bland

Nope... no way for me

Note: Just talked to Asus support and a confident sounding guy said it sounds like my CPU is the problem. I'm inclined to agree, I'm just vexed on how it could boot once if it was the problem.

Alright so I have the wierdest issue with my new build. I've got a Sabertooth X58 motherboard, i7 950 cpu, and Patriot Viper Extreme 2000 mhz RAM (I also have a cheap, compatibly listed stick as a tester). Background: After the build was complete I turned it on for the first time and got no display. My only indication of an issue was the DRAM_LED. I tried all my sticks of RAM in every slot with no luck. I reset CMOS, changed the PCI-E slot of my GPU, checked all pins, remounted fan and reseated CPU etc. Still had the same issue. I tried the memOK! button but no matter how long I held it down the DRAM_LED would not start blinking like it was supposed to - however the CPU_LED came on while I was holding down the memOK! switch. Oh, and the board did POST with no RAM in, I got 1 long + 2 short beeps as I was supposed to. I recently RMA'd the motherboard since I was at a dead end and to my dismay I had the same issue. All of a sudden earlier I tried the memOK! switch again and after about 15 seconds of holding I just said screw it and let go, and then the DRAM_LED started blinking, the computer booted and I got into the BIOS. I checked the hardware settings and the CPU was running at 39 Celcius.. Unfortunately I didn't check what the RAM was running at. While installing Windows the computer restarted once, no problem. It restarted again and then froze at the Sabertooth X58 image. I force shut down and rebooted and the CPU_LED was on so I cursed a few times and switched off the PSU. I reset the CMOS and the CPU_LED went away and the DRAM_LED came back. Now no matter how hard I try (I've literally been trying for an hour) I can't seem to get the memOK! switch to get the DRAM_LED to blink. I took off my Coolermaster Hyper-212 plus since I thought the backplate might be shorting the mobo and installed the stock cooler, and that didn't fix anything. Again, I post with no RAM in. Some other info - I have 9 standoffs in the proper places, I think the screws I used may have been too large but I'm pretty positive this isn't a problem (no sign of shorting or anything of that sort - and if it was I don't think I could have gotten BIOS anyway). While I'm sorry for the wall of text, I'd REALLY like to get this solved. Hopefully some wiz out there has a suggestion on what to do. I have a new CPU coming in a few days but I'm skeptical that this will solve the issue (I went with this option because of the fact that when I hold down memOK! the CPU_LED comes on, possibly indicating that it can't get past the memory controller in the CPU). Anyway, whoever can help me fix this problem wins 100 internets. Thanks in advance.

So are you saying something would instantaneously pop up on the monitor?

Yes I have tried a single stick. No I have not tried another video card. I might take it out of my other system soon but I really don't want to screw it up. Both of my PCIE lights are on and the fan is working on my Video card so I doubt it's DOA. You never know, though. No D: And yes, the CPU pins are in snug.

Hey all - I just completed my first build and was rather meticulous about the whole process. I just turned on the power this morning for the first time and to my dismay there was no display. Before I take everything apart and "breadbox" it, I wanted to see if maybe there's something else I can try. I've already retraced my steps and made sure that I didn't miss anything obvious. My largest suspicion is that the issue comes from my RAM. I accidently bought the wrong set of RAM which is at 2000 mHZ, which my Sabertooth X58 doesn't have listed in its list of compatible RAM. The DRAM_LED is on - which led me to even further suspicions. The only reason that I doubt this as the issue is that my friend with a background in IT told me that on the first boot my Motherboard would default the RAM down to 1066 Mhz anyway, removing the problem. Either way, I'm quite skeptical. I tried the MemOK! button - Which supposedly should make the RAM compatible with my Motherboard (temporarily?). If I quickly press it the system just restarts and sits there on with no display as before. If I hold it down, as advised by the manual, the system restarts and then the CPU_LED stays on until I let go. The DRAM_LED doesn't start blinking - as the manual said it would if it is undergoing the tests for my RAM. Oh, I also tried rotating through each stick (1 at a time) and I tried changing which slot I seat it in (incase somehow I was reading the Mobo wrong). None of these attempts changed anything. OH, and I have tried my monitor on another computer - it worked fine. So what would you guys reccomend? Should I be confident enough that the issue is my RAM and go out and just purchase a set from Best Buy (so I don't have to wait for shipping...)? Or should I just buy 1 compatible stick and test if the RAM is really the issue? Or neither? Some another helpful notes I thought of last minute: The friend said that the Arctic Silver 5 I used is rather conductive and if I used too much (possible) I could have caused a shortage - although I have no sign of this... I used an anti-static wrist band throughout the build and I didn't notice any static whatsoever. When I boot I only hear a click for the LED's and a quick noise that sounds like the bleating of a lamb - is this the motherboard? I plugged in the HDA connector from the front panel (I had the choice of that or AC 97)... Is that for the motherboard audio? Here are my specs: Case - Antec twelve hundred V3 Graphics card - Asus GTX 560 Power Supply - Antec CP-1000 RAM - Patriot Viper Extreme 6gb (3x2gb) DDR3 2000Mhz CPU - i7 950 Motherboard - Asus Sabertooth X58 HDD - Hitachi 1TB 7200 RPM Sata Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212+ SSD - OCZ Vertex 2 60GB Monitor - Asus 23.6" widescreen Please just ask if you need any other details. I took some pictures (Low quality iPhone -_-) for that friend of mine but I don't know how helpful they are exactly... All help is much appreciated. I can't wait to make this thing work.

