System won't boot with an XFX 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 shitz 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.

[Eagle Eye]

According to nVidia's website the minimum system power requirement is a 550watt powersupply I am going to go out on a limb and say that your powersupply is the problem here only because you are overclocking and I don't think it fits the bill for such a highend GPU.

Honestly I believe SKYMTL would be better able to assist you since he's personally has one and would know what type of powersupply would be best for the GTX280. Your best bet if you can get a hand on a more powerful powersupply would be to test it against it.

Does the fan spin on the video card at all when you boot the system?
Is there any beep codes that you recieve that might indicate a gpu problem?
Have you tried booting the system at stock settings?

EE

[Igor01]

WHen both power connectors are plugged into the videocard - no fans spin, no POST beeps, pretty much nothing happens, although the green LED on the mobo is lit indicating it's getting power. I've tried downclocking the CPU/RAM to stock, disconnected the harddrives - no effect.

[Cardboard box with DSL]

The card alone draws over 200W idle and close to 400W on load, if google is to be trusted. I bet its a power issue, the card is trying to draw enough wattage for its self, and not leaving enough power for the rest of the system.
You might need to grab a more powerful powersupply to power both your system and the card, but dont just take my word for it. Hopefully SKYMTL finds this thread soon and we'll see what he has to say.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by 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 shitz 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.

You need a new power supply.

Just because its a 600w doesn't mean thats its 600w. Most power supplies put their "peak" and not their normal usage.

[DK2]

Originally Posted by Cardboard box with DSL

The card alone draws over 200W idle and close to 400W on load, if google is to be trusted. I bet its a power issue, the card is trying to draw enough wattage for its self, and not leaving enough power for the rest of the system.
You might need to grab a more powerful powersupply to power both your system and the card, but dont just take my word for it. Hopefully SKYMTL finds this thread soon and we'll see what he has to say.

That’s the whole system, not just the 280.

[Cardboard box with DSL]

I should have noticed that...

Did your PSU come with standard 8-pin PCI-E connectors? Or are you using a molex to 8-pin converter?

[Cheator]

Originally Posted by enaberif

You need a new power supply.

Just because its a 600w doesn't mean thats its 600w. Most power supplies put their "peak" and not their normal usage.

This is seasonic we're talkign about, some of the best and most efficient PSUs on the market.

I suspect, however, that there is too much draw. These pull alot of amps, and with a dual rail system, you probably don't have enough amps to support it.However, can you try it in another system?

[Igor01]

Thanks for the help guys. Turns out what I thought was an 8-pin PCI-e connector was actually the 8-pin EPS line. I had no clue that my Seasonic does not have an 8P PCI-e connector at all. There is a way to convert a 6P connector to an 8P one with an adaptor but since it would still be be a 6P line with max output of 108W (216W total for the two connectors to be used on the GTX 280), I've instead opted for a new PSU that has four 6+2 combo connectors which will be enough to drive two GTX 280's if needed. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[Cheator]

Originally Posted by Igor01

Thanks for the help guys. Turns out what I thought was an 8-pin PCI-e connector was actually the 8-pin EPS line. I had no clue that my Seasonic does not have an 8P PCI-e connector at all. There is a way to convert a 6P connector to an 8P one with an adaptor but since it would still be be a 6P line with max output of 108W (216W total for the two connectors to be used on the GTX 280), I've instead opted for a new PSU that has four 6+2 combo connectors which will be enough to drive two GTX 280's if needed. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Just one more suggestion. gimme your 600w Seasonic