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after the fact help - bfg 6800gt

A

APCOR

Member
This is my first post and I am cartainly a "noob". I was wondering if anyone has this similar problem and could provide feedback. I just bought a bfg 6800gt OC, and fresh out of the box no response when I put it in. Prior I had a 6600gt and it worked fine - no probs. When I put the 6800gt in - no screen - no post. Computer gives 2 quick beeps - fan on gt runs, but nothing on screen. Popped the 6600 back in and all is well. Uninstalled drivers + driver cleaner, updated bios and that only made things worse now 6600gt is fried (all i get is weird graphics and cant even get into windows). Luckily I have my old video card from dell - put that in and got into bios and restored defaults and computer runs normal. Dell sent a tech in and replaced my motherboard and stock video card. And I have RMA'd the 6800gt (should be here in a week).

My big question is what hell happend? Although my computer works I am out a 6600gt and a 6800gt, and no one from Dell or BFG knows what went wrong (at least no concrete reasons were explained to me. Would be very grateful for any feedback - I hope the new RMA card will be as simple as popping it in an gaming on my merry way. Thanks

dimesion 8400 - 4 months old
pentium 4 (3.4gh)
1 gig ram ( not sure what ddr3 or if it is that - lost my spec sheet)
350 watt power supply
had a evga 6600gt, just bought a bfg 6800gt OC, back down to ati x300se (embarrasing)
 
Two thoughts occur;

1. The 6800GT may not have worked due to constraints with your power supply - even at idle, the 6800GT consumes more power than the 6600GT and this may just have been the straw/camel effect. If the new card shows the same symptoms then this will confirm it.

2. What you describe happening to the 6600GT sounds like bad video card RAM. You may have inadvertently exposed the card to a static discharge while handling it.


 
It was probably just the power supply.

In standard Windows (2D) mode, the 6600GT and 6800GT operate at a lower processing speed, and thus consume less power.

In 3D mode they both ramp up the processor and consume more power.

For example... My Geforce 6600GT operates at 300MHz in Windows 2D mode and 500MHz in 3D mode.

What are the specs on your power supply?

+12v, +5v, -12v and so on...

Gentle
 
Could I be short on power even if I meet the minimum? My computer comes with a 350 watt power supply and bfg recommends 300 on website / 350 on the packaging (either way I have the minimum met). I dont have any extras, ie - coolers, drives (not even a floppy), cd burners etc that might sap extra power.

as for static discharge ??? is that preventable?

thanks for the input
 
Did you plug the 6800GT in? Seems like a dumb question, but you don't mention it.

Remember also that you need to unplug the computer to change cards. The mobo is still powered if it's plugged in since I don't think Dell uses the rear power switch to allow you to fully power down the mobo.
 
voltage - I have no idea - I guess I was sadly mistaken when i thought it would be as simple as it was when popping my 6600gt for the first time. Even if i knew my voltage I dont remeber bfg post their voltage requirements (although I would not put it past me to have missed it).

thanks
 
yes it was plugged and unplugged - several times - if you mean cutting off the power completely via surge protector.

ps - I dont even know what a "mobo" is
 
Did the power supply have a PCI-E power connector, or did you have to use the 2 molex to 1 PCI-E adapter?
 
Sorry if I am a confusing repient (I thought i was a noob but I have discovered that would be a step up)


I received no instruction from tech support to plug anything into anything from bfg or dell and I had them both on the phone during installation and reinstallation. A couple of times I plugged in a power connector to the bottom corner of the bfg (just using common sense - it fit so plug it in and try it). As for wether it was a PCI-E connector or a molex connector I could not tell you. This was the first time I had ever cracked open a computer case on my own. During the first install of my 6600gt I watched while it was done.
 
Well, to answer an earlier question, yes you can avoid electro static discharge by keeping yourself grounded while handling any computer parts. You do that by touching the metal frame of your PC or the Powersupply. You should consciously touch the metal frame every minute or so while working with sensitive parts like this. Also, you are correct with connecting the power connector to the BFG - without that, it wouldn't operate correctly. This is required because more powerful video cards require more power. And finally for reference, mobo means motherboard.
 
APCOR, the 6800gt has to have the proper PCI-E power connector plugged in or it will not work.

The 6600gt does not require a power connector.

If your power supply does not have the 6 pin PCI-E connector, you'd have to use a 2 molex to 1 PCI-E adapter, which uses 2 regular molex connectors to supply enough power to a single PCI-E power connector.

I suspect since your system has PCI-E slots, you have the proper PCI-E connector already.
 
Thanks for the help LT. I did however during one of my many attempts grab a six pin connector and plug it in the the back of the 6800gt. I am assuming that 6 pin connector is the PCI-E connector you are referring to (it is the only one that fits right?). It did nothing - same reponse. And yes it is PCI express slots.


thanks

 
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