Well that's what I was thinking! But it's like 5 years old.

Cool cool. And RAM in Bios? Lol I found my brother's old computer that he tried to build (parts didn't work or something) but I don't have screwdrivers so I can't disassemble it and break stuff D:

Wowzah. That's tempting but actually the power supply I'm getting is meant to come with the case so I'm gonna go with those for simplicity. So quick question about overclocking - I've read tons of guides and seen tons of videos now and people use both software and the bios... Is one better than the other? If you say software, what sort of software is your favorite?

Cool! Yeah I know but I don't want to go over 2k haha. Definitely will! I might not be ordering for a lil while so it won't be for a while but I'll keep in touch with you. Thanks for all your help mate.

I actually changed my power back to 850 watts and case to Antec twelve hundred black due to the outstanding reviews of it. And motherboard back down to i5-2500k to keep it below $2000 ><. Sorry to keep posting hah but wanted to update

Wow, amazing advice guys. Thank you. My last question was going to be how much thermal paste should I add, but you already answered that! I feel.. ready ^^. I'll start up another thread soon and keep a bit of a log! None of the guides I read or videos I saw included a motherboard tray but hopefully I'll be able to figure that out.

Alright got this tool kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261002&cm_re=tool_kit-_-99-261-002-_-Product And anti-static wrist strap http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261001 I just put on the wrist strap and attach it to the case? or what do I clip it to? So in terms of building the thing - Everything seems to make sense to me except for like the power supply cords. How do I keep everything organized and whatever? Do I need to get electrical tape or something? And like.. how do I know which one of the million cords go where? O.o Also, when should I start plugging them all in? MOAR ANSWERS. Jk, thanks guys.

Alright thanks again. I actually changed it back up to i7-2600k and 950tx power supply deal for the room when upgrading and whatever else heh. Changed the graphics to Asus as well, good tip. So before I go ahead and order all of these is there anything specific I should get for building this? Do I need to get that thermodynamic gel or whatever or will it come with the cooler? Should I get a computer screwdriver set (I don't think I have any, or won't bother looking for them), and do I really need one of those anti-static things? Or can I just work on a wood table...

Thanks for the help and info as well. I went with your choice for RAM and actually realized I need to be going for the combos and saved quite a bit of money. I ended up just under the 2k mark with the 2x GTX 560's which makes me very happy, although I marked down to the i5-2500k. Here's what I'm ending up with (can still be changed until I order, which may not be for a little while) Case + Power Supply combo: AZZA Solano 1000R Black + Corsair 850TX ($220) (Yeah I went down to 850 volts for the price difference. It shouldn't make a difference I don't think? Will the dual 560's overclocked require 950+?) Ram : G.Skill Ripjaw Series DDR3 1600 8GB (2x4GB) ($105) CPU : Intel i5-2500k ($225) GPU : 2x GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card ($250x2) Motherboard : ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 LGA 1155 ($220) Cooler : Noctua NH-D14 ($90) Hard Drive 1: OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SATA II MLC Internal SSD ($115) (This can be both a boot drive and have my games on it, right?) Hard Drive 2 (storage) : Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM ($70) ACCESSORIES ^^ ----------------------- Monitor : Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers ($160) Keyboard + Mouse combo : Razer Blackwidow + Razer Naga .... These things better be reliable and awesome for their prices. I'm looking forward to these ($145) Headset : Connectland CM-502 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Stereo Headphone with Built-in Microphone ($7!) Wireless Adapter: Linksys WMP600N PCI Wireless Adapter with Dual-Band ($55) With shipping the total comes out to be just under $2000. The next step (and thread for me, likely lol) will be building and then overclocking. Please let me know if I've done something wrong with my components here... any suggestions etc. Also 2 quick questions- 1. Will 850 volts be strong enough for this system? Especially when overclocking 2x GTX 560? 2. My SSD can be a boot SSD and still have my games / whatever on it, right? Thank you everyone so much for your help so far.