Building a new computer, blank screen when powered on

[Dudewithoutapet]

I've made a few computers in my time and helped some friends with their's but I have never ran into this problem before. Basically, nothing shows when I power on the computer. I first assumed something was wrong with the motherboard, but now I am beginning to think otherwise. I was wondering what is the bare minimum or rather the tiers to which plug things in to test if something is broken? Right now I only have the chip and video card in and it still wont show anything. Now, am I doing this right? Or would it not show anything anyways when I don't have other things (HDD, RAM, etc) plugged in? Thanks in advance guys.

 

[bwatson283]

A. Ram
If you have more that one stick, take one out and boot, swap them, etc.. etc.. Process of elimination

B.
Try a different video card.

 

[bchivers]

I agree, Ram ???