First Time Build Having Trouble

Jon Arne · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:39

Hi all,

I have just started my first build and have hit a bit of a stumbling block. I have physically installed the motherboard, processor, gfx card, ram, hard drive and a dvd drive. I have connected everything up and powered up for the first time last night however i am getting no visual output from the gfx card to the monitor.

What could this be a symptom of?

The only thing i can think it may be is a problem with the RAM, the QVL in the mobo manual lists a similar model of RAM as only being supported when installed on all 4 slots. I have the OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500 4GB Dual Channel (OCZ2G10664GK), and the mobo manual lists the Reaper version. Could this be the cause? If so i'm gonna have to buy more.

My spec is below

Antec Sonata Piano Black with 500W EarthWatts PSU
Asus p5Q Pro Mobo
Intel Core 2 Duo 3Ghz WolfDale
Sapphire ATI Radeon 4870 1Gb
OCZ Gold Edition 4Gb DDR2 PC2-8500
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB

Any suggestions much appreciated

Ringiho · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:43

Double check everything has power. Try using just one stick of RAM too!

Try and boot with little has connected as possible then add one thing back in at a time. You may then find a faulty component, or just a loose connection.

Good luck!

Plec · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:44

If you have 2 DVI outputs on the gfx card make you have got the monitor connected to the primary one?

Also have you connected the power supply to the Gfx card - you sometimes get an audible warning if it isn't and some cards even give a visual warning if the monitor lead is connected to the right DVI out put.

Good luck

Plec

FaceplantSi · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:44

Also try the RAM in different sockets. It should be in the same coloured sockets for dual-channel if only 2 sticks.

wrayvon · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:46

Could try using just one stick of ram also, test both of them to make sure.

Jon Arne · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:52

Cheers for the suggestions, i've tried both monitor outputs and yes i do have the power connected to the gfx.

Jamesdavid3 · 8 Apr 2009 at 10:59

i would say try changing the RAM in different slots, makes sure its not in duel channel or summing.

Also make sure EVERYTHING in plugged into the motherboard or else it wont all work correctly.

danceMB · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:03

It might be that the PSU that you have is not powerful enough to keep the machine running, as I remember I had a problem when I bought and installed a new GFX card, and I tracked it down to my PSU not being powerful enough, got a 780W PSU, installed it and straight away the card worked perfectly without any problems, so you might wish to try this, if you have any other more powerful PSU lying around anywhere?

!TIMMY! · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:05

Im just wondering if it could be the PSU, as the min requirement for a 4870 is 500w.

Jon Arne · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:28

It's a possibility, i'll just plug the mobo and gfx in and see if i can get anything then.

danceMB · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:46

With the GFX being so powerful it would be best to get a reliable PSU at a minimum of 600W, I have a 780W Tagan myself to make sure everything is reliable and powered correctly, especially when you start bringing the Overclocking in, so I doubt your PSU is good enough for your rig tbh