Problems with HD7970: PC doesn't boot

[Compizfox]

Hi guys,

I've a problem. I just bought a HD7970 DC2 second hand. It appears to be in good condition but my system doesn't work with it.

Specs:

• Intel 2500k
• Asus P8P67-m Pro
• Cooler-Master GX550 PSU

My system won't POST with the HD7970 installed. Normally it will beep one time (to let you know everything's OK), but it doesn't do that now. The PC just turns on, but nothing happens. No POST, no signal on my monitors, no beeps at all, but fans are running.

My previous video card was a HD6950, but that one died. I don't have onboard video but the system boots OK with a spare card (HD4650).

Of course I connected the 2x 8-pins PCIe-power. Without those, the leds on the card turn red and I do actually hear beaps: 1x long, 3x short which, if I'm correct, means "graphics error". That makes perfect sense, of course.

I tried:

• updating my motherboard BIOS
• clearing my motherboard BIOS
• another PCIe slot
• flipping the BIOS switch on the card

I hooked up a multimeter and it's readings are OK: A stable 12,10 volt on the +12V rail.

I've ran out of options here, I seriously don't know what I can try, so I'm suspecting my PSU. I think it should be enough (it as a single +12V rail rated 44 A) but it's that, or the video card is defect. How can I make sure it is (or isn't) my PSU? Does the fact that my voltages are stable mean it can't be the PSU?

I do not have a better PSU so I can't really test. I don't have another system that could fit a HD7970 either.

 

[aznever]

try plugging into another PCI-E slot, update your Bios to the latest version, or reset your bios.

actually, try pluging into the the DVI port on the Left, if you dont have a Dual Link DVI-D cable.

 

[Compizfox]

As I stated in my opening post, I already did all three of the things you said.

But thanks for your reply nevertheless.

 

[aznever]

there should be a "VGA" lettering on top of the port.

 

[Compizfox]

Thank you both for your replies.

there should be a "VGA" lettering on top of the port.

Why? I don't use a DVI to VGA plug.

For clarity, the problem is not that I just don't have signal. Something keeps my system from POSTing since I don't hear the usual single beep.

 

[blackacidevil]

Have a friend with a PC large enough that you can plug the card into to verify that the card works?
Could be the PSU, but since we know the PSU works, focus on the card. It's most likely the culprit.

 

[Compizfox]

No, not in the neighbourhood. Yes, the PSU works, but is it sufficient to power my HD7970? Could that be, or isn't that possible because the voltages would have been fluctuating if that was the case?

Rephrased: What are the symptoms of an underpowered PSU?

 

[Araxie]

No, not in the neighbourhood. Yes, the PSU works, but is it sufficient to power my HD7970? Could that be, or isn't that possible because the voltages would have been fluctuating if that was the case?

Rephrased: What are the symptoms of an underpowered PSU?

i hardly doubt about a fault of the PSU. the minimum requirement for that card its a 500W PSU. recommended 600W. even at 500w it should be able to boot up, and work without any issue, except when the card are under full load and near the max TDP if the PSU is underpowered it will just shut down, hardlock, hardreset, crash, BSOD, thats are some of the symptoms of a faulty PSU power and thats clearly not your case.. what I think could be the problem are one of the 6+2Pin could be faulty? that happens before to some friends, if the extra +2 pin connector not work the system not will not post. what to try? try with one of those adaptors 2x6pin PCI-E to 1x8Pin PCI-E. and 2xMolex to PCI-E.. that solved the problem with lot of friends on low wattage PSU.

 

[Compizfox]

i hardly doubt about a fault of the PSU. the minimum requirement for that card its a 500W PSU. recommended 600W. even at 500w it should be able to boot up, and work without any issue, except when the card are under full load and near the max TDP if the PSU is underpowered it will just shut down, hardlock, hardreset, crash, BSOD, thats are some of the symptoms of a faulty PSU power and thats clearly not your case..

