it? If it's a dinky one don't expect to see much of a difference with just new thermal compound.
While you're at it I'd say get a Hyper 212 EVO (or whatever is more convinient) to improve cooling
 

Alex_278

Commendable
Sep 4, 2016
8
0
1,510
It's a scythe katana 4.
A gigantic heatsink which is a real hassle to install.

It outperforms the hyper 212 Evo and most scenarios so I don't think the issue is the heat sink.

The paste is worn out and old from constant installation/deinstallation of the heat sink.

I'm pretty sure it's the paste but if it's the sink I might opt for an upgrade.
 

theiDunnotouch

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
138
0
10,710
When removing and installing a cooler always ALWAYS remove old paste, clean thoroughly and reapply. Recycled thermal paste causes heating issues like yours.

Well, got away with it for 10 bucks for some thermal paste, could have been a lot worse! :D
 
Hopefully the new thermal paste will solve your issues. I also have a FX6300 setup and live where it is very hot - 99F today and I am in an upstairs room with lots of electronics so keeping the room temp around 80F is a struggle in the summer. You may want to try underclocking the CPU by adjusting the multiplier using AMD Overdrive. That will increase your thermal margin on the hottest days of the year. I have one intake fan on the front of the case and one exhaust fan on the rear, plus the psu fan which takes air from inside the case and exhausts it out the back. I have a Zalman cpu cooler (also a pain to install).

Ie2ia2D.jpg
 
Solution