Gigabyte Aorus B650 fails to power on (red CPU indicator)
Gigabyte Aorus B650 fails to power on (red CPU indicator)
I recently acquired an R7 7700X and an Aorus B650 Elite AX to assemble my new build. Completed the installation last night and everything appeared fine. I ran Prime95 as a stress test overnight (~7 hours). Upon waking, the system was still operational with normal temperatures. After finishing the test and leaving the PC on, I returned an hour later to find no video output and all fans running at full speed. The power button remained inactive, so I switched the PSU and restarted the machine. Now there’s no display at all (not even the BIOS logo), and the CPU indicator stays lit with fans spinning continuously. I consulted the Aorus manual, but it only referenced a CPU issue. My attempts:
- Re-seating the CPU
- Updating or flashing BIOS via QFlash
- Reconnecting motherboard and CPU cables
- Resetting CMOS
- Leaving the PC on for over an hour
What I observed:
- LEDs blink in this sequence: DRAM (~5 seconds), CPU (infinite)
- The case power button activates the system but never shuts it down
- Even after prolonged use, the CPU stays on with fans at maximum speed
System specs (no GPU, integrated graphics):
- R7 7700X
- Noctua NH-D15
- 4x16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5600MHz (EXPO on)
- 1TB M.2 SSD
- Corsair 850W PSU
1500RPM cooler for an AMD CPU with an integrated GPU seems quite basic. No CFM details available, and there are no specs listed on the unit. CPU testing: take the processor out, power it up, and if outcomes match, the chip likely suffered severe damage after being left unattended for seven hours.
Prime95 and Video Stability Test are executed together for the longest duration possible, up to 4 hours. On a solid configuration, the system remains quiet even with aftermarket fans that might be slightly below stock cooling performance.
I didn't think this through before since it's never occurred before, but I'm starting to believe it might have happened. I expect the CPU would slow down its performance to prevent overheating (it didn't throttle during testing, but reached a peak of 96°C), rather than shutting down completely. In the worst scenario, I hoped it would simply stop working before any lasting harm. I managed to boot into Windows and the BIOS confirmed the new BIOS was installed properly, but after five minutes of inactivity the system crashed again. I've already sent it to RMA and will check if they accept it, planning to order a replacement. I'm feeling a bit worried about high temperatures now. This situation has never been considered before.
The focus is on performance rather than quiet operation. People seeking powerful CPUs prioritize efficient cooling solutions, not just stylish or branded fans.
The fans' performance impacts cooler performance through metrics like efficiency and noise reduction, not just quieter operation.
Don't fall for the excitement. No processor can stop overheating beyond 75°C, and the removal of safety shutdown features is frustrating. The same applies to GPUs. For CPUs with peak power over 125W, consider liquid cooling. If you're using higher fan speeds, opt for models with 90-150 cubic feet per minute rather than 1500 RPM. My current GPU fans for an older board run at 1970rpm at 40%, and the system is now quiet. I replaced the originals that failed.
Air movement rate in cubic feet per minute, excluding typical values since the fan isn't working properly.
M3/h represents the volume of air circulated in an hour... As I mentioned. Avoid trying to compare our standards with others; not everything fits into our system. Source? Fascinating that Intel and AMD are both focusing on CPUs that handle 95°C for thermal throttling.