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I am trying to modernize a computer. I bought a new motherboard and a new processor (without integrated graphics) and kept the graphics card. After assembly of the computer, without attaching any hard drives and with minimal RAM only, the system appears to start, the motherboard control LEDs light up in the order CPU / RAM / VGA and finally BOOT (which stays on, since HDD are not connected).

However, the graphics card fans stop after ten or so seconds and no graphics output is either on the DVI or the HDMI output. The graphics card works correctly with the old motherboard and processor.

How do I check what is wrong? On paper, everything appears to be fine: the motherboard supports the processor, the graphics card is a standard PCIe graphics card. Processor, graphics card and the motherboard are not bottom shelf, processor and motherboard are new. RAM is supposed to be compatible as well. Power connectors appear all to be in place (with exception of the PWR2 processor connector, but unless I am mistaken that one is rarely needed). The powersupply is 700W and so exceeds the nominal power of the elements combined (processor 65W, motherboard – hard to say, but Google says its 250W under load, the graphics card not more than 100W).

(i) What is the correct way to proceed from this point? (ii) Given that the CPU check of the motherboard seems to be positive, am I right in the assumption that this is not a processor related issue? (iii) I thought that one way of checking what element is problematic would be to buy a (cheap) graphic card just for the purpose of testing the system and seeing what the BIOS says. Would that make sense? (iv) am I correct in the assumption that, just as in the olden days, I should see something on the screen even with no memory or HDD connected?

Edit: I did make sure that the thermal paste is correctly distributed and I checked that the graphics card is compatible with the motherboard. I have checked the connectors several times. I have been following the ESD precautions except for wearing a wristband. I am a dinosaur, but these things have not changed much from my times...

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  • Make sure thermal paste is correct. Make sure the graphics card is compatible (carefully check documentation). Test each device with the manufacturer's driver test app for that device. Use memtest86.exe for memory. Recheck all connections.
    – anon
    Commented Dec 14, 2022 at 21:41
  • How do I run memtest86.exe and / or use driver test apps if I don't see any graphical output?
    – January
    Commented Dec 14, 2022 at 21:45
  • Did you take proper esd precautions? Touching metal occasionally does not help.
    – Bob Goddard
    Commented Dec 14, 2022 at 21:45
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    Should work in VGA mode without bells and whistles
    – anon
    Commented Dec 14, 2022 at 21:54
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    I have never used a wristband in the 40 years I have been building machines all the way down to soldering boards and have yet to fry something. Hundreds of builds and repairs. Although possible, extremely unlikely.
    – Señor CMasMas
    Commented Dec 14, 2022 at 21:57

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In case anyone needs that, here is how I have solved the problem.

First, I got an old graphics card and inserted it into the other PCI slot (PCI_E3) of the motherboard. It worked, demonstrating that both the CPU and the motherboard are all OK. Windows booted, everything was fine.

Then, I swapped the graphic cards. It turned out that now the old graphics card in the slot PCI_E1 no longer worked, but the 1050 ti in PCI_E3 worked.

Turns out that there is a fundamental difference between PCI_E1 and the other PCI slots on the Z560 motheboard. From the manual: PCI_E1: "PCIe 4.0/ 3.0 x16 (From CPU)"; PCI_E3: "PCI_E3: PCIe 3.0 x4 (From Z590 chipset)".

I have no idea why the PCI_E1 does not work, but the configuration with PCI_E3 works. The answer to my question is: try a different PCI slot.

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