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I've just built a brand new pc, whenever I try to turn it on, it shuts off within about a second. I've never actually had any dead hardware before, so I'm not 100% sure that the CPU is dead, but I've done a few tests, this is what happens:

Bench test - the same thing happens when I bench test, it starts and then shuts off immediately. I know the motherboard isn't shorting out on anything.
Removing the RAM - when I remove the RAM, it will start and stay on. The speaker also gives the long beeps that it should, indicating there is no memory.
Replacing the RAM - I bought another brand of RAM, when I put it in, it goes back to the original problem of not staying on.
Unplugging the CPU from the PSU - if I unplug the 8 pin 12v connector from the motherboard (heatsink fan is still plugged in), the computer will start and stay on, but obviously not do anything (no post beeps, no output, nothing).
Removing other unnecessary hardware - I've unplugged and removed everything except for the CPU and RAM from the motherboard and PSU, the computer will still not stay on.
Resetting BIOS / CMOS - I've taken out the BIOS battery, I've also try resetting the CMOS, but it still won't stay on after either of these.


I don't have any spare, compatible hardware, so I can't replace anything to see what fixes it, I'm just kind of making some guesses as to what isn't working. Since it doesn't work with just the necessary hardware, I don't believe the psu is dead. Because I can hear the post beeps when there is no RAM, I don't think it's the motherboard. Unless I happened to get two dead sticks of RAM (possible, but unlikely), I don't think it's the RAM that's dead.

I'm sure that some of you guys have a lot more / better experience with hardware than I do. Has anyone encountered something like this before, or thinks they know what the problem is? Is there anything else that I should test?

I've had two computers do the whole boot and die thing. The first on my home PC that ended up being the PSU. I did the same tests as you, and I guess having everything plugged in was too much for it to handle and/or was failing.

The second time was with a laptop. It was overheating right off the bat and shutting down. I took it apart, applied some thermal gel between the CPU and the heatsink, and it now works fine.

I actually had the same issue with my Xbox 360 two days ago. It was overheating and giving me the 2 red lights of death syndrome for overheating. This time I did not have thermal compound and used some diaper cream instead(70% zinc oxide) for a temp fix. It fired up just fine.

I had a dead CPU once, but the computer stayed on( fans spinning ). That's pretty much all I can add. What's the specs?

Just tested the PSU with a multimeter, everything was fine there, so it isn't the PSU.


Oh yeah, forgot to post those:

Motherboard - ASRock 990FX Extreme 3
CPU - AMD FX-6100
PSU - Mushkin Enhanced 800W MKNPSJL800
RAM - Kingston HyperX DDR3 KHX1333C9D3B1/4G
GPU - PNY GeForce GTX 560

I find it's usually the motherboard rather than the cpu.

I've seen that motherboards are more likely to die than the CPU is, but since it gives the POST beeps without the ram, wouldn't that mean the motherboard isn't dead (I'm really not sure on whether this is true or not, which is why I'm asking)?

no, that wouldn't mean anything. It could be a specific chip or even specific logic in a chip somewhere that could be defective.

wait, i see this is a new build, there are specific things you need to check.

Your CPU doesn't appear to be on the supported CPU list:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=990FX Extreme3

It might be fine, but who knows. I try to never match a cpu to mobo unless it's on the list, cuz it's too expensive to switch out! But it looks like the stats on your CPU matches other similar AMD CPUs, so it might be fine. Since the chip is new it could very well be bad, at this point. I'd return the chip as doa with what you've found, for a refund, and then buy a CPU that's on the list. If it still doesn't work, replace the mobo.

Just checked, it is on the list. It's the sixth one down, model: FD6100WMW6KGU(BE).


I think I'll return it for a replacement, if that doesn't work I'll get a replacement for the motherboard.

Thanks for your help.

Just a little update, it appears that it isn't faulty hardware, but the memory that I got isn't supported by the motherboard.

I will be returning the motherboard, and getting an ASUS Sabretooth 990fx instead, because it looks to be a better motherboard anyway.