GPU anxiety...

mquinn

mquinn

mquinn

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Joined
25 Feb 2011
Posts
5
In December, I bought a Sapphire Radeon HD5770 Vapor-X, because the integrated graphics on my motherboard just couldn't cut it anymore..

Anyay, for the past two months I've been using it and have had no problems until yesterday.

I'd decided I was running low on disk space, so I bought a new 1TB hard drive. Upon opening up my pc, I realized, that the only spare SATA power cable as connected to the molex going into my dvd drive. I tried rearranging a few things, such as moving my dvd drive down one slot, and the same with the built in card reader I've got. But to no avail. I have purchased a SATA extension cable, and am currently awaiting it's arrival.

But, after moving evrything in my pc back to where it was previously, my pc refused to start (no bios screen). I thought it as much quieter than usual, and upon inspection, I realized that I'd reconnected my cpu fan incorrectly (4 pins sticking out of the MB, the fan connector has space for three, I chose the wrong three). After fixing this, my pc stil would not start properly, would not show any display and would restart every 15-20 seconds or so. I assumed that, since the machine refused to post, it must be a device or something causing the problem.

First, I disconnected my dvd drive and still had the same problem. Next I removed the one stick of RAM I had removed earlier, only to find that the problem remained. I had already dealt with the cpu fan, so that was all the devices that had been touched during this session. Next, I tried removing my Graphics card. When starting the machine this time, it managed to POST successfully. So for the time being, I've reverted back to integrated graphics without any problems.

The machine will fail to start only if the Card is in place in its PCI-E slot, and is also connected to the power supply (using the supplied molex to 6-pin connector).

Now, considering that the card has worked flawlessly for two months, that should rule out:

Issues with the PSU.
Motherboard/Card compatibility.
Possible conflicts arising from putting a PCIE 2.1 card in a PCIE 1.0 slot.

Things that are very unlikely, but I can't rule out:

The card is broken/damaged.
PCIE slot is broken/damaged.
Molex to 6-pin connector being damaged.
Issues with the PSU.

My specs:
550W PSU
Foxconn 945GM/945CM
Intel Pentium E2140 @ 1.6Ghz
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family (Until I get my card running again)


I'm afraid I don't have the the facilities to test the card on another machine, or another card on my machine. I'd like to get to the bottom of this before I have to return the card.

Any ideas?
 
Last edited:
It's an odd one, I'll give you that.

For starters I'd recommend taking off your CPU overclock, then unplugging all system components and plugging them back in again.

Were you grounded whilst fiddling?
 
I did discharge myself by holding the chassis after I'd opened it up, and continued to do that regularly.

I'll try unplugging everything.
 
Okay, I tried unplugging everything and leaving it for a while. With nothing but the card connected, it still had the same problem.

Lemin said:
Your running it on a £13.99 PSU ???? :eek: :eek:
Click to expand...

I did go for a (very) cheap PSU, but I was cautious. A few months prior to me upgrading my own, a friend got me to upgrade his PSU and GPU. I convinced him to get the same dirt cheap PSU and he never had a problem.

smiley1987 said:
it could be the psu not providing enough power for your system.
Click to expand...

Seeing as it's managed fine for two months, I don't see why that would be the case now...


On the bright side, not having the gpu for the time being frees up one molex, so with a bit of rearranging, I as able to get my new hard drive in and working!
 
Sometimes cheaper psu can run fine one second then go pop (sometimes actully go pop ><) then the next mon they arnt giving out enough power :( that maybe why it was okay but now its not giving out the power it should :(
 
I've got a fair amount of stuff in my system and its all running perfectly. Surely the PSU would have enough power to run the card by itself? or if not run it, at least POST?
 
mquinn said:
I've got a fair amount of stuff in my system and its all running perfectly. Surely the PSU would have enough power to run the card by itself? or if not run it, at least POST?
Click to expand...

I think thats the case then you could have overloaded the PSU plus the amount of cables on your PSU is no where near enough for a 550 Watt psu

Your PSU :
1 x 20 & 24-pin Main Connector
1 x 4-pin+12V Power Connector
1 x 4-pin Floppy Drive Connector
2 x 4-pin Peripheral Power Connector
1 x 5-pin SATA Connector
Be-Quiet PSU :
1 x 20 & 24-pin Main Connector
2 x PCI-E 6 + 2 Pin Gpu Connector
4 x 4-pin Peripheral Power Connector
5 x 5-pin SATA Connector
2 x 4-pin Floppy Drive Connector

I would say for sure it has to be the PSU as it doesn't even provide PCI-e connections .
 
While I have a number of devices, they still all work fine with the PSU. When I unplugged everything earlier, I tried again with the GPU, one stick of RAM and nothing else, no drives or anything else. I use the molex to 6-pin connector supplied with the card.

I'll see if I can try and test the card elsewhere. Thanks all for the help and advice.
 
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