[Zautra]

Hello HF.

I got suggested a build not too long ago, and I'm facing problems with it.

Build:

[AMD FX-8320]
[Enermax ETS-T40-TB]
[G.SKILL Sniper 2x4GB]
[EVGA SuperNova NEX 650W]
[Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+]
[BitFenix Shinobi w/ Window]
[Western Digital 1TB HDD]

So now, the story begins.

I was suggested this build by an HF member (I changed a few parts). I then asked other HF members if everything was compatible, etc. Everyone said it was a pretty solid build, so I decided to purchase it.

So after a countless amount of days, I've finally received each and every part. I built it with not much knowledge, basically just winging it. After hours of building, the moment of truth came. I powered it on, and it worked. The Power LED was on, all of the fans were spinning. I was super happy.

Now, I took the PC to my room, and connected the computed to my monitor via HDMI. The monitor would not show anything. It just stayed black. I then thought that I maybe put the graphics card in some wrong slot. So I pushed it in every slot that I could, and nothing happened.

I was frustrated at this point, and had no clue what was wrong. I decided it would be best to call some specialist to check it out.

I found a guy, and he came over the next day. He tested almost every part and came up with the conclusion that the CPU was not compatible with the motherboard. He said to talk to Newegg and try to get a refund for a few parts.

So, I trusted him, and sent my parts to Newegg. I am now waiting for them to receive them.

He told me to buy an Intel i5 processor, Asus 287, and a Zalman CPU Fan.

After doing some research, I've noticed that my motherboard is compatible with the CPU as the motherboard has a AM3+ CPU Socket, and the AMD 8320 CPU is AM3+ Compatible.

But then, there's this review saying the motherboard has issues with 8-Core Processors: http://www.newegg.com/Product/SingleProd...id=3832872

I don't understand. I have an RMA issued for my Motherboard, CPU, CPU Fan, and PSU.

Help?

tldr;
Spoiler (Click to View)Bought parts.
Told not compatible.
Told that they are compatible.
RMA issued.
Dunno what to do from here.

[Sad Astronaut]

I'm really bad with computers, but if you go on pcpartpicker.com it should show if everything is compatible, did you try there?

[Metalocalypse]

FX-8320/GA-990FXA-UD3 combo is one of the best possible, the guy is talking out his ass. Most likely your GPU may have been dead on arrival or the HDMI cable may have been faulty.

[Aesthetics]

This is why you don't trust skids.

Always best to do your own research.

That's just a review saying mentioning about VRM issue on revision 3.0, has nothing to do with compatibility.

Most of gigabyte 990fxa are revision 4.0, which is irrelevant.

[Programmargorp]

The Rev 4 boards are completely fine in their VRM design.
Also, the 8320 is most definitely compatible with the 990FXA-UD3, AM3+ compatible BIOSes have long since found their way into the boards stock.

I love how all these idiots are talking out of their ass and passing it off as truth.

It's probably a DoA GPU, badly seated RAM or standoff problem that's preventing you from booting.

[Dr. Snowball]

If you get a FX-8350 like me (or your FX-8320) It'll definitely work for that motherboard. It is a good CPU for that mobo (125 watt, 8-core, 4ghz stock)
That motherboard is not for Intel CPU or drivers.
If you're using it for windows 7 then download these programs for your AMD FX CPU (hotfix) (makes your CPU run faster with windows 7) Also just my opinion but I would get a T4 or 212 EVO master cooler for your cpu. The T4 is what I have and it was very easy to install and always runs very cool!
Good luck mate and here are the CPU windows 7 AMD hotfix:

If you get this build download both of these, it is a hotfix to make the AMD CPU faster:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2646060
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2645594
(Only for windows 7)

[Zautra]

Yeah but he tested his own GPU, and it still wouldn't work. So it can't be the card?

EDIT: (His email!!)

Code

[Bios rev file on the motherboard was too low of a rev the motherboard won't post with the new CPU.

Most motherboard should have a updated bios to latest pcb higher then 4.0 on the motherboard itself . In most cases you need an older CPU to post the motherboard or ask the motherboard  vendor for a new bios chip .Whats vendor telling us is different then life , trust me

In your case POWER SUPPLY have problem too , or MOTHERBOARD ITSELF

Of course this board should work with this cpu from a minute you put everything together , but some how didn't . I told you that everything suppose be fine , when you do bios update with different (older) cpu.

That was my opinion , you can always come back to your previous configuration, but please don't do it . ]

He's Polish so his grammar might not be the best.

