New Build - graphic card power problem...?

F

Flash Gordon

Hi All,

I have just built my second ever computer. The unit is as follows and in
some cases, like the video card model, case, etc - recommended for my needs
(I work with lots of 3D models/graphics, etc) by the guy in the comp store.

AMD Athlon X2 - 4200 Chip
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe M/Board
nVidia 7800 GTX Graphics Card (PCIe x16)
WD Caviar SATA Hard Drive (WD3200JS) - 320GB
USB 2.0 - 4 port PCI Card (For extra ports - but not used yet)
4 x 1GB RAM sticks (total 4 GB)
Macron WT-8006 ATX Midi-Tower case - 400W

Also installed - from my previous computer
BenQ DVD Writer DW1625
SB Audigy Live! Sound Card (No speakers connected yet)

There are no other drives not even a floppy drive.

It all went together reasonably well and I have power connected to the
following m/board connections

EATXPOWER - 24 Pin
ATX12V - 4 Pin
EZ Plug - 4 Pin

There are no other external peripherals attached as yet....apart from a
setup monitor, keyboard (USB) and Mouse (USB)

So all very basic so far for set-up purposes/Windows XP install, etc.

The problem is this....every time I restart the computer and it loads up I
get a Power Indicator problem message/warning - as follows:

"Problem Report
The NVIDIA System Sentinel is reporting that the NVIDIA-powered graphics
card is nor receiving sufficient power.

To protect your hardware from potential damage or causing a potential system
lock-up, the graphics processor has lowered its performance to a level that
allows continued safe operations."

Then, when clicking on Troubleshooting, it says:

"To remedy the problem ensure your NVIDIA graphics card in your system has
the supplemental power connector attached. This connection is required and
your system may be damaged if it not in place. Please refer to your owners
manual for complete inspection instructions. Also, the power supply in your
computer must be able to supply ample power to power all of the attached
peripherals in addition to this extra connection."

No other warning pop up again during usage.....until the next time I reboot,
etc.

Could someone please advise on possible solutions to the above as any help
would be appreciated. Also I apologise if I may have missed inadvertently
any important info at this time.

Many Thanks

FG
 
S

StsAlive

Flash Gordon said:
Hi All,

I have just built my second ever computer. The unit is as follows and in
some cases, like the video card model, case, etc - recommended for my
needs (I work with lots of 3D models/graphics, etc) by the guy in the comp
store.

AMD Athlon X2 - 4200 Chip
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe M/Board
nVidia 7800 GTX Graphics Card (PCIe x16)
WD Caviar SATA Hard Drive (WD3200JS) - 320GB
USB 2.0 - 4 port PCI Card (For extra ports - but not used yet)
4 x 1GB RAM sticks (total 4 GB)
Macron WT-8006 ATX Midi-Tower case - 400W

Also installed - from my previous computer
BenQ DVD Writer DW1625
SB Audigy Live! Sound Card (No speakers connected yet)

There are no other drives not even a floppy drive.

It all went together reasonably well and I have power connected to the
following m/board connections

EATXPOWER - 24 Pin
ATX12V - 4 Pin
EZ Plug - 4 Pin

There are no other external peripherals attached as yet....apart from a
setup monitor, keyboard (USB) and Mouse (USB)

So all very basic so far for set-up purposes/Windows XP install, etc.

The problem is this....every time I restart the computer and it loads up I
get a Power Indicator problem message/warning - as follows:

"Problem Report
The NVIDIA System Sentinel is reporting that the NVIDIA-powered graphics
card is nor receiving sufficient power.

To protect your hardware from potential damage or causing a potential
system lock-up, the graphics processor has lowered its performance to a
level that allows continued safe operations."

Then, when clicking on Troubleshooting, it says:

"To remedy the problem ensure your NVIDIA graphics card in your system has
the supplemental power connector attached. This connection is required and
your system may be damaged if it not in place. Please refer to your owners
manual for complete inspection instructions. Also, the power supply in
your computer must be able to supply ample power to power all of the
attached peripherals in addition to this extra connection."

No other warning pop up again during usage.....until the next time I
reboot, etc.

