Build upgrade - "please plug in the PCI-E connectors to your gfx" despite both being in (520W PSU)

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 11:52

Just replaced my old 280 GTX (225 W TDP) and 3 sticks of ram with a new 670 (MSI GeForce GTX 670 OC - 170W TDP)

Old rig runs fine, new won't boot despite the lower power consumption. Claims i've not plugged the power into the gfx card. Have tried powering in by the 3 pin PCI-Es and via the molex->PCI-E adaptor.

PSU is an old modular Corsair HX520W, so a decent PSU.

Thoughts? I don't have a more powerful PSU to hand to test if it's the PSU power.... don't want to upgrade it it's a graphics card problem.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 12:29

even with 1 stick, it doesn't boot

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 12:33

it's the standard on screen boot message - "please power down and connect the PCI-E power cable(s) for this graphics card"

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 13:06

OK, now the thing just won't boot. Back to start settings, nothing. Bios LED reads FF, which means it should be booting, but the screen is blank.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 13:24

s452 said:
have you tried plugging it directly to the PSU?

what do you mean? It's plugged as "directly" as you can.

teppic said:
You've installed the latest BIOS? Try resetting the CMOS.

Can't get into BIOS or OS to flash the bios.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 13:31

s452 said:
you mentioned you were using adaptor, but the HX520 came with PCI-e cables to connect it to the PSU, have you tried connecting with the cable without any adaptors? I doubt i'll make a difference though

Have tried powering in by the 3 pin PCI-Es and via the molex->PCI-E adaptor.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 13:38

Speed said:
Well it sounds like one of the two new pieces of hardware is causing issues, you need to rule one out. Pull the GTX670 and put the GTX280 back, if it boots, put the new memory in. If it works then I'd memtest it, then check the BIOS is updated.

simonnance said:
OK, now the thing just won't boot. Back to start settings, nothing. Bios LED reads FF, which means it should be booting, but the screen is blank.

It now won't boot even with the old gfx and ram back in.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 13:55

teppic said:
Ok, power off, and reset the CMOS via the jumper. Then try the old graphics card again.

done, now I get a 5d error and the graphics card doesn't spin up (lights are on though).

seems like my PC is trying to self-destruct at the moment!

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 14:54

Speed said:
Is that with the old card and original ram or the new stuff?

Also what is the model number of your motherboard? GA-EX58-UD5?

Edit: If memory serves 5D is an issue with the graphics card being detected, the board won't boot without one. So if you have one installed, make sure it is fully seated and properly wired up to the PSU. Check the connections are properly seated as well and look at the PCI-E power connectors before plugging them in to make sure all the pins are level and even.

Original card and ram.

I've just about got it to boot with a mates old 8600GT, which doesn't need a power connector. Will flash the BIOS and see what happens.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 15:20

new BIOS, still getting power issues with the new GFX, 1 stick of ram.

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 15:23

And the old GFX is still not working as well.

Well, at this rate i've gone from a 280GTX + 6GB ram to a 8600GT + 2GB ram..... what an awesome "upgrade"!

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 15:25

teppic said:
If it's only booting without the PCI-E connectors it sounds like the PSU is playing up.

One option is to order a replacement PSU and if it doesn't help return it under the DSR.

Any recommendations for something that's likely to be handle the system?

simonnance · 12 Aug 2013 at 18:30

Speed said:
Indeed, sounds like the PSU couldn't handle the extra strain of the new hardware and has become faulty. PSUs become less efficient as they age so it isn't unheard of.

I think this is bang on what happened, extra load tripped out the PCI-E lines, which is why the 8600GT worked and the others didn't, even the 280GTX that was sitting there happily for the last 4 and a half years. Actually have a local high street retailer who had a CX750M on sale so did a quick run in the car and it now works fine...... 7 hours after i started upgrading.

Thanks for all the help guys.