Video card issue. PLease, help me!

S

Stg Granite

Look, Ma! Two Heads!
Hey guys,

I'm having problems with my new Geforce 8500GT. Almost everytime I try to turn my computer on, my case sounds a long beep and the pc doesn't boot. If I take the video card off, it turn on normally. I think it might be a power problem, since it worked in another computer. When I get lucky, after trying to turn it on uncountable times, I manage to start it normally. But then, sometimes Windows crashes after a few minutes (usually while gaming) and the pc restarts. I know it's not a memory problem or whatever because all this began after installing the video card.

So, can someone help me?

Thanks.
 
your psu is too weak. you shouldn't even try to run the computer with that video card. you might damage parts.

look up exactly what the recommended levels of power is for your video card (not only watts, it's also very important to have sufficient ampere on the 12v rails) and get a psu that can handle it.
 
I don't think the problem is the psu. Mine is 450w (with atx 12v, of course) while the minimum recommended is 350w.
 
I had a 450 PSU, and then bought a NVIDIA 280. I had to bump up to a 750 because the PC not being able to boot.
 
Stg Granite said:
Echo Star 450W 20-pin ATX
Click to expand...

did a quick search and this is the power specifications I got on that psu:

Power Specifications:
115VAC 7.0A 50/60Hz, 230VAC 3.5A 50/60Hz switchable power supply
+3.3V, 28A
+5V, 34A
+12V, 14A
-12V, 0.8A
-5V, 0.5A
+5Vsb, 2 A

I can't find exact numbers on how much you should have on the +12v rail, but 14A is very little and not enough to run any of the modern graphic cards as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the 8500GT needs at least 20A.

when I got a new gpu for my last computer I had a really shitty psu and had no idea it was too weak. the computer didn't start up most of the time and when it did, it turned off almost right away. I looked up how many W the gpu needed and got a new psu with sufficient W. still nothing. then I read up on it a bit more and realized my gpu needes like 32A on the +12v rail and had to get yet another psu. this time it worked wonders.

I can't guarantee that's your problem, but it's worth looking into.
 
What aenemic said, basically. The most important aspects of a power supply are the stability and amperage. High wattage is easy and cheap.
 
Hm, it worked in the other computer. However, I just noticed something: Both mobo and psu from the other computer has 24 pins. But my mobo has 24 pin slots while my psu has 20 pins. Would my problem be related to this?

EDIT: The other psu specifications were like mine, at least regarding what aenemic pointed.

ps: Sorry for the double post.
 
so there are 4 empty pins on your mobo when you've connected your psu? that definitely sounds like a problem.
 
Stg Granite said:
Hm, it worked in the other computer. However, I just noticed something: Both mobo and psu from the other computer has 24 pins. But my mobo has 24 pin slots while my psu has 20 pins. Would my problem be related to this?

EDIT: The other psu specifications were like mine, at least regarding what aenemic pointed.

ps: Sorry for the double post.
Click to expand...

You can use any 20 pin on a 24 pin motherboard but it give less power, posible this is relate, why dont you ask your friend to lend you the psu few hours???

"However, a 20-pin power supply may cause the system unstable or even unbootable for the sake of insufficient electricity. A minimum power of 300W or higher is recommended."

Those extra 4 pin give 12 volt and 3.3 volt to the motherboard, remember all video cards get power from the motherboard and the pci express cable (6 pin conector).

Before make the invest on a psu, just lend one and test.
 
Drakehash said:
why dont you ask your friend to lend you the psu few hours???
Click to expand...
I did and it worked smoothly.

Ok, here in Brazil computer parts aren't as cheap as in Europe or USA, so instead of buying a new PSU, what do you think of me buying a 20/24 pin adapter? Do you think it'll solve the problem?
While a good PSU costs around R$160, the adapter costs only R$10.
 
Stg Granite said:
Drakehash said:
why dont you ask your friend to lend you the psu few hours???
Click to expand...
I did and it worked smoothly.

Ok, here in Brazil computer parts aren't as cheap as in Europe or USA, so instead of buying a new PSU, what do you think of me buying a 20/24 pin adapter? Do you think it'll solve the problem?
While a good PSU costs around R$60, the adapter costs only R$10.
Click to expand...

Do it, it will work. Even the psu with 24 pin just get the same rail to get the energy for those 4 extra pin, so is the same if you buy another psu at 450 watt with 24 pin or use a 450 watt with 20 pin + adapter.
 
I'm not too sure, I would still get a new psu. the one you have might run the video card fine for now, but there may be problems down the road if it doesn't get sufficient power. I've heard of many people frying their video cards this way.
 
if you cannot supply enough power to the video card, then the video card shuts down the more advanced parts of it.

this is a very common problem today, people buying under-rated psu thinking everything is ok, no stability problems and getting shitty FPS with awesome cards.

buy a GOOD psu and it will last you for a while. the 8800 nvidia series takes 24-26 amps on the 12v rail and you are supplying about half that. get a new psu that is rated at least 24a on the 12v rail and more if you can.
 
So, I got a second-hand PSU(a friend's 2 year old PSU, he gave it to me). It's a PSTN-450Q ATX.

Specifications:
PSTN-450Q ATX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|********************|*************************************|*****MAXIMUM*****|
|******AC ~ IN********|********* DC ~ OUT - +3.3V 5V ***********|-----------------------|
|********************|*************************************|**** 220W | 205W***|
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|VOLTAGE** | 115V~230V*| +3.3V | 30A | -5V** | 0.5A | PS-ON | REMOTE |****** 423W*******|
|CURRENT** | 10A~5.5A**| +5V** | 45A | -12V**| 1A** | POK** | P.G.**|-----------------------|
|FREQUENCY | 50 ~ 60Hz**| +12V**| 22A | +5Vsb | 2.5A | COM** |RETURN| 2.5W | 12W | 12.5W |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: This with the 20/24 adapter?

I'm sorry for the insistence in not buying a new PSU. :roll:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top