Refurb x850xt Issue - Update, PSU issue, card happy

[GrJohnso]

Okay, price was right, so I pulled the trigger on an x850xt refurb from Newegg. I have an older Antec Power Supply rated at 380watts... Has SATA power leads built in with the other normal connectors, but this was pre pci-e so no specific connector for that. I purchased one of those cheapy dual 12v to single pci-e power connnectors to power my card.

Current Hardware:

ASRock Dual-SATA939 with AGP and PCI-E slots
AMD x2 3800+
1 80gb SATA WD drive
1 160gb UDMA 133 WD drive
1 DVD Drive
1 CD/DVD Writer
1 gb mem
1 floppy drive

Previose graphics card 9800pro AGP

Everything worked great, no worries...

First attempt: Pull 9800pro, insert x850xt, forgot to add power to x850xt and flip "On" switch= "No Vid" beeps from MB, duh...

Second attempt: add cheapo y-cable standard adapter conversion to pci-e power adapter to x850xt = nothing. Fans don't even flinch, no nothing.

I suspsect that my power supply has met it's match, so next step to see if I'm close:

3rd attempt: unplug power from floppy, both DVD drives, and extra case fans = Same.. Dead, not even a flicker of light or power when power switch turned on...

4th attempt: Pull supplimental power out of x850xt, get the good old "No Vid" beeps. Good, haven't fried anything at least...

5th attempt: pull x850xt, insert 9800pro... = Running again with old, slow vid... At least it's working..

So, do those cheapo y-cable PCI-E adapter thingy's actually work normally? If so, am I just a fool to think my old 380watt power supply is enough to power this thing? Is this thing dead like so many other refurbs from newegg?

If I could get a quick reply I'd appreciate it. Want to make a trip to Fry's at lunch if I need a new PSU...

---------- Updated --------------
-
- New Enermax FMA 535w purchased and installed... Video card seems happy now.....
- 3dMark06 = 2397
- SM2 = 1178
- N/A = N/A
- CPU = 1863

Muchas gracias....

 

[GrJohnso]

Okay, no replies, no worries... Still would love some input... I pulled the trigger on an Enermax FMA 535w PSU... Couldn't justify paying Fry's cost on the Silverstone's, although I was close. Anyway, we'll see if it makes a difference as I know my old Antec Truepower was outdated, even if it's not the current issue it would soon be a bottleneck.

Still looking for thoughts on other possible issues...

Thanks....

 

[Matt2]

Maybe the card is just dead? I think that 380w with all the peripherals unplugged would be enough to boot the system up, even if it was unstable.

 

[GrJohnso]

That was my thought, but I was hoping against it... Hate dealing with DOA stuff... Anyway, heading home in an hour or so to try with the new PSU. I'll get back online and let ya'll know how it goes. If it fails, guess I just have to get a better new, non refurb card... Just don't let the wife know... shhh!

 

[evenmore1]

how much was it? Is this AGP? The PCIe's are a great deal right now. (new )

 

[GrJohnso]

$150 total after tax and shipping......

Anyway, new PSU made a difference. I've booted and am up and running. And yah, these things are loud... Need to drop by SVC and grab some Arctic Cooling for this guy..

One issue remains, some occasional hard locks when benching with 3dmark05 and Aquamark3. 3dmark06 runs fine... So far just tested with Oblivion and Quake4 demo without issues... Temps climb to about 70 under full load, but no higher...

still testing today... We'll see how it goes... going to clean out drivers and reinstall again. Good times...

 

[evenmore1]

Really? new ones are going for $10 more after shipping....oh well...give us some of your scores when you benchmark it. You just might convince me to upgrade

oh, and update your sig too

 

[GrJohnso]

Okay, first benches in with 3dmark06 running at x850xt PE speeds, 540 core, 587 mem... Temps never above 75c

3dMark06 = 2397
SM2 = 1178
N/A = N/A
CPU = 1863

Code Creatures at 1280-1024 (my LCD native)
Avg FPS 82.0
Polys 29.5

Seems to be working fine...