Can I test my GPU with just a PSU and no mainboard? Will the fans spin?

[Slowloris_NZ]

OK, I apologize if this is somewhat of a newbie question.

I have bought the components to build a new PC / crypto mining rig, as I wanted to learn as I went. I'm still waiting for some components to arrive including the motherboard.

I currently have a Sapphire RX470 Nitro 4GB card and a Corsair RM1000x PSU.

I have tested the graphics card in another computer and it works fine, the fans spin it overclocked well etc. I also realize my PSU fan will not spin unless it is under load. But here is my question...

If I power the RX470 through a PCIe slot on the PSU and plug the motherboard connection into a riser which is also powered by the PSU, would you expect the fans to spin on the graphics card? Or is it normal for some kind of communication to take place between the motherboard and the GPU to tell it to switch on and the fans to spin on the graphics card?

Currently I have no way of knowing if my PSU may be faulty and I would like to determine this before the other parts arrive.

I hope my question is clear and thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Lutfij]

Chances are very rare your 1KW PSU came faulty. If the fans don't spin on it, it means the fan isn't required. If the fan doesn't turn on even when the PSU is stressed then there is a need for concern. For this very reason, it's always good practice to build your system outside of their respective boxes, breadboarded and then see if they all power up and function as they should.

FYI, you shouldn't sacrifice the GPU to understand the PSU's output.

 

[13thmonkey]

^ agreed, don't do it, it may or may not work anyway. Just wait.

 

[Lutfij]

To bring one other matter to light, an off the shelf PSU tester does squat in telling you if the PSU is bad or good nor does the paper clip test show you anything outside of the unit being capable of turning on. I mean, sure, it does add a load to the unit but it doesn't indicate how much power the unit can deliver without failing.

If the PSU is indeed faulty, you should sit back and wait for the unit to go through warranty. If the unit damages your other components, make sure you have documented that the PSU did it. A lot of people on the www claim things they didn't do.

 

[Vic 40]

All important is said already,but why do you supect that psu to be faulty anyway since new?

If the gpu could be tested in another system could you test that psu too btw,doesn't need to be build in,just put it aside the case with the fan to the top and connect the necesssary cables like 24pin/8pin,sata (boot drive) and what other maybe necessary to make the pc run.