Friend having Boot Loop problems with new build

[Girr]

Hey,

My co-worker purchased a completely new build with near top of the line hardware. The build is so high-end because he would like to use the computer for Finite Element Analysis which requires a LOT of computing power.

Part List:

2x XFX Radeon 7950

4x 8GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600

Intel Core i7-3930K Six-core Processor

ASUS P9X79 Deluxe LGA Motherboard

Corsair Professional Series HX850w (Silver Cert.)

The issue is this: After all hardware was installed, but no software (including windows), he would press the power-button for the first time and the computer would enter a 2-3 second boot loop. On for a few seconds, then off for a few seconds, then back on for a few seconds. He said it was not reaching POST. The CPU fan does not begin spinning either.

We diagnosed the problem and I believed it was caused by a bad motherboard because:

1) CPU fan was not turning on

2) Computer did not reach POST

Newegg sent a new Motherboard and he replaced. This time the computer worked and he was able to instal windows and start installing other applications. He then ran a benchmark program. While the benchmark program was running heavy graphics tests, the computer just shut off. After that, the computer would enter a boot-loop like before. This is currently where he is at.

A few updates though:

~He mentioned that he may have put too much CPU coolant on and it leaked off the processor (could this cause the problem?)

~He is exchanging the Radeon 7950 cards for 2 of the new gtx680 cards (personal choice from what I understand. Does he have to worry about SLI compatability with this Mother Board?)

~He has tested the PSU using the "paper clip" method, but I have doubts about its effectiveness...

Here are the major hardware components:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233229

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131799

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116492

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139011

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150590

What could be causing this boot-loop problem. I still believe it is the motherboard considering the problem stopped (if only for a short time) when it was replaced. Also, I noticed the Mother board has a pretty bad review with a huge mix of 5 eggs and 1 eggs. It looks like a hit-or-miss board and he is missing hard with it?

Your advice, comments, and other thoughts would be much appreciated

Thank you,

Gir

[the big dill]

A few updates though:

~He mentioned that he may have put too much CPU coolant on and it leaked off the processor (could this cause the problem?)

~He is exchanging the Radeon 7950 cards for 2 of the new gtx680 cards (personal choice from what I understand. Does he have to worry about SLI compatability with this Mother Board?)

~He has tested the PSU using the "paper clip" method, but I have doubts about its effectiveness..

If it is an identical problem, wouldn't it point to the motherboard again?

Otherwise, it REALLY sounds like a PSU issue... have you tried another PSU? Or try running it without one card and then with no card and listen for post.

Off the newegg website: 3-Way SLI and Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support!

If it gets to the windows loading screen and reboots, then you need to reinstall the OS with that motherboard installed.

[Girr]

I recommended trying JUST the PSU and Motherboard outside of the case with no cards plugged in. Only plug in the CPU/Fan and the internal speaker. This would rule out anything else if it still did not work, leaving only the PSU, Motherboard, or Processor. After that, begin pluggin in the cards and booting again. Starting with one Video card and ram stick, then more ram, then the other card and the rest of the ram.

I'll also recommend that he purchase a new PSU from a store to test it... couldn't hurt with a machine that has already cost ~3K...

[the big dill]

I recommended trying JUST the PSU and Motherboard outside of the case with no cards plugged in. Only plug in the CPU/Fan and the internal speaker. This would rule out anything else if it still did not work, leaving only the PSU, Motherboard, or Processor. After that, begin pluggin in the cards and booting again. Starting with one Video card and ram stick, then more ram, then the other card and the rest of the ram.

I'll also recommend that he purchase a new PSU from a store to test it... couldn't hurt with a machine that has already cost ~3K...

Sounds like you know what your doing :)

Let us know if the issue still exists.

[Girr]

Problem solved. He purchased a 700w power supply at a local store to test with, and it worked! The boot loop situation stopped. Newegg is sending a replacement PSU.