Attempted to resolve GPU issue but encountered errors.
Attempted to resolve GPU issue but encountered errors.
Hey everyone, I recently assembled a new PC and initially it booted up smoothly. The display only appeared when connected to the integrated CPU (Ryzen 9 7900x). When using a DP or HDMI cable for the GPU, the screen remained black, so I had to switch the HDMI connection to the built-in graphics on the CPU to see anything. I configured the BIOS with integrated graphics and installed Windows 11 along with some additional drivers—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a few others. At this stage, I attempted to activate the GPU. I powered off the machine, unplugged the cables, and shut down the power supply. Then I tried reinserting the GPU onto the motherboard using a flat-head screwdriver to release the metal bracket that held it in place. After several attempts, I managed to remove the GPU from the case but damaged the small plastic-metal connector. I found online discussions suggesting this was acceptable. Next, I removed the power supply and double-checked the PCIE slot, ensuring it was inserted correctly and not reversed. I repeatedly tried plugging the PCIE card backward into the power supply just to verify my work, though it only worked one way. Eventually, after reconnecting everything properly, I restarted the PC but it still wouldn’t boot. All cables seemed secure, the power was on, and the system didn’t power up at all. I verified everything was plugged in and tested the power supply with a paperclip test, but forgot to disconnect the PC from the power source. The fans started spinning up, which indicated the power supply might be faulty. What could have caused this? Did the motherboard or power supply fail? Here’s what I had: Ryzen 9 7900x, Asrock X870 Riptide Wifi board, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Corsair Vengeance 6000MHz, GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, Corsair RM 850e, and a 2TB NVMe SSD.
Hope you're referring to those small plastic components near the PCIe port? Test by powering on the PC using only the PSU, motherboard, CPU, and cooler—leave everything else disconnected. If that works, attempt to connect the GPU next.
You connected only the essential components and still didn’t get a boot. The GPU is out of the picture, but the power cable remains attached. That’s unusual—check connections and ensure the power source is functioning properly.
No issue detected, no illumination at all. It appears to be functioning entirely without power. The only exception was when a paperclip was inserted into the 24-pin connector between the 4th and 5th pins while the system was powered on, causing the case fans to activate.
Show me a photo of your PCIe slot and nearby components. I’ll assume something went wrong. In the worst scenario, you might have shorted everything; in the best, just the board is affected. You left all cables connected to the motherboard and tested the PSU—could that have caused a short or power surge? Modern PSUs and boards usually have protection, but cheaper ones don’t always. If you find a multimeter, I can guide you through testing the board and checking fuses. Do you have one? Do you have another setup? Consider bread-boarding the system if it won’t start. Have you tried clearing the CMOS?
I left all the cables connected when I checked the PSU. The case fans started working immediately. I attempted to reset the CMOS, but everything seems fine. Since my motherboard and power supply are recent, I assume they have safeguards in place. What purpose do these features serve? How could a short circuit destroy everything? I haven’t noticed any smoke, no sparks, and no unusual sounds.
You rarely notice physical clues about a short or overvoltage situation here. Most AC-DC power supplies include an overvoltage protection circuit similar to motherboard designs. Usually, they consist of TVS diodes, fuses, Zener diodes, multilayer varistors, and current limiters. At this stage, you likely damaged something or broke a component; the simplest fix would be to build a breadboard version outside the enclosure and test it with a multimeter. If you’re still inside, I’d just send it back and attempt another try. Also, trimming the green and black pin signals can trigger the power supply to engage all its rails, sometimes bypassing the protection circuit. The 8-pin cable is typically dedicated to CPU power, making it hard to determine exactly how much current was drawn. Much of this depends on the board design, so unless I can inspect it directly, it’s just a guess.