PC sometimes won’t display on boot, changed everything except PSU (Connect Core 550W 80+ Bronze, Ryzen 5 5600 + RTX 4060) could it be my PSU?

Troubleshooting Intermittent Display Failures on Your PC: Is the Power Supply the Culprit?

Experiencing a black screen during system startup can be immensely frustrating, especially after you’ve already replaced key components like the motherboard, RAM, SSD, GPU, and monitor. If you’re facing such unpredictable boot issues with your gaming or productivity PC, understanding the potential causes and testing methods is essential.

In this article, we’ll explore a common scenario involving an occasional display failure and focus on whether the power supply unit (PSU) could be contributing to the problem.

The System in Question

Let’s consider the typical setup:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060
• Power Supply: Connect Core 550W 80 Plus Bronze
• Other Components: Recent motherboard, RAM, SSD, and monitor

This configuration is generally capable of handling gaming and productivity workloads comfortably, provided all components are functioning correctly.

Understanding the Problem

The user reports that sometimes, upon powering on the PC, the screen remains blank, with no display output. Despite multiple component replacements—motherboard, RAM, SSD, GPU, and monitor—the problem persists intermittently.

Potential Causes and Considerations

While hardware replacements have ruled out many common issues, the intermittent nature points toward more subtle causes, often related to power delivery or connection stability.

Could the PSU Be the Culprit?

Is a 550W PSU sufficient?

While the Connect Core 550W 80 Plus Bronze PSU provides adequate wattage for this system, wattage alone doesn’t guarantee stability. An aging or faulty PSU can produce unstable power delivery, leading to symptoms like:

• No display on startup
• Random resets or power-offs
• Hardware recognition issues

Can an underperforming or failing PSU cause intermittent no-display?

Yes. Even if the wattage appears sufficient on paper, issues such as voltage fluctuations or poor regulation can cause components like the GPU or motherboard to receive inconsistent power, resulting in startup failures.

How to Test Your PSU Without Replacing It

Before investing in a new PSU, it’s prudent to perform some tests:

1. Paperclip Test:

2. Disconnect the PSU from all components.

3. Use a paperclip to jump the green wire (PS_ON) to any black wire (ground) on the 24-pin connector.
4. Turn on the PSU; if the PSU fan spins