I recently bought a used Prime Z370-P motherboard, and when I first tried to boot it, I mistakenly used an i5-6600 processor. I've also tested it with new DDR4 RAM and a confirmed working GTX 750 Ti. After realizing my error, I got a used Xeon E-2224 CPU that should have been compatible.
However, the motherboard still won't boot. The fans start spinning for about half a second to one second, then everything cuts out. I've tried different setups: removing the GPU, rearranging the RAM, unplugging non-essential connections, and checking that the CMOS battery is good. The odd thing is, when I run it without the CPU, nothing powers on, and when the CPU power is disconnected, the fans keep running indefinitely. I bought this board as functional, and the seller looked reliable, but is it possible the motherboard is actually broken?
3 Answers
I get your frustration! If you need to update the BIOS for the E-2224 to even function, you’d likely need to do that with a different CPU first. Returning the Xeon and picking up something like an i3-8100 could be a good move. And regarding undervolting, I’m just a fan of maximizing efficiency while keeping things stable. Hardware tends to do well within default ranges, but running cool usually helps longevity!
I’m with GadgetGuru on this. The issue may actually be due to Intel's tight separation between Xeons and desktop CPUs, especially starting from LGA1151. The E-2224 requires a C246 chipset instead of the 300-series used by your motherboard. I'd suggest testing it with a regular desktop CPU, like a Pentium G5400. It’s pretty affordable and can help you figure out if the motherboard is actually working.
It looks like your problem might stem from the compatibility of the E-2224 with your motherboard. Even though the Prime Z370-P is a Coffee Lake board, it doesn't officially support that Xeon CPU. The quick spin of the fans followed by a shutdown is usually a telltale sign that the CPU isn't properly recognized by the BIOS. You may need a BIOS update, but that typically requires a supported CPU first. So, you might be in a bit of a bind here.
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