tooper10

I recently decided to upgrade my video card from a GeForce 6600 to the mentioned 9800 GTX+. To do this, I had to upgrade my old 450W power supply that only had one 6-pin PCI-E connector to the PSU in my sig. I installed the new PSU and the new video card and turned the computer on. The computer booted up, but the monitor remained in standby. I turned the monitor on from standby and it displays "No Signal" and returns to standby. I reinstalled my old 6600 again and everything works fine.

I tried using the second PCI-Express 16x Slot with the same result. I thought at first maybe my motherboard was incompatible, but that doesn't seem to be the case. XFX recommends PCI-Express 16x Slot on a PCI Express or PCI Express 2.0 compliant motherboard (mine is the former).

My second though is maybe it is the PSU. The 9800 GTX+ requires a minimum of 450W with a 12V current rating of at least 24A. My GS-650 has Dual 12V rails of 20A each, but I don't know if that adds up to 40A or if it is only providing 20A to the card (I admittedly am not well versed on PSUs, but am learning fast). The manual lists the 6-pin PCI-E connector as 20A, so when I plug both 6-pin connectors into the card does that equal 40A? Beats me, but if not, I would imagine this could be a power supply problem?

Because I can get the old card to work, it makes me think it is either:

A) the motherboard
B) the PSU or
C) a bad card

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated!!

manic

I think its the psu. But then again Ive had bad luck with xfx video cards.
I would role the dice and get a better psu, the corsair 750watt at
www.newegg.com cant be beat for price and performance, with a
whopping 60amps on the 12 volt single rail....

roadsweeper

I assmue the GS-650 is a BFG-GS-650, it fits your description. In simple terms, each "rail" is usually a main supply wiring loom coming out the PSU. I would guess you have one of these wiring looms supplying your gfx card.

The 9800 needs a min of 24A like you suggested, and prob draws slightly more under a heavy load, so yeah I would guess manic is right, your card just isnt getting enough juice, the 650W is prob OK, maybe a bit on the tight side, I would guess your ampage is too low. The 750W high ampage rail PSU that Manic suggested should be fine.

wrench97

The PSU is not a good one but I would expect to see a boot screen and problems with it under load, I think you have a bad card.
In your shoes I would return Both pick up the Corsair 750tx manic suggested and a EVGA 9800GTX+

tooper10

Thank you all for your help. I will pick up a new PSU today to see if that does the trick. I will hold off on returning the card until then. Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes!

tooper10

Replaced the PSU with the recommended Corsair PSU, returned the XFX card and got the same EVGA card. I installed everything and it now works fine! I don't have the framerate in WoW that I was expecting with the upgrade, but that is probably a question for another forum. Thanks again!

wrench97

Good to hear you have it up and running:)