Computer won't boot up with GTX 280

[Igor01]

Replaced my 8800 GTX with a 280 - no go. The CPU fan and the case fans won't even spin when both the 6-pin and the 8-pin connectors are plugged into the 280. Wattage should be no problem - my power supply is a Seasonic S12 600 Watts, the CPU is a E6600 @3.4, only 2x1GB RAM at default voltage, 4x harddrives and a DVD burner. From my research, the PSU should have no trouble driving such and even higher system (never had any problems while running the computer with the 8800 GTX).

The funny thing is that when I tried to boot up without the 8-pin connector plugged in (just for ****z and giggles), the CPU and the case fans come to life, but of course the system never fully boots, so I suspect either the 8-pin EPS is not working properly. Or the 280 could be DOA.

Any thoughts/suggestions/insights would be appreciated.

[brady]

I'd recommend trying to boot up with the 280 plugged in but unplug 3 of the 4 hard drives and anything else you can spare. If it boots up with all nonessential peripherals then you have a pretty good idea that your PSU just isn't up to the task.

[Bearclaw]

Get a new PSU -- one that is up to the challenge.

[Igor01]

I'd recommend trying to boot up with the 280 plugged in but unplug 3 of the 4 hard drives and anything else you can spare. If it boots up with all nonessential peripherals then you have a pretty good idea that your PSU just isn't up to the task.

Thanks, I've already tried that. As well as underclocking the CPU back to stock 2.6. No difference whatsoever. Can just the EPS 8-pin line go bad? All the other connectors seem to be pumping juice just fine.

Assuming I need a new PSU, what should I get considering the fact that I likely need 700+ Watt output, plenty of connectors with decent length cables, and last but not least - very low noise?

[mailman2]

failure rate on the 280s seems to be quite high.

[Lfctony]

Man, the EPS 8-Pin cable is for the motherboard if it needs it. Video cards need a different 8-pin cable... You probably killed the card too...

[Igor01]

Man, the EPS 8-Pin cable is for the motherboard if it needs it. Video cards need a different 8-pin cable... You probably killed the card too...

Could you elaborate please? What kind of other 8-pin EPS cable is needed? My PSU is 2 years old Seasonic S12 600 Watt. Which PSU should I get that has the right connector?

[Lfctony]

There are 2 types of 8-pin cables AFAIK. One is for certain motherboards and the other is for newer video cards. Only recently have PSUs started to carry the PCIe 8-Pin connector. So I guess that since you got your PSU 2 years ago, it doesn't have the correct connector...

http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2007/03/21/eight-pin-pcie-gpu-connector-updated

The left 8-Pin is the motherboard one, the right one is the graphics card one.


You need a PSU that says "Pci Express 8-Pin" or "6+2 Pin" on the specs...


This is the newer M12II PSU
http://www.seasonicusa.com/M12II.htm

Notice at the wires the 6+2 Connector.

Your PSU only has the 6P connector, and the normal EPS 8P which is not for video cards...

[K007]

Lets hope your Video card is ok.

Shouldn't there be a 8-6 pin convector thing on the gpus? Or do you have to have a psu with a 8pin or 6+2?...

[Lfctony]

There should be a converter inside, you need at least 2 6P connectors, some Psus only have one...

[Igor01]

There should be a converter inside, you need at least 2 6P connectors, some Psus only have one...

Thanks alot, I had no idea there are different 8-pin connectors. What is this converter you speak of, does it convert a 6-pin connector into a proper 8-pin PCI-e connector, or does it convert two 6-pin connectors into one 8-pin PCI-e? My PSU has two 6-pins and one 8-pin motherboard connector (the one I mistook for a PCI-e connector). And when you say "there should be a converter inside", what do you mean, the video card or the PSU? I didn't see it in either of the boxes. Or can be it be purchase separately?

Many thanks for your help guys.

[Lfctony]

My BFG had one, Asus has one, Sparkle, Gigabyte. XFX doesn't include one, nor does MSI I think. Don't know about eVGA, they didn't offer one with the 9800GX2.

You can buy either type. There's 2. One is 2x6P into 1x8P and the other is a 6P -> 8P. If you get the 2x6P -> 8P, you'll need another converter for 2x4P -> 6P! :)

[K007]

Can always browse the site for the package and see what is supplied or do a google on the brand card review and 99% review sites show what is in the package.

[Igor01]

You can buy either type. There's 2. One is 2x6P into 1x8P and the other is a 6P -> 8P.

So there is still hope at the end of the tunnel for my upgrade hehe. Ok, just so I get this right - I can buy a converter that will transform my one unused 6P connector into a fully-fledged 8P one? So in the end, I will be able to run the 280 with just my two 6P connectors (one regular 6P and one 6P converted to 8P), correct? If yes, what exactly is such a converter called and is it carried by regular computer stores like tigerdirect?

[Lfctony]

You need one of these 2...

http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=284818

Though I couldn't find any in newegg or tigerdirect...

[turdhat]

Man I had to get a new PS for my 280 and it had the 6+2 and the new 8 pin 12v. The new 8 pin 12v connector fit right in to the 280 and I thought that was the right connector. THANK GOD I double check everything before I fire up the pc after making drastic changes !! There was no forcing it it slid right in... I could have easily fried my new card and who knows what else. They need to make that new 8pin mobo connector red and label is as such...

My new ps is a 650 Antec neopower BTW..

[Igor01]

You need one of these 2...

http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=284818

Though I couldn't find any in newegg or tigerdirect...

Thanks a lot. I've done some more research and it appears that even though a single 6P can be converted into an 8P, it officially supplies only up to 75W of power while the true 8P connector provides 150W. There are varying opinions on whether such a converted 8P connector should or should not be used (as the 6P usually can pump more than 75W), and the manufacturers recommend against using such converters, at least for the 9800GX2 cards. I'll try to locate a connector and attempt running the card with my old PSU first, failing that I'll need to get a new PSU (provided I haven't killed the 280 already).

What would be a good silent PSU with long cables in the 600-800W range?

UPDATE: apparently the converted 6to8P connector can only reliable pump up to 108W and since the GTX 280 draws as much as 300W under load I've picked up a new PSU instead of doing the converter thing. My local store had the Corsair TX750W for $125 and it has 4 6+2 connectors so in theory it will handle the 280 (or two of them if I add one later).

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions guys. I just hope that me stupidly jamming the EPS line into the PCI connector on the videocard did not fry the 280.

[XDanger]

Man, the EPS 8-Pin cable is for the motherboard if it needs it. Video cards need a different 8-pin cable... You probably killed the card too...

That was my first thought when I read the OP ,Then I thought,Why the hell would they key them the same that would be sooo stoopid ???????

[Lfctony]

Let us know how it goes mate...

[Igor01]

Everything works like a charm with the new PSU! Overclocked the GTX 280 to 700 core / 1200 memory and running stability tests now. Time to sell the 8800 GTX and the Seasonic PSU!

[spajdr]

i got that PSU before i got 1000W corsair HX1000 and its a nice PSU surely :)

[hell_of_doom227]

$650 for video card + $300 for power station...are they kidding me...