psu, graphics card, nvidia system sentinel

[sjgpixel]

Ok, just wanna make sure im not crazy and I am on the correct path here.

I have a ultra v series 500(hahaha) watt psu that came with my case. The psu is supposedly 28amp on the 12v rail. Im trying to power a somewhat simple system with it. 7900 gto / athlon xp 4000 / 2 hd's. Im getting nvidia system sentinel coming up saying there is no power cord attached to the card and there is. First thing I did. I made sure all my drivers were up to date, no magic. I ended up rma'ing the card to the manufacturer and they sent me a tested sample card and im getting the same issue. At this point im figuring that its probably the psu to be honest. Just for my peace of mind. I tried a 7300 gs which does not require a pci-e connector and of course no problems there. Is there any logical chance it may not be the power supply and might be the motherboard not passing enough energy though the pci-e slot? Or am I just using a crappy psu?

Im planning on replacing the current psu with a: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH

 

[dBTelos]

Interesting, a V-Series 500W can push that system. Have you tried a different moltex connector? How about an adaptor on a sata connection or something.

 

[Rommel44]

You really should buy new PSU - Seasonic 430 or 500 would be my choice.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: sjgpixel
Im getting nvidia system sentinel coming up saying there is no power cord attached to the card and there is.

Ok.. Forgive me for being Mr. Obvious here, but did you check the 6-pin PCI-e connector with a DMM to make sure there's 12V there? Could be a bad connector, wire, etc. on the PSU.

 

[sjgpixel]

I dont have a DMM, I did use the supplied dual molex to pci-e connector and still no magic. I mean, rated power wise. It -should- push the system. I ...just dont know what to do at this point. To be honest. Im somewhat hardware savvy But ..im lost at this point.

 

[sjgpixel]

Just a additional note, I did try another psu. It was a noname 430 watt - rated for 2 rails @ 14 amp each. I dont really know how much I trust the rating on that beast. Im pretty much at my wits end. If its just the psu being too weak then Im happy to upgrade. But if its something else..I dunno.

 

[dBTelos]

Did the noname 430W work?

 

[sjgpixel]

well work...is a relative term. The system booted and ran. But it still powered the card down into the sloooooow mode..

 

[dBTelos]

Did it say that the moltex connector wasn't plugged in?

 

[sjgpixel]

Yep, said it wasnt plugged in, or the power supply was not supplying enough power.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Did it say that the moltex connector wasn't plugged in?

Right. If you get the "no power via connector" error and you tried both the PCI-e and the Molex adapter, then you ruled out the particular connector.

If you use another PSU and don't get the "no power via connector" error, then you ruled out everything but the PSU.

So it sounds like there's something wrong with the PSU. You can RMA it or use this as an excuse to get something stout.

Not sure if they'll let you RMA just the PSU or if you have to RMA the whole case. My guess is that if you called Ultra, they'd probably ship you out a boxed V-Series. But don't quote me on that.

 

[sjgpixel]

Yeah, Have no idea on that. Guess ill have to dig up a number and try to call them.

 

[dBTelos]

Take another look Jonny, he said that the other PSU (the no-name one), gave him the same "no moltex power connector connected" error. So it couldn't be the PSU, if another PSU is doing the same thing.... or could it :Q

 

[sjgpixel]

well the no-name psu honestly could have been a really horrible psu....Who knows....it came as part of a case/psu combo that was like 75 bucks... so...I wouldnt sink too much into it. honestly. At this point, Im pretty darn sure its not the graphics card. Im gonna try psu. if thats not it..I dont really know what next.

 

[sjgpixel]

Btw...the cheapo case + psu was this thing. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144026
Ive heard bad things about apevia / aspire so yeah...

 

[jonnyGURU]

Still.... you're power demands shouldn't be so much that EITHER PSU would complain.

If both are, and you've RMA'd the card, maybe the problem is the board? Not sure.

 

[dBTelos]

I wouldn't think too much of Aspire either, their PSUs are terrible. But I have a hard time pointing the blame at the Ultra, just because both the Ultra and Aspire had the same result. Have you tried updating the drivers?

 

[sjgpixel]

Ive used quite a few different drivers. back on the 91.47's now. Well its either the psu or the mobo. I guess I hope its the psu to be honest.

 

[dBTelos]

Might as well RMA it, I guess.

 

[sjgpixel]

psu is pretty easy, I can pick up a enhance and just rma the ultra and if that goes swell ill have a nice backup. If its the mobo.. mobo is pretty expensive.. Ill have to wait for it which will suck alot .

 

[dBTelos]

Don't buy a Enhance yet, it could not be a PSU problem.

 

[Hyperlite]

but he doesn't have anything else left to test unless he can get another video card, and the odds are better that its a psu problem than a fubared 7900gto

 

[sjgpixel]

Well Ive rma'ed one 7900 gto, and evga sent me another. Both do the same thing. Mind you I used a 7300 gs while my gto was being rma'ed and I had no problems. Though the 7300 does NOT require a seperate pci-e connector. So its either both those psu's were problem's or they were not powerful enough to power this system. Or somehow the motherboard is screwed up and not passing enough power through to the video card. I dont know how that could do it. But im sure that its possible.

 

[dBTelos]

RMA the PSU, if that doesn't work then RMA the mobo.

 

[sjgpixel]

Is neither the psu or mobo. I installed a new asus mobo and new corsair hx520 psu. STILL getting the message.. Im starting to wonder if the card was bad from evga rma. Anyhow. Reinstalled xp/drivers. gonna contact evga in the morning. Cant believe my luck, 2 bad cards in a row. I wonder If I was sent back the same card from rma... hrm..