Thanks for the advice!

what I think could be the problem are one of the 6+2Pin could be faulty? that happens before to some friends, if the extra +2 pin connector not work the system not will not post. what to try? try with one of those adaptors 2x6pin PCI-E to 1x8Pin PCI-E. and 2xMolex to PCI-E.. that solved the problem with lot of friends on low wattage PSU.

Should I not be getting the error beeps in that case? Because I do get them when I don't connect the plugs at all.

I did try what you're describing but I only have one of those 2x6pin PCIe to 1x8Pin PCIe cables.

 

[Compizfox]

BTW I tested with both my HD7970 and my HD4650 seated:

• With the PCIe power plugs connected, the same thing happens as without the HD4650 (system turns on but doesn't POST, no beeps)
• Without the PCIe power plugs, the system POSTs and I get signal on my monitor connected to the HD4650. HD7970 stays of (fans aren't even powered on)

 

[Araxie]

so could be a power failure.. in a normal system you shouldn't be getting any beep, the minimal beep mean a problem with the machine. you only need 1 of the 2x6pin to 1x8pin adapters and one 2xMolex to 1x6Pin. both should be included in the card package..

 

[Compizfox]

so could be a power failure.. in a normal system you shouldn't be getting any beep, the minimal beep mean a problem with the machine.

No, a lot of motherboards beep 1x (short, higher pitched) on every boot, right before POST. That's perfectly normal. The problem is my system normally does that, but not now and it isn't POSTing now either.

you only need 1 of the 2x6pin to 1x8pin adapters and one 2xMolex to 1x6Pin. both should be included in the card package..

The HD7970 requires 2x PCIe 8-pin, so I would need two of those adapters. Or isn't that what you mean?

 

[Araxie]

The HD7970 requires 2x PCIe 8-pin, so I would need two of those adapters. Or isn't that what you mean?

Yeah sorry.. I forgot that asus DCU2 was 2x8PIn. I was thinking in the regular 8pin+6pin 7970.

 

[Tamlin_WSGF]

Video card might be defect. But, I have experienced something similar earlier without it being the card (was a sound card that time though). Turned out it was the memory. By removing one stick, I managed to get the computer to boot and I manually put in the timings. After that, it wasn't a problem.

 

[Compizfox]

Yeah sorry.. I forgot that asus DCU2 was 2x8PIn. I was thinking in the regular 8pin+6pin 7970.

No problem

Video card might be defect. But, I have experienced something similar earlier without it being the card (was a sound card that time though). Turned out it was the memory. By removing one stick, I managed to get the computer to boot and I manually put in the timings. After that, it wasn't a problem.

I tried booting with 1 RAM stick, but without success.

But does anyone have an opinion on my PSU? Do you agree with Araxie on it not being the fault? Because the PSU is my only starting point. I couldn't think of another thing that could cause the problem, apart from the video card itself.

 

[LigTasm]

I have seen this exact same thing happen with an Asus 7970 DCUII TOP that I had, it refused to POST in my P8P67 Pro board but it worked fine in any other motherboard I put it on. I have no idea what causes the issue though, but the card was good and still works to this day although the board didn't survive that long.

 

[Compizfox]

That's interesting. And you still don't have a clue about what could have caused the problem?

When Googleing on "P8P67 HD7970 DCII" I don't find anything useful.

 

[LigTasm]

That's interesting. And you still don't have a clue about what could have caused the problem?

When Googleing on "P8P67 HD7970 DCII" I don't find anything useful.

Yeah, no idea at all.

 

[Compizfox]

So you suggest I get another motherboard? I'm not sure if it's worth a try. It will cost me a lot to buy another motherboard (and even more if it points out to be something else), but I just don't know a friend close by with a system large enough and a PSU powerful enough to test it in.

 

[BIGGRIMTIM]

Sounds like a power supply issue to me. This may not be the greatest thing to do, but you could go to the local Best Buy, get a PSU and then return the unit the next day or so after testing.

