BFG 5900 Powering up issues, also stay away from GameVE

[wakedog102]

RMAed first BFG 5900 from GameVE (Thanks a lot). Same problem everyone else has recently been posting about. Mine wouldn't even boot. My mobo would just sit there.

The new BFG 5900 came in today (from BFG, thankfully didn't even bother with GameVE) and seems to run ok (at least i get a working display) but on windows boot, i get a message saying that the card has been throttled back because it is not recieving enough power (the fans and LEDs turn on then turn off at boot). I checked the molex plug, and swapped them all, ran through a bunch of stuff with a BFG tech who finally suggested i try a higher power supply. I'm currently running a Sonata Antec 380W supply and have a DVD-R, floppy, 2xSATA HDs, the mobo and the 5900 attempting to be powered.

Before I order more stuff, is anyone else running a setup with similar power requirements and a similar power supply? I've been told that Antec's power supplies cut out as a safety feature. This would make sense, since everything powers on when I first give the computer juice, the screen stays black, the fans on the 5900 start, then stop moving about 5 seconds later, then the rest of the system powers up and the card stays off throughout. I'm going to be pretty pissed if I have to go out and get a new powersupply, expecially since BFG says that 350W is enough.

-Nate

 

[modedepe]

Have you checked your voltages yet? Have you tried the molex connector with something else to ensure it's working? 350W is just an estimate, everyones system is different, but it doesn't sound like your system is a power hog so it should be enough.

 

[wakedog102]

I tried other molexes with no luck. The card does power on at first, indicating there is some power coming into the connector, but then shutsdown before the rest of the system boots. I forgot to mention I'm running an ASUS K8V with an A64 3000+. I'm getting so sick of all the problems I'm having. This was supposed to be a nice little upgrade, and not a sleepless night / headache inducer.

 

[Rage187]

if the molex your card is using shares it w/ a HD, that could definatley be a problem.


if you have any lights and glowie crap, unplug the rice.

 

[vfibsux]

Got this from BFG. Goto that first URL and there is a PS calculator to see if you have too many things going on for your PS to handle.



ATTN:
If your system is experiencing lock ups, low FRPS, crashes, lagging, or graphics are pixelated, this could be an indication of insuffucient power or a failing power supply. Please visit the following site:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
IF your minimum power requirements is more than your power supply by 15 watts, your power supply MUST be updated.

Preferred BIOS Settings: (Note some settings may not apply to your BIOS)
These settings are suggested for maximum performance and stability. (PLEASE VERIFY YOUR BIOS AND CHIPSET ARE UP TO DATE BEFORE CHANGING THESE SETTINGS)
Assign IRQ for VGA: Enable

PnP O/S Installed: Enable

VGA Pallet Snooping: Disable

PCI Bursting: Disable

PCI Latency Timer: 128

Video BIOS Shadowingisable

Video BIOS Cacheable: Disable

Video RAM Shadowing: Disable

Video RAM Cacheable: Disable

USWC Options: Disable (or set to UC)

Pipeline Cache Write: Disable

PCI 2.1 Compliancy: Enable

Passive Release: Enable

Delayed Transaction: Enable

VGA Boot Sequence: AGP or PCI (Based on the installed card)

AGP/Graphics Aperture Size: ½ the amount of installed system memory

AGP Turbo Read Modeisable

AGP Turbo Write Modeisable

AGP WS Write: Highest Possible Value

AGP WS Read: Highest Possible Value

AGP Transfer Mode: 4x (or the highest setting available)

AGP Clock:2/3

AGP Aperture: ½ the installed RAM (Example: 256 RAM ? Set Aperture to 128)

Video BIOS Shadow: Disabled

Video BIOS Cacheable: Disabled

Video RAM Cacheable: Disabled

C8000-xxxxx-Cacheable: Disabled

Peer Concurrency: Enabled

 

[wakedog102]

tried unplugging *everything* all fans, hds, dvd drive, floppy and just booting with cpu power, cpu fan, and video card, got same result. I checked the wattage estimateor and i got 370Watts. Currently i'm running 380W PS. i have a feeling the card is drawing a lot of power on startup, and the PS is shutting down that rail temporarily, which in turn shuts down the card. Going to bestbuy today to buy an rediculously priced 450 or 550W PS, testing that, and then ordering from Newegg if it is the culprit.