CPU\Mobo\Memory upgrade renders video card unstable

[aggressor]

Looking for suggestions on why my new Motherboard\CPU\Memory setup isn't working with my previous card:
First, the hardware in question:
OLD:
Core 2 Duo E6400 (2.1ghz @ 3.2ghz)
Asus P5B-Deluxe
Some random-DDR2

NEW:
Core i7 860 (2.8ghz)
Asus P7P55D-E with the latest BIOS
Corsair DDR3 1600 2x2GB

SAME:
ATI Radeon 4800 1GB
OCZ Powerstream 520 (OCZ-520ADJ SLI - provides 33A on single +12v rail)
Windows 7 64-bit (fresh install)

Problem: When starting cold, half the time the PC won't start with the VGA error light on. When it does start successfully, I get to the point where I log in to Windows and it restarts. No bluescreen, just a restart. Sometimes, very rarely, the PC will start with corrupted graphics.

Given that, I swapped out the video card with another (crappy) card and everything is perfect.

So...given that both the PSU and video card worked previously, what could have went wrong? I do believe my PSU is providing enough juice, and I'm not sure why my video card would stop working. I don't have a more power PSU to test with, just the extra PCI-E card that I'm using now.

 

[happy medium]

Mabe the quad core cpu pushed your psu over the edge?

You somehow screwed up the 4800 when you uninstalled/installed it?

My guess is psu.

Are you using the correct drivers?

 

[Udgnim]

windows does not like the new configuration

you're going to have to reinstall Windows unless you can get into safe mode and delete all of all the stuff that was associated with your previous system (if this doesn't work then I'm fairly certain the only action is a new Windows install)

 

[Schmide]

Unless you PSU is hitting the skids, it should have way more than enough to post and get into windows. You're only looking at 12v 10-13a to windows, 20a gaming.

 

[happy medium]

windows does not like the new configuration

you're going to have to reinstall Windows unless you can get into safe mode and delete all of all the stuff that was associated with your previous system (if this doesn't work then I'm fairly certain the only action is a new Windows install)

I was under the impression it was a clean install.

 

[NoQuarter]

Has nothing to do with Windows or drivers if it's failing to even post. It sounds like the mobo isn't giving enough power through the PCI-e lanes, so either the mobo is bad or the PSU is bad. Also did you try the 4850 in a different PCI-e slot?

 

[aggressor]

Oops, I forgot to mention it's fresh install of Windows 7 64bit.

 

[Udgnim]

your PSU provides 33A to the 12V line which puts it at a 400W PSU

that should still be enough juice for startup though

 

[Schmide]

your PSU provides 33A to the 12V line which puts it at a 400W PSU

that should still be enough juice for startup though

Huh? So the power that goes to the 3.3v, 5v and -12v is just ether? You can't find a single PSU that declares it total power as just the 12v.

 

[Udgnim]

Huh? So the power that goes to the 3.3v, 5v and -12v is just ether? You can't find a single PSU that declares it total power as just the 12v.

I basically assume PSUs provide sufficient power on the 3.3V and 5V lines and it's the 12V line that limits what a PSU can take in terms of CPU / video card power usage.

 

[aggressor]

Mabe the quad core cpu pushed your psu over the edge?

You somehow screwed up the 4800 when you uninstalled/installed it?

My guess is psu.

Are you using the correct drivers?

I have no drivers installed except for the Intel chipset drivers. I got Windows to install cleanly and then went and used Windows Update, and finally installed the Intel chipset drivers. The very first reboot = endless restarts or non-starts.

Something might be wrong with the 4870, but I have no idea how I would have broken it.

 

[aggressor]

I bought another power supply from Best Buy and now everything is working wonderfully. Hopefully I can RMA this OCZ.

I don't understand how it managed to die in-between the upgrade, though

 

[Meghan54]

The ps was probably on its last legs in your old system. Moving to the new setup just stressed the +12V rail more than it was capable of delivering....cap age, etc.

But, in all honesty, you're probably better off without it. That ps was a very old design from over 5 years ago.....a group regulated ToPower design, not exactly what would be considered even midrange these days.

 

[aggressor]

How have power supplies changed in 5 years? I honestly haven't kept up since I had no reason to