 

[Compizfox]

So some people say it can't be a PSU issue, others say it can. The only way to find out is to test, I think.

I don't live in the US so no Best Buy for me. The idea still works though, but I will probably lose some shipping costs.

I think tomorrow I'll open my server and put the video card in that. There's probably enough space, the PSU however is even lower power (just 400 W). But if Araxie is right the system should POST fine. Using this method I can check if my motherboard is indeed the issue, like LigTasm mentioned.

Thank you for your help so far, I'll report back tomorrow

 

[Gorilla]

My guess is some random incompatibility with the motherboard. I used to have a HD 6750 that I tried to use in a biostar motherboard and it would do the same thing. The system wouldn't post until I pulled the card out. In fact, I think that I could press the power button, wait for nothing to happen, then pull the 6750 out while the system was still on and suddenly it would POST. XFX just told me that the card wasn't compatible with the motherboard. I plugged it into my main system and sure enough it did the POST with no problems.

There is no reason that it wouldn't be compatible, but that might still be the problem.

 

[Compizfox]

Yes, there's no reason for it indeed. Every video card (given it is PCIe) should work with every motherboard, as far as I know. There's not even a QVL for video cards because they all should work.

I guess this is a rare exception...

 

[LigTasm]

So some people say it can't be a PSU issue, others say it can. The only way to find out is to test, I think.

I don't live in the US so no Best Buy for me. The idea still works though, but I will probably lose some shipping costs.

I think tomorrow I'll open my server and put the video card in that. There's probably enough space, the PSU however is even lower power (just 400 W). But if Araxie is right the system should POST fine. Using this method I can check if my motherboard is indeed the issue, like LigTasm mentioned.

Thank you for your help so far, I'll report back tomorrow

Yeah, I have successfully POST'd several high end cards using my "spare" 350W antec PSu and a couple of molex to PCI-E adapters while troubleshooting. Should be enough to tell you if that is the problem of not at least.

 

[Compizfox]

Since I probably won't have much time tomorrow, I just tested it now in my server (Asrock 970 Extreme3, Corsair Builder CX430) and it behaves the same as in my gaming system (Asus P8P67-M Pro, Cooler-Master GX550), so I think I've ruled out the motherboard as source of the problem.

So two possible causes left:
- Too low-power PSU
- The card itself.

 

[smaudioz]

Since I probably won't have much time tomorrow, I just tested it now in my server (Asrock 970 Extreme3, Corsair Builder CX430) and it behaves the same as in my gaming system (Asus P8P67-M Pro, Cooler-Master GX550), so I think I've ruled out the motherboard as source of the problem.

So two probable causes left:
- Too low-power PSU
- The card itself.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but wouldn't it not matter if your PSU is underpowered for the graphics card if all you're trying to do is turn the PC on? At that point surely the card will be using hardly any power at all?

 

[Compizfox]

This was pointed out by Araxie too. You could be right. I don't know for sure...

 

[okashira]

550 W is more then plenty.

I run my rig with a heavily overclocked 4670k and a 7970 with a corsair cx430 (430w)

Sounds like the card is bad. You need to test it on another system. Try a friends.

 

[Araxie]

Yes, there's no reason for it indeed. Every video card (given it is PCIe) should work with every motherboard, as far as I know. There's not even a QVL for video cards because they all should work.

I guess this is a rare exception...

not rare at all, there are some horrible stories of Motherboards that simply doesn't like certain GPU and will not work with that Mobo not matter what happen. sht just happens T_T i think there are no many things that left for test, its that or really the card its bad..

550 W is more then plenty.

I run my rig with a heavily overclocked 4670k and a 7970 with a corsair cx430 (430w)

Sounds like the card is bad. You need to test it on another system. Try a friends.

You are using nearly at 100% your PSU, be grateful that PSU its made with a great quality.. how much time have you running that system with that PSU?. it will not longer too much really..

