New GPU and ram...results in BSOD?

Pck21

Pck21

New Member
So here's the deal...

My dad got a few games for Xmas (Fallout 3, COD 5, Quantum of Solace, etc) and he wanted to play them at the high settings. I told him that the family computer won't play them at high settings, but it will with a new card and some more ram. Here was the current set up...

Gateway 827GM
Windows Media Center 2002
AMD 3600+ X2 socket 939
500 watt PSU
1.5GB ram
200GB HDD
EVGA 7600GT

That set up could play games at low to medium settings. So here's what I bought him to play the higher end games...

EVGA 9800GTX to replace the 7600GT
512mb ram to go to 2GB

I installed both of them and everything booted up fine. I tried to install the drivers for the GPU and the computer blue screened. I figured that it could be the CPU since I only had stock cooling on it so I switched it out for the original AMD 3400+ that came with it. Everything booted up fine again and the drivers installed. I tried to update to the newest drivers on EVGA's site and it blue screened again. Once I got back, I tried loading Quantum of Solace which played fine with the old card. I got to the menu screen and it BSOD'd again. I took out the GPU, replaced the 7600GT (thinking it could be the card) and when I loaded the game again, I got a Direct X error. I replaced the 9800GTX back in and the same error appeared. I reinstalled Direct X and then booted the game back up. It froze.

SO, I took out the new ram, and I was able to load the game and play it for a while. All of sudden, it BSOD'd on me again. When I booted it up this morning, everything was working fine. I didn't try any games but I will when I get home from work.

My question is, does this sound like a bad GPU, bad ram, neither, or both? Could it be a power problem as well? I really need some help on this one. Thanks!!!

Dave

P.S. Here is the system as it is now...

Gateway 827GM
Windows Media Center 2002
AMD 3400+ socket 939
500 watt PSU
1.5GB ram
200GB HDD
EVGA 9800GTX
 
Does anyone have any ideas about my problem? I would like to know so I can fix it asap. Thanks!
 
Hmm, Well i just looked up the 9800GTX specs. The min PSU is 450. so your really close to maxing out. That's my guess.
 
LOL, not guessing about it. That PSU is shite, and is about half the power you need. The minimum quality and 12V rail amperage required is the Corsair 620W.
 
bigfellla said:
LOL, not guessing about it. That PSU is shite, and is about half the power you need. The minimum quality and 12V rail amperage required is the Corsair 620W.
Click to expand...

Damn, no way? Well then I'll have to return it I guess. Can I use an EVGA 8600gts instead? Would that make a difference?

Thanks for the replies everyone! Seriously, this has been bugging me for a long time.
 
bigfellla said:
LOL, not guessing about it. That PSU is shite, and is about half the power you need. The minimum quality and 12V rail amperage required is the Corsair 620W.
Click to expand...

Stop misinforming. A 620W Corsair is NOT the minimum you need. The real "minimum" is probably something like a decent 300W PSU. Of course you will want a bit more than the minimum, but 500W should be totally fine.

I'm thinking its the RAM, but you'll have to test. I would just switch parts out one at a time while using other parts you know work until you can isolate the miscreant.
 
oregon said:
Stop misinforming. A 620W Corsair is NOT the minimum you need. The real "minimum" is probably something like a decent 300W PSU. .
Click to expand...

You idiot. You are saying a 9800GTX will run on a 300W psu? Show me one that will work? Its not about the wattage anyway. That card requires 12A just for itself on the 12V rail. Factor in efficiency, temperature, capacitor ageing, other 12V requirements (other gear), you will not get away without using a quality 600W unit or better. nVidia states a minimum of 450W psu, but if you follow the minimum requirements you are asking for trouble.

oregon said:
Of course you will want a bit more than the minimum, but 500W should be totally fine.
.
Click to expand...

He has a 500W psu already.

oregon said:
I'm thinking its the RAM, but you'll have to test. I would just switch parts out one at a time while using other parts you know work until you can isolate the miscreant.
Click to expand...

Also its not RAM.

Pck21 said:
I took out the new ram, ...it BSOD'd on me again. ...
Click to expand...

