Video card, Motherboard, or something else?

[allies]

Hi all,

I recently threw together a rig:

3770K
16 GB Crucial Ballistix Tactical
Asus P8Z77-I
500 GB Samsung 830
Seasonic 550W G Series
MSI Twin Frozr III 7950

I assembled everything, did some mild overclocks, burned in using OCCT and it was stable for 8 hours, temps around 65C. Furmark'd for an hour or so and temps hovered slightly under 70C on the GPU.

Today I was playing Portal 2 and my computer suddenly shut down. When I tried to reboot, nothing happened at all. I reset the CMOS, still no luck. I unplugged the two PCIE connectors, and voila, the computer booted (presumably, I left the card in the PCIE slot and wasn't getting any display - but the fans on everything spun up). I didn't have time to remove the card and test because it's hard to finagle out of my m-ITX case and I need sleep, but I will do so tomorrow and see if everything works fine with onboard (my hunch is yes). However, if this is the case, how can I tell if it's a PSU problem or a GPU problem? I would think it's the latter since a mildly overclocked system with my specs shouldn't be pulling more than 375W under complete load, but then again I wasn't exhibiting ANY instability or artifacting until the random shutdown.

Any insight would be appreciated. Then I'll start the RMA on either the GPU or PSU (or is there an outside possibility that my mobo's PCIE slot crapped out on me?)

Thanks!

 

[videogames101]

Do you have another discrete card to try out? If you do, and the other card works, I'd RMA the GPU.


(Try the GPU in another PC too)

 

[DSF]

Do you have another discrete card to try out? If you do, and the other card works, I'd RMA the GPU.


(Try the GPU in another PC too)

This is a good step, although the best test would be another card that takes two PCI-e power connectors.

 

[allies]

I don't have another discrete card, much less one that has two PCIE ports Nor do I have another rig built to test the card with, nor do I have an extra power supply.

 

[DSF]

Without test parts anything we say would be speculation really. You don't have a friend who also builds you could bum a part from?

 

[allies]

Just moved to a new area with absolutely no friends. There is a Micro Center nearby, and I bought a few of my components there. I'm gonna go see if they can test them for me either tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Termie]

Have you tested the on-board video yet? You said you were going to, and any other speculation as to the issue is premature until we hear how that goes.

 

[mfenn]

I unplugged the two PCIE connectors, and voila, the computer booted (presumably, I left the card in the PCIE slot and wasn't getting any display - but the fans on everything spun up).

This doesn't really test much because the computer was not actually booting. Fans spinning but nothing else happening is the normal failure mode for a PCIe GPU without power plugged in.

Definitely pull the card completely out and see if it boots from the IGP.

 

[allies]

It booted from PERFECTLY without the card in. I've since swapped out the PSU, motherboard, AND power supply. I'm getting the SAME ISSUE. There's a split second where it *tries* to start (fans spin maybe 20 degrees) then it duds out. This is beyond me since I have a fresh PSU MOBO and GPU but I'm getting the same issue - combined with the fact that I can boot fine using the IGP.

Could possibly the PCIE controller on my CPU be bad? I honestly don't know what else could be the problem at this point. Like I said I was playing a game and the rig just shutdown, and hasn't been able to start back up with the GPU (old or new) since. Gah!

 

[Termie]

Please list clearly each component that you've replaced, including the model for both the original and the replacement.

First order of business after doing that is to remove one RAM stick.

 

[allies]

Removed: MSI 7950, replaced with MSI 7950*
Removed: SeaSonic G Series 550W, replaced with SeaSonic G Series 650W
Removed: Asus P8Z77-I, replaced with Asus P8Z77-I

* The replacement card was actually an "open box" item from Micro Center, as they didn't have any new ones when I went to go swap mine out. They said it was tested OK, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the GPU could still be the culprit.

I have tried with one stick of ram and the other, doesn't allow me to boot either way. I took the GPU out last night and ran Memtest86 overnight with both sticks of RAM in, no issues there at all...

 

[allies]

Actually, I'm thinking it could be either the new PSU or the faux-new GPU. I tried to boot my system with the GPU not plugged into the PCIE slot, but with the PCIE power ports connected, and my system would not boot...

 

[allies]

I've pretty much ruled out a short right? I mean I can boot into Windows and I have a fully operational computer as long as I'm using my IGP.

My RMA'd 550W SeaSonic should be tested this week - I guess there is the possibility that I got two bad PSUs. I'll wait to get that back before getting in touch with MSI for a replacement video card.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I mean I can boot into Windows and I have a fully operational computer as long as I'm using my IGP.

This sounds like the GFX card is the culprit. Do you have access to a different system you could test it in?.

 

[Termie]

I would absolutely get a different brand of GPU. It's possible that there's simply a compatibility issue with your Mini-ITX board.

Don't RMA the second PSU or motherboard. There's almost no chance at all that they are the problem. Just go to MicroCenter and pick up a GTX660Ti and give it a try.

As for your experiment with feeding power to the GPU without it being inserted, I'd suggest you not do that, as it could lead to component failure.

 

[allies]

I'd rather not get a GTX660Ti (less performance for same $) - my rig was working flawlessly for a week until the sudden shutdown. It's a major pain in the ass to get to micro center (45 minute drive) so I think my plan of action now is:

Wait to hear back about my 550W PSU that's getting tested at SeaSonic this week. If there WAS an issue with it, and they send me back an confirmed operational PSU, I will test in my rig. If my rig boots, then the 650W that I got from Amazon will be returned. If the rig doesn't work, I'll be RMA'ing my graphics card to MSI.

 

[allies]

This sounds like the GFX card is the culprit. Do you have access to a different system you could test it in?.

I really wish I did - or at least if Micro Center was a 20 minute drive I'd go and have them test it.

 

[allies]

Came across this thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18507114. Looks like TFIII cards have been having some pretty serious issues the entire year...

Edit: Couple of reports of faulty 6pin connectors on the TFIII. I think this is the issue with mine. Dunno if I should deal with an RMA to MSI or make the trek down to Micro Center again to swap it out for a different brand.

 

[videogames101]

Came across this thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18507114. Looks like TFIII cards have been having some pretty serious issues the entire year...

Edit: Couple of reports of faulty 6pin connectors on the TFIII. I think this is the issue with mine. Dunno if I should deal with an RMA to MSI or make the trek down to Micro Center again to swap it out for a different brand.

It'll be a lot faster to do it locally