Q: preface to, this is not my first self-built PC, I got this PC to compile a few years ago and these parts to upgrade the current system, the ATX case and hard drives were not x2 replaced.
The new parts :
ABIT KN8 SLI mobo (Socket 939)
AMD 64 3700 + CPU (939) Radeon X1800XT Vid
Saphire Card
2x ram
Putting 1GB DDR sticks the pieces together was no problem, there were no physical defects that I could discern, however, when I first tried to start the PC, the monitor was not getting a signal. So, my first thought was to the PCI Express slot that the card was in. After changing the slot change, the monitor receives a signal at startup, but the system would power it itself after only a few seconds after he was.
Having replacement cords, tried diffirent monitor, and double checked all my wires, I have already exhausted that I know to do. The only thing I can think of is that either 1) my 450 watt power supply isnt enough juice to make the hog video card or 2) there is a defect in the PCI Express slot or slots (there are two in this model) on the motherboard 0.
Any help in figuring out this mystery is much appreciated. Thank you.
Re:That argument makes a lot of sence, given the age of the system before the upgrade, it wouldnt suprise me that the PSU isnt making the steam necessary. The only thing that threw me was the fact that the bare mobo with nothing but cpu, ram, and video card would power down..
I'm going to play it safe and go ahead with the PSU upgrade before I start spending my money on other people examining my comp for me. Wether the PSU is the answer to my problems or not, you're right that its on the vary minimal end of the power needs if it meets them so, I ought to upgrade. Thanks again for all your input, you folks are great.
The only hard part now is waiting a week for the new PSU to show up. =)
Re:Well lets see … Your board is somewhat power hungry and your card has a huge appetite. Are you running power directly to your card with the molex to pci-e connector?
Without having your system in my hands, I can't say for sure. However, I seriously doubt your older psu is up to the task of your new system. You're running high powered hardware on a reasonably high end board and trying to power it with an old psu. That psu is the most commonly overlooked piece of hardware in a person's system. However, its also quite common that when all is said and done … your psu was the culprit in the first place. Your card requires its own 12 volt rail. It really needs a dual rail supply. I don't think one 12 volt rail (typically about 17-18 volts on psu's a couple years old) can provide enough to power up that system. Regardless of whether or not that board is good, you really need to upgrade your psu to properly run that card. Otherwise, there is no telling how many parts it will take with it when it finally dies.
Re:Sorry. I have to ask. Is this an Aspire PSU?
…Galvanized
Re:The place I would take it is a local shop, locally owned and operated so, likely not as expensive as best buy.
Just to add, the PSU is older but its been working in this machine for as long as ive had it, I tried booting the old mobo/card/memory that used to be in there again and it came up just fine. This leads me to believe that either the motherboard is to blame or the PSU can't handle the big video card (though the website and box claim that a 450 watt psu will run their product).
Re:I sent you a private message.
Most of the preliminary testing can be done right at home without any extra equipment. However, if you insist, take it to your local computer store. Ask them to test your mobo, cpu and your card. We're not talking hours to find out what the problem is. In fact, in my area … you're likely only going to be charged the bench fee. That would run from about $35.00 to $50.00 unless you take it to Best Buy.
Best Buy would be happy to charge you a hundred or more for simple bench testing.
Re:I wish i had the necessary tools, but im afraid I dont. None of my nearby friends have a pc up to the task of runnin this kid of stuff, and I don't own another system myself that would handle it either.
I'm going to just bite the bullet and take it down to the local computer store where they custom build pc's to see if they can help me find out what I need. It'll probably run me another hundred bucks in man hours but, I don't think I've got a choice here.
Re:Well, other than the disappointment of receiving bad parts and the wait involved in an RMA, NewEgg has superior customer service. If you RMA something, they don't ask a lot of questions … they replace it. At least you have that much going for you.
As guy said though, check your parts with a known good psu that is capable of supplying enough juice to the card and the rest of your system. At this point, we haven't done enough troubleshooting to automatically decide its the motherboard. You don't want to return it only to find out it was another piece of hardware.
So, lets test everything. Pull the board from the case and lay it on a piece of cardboard. Lets start by seeing if we get video with only the cpu and fan, ram, and your vid card installed in your mobo. Use a screwdriver to short the pins that start the mobo. If that doesn't work, borrow a friend's psu that is known to be up to the task. If it boots, replace your PSU. If it doesn't, start by testing your vid card in a friend's system. If the vid card is good, we're down to either the cpu or the board. New cpu's rarely arrive doa so it would be fairly safe at that point to blame your board for your troubles.
In other words. Take the extra hour or two to fully diagnose the problem instead of jumping to what could be a faulty conclusion and needlessly replacing your motherboard. After-all, you've already waited long enough. Do you really want to wait longer for another RMA because you sent the wrong part back in the first place?
Re:Everything is from newegg so, no shop to take it to, unfortunatly.
With just mobo, cpu, ram, and vid card powered and pluged in I get about 5 seconds of power then the comp turns itself off. It SEEMS like the CPU is turning off first, but I could be mistaken.
Re:If possible, test the card on another system with a sufficient PS to support it. If it works, the problem is probably your motherboard. If you bought it all locally, take the combo back to the shop, and ask them for help.
When you test it again, unplug everything, except the vid card, the CPU and one stick of RAM to rule out any possible partial shorts with them.
Good luck. 
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