How do I solve this video card error (Asus 4850)

[broadwayblue]

I added an Asus EAH4850 to my new Dell Inspiron 530. It's been working fine, but just the other day I noticed an error message in the asus smartdoctor. While it used to say "Your video card is OK" it now says:

VGA's voltage is out of safe bound.
Motherboard doesn't supply reliable 12.0 voltage. Contact with its manufacturer for help.

What's strange is that I bought 2 identical Dell 530's and added the same Asus card to both...and the other system doesn't give me this message. What should I do to correct it? Thanks!

 

[CKent]

Dells are for your grandma to surf aarp.com and get her email on... not for gaming. God only knows what's wrong with it, when friends or family with Dells ask me for help (if I make the mistake of picking up the phone...) I usually find the answer with much googling. And it's never an easy one... F Dell :frown:

 

[psihog]

according to wiki, is it true it has only a 250W power supply?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inspiron#Inspiron_530

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: psihog
according to wiki, is it true it has only a 250W power supply?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inspiron#Inspiron_530

From the wiki:

When ordered with an Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad processor, the 530 is equipped with a FoxConn G33m03 motherboard and a LiteOn 375W power supply. When ordered in any other configuration, the 530 is typically equipped with a FoxConn G33m02 motherboard and a 300W Bestec power supply.

I have the Q6600's. I did immediately think it might be the PSU...but others have posted that 4850's have run fine in their 530's. Is there any other way to verify my PSU wattage without opening the case?

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: psihog
according to wiki, is it true it has only a 250W power supply?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inspiron#Inspiron_530

From the wiki:

When ordered with an Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad processor, the 530 is equipped with a FoxConn G33m03 motherboard and a LiteOn 375W power supply. When ordered in any other configuration, the 530 is typically equipped with a FoxConn G33m02 motherboard and a 300W Bestec power supply.

I have the Q6600's. I did immediately think it might be the PSU...but others have posted that 4850's have run fine in their 530's. Is there any other way to verify my PSU wattage without opening the case?

There is NO way the 300Watt Bestec should be able to run card. That is a POS power supply that is also used in emachines, HP's, and Dell's. Liteon is a better brand but still a little underpowered.

You should really replace both power supplies with some Antec Earthwatt units.

And remember, just because a power supply that weak will possibly run that 4850, do you really want your power supply to be running near peak load every day? How long do you think that power supply will last running at it's peak capacity....not very long.

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: psihog
according to wiki, is it true it has only a 250W power supply?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inspiron#Inspiron_530

From the wiki:

When ordered with an Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad processor, the 530 is equipped with a FoxConn G33m03 motherboard and a LiteOn 375W power supply. When ordered in any other configuration, the 530 is typically equipped with a FoxConn G33m02 motherboard and a 300W Bestec power supply.

I have the Q6600's. I did immediately think it might be the PSU...but others have posted that 4850's have run fine in their 530's. Is there any other way to verify my PSU wattage without opening the case?

There is NO way the 300Watt Bestec should be able to run card. That is a POS power supply that is also used in emachines, HP's, and Dell's. Liteon is a better brand but still a little underpowered.

You should really replace both power supplies with some Antec Earthwatt units.

And remember, just because a power supply that weak will possibly run that 4850, do you really want your power supply to be running near peak load every day? How long do you think that power supply will last running at it's peak capacity....not very long.

My system (Q6600) is configured with the LiteOn 375W power supply as detailed in the wiki. Is that still incapable of powering the 4850?

 

[daveybrat]

Like i said earlier, even if you can run the system fine with that 375Watt power supply, do you really want to run it near full load all the time? That's why getting a good quality 500Watt+ power supply is essential for the newer video cards. You won't be stressing your power supply nearly as much and give your system more room to breath and live longer. I wouldn't want my computer's power supply to run at 80-90% load all the time.

I'd replace both power supplies myself.

 

[unr3al]

Good grief I have a 400W AOpen and I wouldn't run an HD4850 on it, its sure to cause problems, especially in the long run. All PSUs supply less power as they grow older. I think this is what happened in your case; the PSU simply cannot handle the pressure anymore.

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: unr3al
Good grief I have a 400W AOpen and I wouldn't run an HD4850 on it, its sure to cause problems, especially in the long run. All PSUs supply less power as they grow older. I think this is what happened in your case; the PSU simply cannot handle the pressure anymore.

My system is only a couple weeks old. I put the 4850 in it the night I set it up for the first time.

Anyway, it sounds like you guys are confident it's a power supply issue. What PSU should I get? Is this a good unit:

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply

Seems like a good deal for about $40 shipped (darn NY tax).

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Like i said earlier, even if you can run the system fine with that 375Watt power supply, do you really want to run it near full load all the time? That's why getting a good quality 500Watt+ power supply is essential for the newer video cards. You won't be stressing your power supply nearly as much and give your system more room to breath and live longer. I wouldn't want my computer's power supply to run at 80-90% load all the time.

