Ryzen build won't post, possibly bad mobo

So I was trying to get a build to post and came to the conclusion that my motherboard is defective. Before I RMA, I want to be absolutely sure that's the case. I'll try to explain in detail what happened. Keep in mind that this is my first build but I did do as much research as I could to ensure compatibility and learn the steps to actually put the system together. Part list:
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/_Llama_/saved/fDyP6h

First, I took out the psu, connected it to the wall, and tested it using the provided self-tester. I flipped the switch from O to I and the fan spun, which means it works, at least according to the manual. I then sorted out the cables I needed: 1 x 24pin mobo connector, 1 x cpu power connector (4+4), 2 x sata power cables, 2 x 6+2 pin vga connectors (gpu has both 6 pin and 8 pin ports). I decided to build out on the mobo box like most people recommended. I was doing a barebones test before plugging in fans and storage.

Next, I pulled out the mobo, set aside the other stuff, removed the packaging, and placed it on the flat side of the box (the box has a top with grooves since it needs them to close but it isn't level, so I decided not to risk bending pins and put it on the completely flat side). Then I took out the cpu and installed it perfectly on to the mobo using multiple videos and the manual for reference. It was snug and lined up with the triangle on the mobo. Closed the handle thing all the way, then unscrewed the brackets on the sides to make way for the cooler and installed the cooler using the manual for reference. Now I will admit, the first time I installed it I placed it on the wrong side to where the AMD logo was over the ram sockets so I had to unscrew it and flip it over (without reapplying thermal paste since the cpu didn't come with extra, just pre-applied. I'm not sure if it's absolutely necessary to reapply considering it had been placed, uninstalled and reinstalled within a window of 5 minutes and I was just trying to get it to post, not stress test. I did notice just a small amount overflowing from the cpu after reinstalling, but not enough to touch any of the pins or board, just slightly hanging off the side of the heatsink. I plugged the fan into the appropriate connectors (CPU FAN1, AMD FAN LED1 with the arrow on the rubber molex-looking connector that came with the cooler placed on the 12V pin.

Then I took out the ram, placed both sticks on the A2 and B2 slots (it was the only configuration on the manual that allowed 2 DIMMS). Insertion was much more forceful than I had anticipated, even while watching videos, and yes, I made sure I was installing them on the right keyed side. It slightly bent the mobo during installation and the pins left small dents on the cardboard mobo box, so I was a bit worried, but the mobo went back to being straight afterwards.

I connected the 24pin to the psu and mobo (it would only fit one way), 4+4 to mobo cpu power and the 8pin end of it to "CPU1" on psu.

Then, moment of truth, I turned on the psu switch, and nothing, no fan spin, just an aqua color followed by blue pulsing lights, no red dr. debug light. It took me a while to figure out that I actually had to turn on my pc for it to do anything (duh, thanks buildapc discord!). I tried to bridge the power connector with a screwdriver like all the cool kids but that didn't work so I whipped out my s340 elite and connected the power button to the headers (following the exact method described in the manual). Note that whenever I swapped or reconnected/did anything I would power off the psu.

Then, I turned on the psu, waited for the solid aqua light to flash blue and pressed the power button. Success! (I thought). It was going through a billion codes on the debug light until I got error 06 (looked like P0 from my view) and turns out I needed to plug in my gpu. For some reason the physical manual doesn't mention dr debug at all except the online manual, pointed out by a helpful user in the chat.

GPU was easy enough to install, given how heavy it was, made sure it was straight and clipped in. I plugged a dp cable from my monitor to the lowest port on the gpu (I'm assuming any port will work). Forgot to mention that during the entire process, I made sure to ground myself by touching the psu (it only had the power cable on it). I went with 6+2 to gpu and another 6 with the +2 split off (has 2 ports, 6 and 8). The 8pin port went to vga1 and then 6pin port was connected to vga2, but the 6 pin part was connected to the gpu while the 8pin part was on the psu Basically apart from then large 24pin connector, all power cables that were split in some way went to the mobo.

I turned it on again, and it did the same thing EXCEPT it now stalled on error code "A6" which initially looked like "Ab" until I realized it was a 6. This is where I was stuck on, because when I went to the dr debug faq list error codes A0-A7 had to do with sata/ide devices yet I had NO SATA OR ANYTHING connected other than the cpu, cooler, ram, and gpu, and the power button. I did google search for forums with this issue but they were for other boards and there were only 2 posts that has this problem with my specific mobo, and of course, one guy could get into the bios (I couldn't, not even a display signal) while the other remained unsolved. I did try swapping the ram (1 stick, etc.) When I ran no ram, it gave me code 46 which meant it DID detect the ram. So then what? I checked for any debris or screws but the board was clean. I even reset the cmos multiple times, going as far as to remove the battery (popped off easily thankfully) but could not figure out the issue. Someone suggested it was the mobo but I sincerely doubted it, but after trying so many times I gave up (reseating all those cables killed my fingers) and removed everything off the mobo. I did a final check to see if anything was obviously busted but nope, even the pins below looked straight, despite the small dents on the box. So now I'm most likely going to rma it unless someone can help figure out what the problem is.

Thank in advance for taking the time to look at this post.

I made sure to select the displayport as the input on my monitor. There are only 2 options: HDMI and DP. The monitor was plugged in to the bottom port, but I tried others too. Same issue, no signal. I haven't tried hdmi though. I'll try again once I get some thermal paste. The gpu looked seated (clipped on, evenly placed). But if this is normal then I guess I'll give it another shot before the return period expires.

Edit: This was all done outside on the mobo box.

Edited by _Llama - 27 May 2017 at 9:11am

Yes, since there were 2 ports on the gpu like on the strix versions, a 6pin port and an 8pin, I had to use 2 6+2 cables labeled vga to connect it.

The led's on the card turn on and stay on when posting, and the fans spin until just before the error A6. I'm using the dp that came with the monitor since that's the only one I own.

Right my bad I just instinctively called it an error code since that's what the thing is meant to display. Anyway, I have an ssd I can plug in although I'll need to order some more thermal paste before I put everything back together. I'm starting to think maybe it was something way simple, like not inserting the dp cable in all the way. How much of a gap should there be between the dp cable and the metal gpu cover? I tried as much as it would go but not too hard (because I was afraid it might damage it) so there was about 3 to 4 millimeters between the rubber and the-- wait I can try and take out the gpu and see how far in just to be sure, and yes the card is on the pcie2 slot just below the middle of the board.

Just wanted to make sure what the code meant, that's what was bothering me because it gave me literally no clues as to what might've been wrong. But now I think the mobo has actually been fine since I'm assuming dr debug is the same for all asrock mobos, otherwise why would they have it on the official faq.