Doing a new build and completely stumped

I am doing a real basic new build and my problem may be very simple-a DOA motherboard.

New components:
Intel I3-3225
Intel DZ68DB mobo
GSkill F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL DDR3-1600
EVGA GeForce 219 video card
Corsair CX-430 psu

Salvaged Comounents:
LG DVD Rom

Compatibility tables indicate these should coexist.

Assembly went pretty smoothly. When I powered on the psu the Standy light lit up on the mobo. However, when I pressed the case switch, the various fans started and shut down within 1 second. I eventually disconnected the drives and video card with the same result. I then tried using an old bur working psu and the same happened.

I can only conclude that the mobo is doa, but maybe I'm missing something.
I've rechecked all the connections and they all seem tight and correct.

I've built 9 or 10 pcs over the years and rarely had a doa component, never a motherboard. Before I pack it up and send if for replacement, I thought I'd see if some smarter guys can think of something I might be missing. Any thoughts on the subject will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Hi chinnboy.
Don't want to tell you how to suck eggs but this is my usual methodology.
The psu is shutting down because it is trying to deliver too much current and usually too much current is caused by a short to ground somewhere. Have you checked for wiring shorts to the case such as pinched wires or wires with copper exposed that can short. Less likely but possible, is there a screw or washer lodged somewhere on the motherboard shorting out tracks? Is the motherboard shorting out somewhere against the case such as a sharp burr or some swarf left over from the case manufacturing process? If you can't find any shorts then you need to isolate where the excessive current is being drawn. Try fully disconnecting all peripheral equipment like HDDs, DVD drives, case fans and remove the graphics card and as well as any other cards. Power up again and see if the psu stays up and if it does then reconnect the peripherals one item at a time repowering up and making sure the psu doesn't shut down in between each item. If the psu shuts down then the last thing you put in is likely causing the problem.
Oh and if the psu shuts down when you first have everything disconnected then also remove the RAM and check the ATX_CPU connector near the processor is securely connected. If the psu still shuts down with no RAM then you need to decide is the motherboard faulty or is the processor faulty as you have already swapped the psu with a working one so that should be ruled out. Last thing to try is to remove the motherboard from the case and then power up the motherboard out of the case while it is sitting on some cardboard to insulate and prevent it shorting out. I usually also use the antistatic bag the motherboard came in over the piece of cardboard. I have built many hundreds of systems over the years and so far have never had a DOA processor (although in the early days I have blown a couple overclocking them) so I would now point the finger at the mobo.
So I would say your thinking is correct as you have done most of the things on my list.

By the way you didn't mention a HDD in your build list although not having one wouldn't cause the psu to shut down but it may be handy for an OS
Hope this helps

 

Thank you for your clear and complete response, Joffa! I was somewhat pleased in that I had taken most of the steps you suggested. But I never thought of an errant screw shortling the board from underneath. I really hoped I'd find one but no. I didn't think of starting the board with no devices or memory and tied that this morning. Again, I get an immediate shutdown. I have no way to test the cpu, but I have to think its the board as the cpu appears perfect and installed as cleanly as any I've ever installed. So I'm sending it back for exchange and hopefully a new board will do the trick.

By the way, I neglected to mention that I originally installed freshly formatted Seagate 320gb HDD. I also work on the board laying on the antistatic bag, I put a shet of thin bubble wrap underneath.
Thanks again,
Steve

 

My take with the extra info is DOA motherboard much more likely than faulty CPU. Unusual that an Intel mainboard is faulty but I have seen it although very rarely. Probably too late if the board is gone but a good look with a magnifying glass at the reflow solder joints on the major connections because sometimes there can be solder flash that is dislodged after passing through testing on the line but before or during packing. It will look like a small shard of tin bent across one or several pads or pins. Otherwise it may be just a solderbridge or shorted tracks on inner layers somewhere but then how would the board pass testing :confused
Too much thinking better to just swap it :major

The bubblewrap with antistatic bag I use on wood or laminate surfaces but generally use thick cardboard if I can
I had an embarrassing accident on a large factory production line when I fired up the new motherboard sitting on bubblewrap and antistatic bag prior to changeover in a big CNC machine and while it was booting POST came up with RAM error so pressed reboot and at the same time I firmly pressed the SIMs and that was when the smoke got out rolleyes
Yep the bubblewrap was on a steel top production desk and some of the pins punched through the bubblewrap :cry I felt pretty bad after the factory manager had a terse chat saying that half the factory would now have to be sent home without pay while I got another replacement ...... how embarrassing :-o

Good luck with the replacement and let us know how you go :wave :cool