I've got an older PC, and it's started to have some serious issues lately. It won't boot properly anymore; the fans spin and the LED lights turn on, but the monitor says "no display," and the keyboard and mouse are unresponsive. Initially, this problem was intermittent, but it's now completely non-functional. I'm wondering if I should assume that my motherboard is defective and if replacing it would solve my problems. I've been looking at options and got recommendations for a B760-PLUS DDR4 motherboard with either an Intel Core i5 12400F or a budget-friendly i3 12100F. Is it really worth it to replace these parts? Here's what I'm working with as of now:
- GPU: GTX 1070
- CPU: i5 7400
- RAM: 16GB DDR4-3600 Corsair Vengeance (upgraded in 2021-22)
- Storage: 1 TB HDD + 250GB SSD
- PSU: MSI MAG A550BN 550W (just bought this week, thinking it might be causing the issues).
2 Answers
Don’t go for a replacement motherboard from 2017—it's a waste of money. First, try testing your GTX 1070 in someone else’s PC. If it works, you can definitely narrow your issue down to the motherboard or CPU. If you're looking for an upgrade, consider getting a new CPU, motherboard, and going for an M.2 SSD. I recommend the Ryzen 5 5600 with a B550 motherboard for solid performance.
Yes, if the GPU works in another system, your focus should definitely shift to the motherboard or CPU.
It sounds like your motherboard is likely the culprit, especially if there are any strange lights on it. You should check for any lights like an EZdebug indicator. If you're considering upgrades, think about going for an AM5 platform with DDR5 RAM for better future-proofing. However, if you’re not worried about upgrading in the near future, sticking with AM4 could be a smarter budget choice given how expensive RAM and SSDs have been recently.
Thanks for the advice! If I check the GPU and it turns out fine, should I be fairly certain the motherboard or CPU is the issue?