Question New PC stuck in BOOT LOOP no matter what! Please help!

[8bit09]

I'm making a budget gaming PC. When shorting the front header power switch pins, the fans spin, and after about 3-5 seconds they turn off again. This repeats over and over. I've tried waiting around 5-10 mins; still no boot.

HereHere's specs:
CPU: Intel i7 2600 (Pre-owned)
U: GTX 970 (Pre-owned)
bo: Gigabyte GA-Z68M-D2H (Pre-owned)
Ram: 2 packs of 2x8 1600mhz patriot signature ddr3 ram PSD316G1600KH2, So in total i have 32gb 1600mhz ram over 4 slots (Brand New)
PSU: FSP Hydro K 500W (Brand New)

Here's what ive done so far, with no success or changes in the boot loop:
- Rebuilt PC outside of case.
- Removed GPU and plugged HDMI into the hdmi port on the motherboard
- Removed all unnecessary connections, such as front panel connectors, sata cables, etc. So ive only got the essential mobo, cpu, ram and powersupply connected
- Apparently cleared CMOS by shorting the 2 CLR_CMOS pins
- Removed CMOS battery and shorted the 2 CLR_CMOS pins
- Held power button with PSU turned off and cleared CMOS and shorted CMOS pins
- Tried ram modules in every combination of DIMM slot
- Spammed delete key while pc is boot looping

I've been up all night, and I can't get this thing to work. The 2nd-hand parts are from a reputable preowned mobo seller, same with the CPU. The mobo seller has pics of the mobo working before shipping it to me. I believe it might be an issue with the BIOS being stubborn and not resetting. The previous owner of the mobo was running 1333 MHz RAM 4x4, so I don't think it likes my new RAM, but I still can't get it to boot no matter what I do to clear BIOS/CMOS.

My next step is to buy a new CPU and MOBO and just return what was broken or faulty.... if there is anything actually faulty.

Please, any help? I'm struggling a lot here and haven't slept. Thanks

NOTE** This may be useful info. When installing my brand new cooler, it has the clamping mechanism, this is new to me. It required a decent amount of force on the cpu and the pcb on the mobo was bending just ever so slightly. I doubt this is the issue. But i really couldnt have a clue. Both parts are said to be working before they arrived to me.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Your platform has display ports on your motherboard while your processor has an iGPU, you should be able to get display out without the discrete GPU. Speaking of the processor and board
NOTE** This may be useful info. When installing my brand new cooler, it has the clamping mechanism, this is new to me. It required a decent amount of force on the cpu and the pcb on the mobo was bending just ever so slightly. I doubt this is the issue. But i really couldnt have a clue. Both parts are said to be working before they arrived to me.
did you check to see if the socket had any bent or broken pins? You might want to just have the cooler rest atop of the CPU's IHS while the platform is breadboarded and see if that helps with allowing the system to POST.

Ram: 2 packs of 2x8 1600mhz patriot signature ddr3 ram PSD316G1600KH2, So in total i have 32gb 1600mhz ram
Might want to start with one stick on slot DDR3_2 or DDR3_1.
+
The previous owner of the mobo was running 1333 MHz RAM 4x4, so I don't think it likes my new RAM, but I still can't get it to boot no matter what I do to clear BIOS/CMOS.
Probable, you will need to rule your ram out by sourcing(borrow, not buy) 1.5v DDR3-1333MHz sticks of ram.

Removed CMOS battery and shorted the 2 CLR_CMOS pins
Ideally you should disconnect from the wall and display, remove the CMOS battery, press and hold down the power button for 30secs to drain any residual power, then replace the battery after 30mins. Speaking of batteries, did you check to see if the battery shows above 3v(using a multimeter)?

The mobo seller has pics of the mobo working before shipping it to me. I believe it might be an issue with the BIOS being stubborn and not resetting.
Did you verify that any of the used parts worked prior to today/this thread's creation?

If the BIOS for your motherboard is at fault, then you will need to reflash the BIOS using a CH341A BIOS Programming Toolkit.

What is the make and model of your case? You sure you didn't mount a stand off that might've shorted out the board?

My next step is to buy a new CPU and MOBO and just return what was broken or faulty.... if there is anything actually faulty.
I wouldn't have invested in that platform, if this was a foray into vintage hardware.

I'm making a budget gaming PC.
FYI, you could've built a $500~$600 system as an entry level gaming machine in 2024, should be possible today, with concurrent hardware.

Moved thread from Motherboards section to Systems section.