Could someone please advise on possible solutions to the above as any help
would be appreciated. Also I apologise if I may have missed inadvertently
any important info at this time.

Many Thanks

FG

look at the graphics card, there should be an additional socket which
accepts a power con from the PSU.
 
F

Flash Gordon

Hi,

Yes - you are correct - its called a PCI Express Power Connector in the
manual.....but only talks about this when utilising dual graphic cards
(SLI).

Having said that, on checking I do not seem to have a suitable connector
from the PSU that matches the socket on the Graphic card....

So what is the next step?

FG
 
S

StsAlive

Flash Gordon said:
Hi,

Yes - you are correct - its called a PCI Express Power Connector in the
manual.....but only talks about this when utilising dual graphic cards
(SLI).

Having said that, on checking I do not seem to have a suitable connector
from the PSU that matches the socket on the Graphic card....

So what is the next step?

FG

it surprises me you PSU does not have a spare connector as it would appear
your gear is the latest spec.

I have just installed a new NVIDIA FX 1100 and my 2 years old PSU had a
connector.

it is purely a standard HD/CD/DVD 4 way power connector.

If you don't have a spare out of your PSU you'll have to get a piggy back
lead and come off another connector.
 
R

rms

\> Ahhhh - I see what you are saying.....yes - it does have lots of spare
connectors....just not the 'connector' type required for the V/Card

The card should have an adaptor, check the box.

rms
 
S

StsAlive

Flash Gordon said:
Ahhhh - I see what you are saying.....yes - it does have lots of spare
connectors....just not the 'connector' type required for the V/Card

That seems to be One 6-pin PCI-Express power connector similar
configuration to the 4 -pin ATX12V socket that you get on m/boards....

See picture of the '512 version' for the socket at this link

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTEzMTQ5MjA4MkpxVEFUdkM1WlBfMV8xM19sLmpwZw==

FG

http://www.power-on.com/connectors-adapters.html

looks like you need 8th one down
 
F

Flash Gordon

Gotcha.....

Just wondering why they didn't include this with either the card or the
M/board, etc....

I even asked in the shop....did I have all the correct cables to build the
thing properly, etc.

Many thanks for your imput

FG
 
F

Flash Gordon

I checked the empty box and surrounding work area about 6 times.....at
least. Just to be sure.

But none supplied. I will head back to the shop tomorrow.....to see why I
didn't have one or wasn't given one.

Cheers

FG
 
S

StsAlive

Flash Gordon said:
Gotcha.....

Just wondering why they didn't include this with either the card or the
M/board, etc....

I even asked in the shop....did I have all the correct cables to build the
thing properly, etc.

Many thanks for your imput

FG

or why PSU's don't have them fitted............
 
F

Flash Gordon

Quite a number of Case PSU's DO have them fitted as I have now checked...I
must have gotten the bargain basement unit....

That really annoys me....I told them at the comp shop I had quite a high
budget and surely based on the components purchased, etc....they should have
realised at the shop I needed a more powerful case to do the job.

They do that a lot here in OZ though....they try to give you the "cheaper"
option to get the sales....without really giving you ALL the options
available to suit the intent and then I choose from those options....

FG
 
M

McGrandpa

incorrect assumption on your part Flash. I have run a 7800GTX single and
dual card. The cards come with the external power connector and you will
either power it appropriately or you will do without performance, period.
You're lucky, most graphics cards requiring external power won't even allow
the system to start (ATI 9800 Pro won't for sure) if the external power
isn't plugged in.
Plug it in Flash. It's sure not going to hurt anything.
McG.
 
F

Flash Gordon

Hi,

Not sure Which assumption was incorrect?

That there wasn't a suitable connector with the case PSU or that it is
called a PCI Express Power Connector or that it talks about utilising this
with duel graphic cards?

A) I can guarantee after checking about 10 times that there is no 6-pin
connector from my Case PSU

B) The Connector description is from the manual as written.

C) On Page 4 of the very slim manual it shows in good detail the two cards
having connections for power and does not mention single cards.....actually
very little on this is ever mentioned in all the reviews I have read.

D) There was no additional double 'Drive to PCI Express Adapter' with the
card. I checked for this about 10 times also.

