Question "New" PC build has no power

[builder866]

Hello,

I am building a budget PC with some used and some new components. After putting it all together, but there is no power and the power supply fan does not spin up. I jumped the power supply with the paperclip trick, and the fan spins up on the power supply, but I know this does not rule out a power supply failure. All 3 used components (GPU, CPU, Motherboard) were claimed working by the sellers on eBay I bought them from.

The motherboard I have does not have any debug lights, and I have not gotten any beep codes off the system speaker. No fans spin up either. I have put in a RMA for the power supply, but am waiting to send it in because I need to know more information, and it might not be the problem.

My build:
CPU: Intel Core i5 8400 (used)
Mobo: GIGABYTE B360M DS3H (used)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8 GB DDR4 3200
GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX Titan X (Maxwell, not Pascal) (used)
SSD: PNY CS900 240GB (taken from an old pc)
Case: Zalman T3 Plus
PSU: MSI MAG A650 BN
CPU cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE Plus
Total cost: around $350

Thanks!

 

[Ralston18]

Do you have a multi-meter and know how to use it?

Or know someone who does?

You can test PSU directly.

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually-test-a-power-supply-with-a-multimeter-2626158

Any voltages out of tolerance make the PSU a likely suspect.

 

[builder866]

I own a multimeter and know how to use it. It is not that good because it is from Harbor Freight, though. I will test all connections and report back readings.

 

[artk2219]

I own a multimeter and know how to use it. It is not that good because it is from Harbor Freight, though. I will test all connections and report back readings.

It doesnt have to be great it just has to work hah, thanks just let us know what you find.

 

[DaleH]

I own a multimeter and know how to use it. It is not that good because it is from Harbor Freight, though. I will test all connections and report back readings.

You can use the info at this site to help you: https://www.smpspowersupply.com/connectors-pinouts.html

 

[DaleH]

Do you have a multi-meter and know how to use it?

Or know someone who does?

You can test PSU directly.

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually-test-a-power-supply-with-a-multimeter-2626158

Any voltages out of tolerance make the PSU a likely suspect.

This is a good URL for testing the PSU.

 

[builder866]

I finished testing. All connections were within tolerances, but there were some that were pretty close to the maximum or minimum.

Pin 14 (-12V) was -10.9
Pin 9 (5VSB) was 5.1
CPU and PCI-E were 12.3

I am not sure if these specifics matter, because +/- 0.1 volt is not going to keep a computer from turning on with the ATX tolerances.

This probably means the PSU is not the issue.

 

[artk2219]

I finished testing. All connections were within tolerances, but there were some that were pretty close to the maximum or minimum.

Pin 14 (-12V) was -10.9
Pin 9 (5VSB) was 5.1
CPU and PCI-E were 12.3

I am not sure if these specifics matter, because +/- 0.1 volt is not going to keep a computer from turning on with the ATX tolerances.

This probably means the PSU is not the issue.

Tolerances are usually within 5 - 10%, that 12v at 10.9 is a bit worrying, but that could have also been from the reading, you're right though, its likely not the power supply.

 

[builder866]

What do you think the next best action is? I think maybe testing the psu under load is a good idea. I read that you could jump the psu from the solder joints on the back of the ATX connector on the motherboard. Is this a good idea? Is it just the same as pressing the power button?

I could also plug in a old hard drive and see if it spins up when jumping the PSU with a paperclip.

Update:
I tried a hard drive and it spun up just fine.

 

[Ralston18]

Use three or four of the power calculators to determine the wattage requirements of the build.

If any given component has a range of values then use the high end value.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html

Calculators at the end of the review.

Do your own manual tally as well.

 

[JeffreyP55]

Hello,

I am building a budget PC with some used and some new components. After putting it all together, but there is no power and the power supply fan does not spin up. I jumped the power supply with the paperclip trick, and the fan spins up on the power supply, but I know this does not rule out a power supply failure. All 3 used components (GPU, CPU, Motherboard) were claimed working by the sellers on eBay I bought them from.

The motherboard I have does not have any debug lights, and I have not gotten any beep codes off the system speaker. No fans spin up either. I have put in a RMA for the power supply, but am waiting to send it in because I need to know more information, and it might not be the problem.

My build:
CPU: Intel Core i5 8400 (used)
Mobo: GIGABYTE B360M DS3H (used)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8 GB DDR4 3200
GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX Titan X (Maxwell, not Pascal) (used)
SSD: PNY CS900 240GB (taken from an old pc)
Case: Zalman T3 Plus
PSU: MSI MAG A650 BN
CPU cooler: Thermalright Assassin X 120 Refined SE Plus
Total cost: around $350

Thanks!

You can test if the supply is functioning at all by removing the 24 pin ATX connector from the motherboard. Short pins 15 and 16. Power up the power supply. The fan should spin.

 

[builder866]

You can test if the supply is functioning at all by removing the 24 pin ATX connector from the motherboard. Short pins 15 and 16. Power up the power supply. The fan should spin.

That is what I referred to as the paperclip trick.

 

[builder866]

Results from PSU calculators:
Newegg: 400-499 watts
Seasonic: 600 watts
Cooler Master: 396 watts
MSI: 477 watts

My PSU is 650 watts, so it should be fine.
Some of these calculators did not have GPU/CPU, so I put in slightly higher/comparable wattage components.

 

[builder866]

Is there any motherboard tests or CPU tests I could do? This motherboard has no debug lights.

Also, do the fans spin on a PC without a CPU or RAM? I have gotten mixed information on this.