How to test for dead CPU or Ram? Or mobo?
 

I have a PC i built that's about 1 year old.
Last month the computer wouldn't boot up 1 day. I tested and tried swapping the PSU. still wont' boot so I basically took it as a dead motherboard. (Fan won't even spin up)

So I RMA the mobo and got a replacement 2 weeks later.
Put everything back together...still wont' boot. This time the fan & case power LED would come on for like 1 second before shutting down tho. (First time fan won't spin and the case power LED doesn't even turn on)

So I thought I got a DOA mobo from asus and RMA it again.
Picked it up today, hook everything together. And I am getting the same symptom as last time. (Fan & light comes on for 1 second)

So now...i am thinking I might have a dead CPU or Ram?
What's the chance I get 2 DOA motherboard from Asus? (both are kinda like refurbished unit in white box tho)
I talk to the Asus counter rep when I drop off my mobo for RMA, the guy said they don't even test it...they just send a replacement. So I don't even know if the last 2 mobo I dropped off to them are actually working or not...

Unfortunately I don't have any compatible parts that I could test either...
When I search online, the symptom I have usually point toward a dead motheraboard or PSU. But I tested the PSU already twice. (Tested the PSU in diff PC, works fine, tried another working PSU on this PC, same problem)

Could these symptom also be bad CPU or ram?
I guess if I am really out of option I will have to take the parts to the local computer store and have them diagnosis it. (Trying to avoid that $30-$60 diagnosis fee if possible)

CPUs rarely die. Usually those kind of symptoms are motherboard related, but who knows.

Have you tried turning it on with the bare minimums? CPU, motherboard, RAM, PSU? Tested each stick of RAM individually in each slot? Tested components outside of the case?

If you want to avoid the fee, I think ME has no restocking fee, so you can buy the cheapest compatible CPU/motherboard combo there available to test.

check the memory, one module at a time
disconnect any drives just to be 100% sure
you can even pull out the CPU...I was told it's safe to run without it if it's just a short test

Tried resetting everything and booting w/ onboard instead of discrete GPU
not plugging in HD, resetting CMOS, etc
unfortunately only have 1 stick of DDR4 ram. (All my other PC are using DDR3)

I am in Ontario, no ME here:okay:
btw, if I tried booting w/o the ram, i get the same "fan spin 1 sec" symptom
If i try booting w/o the CPU, basically nothing happens. Light won't even come on, and fan won't spin.
Does this sounds more like a ram problem?


Btw Spec are
Asus Z170i Pro Gaming
i7-6700K
1x Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR4
COrsair 450W PSU
Samsung SSD & GTX960 (wouldn't boot even if these 2 aren't plugged in tho)

Test the ram in all slots

Other than that, you need to borrow a replacement ram and/or CPU to test with to see which one is causing the problem. 99% it's the ram

Yeah, sounds like the RAM.

Test it in another friend's computer or buy another set.

yea there are only 2 slots and i tried both multiple times
I guess i will buy another ram to test it

And wtf happened to ram prices???
that exact ram I paid $79 for last year is now $189!

High demand. Micron stock prices has more than doubled in one year.

If you can't borrow, just RMA the ram. It's expected to be RMA'd several times per sale anyway, that's why they offer lifetime warranties on the shit LUL

I've RMA'd so many ram modules it's not even funny. Crucial is the most common brand (Micron's retail brand)