new build problem

inquisitive_emu · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:06

Hi all, I'm having trouble with this new build:

Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail (21133-04-20)
Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 10666C9 1333MHz TwinX Dual Channel Kit (2x2GB) (TW3X4G1333C9)

I've put it together with a 500w PSU, everything seems to be powering on ok, fans are spinning on psu, cpu and 4870, but I'm getting no beeps and nothing to the monitor.

The only thing I can see is that there are 3 green lights on the 4870 but also 3 red ones, but I can't find anywhere to tell me what that means...

Please help???!!

sketch145 · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:08

try removing the 4870 and using integrated graphics (assuming it has them)

reflux · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:10

Red lights usually mean the 4870 isn't getting enough power. What's the PSU you've got and have you connected it up properly?

inquisitive_emu · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:15

Admittedly I don't think it's the best PSU (just checked, it's Jeantech 500w) but I would have thought it would have coped with just a motherboard, cpu and the 4870 and 1 sata drive (I haven't connected anything else to it yet).

I have both PCI-Express connectors on and have tried a couple of different ones to make sure

The Deuce · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:47

watts mean diddly, it's the AMPS that rule

inquisitive_emu · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:00

so what's the best way to figure what PSU you need/if one is good enough?

The Deuce · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:04

30 amps across the 12v rail is a good start

reflux · 28 Mar 2009 at 12:05

Basically, plug another PSU in I'm afraid

I'm not 100% sure that's what your problem is but it seems most likely that it's a power issue. Are you dead sure you have everything in your build plugged in carefully?

EDIT:

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3008432

http://www.overclock.net/ati/440290-4870-1gb-green-led-s.html

http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=260&threadid=109788

Seem to suggest that it's definitely a power problem, and more specifically could be the amps available on your 12v rail. Can you take a look at the sticker on the side of the PSU and tell me what the amp rating is?

Extra edit:

LED meanings:

http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=260&threadid=97885

inquisitive_emu · 28 Mar 2009 at 16:45

Thanks guys. There are a few numbers on the side, the AC Input says 115-230V 8A

and then DC Output

+5V - 150W - 25A
+3.3V - 150W - 25A
+12V1 - 400W - 18A
+12V2 - 400W - 18A
-12V - 6.3A - 3.6W
+5VSB - 2.5A - 12.5W

Are you dead sure you have everything in your build plugged in carefully?

To the best of my knowledge, but I admit this I'm not a pro builder. Along with the components I've just connected the large ATX power connector and the power switch from my case. Is there anything else?

[edit]I've figured out it is these lights that are on

D1601 - Red LED On, shows critical temperature fault

D1602 - Red LED On, shows External power connector A was removed

D1603 - Red LED On, shows External power connector B was removed

which, well, can't be good. I would have thought if those things are happening it wouldn't power on at all.[/edit]

inquisitive_emu · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:35

Sorry, double post

PlacidCasual · 31 Mar 2009 at 22:56

inquisitive emu did you solve your problem in the end? I think I may be suffering the same problem my set up is very similar.

KingZeddy · 31 Mar 2009 at 23:31

dont skimp on the PSU, as previous posters have said you cannot go by the wattage alone. Jeantech is not a good brand.

inquisitive_emu · 31 Mar 2009 at 23:49

Yes, sorry, in the end it was my bad, the 4pin ATX 12V plug wasn't 100% fully secure in the 8 pin socket, that fixed it

Thanks for all the help and I apologise again for being such a numpty!

The PSU seems to be holding up at the minute, I know it's not a great brand but hopefully it's sufficiently within its limits.