I recently upgraded my CPU from a Ryzen 5 4500 to a Ryzen 9 5900x using an MSI B450M-A Pro Max II motherboard. After installing everything and powering it on, my PC just won't boot. The lights and fan flicker on for just a second, and then nothing happens. This cycle repeats as long as the power supply is on, but there's no error message or anything. I've tried a bunch of troubleshooting steps, including:
1. Replacing the new CPU with the old one
2. Removing and reinserting the CMOS battery
3. Reseating the RAM
4. Reseating the new CPU
5. Testing with only one stick of RAM
6. Turning off the power supply for about 10 seconds and then trying again
7. Disconnecting and reconnecting the motherboard cables
My BIOS is up to date, and according to the specs, my motherboard should support the 5000 series CPUs right out of the box. Since the lights flash when powering on, it seems like the system is receiving power, but I'm stumped. Any ideas on what might be going wrong?
3 Answers
When you try to boot, how long are you leaving it on? Often, multiple reboots can confuse the system, especially right after a hardware swap. Sometimes, it can be a bit nerve-wracking trying to get RAM detected correctly after a change like that.
Have you checked the RAM? You mentioned reseating it, but if you're using a new stick or a different setup, sometimes compatibility issues pop up. It's best to use RAM that was working fine before the upgrade to see if that makes a difference.
Yeah, I think that’s a good point! Make sure the RAM is seated properly too; even a slight misalignment can cause no boot issues. It's also worth testing one stick at a time just to rule out any faulty RAM.
It sounds like your motherboard might be having trouble handling the new CPU, especially considering it’s just lighting up briefly. I’ve heard that the MSI B450M boards can struggle with higher wattage CPUs due to weak VRMs, so that could be a factor. You might want to look into a new motherboard that can support your Ryzen 9 properly without throttling.
Totally get your frustration! If you’ve already swapped out the CPU and it still won’t boot, then it’s probably worth considering a new motherboard. It’s such a bummer when upgrades lead to more expenses, but something more robust could save you in the long run.
Not too long, especially since I swap CPUs quickly. I’ll try leaving it on longer to see if that helps! Thanks for the tip.