I've started building my own computer and I'm currently testing if all the parts are functional. After setting up a test bench, I used a screwdriver on the PWR_BTN switch, but only the PSU fan spins—none of the other fans do. I've gone through a lot of troubleshooting steps: I performed the paper clip test, reseated the CPU, swapped the RAM sticks around, and ensured all cables (like the 24-pin power and CPU connectors) were properly connected to both the PSU and the motherboard. I also tried running the setup without connecting a monitor or keyboard to rule out those as issues, but I'm still only getting the PSU fan running. I'm unsure if any components are faulty.
When I plugged in one stick of RAM into the first slot and turned on the PSU, the DRAM indicator on the motherboard lit up but went off when I moved it to the second slot as indicated in the manual. Additionally, I see some gray residue around my CPU, which looks concerning. I've linked a picture of it for reference: [https://imgur.com/a/qynTXhx](https://imgur.com/a/qynTXhx). Here's my component list too: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/yPVFNz](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/yPVFNz). Note that the 7600x3D, motherboard, and RAM came as a bundle from MicroCenter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
3 Answers
Have you considered removing the CPU to check for any visible damage? A photo of the CPU's back and the pins on the motherboard might help pinpoint the issue. Sometimes bent pins can cause major problems during startup.
It sounds like you might have an issue with the BIOS settings affecting your fans. Just to clarify, are you able to hear any POST beeps, or is it completely silent? If there’s no POST at all, it could be more than just a fan issue.
Just a heads up, those gray flecks around the CPU are concerning—it could indicate thermal paste or other debris leaking out. I would definitely take a closer look at that.
I forgot to mention that it doesn’t POST; the keyboard doesn’t light up, and there's no signal to the monitor. Neither the GPU nor the CPU cooler fans are spinning either.