Video Card Help for ASUS P5Q

[Umberger]

Hi,

I just upgraded to an ASUS P5Q mobo, with 2x1GB Gskill 1066 and a Core2 Quad Q6600. In my original purchase, I ordered two EVGA 8600GT's. However, these cards don't like this motherboard apparently. It won't boot with them installed. It's not a power or memory problem, if I have another video card in a secondary PCI-e slot, the computer will post on that monitor. If I switch in my older 7100GS, it works fine. Odd.

MY QUESTION IS:
I just had to return two non-returnable cards to newegg and eat a $21 restocking fee. Please don't let me make this mistake again. I am going to use the 7100GS for one monitor, but I need another card to run the other TWO. I'd prefer Nvidia. Budget is approximately $120 (or thereabouts) It'll be running 2 monitors each at 1280x1024. Not much gaming but I do a good bit of 3d modeling and I would like some basic gaming ability if I should want it.

Cliffs:
-P5Q didn't like my EVGA 8600GT
-Pick me a compatible card to run 2 monitors
-Not much gaming
-Around $120-ish



Thanks!

 

[AmberClad]

I'm confused about what's happening here.

- It doesn't work with both 8600GTs installed
- It works with the 8600GT + 7100GS? Or it works with only the 7100GS?

Which P5Q is this, btw? The P5Q vanilla doesn't have two PCIe x16 slots.

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I'm confused about what's happening here.

- It doesn't work with both 8600GTs installed
- It works with the 8600GT + 7100GS? Or it works with only the 7100GS?

Which P5Q is this, btw? The P5Q vanilla doesn't have two PCIe x16 slots.

This is a P5Q Deluxe. Sorry... left that out.

It will not display anything on either of the 8600GT's. Ever.
-If an 8600 is the only thing installed, it won't do anything
-If 2 8600's are installed, it won't do anything.
-If an 8600 is in the primary PCI-e slot and the 7100 is in the secondary one, I get a display on the 7100 only.
-If an 8600 is in the secondary slot, and the 7100 is in the primary, I get a display on the 7100 only.

Basically, the 8600's will not display anything ever. I tried updating the BIOS to no avail. I did a little research and found a few other people that reported similar problems.

At this point, I just need a recommendation for a new card. Class starts on Monday and I need one by then. I'm looking at the ASUS 8600GTS (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121069">[url]http://www.newegg.com/Prod...?Item=N82E16814121069)[/url]</a>, but I don't want to have some stupid compatibility problem again... has anyone had this card work with the P5Q? Other suggestions?

 

[AmberClad]

Hmm, that's quite odd. My 8800GTS (G80) worked fine in my P5Q Pro with the stock BIOS.

Have you tried the 8600GT with a VGA monitor using the adapter plugs?

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Hmm, that's quite odd. My 8800GTS (G80) worked fine in my P5Q Pro with the stock BIOS.

Have you tried the 8600GT with a VGA monitor using the adapter plugs?

Yeah, I did that last night. This is by far the weirdest problem I have ever seen. Which manufacturer was your 8800? I only found reports of this problem with the EVGA version of the 8600.

 

[AmberClad]

Mine was a PNY (reference model).

After Googling a bit, there seems to be a fair number of people having problems with the eVGA 8600GT and one of the various P5Q variants (NewEgg, NCIX, and some enthusiast forums)...

ASUS would like you to buy one of their own GeForce cards, perhaps . But yeah, maybe you've run into some sort of unusual compatibility issue.

 

[Umberger]

The reason that I'm now leaning toward ASUS is because I figure that I'll have a better shot at it being compatible. I'm just scared that the same thing'll happen and I'll be screwed again.