He also gave me these links:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1440428/gigab...s-solution

http://#/main/topic/14393-gigabyte-ga-990fxa-ud3-revision-30-stay-away/

http://forums.anandtech.com/archive/inde...37672.html

Also, I've found this: http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1dyke7/

[Programmargorp]

Yeah but he tested his own GPU, and it still wouldn't work. So it can't be the card?

EDIT: (His email!!)

Code

[Bios rev file on the motherboard was too low of a rev the motherboard won't post with the new CPU.

Most motherboard should have a updated bios to latest pcb higher then 4.0 on the motherboard itself . In most cases you need an older CPU to post the motherboard or ask the motherboard  vendor for a new bios chip .Whats vendor telling us is different then life , trust me

In your case POWER SUPPLY have problem too , or MOTHERBOARD ITSELF

Of course this board should work with this cpu from a minute you put everything together , but some how didn't . I told you that everything suppose be fine , when you do bios update with different (older) cpu.

That was my opinion , you can always come back to your previous configuration, but please don't do it . ]

He's Polish so his grammar might not be the best.

That is the most horrible explanation I have ever heard.

The 990FXA-UD3 Rev 4.0 ALREADY ships with the F1 BIOS, which by default supports FX series CPUs. Therefore the board will POST without a need to update to F2 first.

Since the fans spin, the PSU is no doubt working. The only other possibility is a DoA GPU. Should have asked first to check standoffs, RAM and the EPS 8 Pin. Also, beep codes would have been useful for this as well.

As in the email, you have a REV 4.0 board, NOT a REV 3.0. Only the Rev 3.0 users are having issues.

[Zautra]

That is the most horrible explanation I have ever heard.

The 990FXA-UD3 Rev 4.0 ALREADY ships with the F1 BIOS, which by default supports FX series CPUs. Therefore the board will POST without a need to update to F2 first.

Since the fans spin, the PSU is no doubt working. The only other possibility is a DoA GPU. Should have asked first to check standoffs, RAM and the EPS 8 Pin. Also, beep codes would have been useful for this as well.

As in the email, you have a REV 4.0 board, NOT a REV 3.0. Only the Rev 3.0 users are having issues.

It cant be a DoA GPU. He tested his own GPU and it still didn't work? There was no beep when turning it on. Only the LED for the power button lit up and ALL fans on everything spun. The GPU, case, cpu cooler, and psu.

---

Also, he had his own Kingston RAM that he checked it didn't fix anything.

[๖ۣۜSerendipity]

Has op actually checked if he was shipped a revision 4 of the motherboard? I got shipped a revision 1 instead of 1.5 or something and the thing wouldn't post with that particular cpu in it. Still trying to sort that out now.

[Programmargorp]

It cant be a DoA GPU. He tested his own GPU and it still didn't work? There was no beep when turning it on. Only the LED for the power button lit up and ALL fans on everything spun. The GPU, case, cpu cooler, and psu.

---

Also, he had his own Kingston RAM that he checked it didn't fix anything.

Does the CPU get hot?
Since the power LED is on, it's indicating that the system is attempting to POST, so a buzzer would have helped.
You can only hear beeping if you've connected a POST buzzer to the mobo. Otherwise you can't detect the beeps.

[Zautra]

Does the CPU get hot?
Since the power LED is on, it's indicating that the system is attempting to POST, so a buzzer would have helped.
You can only hear beeping if you've connected a POST buzzer to the mobo. Otherwise you can't detect the beeps.

I never felt the CPU, but after testing it, he took it all apart, and the CPU was fine.

Also, what exactly is a POST buzzer? How would you connect it? Is it some kind of cable? Everything seemed connected. He virtually took the computer apart, and rebuilt it.

[Mekara]

Try to connect it to other monitors/tv, if it still doesn't show up, then it is problem with the graphics card. A faulty card.
EDIT: after reading what you've wrote, have you tried checking the motherboard at all? Incase, everything seems to be checked but not the main card.

[Zautra]

Try to connect it to other monitors/tv, if it still doesn't show up, then it is problem with the graphics card. A faulty card.
EDIT: after reading what you've wrote, have you tried checking the motherboard at all? Incase, everything seems to be checked but not the main card.

If it was the motherboard, it doesn't matter now because I'm buying a Z87 with an i5.

[Seaquake]

I never felt the CPU, but after testing it, he took it all apart, and the CPU was fine.

Also, what exactly is a POST buzzer? How would you connect it? Is it some kind of cable? Everything seemed connected. He virtually took the computer apart, and rebuilt it.

I believe he's talking about the motherboard speaker that comes with the motherboard. It has 4 wires, and black circular end to it usually. With a single hole.