GPU not receiving enough power...

[stevemedes]

Hello, having a little trouble here. My system specifications are as follows:

Intel C2D E6400 @ 3.2ghz 1.35v w/ Zalman CNPS-9500LED
Asus P5B Deluxe 1216 BIOS
2x1gb Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8000 @ 4-4-4
eVGA 7900GTX @ stock speeds (never overclocked)
Antec TruePower II 550watt
2xWD Raptor 36gb & 1xSeagate 250gb
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
1xLite-On DVD-R
Windows XP SP2

Now when I start my PC, the nVidia sentinel pops up tell me the GPU is not receiving enough power and will be underclocked in order to avoid damage. I tried reseating the video card and tried both PCIE power connectors from the PSU. No dice. My 3dmark score of ~3300ish confirms that the driver is downclocking the video card. However I'm experiencing no stability problems or artifacts at all, even with the CPU still overclocked. You would think that if the PSU was going bad, it would exhibit some other signs as well. It has also crossed my mind that perhaps the GPU is going bad? I'm leaning more towards the PSU at this point though since this 7900GTX is one I got back from RMAing my first one which died. My current card is the 'reloaded' version of the 7900GTX which has the fixed memory chips.

So my question is, do you think it is the PSU or GPU that needs replacing. Which PSU would you suggest purchasing? I'm thinking the Corsair VX-550 seems like the way to go. Please post your thoughts and thanks in advance for your help.

 

[robisbell]

is the power plugged into the card. I had to dig up a decent image of the card it has a plug for power but you have to use a special cable it comes with it.

I would recommend you checks the power output on the psu, and I would definitely recommend updating to the latest BIOS. which is 1219.

here are a few of the issues it address'

1. Support new CPUs. Please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx
2. Finetune CPU Voltage Low Limit
3. Finetune Q''Fan control code for chassis Q''Fan

 

[stevemedes]

Yes, the PCIE power connector is firmly plugged in. I also tried using the other plug, since my PSU has two PCIE power connectors. I also tried reseating the card.

 

[robisbell]

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/...00_gtx_accessories.jpg

the Y-cable did you use it?

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: robisbell
http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/...00_gtx_accessories.jpg

the Y-cable did you use it?

Nope, my PSU has two native PCIE power connectors, so theres no reason to use the molex adapter.

 

[robisbell]

the card may be using a non standard setup for the plug, you have to use that adapter it came with, that might be the issue.

 

[robisbell]

did the other one you rma'ed do the same thing?

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: robisbell
did the other one you rma'ed do the same thing?

No, it simply died one day.

I don't think using the adapter will work, it's a standard PCIE power plug that is on the card.

 

[robisbell]

I would try it with the adapter, I've seen video card manufacturers not follow standards sometimes, especially small vendors like this one.

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: robisbell
I would try it with the adapter, I've seen video card manufacturers not follow standards sometimes, especially small vendors like this one.

eVGA isn't exactly a small vendor... It worked just fine before, so I don't understand why it won't work now. Anyway, I tried with the adapter and it didn't work. I also flashed to latest 1219 BIOS, still a nogo. I think I might buy either an Antec EarthWatts 500watt or Corsair VX550 PSU.

Any other opinions?

 

[robisbell]

I find it very odd for 2 PSU's to fail. when does the warning about the gpu being underpowered come up?

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: robisbell
I find it very odd for 2 PSU's to fail. when does the warning about the gpu being underpowered come up?

I think you misunderstand. I RMAed the video card, not the power supply. The warning comes up when you boot the PC up.

 

[stevemedes]

Can anyone else offer any help?

 

[robisbell]

I understood that. When is the error message about it being underpowered come up exactly?
and you've updated the BIOS, correct?

 

[stevemedes]

It comes up right when I get to the Windows desktop. I just flashed to the 1219 (latest) and it still doesn't make a difference.

Maybe a new PSU is in order? I've been hearing some negative things about the PSU I have (Antec TruePower II 550).

 

[robisbell]

hmm. it could but something seems off about whats happened to your system so far.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: stevemedes
It comes up right when I get to the Windows desktop.

And you're running the latest driver from nvidia.com ?

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: stevemedes
It comes up right when I get to the Windows desktop.

And you're running the latest driver from nvidia.com ?

Yes, I've tried the WHQL's. I'll see what happens with the latest set of beta drivers.

 

[dclive]

If you're having an issue I'd lean on sticking with the WHQLs. MS certifies them for a reason.

And you say both the PCI-E connectors and the Y-Adapter (power to pci-e power) all cause the same issue.

To me it sounds like a bad card or defective PSU. Can you put your card into another system and try it out?

If you run your 6400 at stock voltage and stock speed does anything different happen?

 

[robisbell]

it's an issue before he even gets into Windows.

steve, could you run PC Wizard 2008 and post the power screen?

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: dclive
If you're having an issue I'd lean on sticking with the WHQLs. MS certifies them for a reason.

And you say both the PCI-E connectors and the Y-Adapter (power to pci-e power) all cause the same issue.

To me it sounds like a bad card or defective PSU. Can you put your card into another system and try it out?

If you run your 6400 at stock voltage and stock speed does anything different happen?

Yes all connectors I try from the PSU cause the same error message.

I wish I had another system to try it out in, but unfortunately I do not.

Doesn't matter if I run my CPU at stock or not, same error. That fact makes me think it could possibly be the video card...

 

[robisbell]

getting 2 bad video cards, that's more than a fluke, something not going on. please run PC Wizard and post the power levels.

 

[stevemedes]

The motherboard BIOS and Asus PCProbe/AI Suite software all report voltages within normal ranges. The real confusing part is that the system is not unstable at all, and all voltages are reading normally. This leads me to believe it might be an issue with the GPU...

 

[robisbell]

well, if you would post the screen from PC Wizard like I asked, I can see for myself.

 

[stevemedes]

Originally posted by: robisbell
well, if you would post the screen from PC Wizard like I asked, I can see for myself.

Here it is.

http://i224.photobucket.com/al...55/stevemedes/volt.jpg