CPU? GPU? How to troubleshoot a newly built AMD system with no video

As a first-time builder, I just put together a system with the following components, based on suggestions from a friend who put together a nearly identical system:

Fractal Design Define 7 case
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU
Gigabyte X570 Aorus Ultra motherboard
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe (for now; more storage to come later)
Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4
EVGA 1650 Super graphics card
EVGA Supernova G3 850w PSU
Noctua NH-U12A CPU cooler
5 x Fractal Design GP14 PWM fans
StarTech USB3.1 PCIe card

After plugging in USB keyboard and mouse, HDMI monitor, and putting a flash drive with newly downloaded Windows 10 install media (version Win10_20H2_v2) into a USB drive, I tried powering it up.

The good news is that the case's power button and power LED obviously work, and all connected fans spin (5 on case, 1 for now on CPU cooler, 2 on graphics card). The Corsair RAM also displays dancing colored lights (didn't notice this feature in the specs when I ordered it!).

The bad news is there is no video out. I've tried a known-working monitor with both the HDMI and DVI ports on the graphics card, but nothing at all.

I checked the CPU cable from the power supply to the 12vdc CPU socket on the motherboard, and it's correct.

Now wondering about next steps. How do I troubleshoot to identify whether the issue is with the CPU vs graphics card? Or something else?

- - - Updated - - -

Never mind the question. When I left the monitor on long enough, eventually the Aorus startup screen appeared and then it went into the Windows 10 installer. Maybe the first first bootup just takes longer than usual?

Frank O said:

As a first-time builder, I just put together a system with the following components, based on suggestions from a friend who put together a nearly identical system:

Fractal Design Define 7 case
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU
Gigabyte X570 Aorus Ultra motherboard
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe (for now; more storage to come later)
Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4
EVGA 1650 Super graphics card
EVGA Supernova G3 850w PSU
Noctua NH-U12A CPU cooler
5 x Fractal Design GP14 PWM fans
StarTech USB3.1 PCIe card

After plugging in USB keyboard and mouse, HDMI monitor, and putting a flash drive with newly downloaded Windows 10 install media (version Win10_20H2_v2) into a USB drive, I tried powering it up.

The good news is that the case's power button and power LED obviously work, and all connected fans spin (5 on case, 1 for now on CPU cooler, 2 on graphics card). The Corsair RAM also displays dancing colored lights (didn't notice this feature in the specs when I ordered it!).

The bad news is there is no video out. I've tried a known-working monitor with both the HDMI and DVI ports on the graphics card, but nothing at all.

I checked the CPU cable from the power supply to the 12vdc CPU socket on the motherboard, and it's correct.

Now wondering about next steps. How do I troubleshoot to identify whether the issue is with the CPU vs graphics card? Or something else?

- - - Updated - - -

Never mind the question. When I left the monitor on long enough, eventually the Aorus startup screen appeared and then it went into the Windows 10 installer. Maybe the first first bootup just takes longer than usual?

Hi there
Check also the MOBO settings - sometimes if there's a built in Graphics (usually VGA mode) that needs to be disabled before any separate GPU will start. If it can't find the VGA connector (the old fashioned multi pin terminal connector) the BIOS might just have to do all sorts of things before detecting another GPU. You are lucky in that you did eventually get video output.

These days it's usually done by BIOS or the MOBO's install disc if there is one rather than those hideous dip-switches on earlier mobos.

Check also hardware connections properly seated and in the correct place - especially those things like Power and Disc LED's.

Cheers
jimbo