New build PC - bootloops when dedicated GPU is installed

[shb117]

New PC boots fine with integrated graphics (Windows 11 works with no issues) but not when dedicated GPU is in (plugging in to HDMI on GPU).

Parts list: New build with following specs:

1. ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I
2. 32gb T-create memory
3. 2TB WD nvme
4. Ryzen 7 7800x3d
5. XFX 9070XT Swift / Nvidia 5070Ti (new)
6. Corsair SF750

Problems:

1. If iGPU is used without dGPU plugged in to PCIE slot then it all boots up fine.
2. XFX 9070 XT when plugged in, when using integrated GPU, gets through post and within 3 seconds of seeing the windows loading screen (spinning circle), the PC reboots infinitely. Q-LED lights cycle on the motherboard

Steps taken to resolve this:
1. Attempted to change PSU to corsair SFX 850 as thought may be limited to power delivery - same issue
2. Attempted to change GPU to Windforce 5070 Ti - same issue

Additional steps taken: memtest86 to check memory, GPU reseated multiple times, memory reseated, on latest bios ver, multiple CMOS resets


Is this a motherboard PCIe slot issue?? I only have one slot in this m-ITX board. Or should test it out with a new CPU? Both are from Amazon resale so returns are not a problem

 

[Tetras]

Is this a motherboard PCIe slot issue??

Is it using a riser?

What is the PCIE gen set to in the BIOS?

XFX 9070 XT when plugged in, when using integrated GPU, gets through post and within 3 seconds of seeing the windows loading screen (spinning circle), the PC reboots infinitely. Q-LED lights cycle on the motherboard

Can you explain what you mean? "when plugged in, when using integrated GPU", I don't understand, isn't that contradictory?

resale

They're open box, in other words?

 

[shb117]

s it using a riser?

What is the PCIE gen set to in the BIOS?

No riser cable. PCIE set to auto then also tried gen 4.

Can you explain what you mean? "when plugged in, when using integrated GPU", I don't understand, isn't that contradictory?

Sorry. I mean I have the card plugged into the slot and power but using the integrated GPU (HDMI is connected to mobo port). When I do this at least I can see it POSTing and I can browse BIOS. When I try to boot into windows, it the circle spins for about 3 before bootlooping. This behaviour does not happen when the GPU is unplugged from the PCIe slot and power source.

If I have the HDMI cable connected to the GPU then it just keeps power cycling without POSTing.

They're open box, in other words?

Yeah

 

[Tetras]

Sorry. I mean I have the card plugged into the slot and power but using the integrated GPU (HDMI is connected to mobo port). When I do this at least I can see it POSTing and I can browse BIOS. When I try to boot into windows, it the circle spins for about 3 before bootlooping. This behaviour does not happen when the GPU is unplugged from the PCIe slot and power source.

I see. Is the Windows installation a new(ish) one?

If I have the HDMI cable connected to the GPU then it just keeps power cycling without POSTing.

Does DP have the same behaviour?

Yeah

Hmm. It makes me suspicious of the motherboard, perhaps without reason, but eh.

 

[shb117]

I see. Is the Windows installation a new(ish) one?

Yeah its a new PC build and the Windows install is brand new. I got so suspicous initially that I even tried booting linux but same thing happens. Makes me suspect the system crashes during boot when the dedicated GPU is activated? (even when not being used as iGPU is plugged into HDMI).

Does DP have the same behaviour?

Yes but I only tested DP over USB-C as that's available on my mobo and I use that with my laptop anyway. DP over USB-C works with iGPU as long as the dGPU is not plugged in.

Hmm. It makes me suspicious of the motherboard, perhaps without reason, but eh.

I've spent 2 days crawling the internet in search of clues and re-ordered another mobo from Amazon to try out. My gut feeling is that something is off with the PCIe slot which makes the whole system short when in use?

 

[Tetras]

My gut feeling is that something is off with the PCIe slot which makes the whole system short when in use?

It could be. With an open box item you really have no way of knowing why it was opened/returned, that's the reason I'm suspicious of it.

If there's no obvious physical damage like e.g. damage to the traces, or the pins, this isn't something easy to see (if you even can).

Typical issues with booting can be caused by fast boot, MCR/power down and EXPO/XMP, PCIE gen and using risers, but since your PC boots fine without a graphics card, that doesn't seem to be the problem.

I've spent 2 days crawling the internet in search of clues and re-ordered another mobo

Hopefully that'll fix it, I don't see what else you can do except replace the CPU.

You already tried two different graphics cards and a new PSU. I assume you were careful with swapping the cables between the PSUs, not re-using modular cables, etc?

 

[shb117]

Yeah the pins on the mobo all look fine. Traces look fine too - no obvious damage other than the fact that amazon decided to ship it without an outer cardboard box. The shipping label was attached directly to the mobo box. Both PSUs are from the same series and manufacturer so I haven't changed the cables. as I know they are the same. The GPU fans do spin up but it just won't get detected.

I just did a final reseating of everything before packing it up for return to Amazon (CPU / memory / GPU) outside of the case. Now both the white and green Q-leds are steady. Green I understand cause my SSD isn't installed but the white means the GPU isn't detected despite sitting firmly on the slot. My gut feeling is this is the slot.

I'll update you tomorrow with results from the new mobo.

 

[Quartz]

There was a video by Adamant IT in which he found that there were some dry joints to the x16 slot.

 

[shb117]

Just as an update. New mobo didn't fix the issue but another amazon open box Ryzen 7 did. GPU now detected and Nvidia drivers successfully installed. Moral of the story is buyer beware when buying used CPUs.

 

[freddie64]

Moral of the story is buyer beware when buying used CPUs.

When i got my first Ryzen 5800X (brand new) it would not work with a RTX 3070.

Had to buy a SH CPU and borrow another GPU to do fault finding. Turned out the CPU would only work with the 3070 when i set PCIE to Gen 4 instead of Auto.

RMAed the 5800X and the replacement worked as normal.