Like I said in the original posting - I asked the guy a couple of times -
did I have all the cables I would need (as in sold separately and not in the
boxes) - but nothing further was required they said.

Because if there was either of the above A or D was available - I would plug
it in.....

FG
 
M

Mangyrat

you have 2 options
1. go back to the shop and get the cable
2. get a new powersuply that has the conectors

if you ask me i would do 1 and 2
you payed for the cable make them give it to you.
the 400wat powersuply is kinda week it might work and then agina it may burn
out in a few weeks you never know. its always a safe bett to get more power
than you need when it comes to powersuplys.
 
F

Flash Gordon

Got the cable and installed it....but still getting same message.
So will now contact the shop to see what my options are for either changing
the case or just upgrading the power unit, etc.

Cheers

FG
 
M

McGrandpa

No matter what which manual says what about dual or single; the 7800 GTX
PCI-e card *needs* that external power. What manual is it? Motherboard or
Video card? It may show you something that you may think is one thing due
to lack of text clarifying the issue. The 7800GTX PCI-e video card *NeeDs*
that external power cable plugged into it for proper performance. No two
ways about it. If you have two of them, they both need their own power
cable. If you have just one, it needs its own power cable.
There are adapters for that power connector on the video card. My
motherboard came with one. You plug two regular HD power plugs into it, and
the one 6 pin connector then plugs into the video card.
I've been building my own and my families systems for 20 years now. I was
not so surprised that the pci-e cards needed even more power. I have a
550W dual 12v+ rail power supply. It does come with two dedicated PCI-e
card 6 pin connectors, as well as a bunch of SATA power cables.
McG.
 
M

McGrandpa

Did you plug in TWO hd power cables to this new connector? It requires two,
or it will be missing half the supply it needs.
McG.
 
P

Phil Weldon

No. The two connectors are in parallel, so there is no 'half power'
involved. The reason for TWO 4 pin rectangular Molex connectors avoid
exceeding the current specifications for each pin. And that has nothing to
do with the message the original poster is getting.

Phil Weldon

| Did you plug in TWO hd power cables to this new connector? It requires
two,
| or it will be missing half the supply it needs.
| McG.
 
S

StsAlive

McGrandpa said:
No matter what which manual says what about dual or single; the 7800 GTX
PCI-e card *needs* that external power. What manual is it? Motherboard
or Video card? It may show you something that you may think is one thing
due to lack of text clarifying the issue. The 7800GTX PCI-e video card
*NeeDs* that external power cable plugged into it for proper performance.
No two ways about it. If you have two of them, they both need their own
power cable. If you have just one, it needs its own power cable.
There are adapters for that power connector on the video card. My
motherboard came with one. You plug two regular HD power plugs into it,
and the one 6 pin connector then plugs into the video card.
I've been building my own and my families systems for 20 years now. I was
not so surprised that the pci-e cards needed even more power. I have a
550W dual 12v+ rail power supply. It does come with two dedicated PCI-e
card 6 pin connectors, as well as a bunch of SATA power cables.
McG.

steady now Grandpa I think he is getting it sorted...............most of
what you are saying is being attended to...............
 
F

Flash Gordon

I did go back to the shop and got the cable....installed it but same
message - so took the computer back to the shop in its built state.

They replaced the power supply with a 500W unit....

Antec Power Supply - 500W Phantom - Ultra Quiet Fanless Operation

They charged me for that as its fairly top of the range power unit but
deducted "a stuffing about" amount from the extra charge - which I was happy
about.

They even said they could do it right then and there in their Shop rear
workshop.....but they wanted to charge $50 labour (that's a standard
non-negotiable charge) - but I reneged on that...as I had been given that
case and its power supply based on the sales guys recommendation for what I
required.....so eventually they gave in and did it for "free"

Fired it up and it works a treat....so can now up the performance of the
video card now....

However - the moral of the story/exercise is this IMHO.....research before
you buy...get advice...check availability...and do not accept 'opened boxes'
or 'boxless' components. Also take the opinion that the guys working in the
so called computer store "know nothing" and they will try to sell you
anything - mainly cheap as possible so you will buy - but may not be perfect
for what you require! Always get them to explain the best suitable options
for what you intend.

Cheers

FG
 

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