The new PC starts up correctly without the GPU but fails when the GPU is connected.
The new PC starts up correctly without the GPU but fails when the GPU is connected.
Hello, your new PC is running without the GPU and showing no video output. You’ve managed to install Linux and connected via BIOS, but the setup doesn’t display anything when using the VGA. After trying various HDMI cables and direct connections, the issue persists. You mentioned a similar problem with another 3060 Ti model, which also fails to show video. The CPU is functional, but everything else seems new. An FTPM error appears during boot without the VGA connection—could that be related? I’ve attached a picture of the error for reference. Please let me know if you missed any details.
Shot in low light, yet this seems to mirror one of the odd problems I encountered with two distinct sets of RAM (both Ballistix BL16G32C16U4B.16FE). Each board reacted differently. Board #1 - MSI B450M Bazooka, Ryzen 1700, initially MSI GT1030 and G.Skill, PC-25600 if memory suits. After fitting this RAM with a WD Blue SN570 M.2, the board would start up using the original GT1030, but not the GTX1650 Super I I was attempting to add, triggering a VGA error light. Take out the 1650, put back the 1030, and it works now. After several tries with the GTX1650, the board would power down and required an RMA. MSI never clarified what was wrong. Once the board came back, everything functioned again, though it remained a bit anxious afterward, still so. I noticed those DIMMs might behave at varying speeds in BIOS, which shouldn’t be the case. I thought the board was a POS, but perhaps the RAM was the real culprit all along. It continues to have stability concerns. Board #2 - Asus Tuf Gaming B550-PLUS, Ryzen 5900X. BL16G32C16U4B.16FE originally installed. Occasional POST failures with no video every 8-12 boots, otherwise it worked well, even outperforming expectations during games. I later saw a DRAM light during POST failures, swapped DIMMs from board #1, but the problem remained. DIMMs checked out, the board was returned for repair, but still reported 'could not duplicate issue'. The original DIMMs failed on board #3 and were replaced with an Asus-QVL'd Patriot Viper kit. That issue never came back. Board #3 - ASRock B450M-HDV 4.0 Promontory, Ryzen 3600X, BL16G32C16U4B.16FE from board #2 was originally installed. One DIMM kept showing a constant hourglass cursor in Windows 10. I swapped in a second DIMM to test if more memory would help, but the machine still failed to boot with video, regardless of which DIMM was used. Within a week, it only played audio and cut out audio/video during games. I replaced the DIMMs with Ballistix CL16 BL2K16G36C16U4B (BL16G36C16U4B.M16FE1 x2) from the board’s QVL list, and the problem disappeared. The machine now runs flawlessly, even surpassing expectations. My conclusion is that certain boards are incompatible with specific RAM, and QVL guidelines can be crucial in preventing problems. This experience has convinced me that not everything in QVL is reliable—some kits still cause failures even when they match the list. That journey has made me more cautious, though I wouldn’t dismiss anything entirely. Board #1 was definitely a complex story. Edited August 29, 2022 by An0maly_76 Updated, additional details
It seems like you've experienced similar issues across different systems. The problem might not be with the RAM itself, as it functions correctly on another device.
It might not be the issue. I wasn't sure my RAM was the cause either. Please confirm if this RAM matches the same brand and part number as your board or CPU. Let me know if you need confirmation on that. Edited August 29, 2022 by An0maly_76 Revised
The main distinction between the two is the CPU. The one I just assembled features an Athlon 3000G, while the existing unit runs a Ryzen 5 2600G. Both come with a steel Legend B450M and an RTX 3060 Ti. In my region, they don’t typically offer RAM/Motherboard/CPU bundles. Until you mentioned it, I hadn’t considered that might be an issue.
What I mean is that on some AM4 chipsets, RAM compatibility can be inconsistent—sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t. It’s not a universal rule, but it’s something developers have noticed. The real factor isn’t just picking the processor or board, but ensuring the board’s BIOS supports the specific RAM when used with certain processors.
And why would your system stop booting without video only once every few months? It seemed to work most of the time. People I consulted didn’t point to RAM as the cause. Eventually, I changed both the RAM and GPU from an older setup, but the problem persisted. The motherboard was returned for repair, but two weeks later it came back with a "cannot duplicate issue" notice. Interestingly, the individual DIMMs worked fine on their own. What really explained it was using identical RAM and GPU with a different board and processor during the repair process. It started up and ran, but then faced its own problems—different from the first. Eventually, one DIMM would not boot at all, while the other would cause audio glitches or cutouts during games. I discovered QVL settings and realized the RAM wasn’t properly recognized by either board. Swapping in a QVL-compatible RAM fixed the cold-start issues on both systems. More importantly, this reminds me of another machine I upgraded in 2020 with a GTX1650 Super, PCIe3 M.2 slot, and matching RAM. It would consistently fail to boot, even with a working GPU, but would start when the new RAM was installed. After several tries, the board would shut down and need a return. The manufacturer’s support staff were very nervous about what they heard. I only learned later that on that particular board, the DIMMs had different speeds in the BIOS, which could explain why certain boards are sensitive to RAM. Or perhaps certain processors have stricter requirements. This experience has made me question whether some RAM models are tailored for Intel or Ryzen, and it’s risky to assume compatibility without checking the exact SKU. So, take your guess—there’s more than one side to this puzzle.