The addition of the new GPU has pushed the 12V rail out of spec. A new quality PSU is required.
 
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bigfellla said:
You idiot. You are saying a 9800GTX will run on a 300W psu? Show me one that will work? Its not about the wattage anyway. That card requires 12A just for itself on the 12V rail. Factor in efficiency, temperature, capacitor ageing, other 12V requirements (other gear), you will not get away without using a quality 600W unit or better. nVidia states a minimum of 450W psu, but if you follow the minimum requirements you are asking for trouble.
Click to expand...

You don't need to get offence just because somebody called you out, suck it up and take it, after all, you're a "bigfellla".

You majorly over-estimate everything! Your answer to everything seems to be the same;

"Get a 620watt Corsair"

BS! I know I've mentioned it before, but it doesn't seem to be sinking in, so I'll say it again. I'm running my rig (see sig) on a 520watt PSU. I have the equivalent (near enough) of two 9800's. I've never used over 470watts.

I'd get a decent 450 - 500 watt PSU.
 
Simply saying that suggesting a 300W psu for a 9800GTX is idiotic. And btw Korn i have been working in this field for longer than you have been alive, so i am not estimating, i am basing it on experience, knowledge and qualifications...

Your PSU is a quality Corsair Unit. However, if you are going to get a new PSU, it makes sense to get a PSU that will not be running near full load. Thus the 620W recommendation.
 
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bigfellla said:
Simply saying that suggesting a 300W psu for a 9800GTX is idiotic. And btw Korn i have been working in this field for longer than you have been alive, so i am not estimating, i am basing it on experience, knowledge and qualifications...
Click to expand...


So what if it's not completely spot on, it's not idiotic.

Calling somebody an idiot because they were slightly out is idiotic.

Uh Hu. Congratulations. I'm basing it on fact that my PC has never used over 470watts. So he doesn't need a 600watt PSU to run a single 9800.
 
Edited to keep up with BigDude's editing...

Good answer, very "big" of you. Nice edit...

bigfellla said:
Your PSU is a quality Corsair Unit. However, if you are going to get a new PSU, it makes sense to get a PSU that will not be running near full load. Thus the 620W recommendation.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Getting a bigger PSU is always better. However, I wouldn't say 600 watts is what he should get. That's a little too much for what he needs. He should save himself some money and get a good quality 500watt PSU.

For the price, that Corsair PSU is a steal. That's a pretty good suggestion, BigDude.

Before you go out and buy a new PSU;
Do you have an alternative PSU that you could try? A friend's or something?
 
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bigfellla said:
A new PSU is required, so why would you buy a 520W Corsair for $15 more than the 650W which is on special?
Click to expand...

Well, obviously, getting the cheaper, more powerful PSU makes sense.

I didn't know about that deal when I was posting though, I was going on the fact that a larger PSU would cost more, so I was trying to save him from unnecessarily spending money.
 
I use the 620W Corsair as a standard, mainly in terms of quality and 12V rail amperage. Any brand with similar quality or specs is fine too. Its just a readily available unit, and can be got at a good price.
 
Wow this thread blew up eh? :)

Last night I began tinkering around with it again. I switched the GTX out for my 9800GT and I was still having issues. I tried using different ram and then everything started falling into place. The new ram is definitely faulty so I RMA'd that and will be getting a new pair in a few days.

HOWEVER, the issue ended up being a bios problem. I looked up the Gateway model number and noticed that a new bios revision was released about a year ago. I looked up the read me for it and guess what the bios solved...stability issues with Nvidia video cards. I flashed the bios and now everything is running VERY smooth. Games work great and I have had no BSOD issues since then. The 9800GT requires a minimum of a 400 watt PSU compared to the GTX, which requires a min of 450 watts. So I will be putting the GTX in my rig instead. :)

In the end, both of you are right. I will need to upgrade the PSU in the future AND the ram was the main reason for the BSOD. As for right now though, everything is running smoothly so I'm happy.

Thanks for all of your help guys! :) I really do appreciate it!
 
Glad you got it sorted, Korn and I always get into these debates, i enjoy them...

Lucky he's more mature than me... (no sarcasm intended) :)
 
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