Question Asus Z390-A won't boot with 3060 connected unless it's powered externally - PSU issue?

[Life_On_Mars]

System -

Asus Z390-A
i9900k
Palit 3060 StormX (not for gaming, just wanted HDMI 2.1)
32gb RAM
2x SSD's and 2x HDD's

As the title says - just bought the 3060 and my PC won't boot with it connected. I was previously using the Intel on board display outputs, which did (and still do ) work fine.

I tried powering the 3060 externally via a second PC, and it worked, but it won't work when connected to the actual PC's power supply, an 800w beQuiet Straight Power10 Mod - should be more than enough right? I don't have anything else unexpected drawing a lot of power.

I've tested the PCIe slot with an old Radeon GPU - system boots up fine and I'm seeing the GPU in device manager.

Is it safe to assume it's definitely the PSU that needs replacing, not the MOBO?

I assume if I just replace the PSU with the same model, and plug everything in where it was plugged in to the original, I shouldn't have any weird issues with the hardware swap?

 

[boju]

I tried powering the 3060 externally via a second PC, and it worked, but it won't work when connected to the actual PC's power supply

Have you checked making sure pcie supplimentary plug is connected psu end?

 

[Life_On_Mars]

Have you checked making sure pcie supplimentary plug is connected psu end?

Thanks for the reply. Yes I've triple checked it. It powers on fine when I put a second machine next to it, and plug it into that PSU instead.

 

[boju]

Hmm that's weird. Somehow i still think it's something to do with pcie power to beQuiet. Replug the psu end.

The old Amd card you tried used the same pcie cable?

 

[boju]

I should've also have mentioned never to use other pcie cables from different psus, that includes other modular power cables as well. Even if that isn't the case here or possibly something you'd try without knowing the consequences, it's worth knowing if you didn't. Power supply companies don't follow pinout standards so wiring can be different and can cause damage if psu doesn't have short protections to prevent powering on. Rule of thumb is only use cables intended for the original psu.

 

[Life_On_Mars]

The AMD card didn't require any extra power, it's powered by the PCIe slot alone. I don't have another GPU here that requires additional power to test it with, unfortunately.

That's good to know about the cables. Seems like I got lucky and it just worked, but I won't try it again.

I've replugged the PSU end into the both PCIe slots on the PSU, one of them just does nothing, doesn't stop boot, but doesn't power the card either. The other one stops the system booting as soon as the PCIe is plugged into the 3060. Unplug it and it works.

 

[boju]

That's good to know about the cables. Seems like I got lucky and it just worked, but I won't try it again.

What worked? Assuming you meant jerry rigging graphics card from another computer, well that's fine because those cables belong to the power supply in the other computer. Im talking about the beQuiet psu, can't plug foreign cables into it (psu side) that didn't come with it.

So basically my question is, the pcie cables that connect to beQuiet psu are the cables this psu came with in the box?

 

[Life_On_Mars]

I had the GPU plugged into my main PC (the one that wouldn't boot) and rigged it to the PCIe power ports of the PSU on the second PC (Corsair CS750). I used the cables that came with beQuiet PSU on my main PC to rig it to the Corsair PSU. Those are the cables I've been using during the whole testing period. There are two copies of the cable, I tried them both. It's doesn't seem to be the cable thats the issue though as it powered the GPU via the Corsair PSU in the second PC.

 

[Life_On_Mars]

The way I'm having to plug the PCIe cable in to the PSU on my main PC is incredibly awkward. I have to reach down beneath drive bays and round a corner underneath a metal 'guard' section that I can't easily remove, and kind of press the 8 pin in from a distance. Perhaps this is the issue. I had assumed since I'm seeing different behaviour when it's plugged in (not booting) then that was a sign that it was plugged in properly, on reflection that's probably not a safe assumption.

I think I need to unscrew the PSU and pull it out so I can access those slots and really doubly confirm that I've got the PCIe plugged in properly.

Is there any issue with me running the PC while the PSU is sat outside the case? So I can test without keep having to screw it in and out of place?

 

[boju]

Is there any issue with me running the PC while the PSU is sat outside the case? So I can test without keep having to screw it in and out of place?

That is fine but just let it sit on the edge touching case so case is grounded when powered on.

 

[boju]

If some day you look at improving your case situation, (some other day), I've had the pleasure of working with Lian Li Lancool Mesh performance 2. There's version 3 out now but similar with an extra front fan. The bottom chamber where psu sits has easy access. For next time

Lancool-II-Mesh-Performance

<h2>Born to push the limits</h2> LANCOOL II MESH Performance features a mesh front panel and mesh bottom left shroud panel, honeycomb vent design and built-in PWM fans, ensuring bountiful airflow delivered to your components while the system runs at peak performance. <span...

lian-li.com

 

[boju]

I had the GPU plugged into my main PC (the one that wouldn't boot) and rigged it to the PCIe power ports of the PSU on the second PC (Corsair CS750). I used the cables that came with beQuiet PSU on my main PC to rig it to the Corsair PSU. Those are the cables I've been using during the whole testing period. There are two copies of the cable, I tried them both. It's doesn't seem to be the cable thats the issue though as it powered the GPU via the Corsair PSU in the second PC.

Were very lucky there. Corsair and beQuiet must share same pinout digram. I thought you took the Corsair pcie cable, still connected to Corsair, and plugged the other end (6+2) to the graphics card, not removing beQuiet pcie cable and connecting that directly to Corsair. This is a bit of a mess and i think this whole ordeal is just that, can't get easy access at the back of your pc's psu to be sure how pcie cable is connecting.

 

[sitehostplus]

Double check your bios and see if there is an option for onboard graphics. If it is there, turn it off!