 

[Dangman]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but wouldn't it not matter if your PSU is underpowered for the graphics card if all you're trying to do is turn the PC on? At that point surely the card will be using hardly any power at all?

No. When turning on the PC, for a brief second or two, the system uses full power. So it would matter if the PSU is underpowered.

Anyway, a good 550W PSU would indeed be good enough for that setup. However, you don't have a good 550W PSU. The Coolermaster GX 650W and GX 750W were pretty much crap:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/11/22/cooler_master_gx_650w_power_supply_review/1
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=188

So I would not expect the GX 550W to be any different. So I would recommend replacing the PSU even if it's not the cause of your problem now as it will become a problem later on. in fact, your multi-meter is already telling you that PSU is harming your hardware: The maximum voltage on the +12V rail should not exceed +12.6V. You wrote (assuming you meant a period and not a comma) that "A stable 12.10 volt on the +12V rail.". So I highly recommend avoid using that PSU until you get a new PSU. Hell. I wouldn't be surprised if that PSU was the reason why your HD 6950 died.

If you need advice on getting a new PSU, please link an online computer hardware store that you can buy from in your country. That'll give us an idea of what PSUs are actually available in y our country.

 

[Compizfox]

No. When turning on the PC, for a brief second or two, the system uses full power. So it would matter if the PSU is underpowered.

The voltage doesn't drop under 12V. That means the PSU isn't underpowered, right?

Anyway, a good 550W PSU would indeed be good enough for that setup. However, you don't have a good 550W PSU. The Coolermaster GX 650W and GX 750W were pretty much crap:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/11/22/cooler_master_gx_650w_power_supply_review/1
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=188

So I would not expect the GX 550W to be any different. So I would recommend replacing the PSU even if it's not the cause of your problem now as it will become a problem later on.

I know it isn't top notch in terms of noise/ripple, but I'm sure it isn't that big of a problem.

in fact, your multi-meter is already telling you that PSU is harming your hardware: The maximum voltage on the +12V rail should not exceed +12.6V. You wrote (assuming you meant a period and not a comma) that "A stable 12.10 volt on the +12V rail.". So I highly recommend avoid using that PSU until you get a new PSU. Hell. I wouldn't be surprised if that PSU was the reason why your HD 6950 died.

No it isn't? I don't know what you mean here. 12.1 volt is clearly less than 12.6 volt, and therefore perfectly within the margins. It is highly stable actually, it doesn't fluctuate at all. Or do we have a misunderstanding here?

 

[Dangman]

The voltage doesn't drop under 12V. That means the PSU isn't underpowered, right?

Not necessarily. Other factors could be at play here.

I know it isn't top notch in terms of noise/ripple, but I'm sure it isn't that big of a problem.

It exceeded ATX12V limitations. When yoiu exceed that, you have the potential for damaged hardware. Not to mention that it actually DIED during normal load testing.

No it isn't? I don't know what you mean here. 12.1 volt is clearly less than 12.6 volt, and therefore perfectly within the margins. It is highly stable actually, it doesn't fluctuate at all. Or do we have a misunderstanding here?

Sorry, I thought you meant 12.10, not 12.1.

Either way, like I said, I still recommend replacing the PSU even it isn't the root cause of your problem now as it will be a problem later on.

 

[Compizfox]

Not necessarily. Other factors could be at play here.

It exceeded ATX12V limitations. When yoiu exceed that, you have the potential for damaged hardware. Not to mention that it actually DIED during normal load testing.

Sorry, I thought you meant 12.10, not 12.1.

What's the difference?
12.1 == 12.10 == 12.100000000000000 (only difference is the precision)
That's how decimals work.

 

[Dangman]

What's the difference?
12.1 == 12.10 == 12.100000000000000 (only difference is the precision)
That's how decimals work.

.....Again, I misread your numbers.