Bad video card, or insufficient power, or old motherboard?

[Codejack]

So, I'm working with a guy who is selling off a bunch of stuff, including some used computer stuff, so I grabbed an MSI R9 270X 2G off of him for $75.

I come home and plug it in, and no boot. One beep, everything starts to whirr, and then it winds down and only the fans are spinning, nothing else happens.

Here's the system (yea, yea, it's pieced together; I'm on a budget!)

CPU: i5-2400

Mobo: Intel DH61BE (2011 model)

RAM: 4GB G.Skill DDR3-1333

HD: WD SATA 320GB HD

Graphics:
Old: XFX Radeon 6770 1GB
New: MSI R9 270X 2GB

PSU: Thermaltake TR2-430


Now, I've run the numbers, and this setup should max out at ~350W, so it seems like it should be working. I've checked the seating, removed and cleaned everything, etc.

Or, is my motherboard too old? (doesn't seem like it should be...)

Note: He said that the guy who was using this card before was using it to mine bit coin; could it have a custom BIOS on it? I'm going to flip the switch and try it again.

 

[RaDiKaL_]

Start updating your BIOS to latest version, from R7 260/gtx 950 an onwards most mobos previous to them need a bios update to properly recognize them.

If that doesn't make it its very likely that the 270x is damaged, even with a modded BIOS u should be able to boot with no issue.

 

[DSzymborski]

How are you connecting the PSU to the GPU? I'm under the impression -- possibly wrong -- that the MSI 270x in question has 2x6 pin connectors and that that particular PSU only has one. On these not particularly robust PSUs, using molex connectors with adapters can be very problematic. Most 6770s that I am aware of use one (the 270x at load is like 50 more watts than the 6770s).

Also simply possible the GPU is dying. GPUs used for Bitcoin mining lead tough lives.

 

[Karadjgne]

That gpu recommends a 500w/24A psu. The tr2-430 is 430w/30A. Technically it should be enough as it should have the amperage on its 18/17A dual rails. You might try swapping the connections at the gpu.

What you are relying on is an accuracy of those psu numbers though, and the TR2 isn't what I'd call reliable there. Since you are close to maxing out the wattage, and amd cards in the 200 series are known over draw /spike wattage cards, it may just be that 270x is too much card for that psu. Or it might be a dead card, bcm isn't exactly easy on a gpu.

 

[Codejack]

Thanks for the replies.

Yea, I'm using a Molex adapter; I swapped the adapter to another line (seeing if it was a different rail), but didn't try swapping which plug went where. I'll try the BIOS update, then swapping plugs.

If it's a dead card, I'll get my money back; I know where he works

 

[Karadjgne]

For AMI bios, 1 short beep is the code for a DRAM refresh failure. In Dell, it's bios corruption. Since you don't have a Dell pc, I'd re-seat your ram. Just in case. For Award bios, 1 short beep means post is good, so either gpu is insufficiently powered or is fried.

 

[DSzymborski]

Thanks for the replies.

Yea, I'm using a Molex adapter; I swapped the adapter to another line (seeing if it was a different rail), but didn't try swapping which plug went where. I'll try the BIOS update, then swapping plugs.

If it's a dead card, I'll get my money back; I know where he works

Honestly, I'd just return it now. Even if you get it working, you still have a problem in that you're using molex on a low-end HEC-made PSU that's rated for that wattage at an unrealistic 25 degrees. PSUs like this, when they're missing connectors, are missing them for very good reasons. Look for a used 750ti that can be powered from the motherboard.

 

[Codejack]

Ok, so one problem is that my Bios is WAY too old, so I updated it.

Now it's stuck on the new splash screen. Any ideas? I did put the f7 bios file on a stick, just in case...

 

[Codejack]

Well, this was a nice little adventure.

For future reference, it turns out that older 6-series Intel chipsets, when upgrading the BIOS from pre-0099 versions, must be upgraded to 0099, then flashed again with 0120, which will fail, at which point you must shut down the computer, unplug the power cord, pull the CMOS jumper, plug the computer back in, and have a thumb drive with the 0120 bios file on it for the BIOS to auto-recover, after which, it will work wonderfully!

That is, I'm back exactly where I was when I started

Now I'm going to try the new video card. Wish me luck!

 

[Codejack]

OK, this was actually working 7 hours ago, but it was late (early...) so I went to bed.

The new (used) r9 270x is working just fine. The old BIOS wouldn't recognize it, which is why I had to flash it, but with the update, there don't seem to be any problems.

Now I just have to sell off the old 6770

Thanks for the help, all.