I'd replace both power supplies myself.

Ok, I'm ready to upgrade the PSU. What should I get? Ideally it won't cost more than the PC did.

 

[Modular]

Antec Earthwatts (as has been recommended).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ion=earthwatts&x=0&y=0

The lowest one you can get is the 430 watt. But for the sake of longevity, you may want to buy the 500 watter instead. That being said, I run the 430 watt model with an HD4850, but the rest of my system doesn't require much power:

939 A64 3400+ @2.5Ghz
2GB (4x512) PC3200 Corsair Value Ram
Lite-on DVD Burner
2xSeagate 100GB Sata drives
A mixture of 80mm and 120mm fans for cooling

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: Modular
Antec Earthwatts (as has been recommended).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ion=earthwatts&x=0&y=0

The lowest one you can get is the 430 watt. But for the sake of longevity, you may want to buy the 500 watter instead. That being said, I run the 430 watt model with an HD4850, but the rest of my system doesn't require much power:

939 A64 3400+ @2.5Ghz
2GB (4x512) PC3200 Corsair Value Ram
Lite-on DVD Burner
2xSeagate 100GB Sata drives
A mixture of 80mm and 120mm fans for cooling

Tough call...the 500w is more than twice the price of the 430w. But I'm wondering how much of an improvement the 430w Antec is over my stock LiteOn 375w. I guess adding the extra 55w should be enough to give the PSU some breathing room.

 

[daveybrat]

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W ATX12V Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail

This is by far the best deal. 3 12V rails and made by seasonic. I have this exact power supply and it's very quiet and efficient. $59 and free shipping!

:thumbsup:

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W ATX12V Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail

This is by far the best deal. 3 12V rails and made by seasonic. I have this exact power supply and it's very quiet and efficient. $59 and free shipping!

:thumbsup:

I like that it's 550w...and the price isn't horrible. But the reviews don't seem so hot. Any idea if it will fit in the Dell Inspiron 530 case...or how I can find out? Thanks.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W ATX12V Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail

This is by far the best deal. 3 12V rails and made by seasonic. I have this exact power supply and it's very quiet and efficient. $59 and free shipping!

:thumbsup:

I like that it's 550w...and the price isn't horrible. But the reviews don't seem so hot. Any idea if it will fit in the Dell Inspiron 530 case...or how I can find out? Thanks.

Don't worry about newegg reviews. It's a great power supply that gets very good reviews on real websites. It's made by Seasonic, a very reputable name. I've had this power supply for over a year running great.

And yes, that inspiron case takes standard size power supplies, so you're good to go!

Here's a real review on this power supply and it's recent:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...-roundup_12.html#sect0

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 550W ATX12V Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail

This is by far the best deal. 3 12V rails and made by seasonic. I have this exact power supply and it's very quiet and efficient. $59 and free shipping!

:thumbsup:

I like that it's 550w...and the price isn't horrible. But the reviews don't seem so hot. Any idea if it will fit in the Dell Inspiron 530 case...or how I can find out? Thanks.

Don't worry about newegg reviews. It's a great power supply that gets very good reviews on real websites. It's made by Seasonic, a very reputable name. I've had this power supply for over a year running great.

And yes, that inspiron case takes standard size power supplies, so you're good to go!

Here's a real review on this power supply and it's recent:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...-roundup_12.html#sect0

Thanks again for all the info. I might purchase it this evening. I've never swapped out a PSU before...any chance they include instructions, in English? . I imagine it's fairly straightforward...but I don't want to mess anything up.

 

[daveybrat]

It's very easy, the hardest part is the cable management....making it look nice and neat inside. Just use some zip ties or cable ties to bundle up the wires.

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
It's very easy, the hardest part is the cable management....making it look nice and neat inside. Just use some zip ties or cable ties to bundle up the wires.

I've been reading about PSUs and "rails". Do I have to be careful to somehow split the load of the various components...or are the cables already divided in such a fashion so that they won't be overloaded?

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: daveybrat
It's very easy, the hardest part is the cable management....making it look nice and neat inside. Just use some zip ties or cable ties to bundle up the wires.

I've been reading about PSUs and "rails". Do I have to be careful to somehow split the load of the various components...or are the cables already divided in such a fashion so that they won't be overloaded?

Don't worry about that. Your video card will use the 6-pin dedicated connector's from your new power supply anyways. Just plug everything in and it will allocate everything fine.

 

[broadwayblue]

Originally posted by: daveybrat

Originally posted by: broadwayblue

Originally posted by: daveybrat
It's very easy, the hardest part is the cable management....making it look nice and neat inside. Just use some zip ties or cable ties to bundle up the wires.

I've been reading about PSUs and "rails". Do I have to be careful to somehow split the load of the various components...or are the cables already divided in such a fashion so that they won't be overloaded?

Don't worry about that. Your video card will use the 6-pin dedicated connector's from your new power supply anyways. Just plug everything in and it will allocate everything fine.

Thanks again for all the help. I really appreciate it.