Question New build won't power on

Feb 7, 2020
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List of parts: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/74m6q3

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Mobo: Asus PRIME B450M-A Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
RAM: Patriot Viper 4 Blackout 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000
Storage: TCSunBow X3 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Case: Thermaltake Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case
PSU: EVGA 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply

Photos of build and front panel headers: View: https://imgur.com/6rvoyYp

View: https://imgur.com/08UtRUM


Hi all! I put together a new PC but I'm having no luck powering it on. There are almost no signs of life at all no matter what I try. The only thing I've been able to accomplish is jump starting the PSU by using a paper clip to connect the green wire to the adjacent black wire, and turning the switch on the PSU to 1. This causes the PSU to power on, the fan spins and you can feel air flow with your hand. Nothing else in the PC receives power. I have tried starting the PC using the screwdriver method to complete the circuit on the power switch pin headers located on the motherboard, but it does nothing. I have also tried using a different PSU that is known to be working, but I am unable to start the PC this way either. When I first troubleshooted this PC, I figured the motherboard was faulty and I had it replaced. Unfortunately, the new motherboard (same model) did not fix the problem. See below for responses to common problems in new PC builds.

Motherboard & CPU power is plugged in. All standoffs are installed and properly aligned. There is no video card in this build. I tried booting with one stick of RAM installed. I tried both sticks in all slots in all configurations. I verified that all memory modules are fully inserted. I verified that I am using the correct RAM slots. There was no plastic guard over the CPU socket (AMD). I installed the CPU properly with the arrow aligned, using the bar to secure the placement. There are no bent pins on the motherboard/CPU. I am using the stock CPU cooler which has pre-applied thermal compound. The CPU fan is plugged in. The thermal material on the base of the stock cooler was free of foreign material. There are no loose screws surrounding the motherboard. I do not suspect any static discharge damage. There are no lights/codes in order to troubleshoot with. I read how to properly install front panel plugs, and triple checked that they are installed properly. I turned on the switch located on the back of the PSU. I tried using a different power cable and power outlet. My CPU is supported by my motherboard. All cables and components are tightly installed.

At this point my only guess is that perhaps the CPU is faulty. Should I see any signs of life if the CPU is faulty? I can't get anything at all to happen aside from jump starting the PSU, which makes it very hard to troubleshoot. The PSU is also quiet when I jump start it, but I can feel air from the fan.

Any help is appreciated, thanks for reading!
 
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Hmm might be on to something here, unless I'm mistaken. My RAM is part #PVB48G300C6K, which does not show up on the list of supported RAM for this motherboard. However, I'm still not convinced this is the problem because I've seen a PC power on with faulty RAM before. The PC won't boot, but there should be signs of life such as case fans spinning before it shuts down due to faulty RAM.
 
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Hmm might be on to something here, unless I'm mistaken. My ram is part #PVB48G300C6K, which does not show up on the list of supported RAM for this motherboard.

By the way I don't like how your Memory Slots clip looks like. Does this board have 2 clips on each slot or is this a board with 1 movable clip on each slot?

Those clips at the bottom where your RAM are inserted doesn't look like thay are aligned with the clips from the slots where there is no RAM. Like the RAM was not inserted properly and the clips did not close properly. Reseat your RAM and make sure those clips close correctly.
 
@Nemesia - this motherboard has one movable clip on each slot (on top). They click down into place when the RAM is correctly seated. The bottom clips do not bend and only help to align the ram. I've re-seated the RAM multiple times and tried single and double sticks in all configurations to no avail. The configuration in the OP picture is recommended as per the motherboard's user manual.