Computer build fine til gpu upgrade

S

Seanandroid

New Member
Hi guys,

I have a computer that I originally built for audio production at the end of 2010 that had this setup:

Corsair tx650 psu
intel i7 950 1366 chipset
Asus sabertooth x58 mobo
12gb (2x6) ram
Ati radeon 1900xt
A DVD burner and blue ray player

I also have a Motu ultralite pro audio interface being powered by FireWire.

Now that worked perfectly fine and there were no problems with the pc.

Last week, I decided to upgrade my gpu for gaming purposes. I ordered a 6870. I got it in the mail today and when I went to install it, the gpu seems to not get enough power to load up the monitor. The monitor detects a connection because it doesn't give me the no connection icon the lg monitor has built into it but it goes into powersave mode as though my pc was going into hibernation. I also noticed the gpu fan was spinning fairly slow.

Do I need to upgrade psu or is something else going on? I've been reading online that a 650 watt psu should be fine.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

-Sean
 
As Mike said, the 6870 requires 2 - 6pin pciexpress power connectors attached in order to run correctly. If they are already plugged in, then either bad connectors from psu or a bad gpu.
 
So the plot thickens...

I did connect both power connectors and the card is getting power because the Fan does turn on...

But now I am getting worried that it may be a mobo problem because I tried installing my old 1900xt back into the case and the same thing happens... Didn't do that before.

I tried a different pci-e slot with both cards too, thinking that I could have a bad slot... Nope, same issue.

I don't think the mobo is shorted because the power light does go on when I connect power back to my pc.

I'm at my witts end now. Have no idea what to do.
 
Are the pcie actual connectors from the PSU or are they molex adapters?

(Im not too up there with psu's)

How old are the PSU, Mobo and Hd 6870? Did you take all necessary precautions to discharge static electricity when installing and unistalling gpu's?
 
They are direct connection through the psu, 6 pin pci-e connectors, each with its own separate cable.

I did unpower the pc and didn't have any shocks but I was on carpet so that could of caused some static electricity. I wish my mobo had onboard video so I could test to see if it would boot fine that way but... Alas, I can't.

The gpu is less than a week old. The psu and mobo I got in late 2010.

Edit: just tried a different monitor and same thing. I've been doing a lot of research online and it is all pointing to some type of faulty hardware. I'm starting to think I could of damaged something other than the gpu during install.
 
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Ok you may need to try and reset your cmos. This usually involves taking the battery out of the motherboard, (while EVERYTHING is unplugged) and keeping hold of the power button ( i think its for at least over 10-20 seconds.) Leave it a few minutes to be safe then put the battery back in, turn on and try again.

Are you using an anti static wrist band, if not make sure your touching a metal part of the case at all times, and try to do the work on something other than carpet. I also rub the metal part of the side of my case when i take it off just to be a bit safer.

If youve not taken precautions you may have shorted something. But definitely try resetting cmos prior to rma'ing :P

EDIT: Extremely trivial i know but was the gpu pushed all the way in, properly screwed in etc. Stupid thing to ask but even little things like that can make a difference.
 
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When you say power off from everything, do you mean unplugging everything from the psu, like mobo, drives, gpu, ect. Or just disconnecting the power cable from the psu.

Thanks for the help man, appreciate it.

And yeah, I made sure my gpu was full seated into the slot.
 
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Just the power cable, I like to be OCD about it and disconnect monitor plugs etc and usb's, but i dont think its necessary. Plus i have to anyway to get it to where i do anything with it.
 
Tried to reset the CMOS and same thing :(

I'm almost certain that some hardware got messed up. I dont think it is the gpu because both Cards are doing the same thing. I am thinking either the mobo or psu but read it also could be the ram.
 
Is there a computer you can try the gpu's on? A friends maybe?

I know this is a long shot, but plug your hd 6870 back in, and rather than use a monitor, (i presume you have a hd tv) plug a hd cable from your pc into your tv. See if it comes on this way. I had a gpu not work on any monitors but come straight on when plugged into my tv. I had to replace my monitor as it would not come on with my new gpu.

Worth a shot i guess.

Other than what iv already suggest, im not sure of anything else. so if none of this work... Sorry mate :/
 
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