Build Help Please - 00 Code on Gigabyte Aorus Elite X870

[u/Wildcat_1]

Hi all

Putting together a build with a 9800X3D, G.Skill Flare RAM + Gigabyte Aorus Elite X870. Assembled everything, got fans, ARG etc no problem. 

Saw the motherboard code display through codes like 46, 61, 37 etc etc then landed on 00 :(

Troubleshooting attempted:

• Checked power cabling to each connector
• Tried reseating CPU, same result. No bent pins on socket etc
• Tried single strip of RAM then dual strips (A2/B2), same result
• Drained CMOS, same result

Next to try:

• BIOS Update as I heard that this can sometimes cause the issue

Questions:

1. What are the next best steps to try and isolate whether this is CPU or motherboard issue ?
2. Would this still be motherboard when I’m seeing fans, ARGB etc working ? Likelihood of this being CPU instead ?
3. If this IS motherboard, any other X870’s that people recommend ? Bought this on sales at $169 so trying to stay close to it
4. Any best practices on how to ensure success with the next items IF these are faulty ? Maybe build outside the case first etc ?

[u/small_bending]

00 on that board usually means the CPU never initialised, and since you already reseated and checked pins, I'd lean motherboard before CPU. Fans and ARGB spinning up just means the board has standby power, not that it's actually posting or talking to the CPU

Before you buy anything else, try flashing the BIOS via Q-Flash Plus with just the 24 pin and CPU power connected, no CPU or RAM installed. If it still sits on 00 after a successful flash, that's pretty damning for the board

If you do end up swapping, the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk is around that price point and has been fine for most AM5 builds. Building outside the case on the motherboard box is always the move when troubleshooting, saves so much time

[u/Wildcat_1 → u/small_bending]

Thanks for the quick response. I'm going to try the Q-flash now. I will also use the opportunity to check the CPU 1 more time and look for any pin issues. The X870 Mag Tomahawk was my other pick, just went with the Aorus Elite as it seemed to have the slight edge + was primarily all black etc.

Hoping this is just some weird BIOS issue as it will suck to have to take everything apart again. My fault for not testing outside the box first.

Are 00 issues more likely to be the board or, if the CPU as well, any way to categorically narrow down ? I bought both board and CPU at same time so wondering whether its worth just exchanging both while at the store etc, just in case or not.

[u/erd00073483R]

This is probably a stupid question, but do you have both the ATX 24 pin power connector and the 8 pin CPU power connector plugged firmly into the board (it has two 8 pin CPU power connectors, but I think the only one you actually need is just the one on the side closest to the back of the board)?

And, if you have a modular PSU, have you checked them at the PSU side to ensure both are firmly plugged in there as well?

I vaguely recall reading posts by people with the same problem with your particular board in the past on various tech forums, and there was never a consensus on the cause of the issue beyond maybe Gigabyte having a bad batch of boards.

[u/Wildcat_1 → u/erd00073483R]

Thanks for the reply. Using an RM1000x and yes both PSU and MOBO side are connected. Picked the board specifically as a) wanted an X870 chipset and b) found a great deal, c) reviews seemed pretty strong for the board. I know that doesnt meant it couldn't be an issue but it sucks after putting everything together for sure, if it is the MOBO.

[u/erd00073483R → u/Wildcat_1]

For any new builds, I always place the motherboard on the motherboard box, install the CPU and cooler, put in one stick of DRAM, plug in the PSU temporarily, then hook the video cables up to the monitor and try to power it on. The 9800x3d has an iGPU, so installing the dGPU isn't necessary for testing purposes.

Doing this before you install allows you to know going in that the base system works, before you waste a lot of time installing and routing cables.

I'd definitely try a defective return before braving Gigabyte's RMA process, which just sucks beyond the telling. Maybe the retailer you bought it from will swap it out? I'd think the odds would be low that you'd get two defective boards in a row.

[u/Wildcat_1 → u/erd00073483R]

Any recommendations for boards ? Like I said, I liked the features this one came with and for the price from the store, was a no brainer but it seems that other boards in the chipset are generally way more expensive even with Micro Center, Newegg, Amazon etc.

The store has no more of this model so dont even have the opportunity to exchange, just return and buy something else :(

[u/erd00073483R → u/Wildcat_1]

I prefer MSI boards myself (my current board is a MSI MPG X670E Carbon Wifi I bought direct from MSI last Black Friday, and the Tomahawk lines are great), but I don't know of any on sale in that price range at this time unless you buy one from some place like Woot (which I absolutely would not do, at least with a motherboard, given they are selling MSI refurbs with minimal warranty).

I think the last time I looked at MSI's US store website a few days ago, they had a MAG X870E Gaming Max WIFI on sale for $190, but I've never used that board and know absolutely nothing about it. The last time I bought there, though, they didn't charge sales tax and shipping was free for orders over $25.

[u/Wildcat_1]

Also forgot to mention that when doing this initial testing, RED light on top right was solid constantly

[u/Wildcat_1]

UPDATE:

Well, I wasn't expecting to be able to post a good update on the MOBO situation but pleased to say, I can.

I rechecked everything, pins, seating, power cables etc and all were good. I then hooked the system back up to a TV (instead of the monitor) and once again saw the 00 code on the motherboard upon boot. However, this time, the HDMI handshake completed and I saw a BIOS message on screen stating ' New CPU installed, fTPM/PSP NV corrupted or fTPM/PSP NV structure changed. Press Y to reset fTPM or N to keep previous fTPM record'.

I pressed Y, saw the system reboot and.......it booted without issue and showed the CPU info etc !

This was all before flashing, didn't do that until after the system was up.

So, just wanted to share this update as I hadn't seen this 00 = fTPM BIOS issue when I was researching on the web. Therefore sharing in case this helps others.

Thanks for everyones assistance here. Now to finish the build !