GPU Upgrade Not Detected By Motherboard

[superhaloid3]

Okay, first off, here's my componets if that helps:

Thermaltake VM54521N2U V2 ATX Mid Tower
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7328068

2x Centon 4GB DDR3 1333MHz
Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard
AMD FX 6300
Galaxy Nvidia GeForce 650ti 1GB

I was using a Radeon HD 5450 previously and I recently purchased the 650ti listed above. When I install the card into it and turn it on, I get 1 long beep followed by 3 short beeps, which from what I understand based on the research I've done means that there is no video card detected. Interestingly, if I leave a 3.5mm speaker plugged into the back about two minutes later I hear Windows boot. I'm using this build minus the 650ti right now to post this, with my original HD 5450 and I know there hasn't been any problems with that.

The things that I've tried include:

• 
  Inserting firmly into both PCIe slots
  Removing extra components like a sata optical drive
  Re-seating ram
  Removing the battery which I believe clears the cmos (I'm not too familiar with that process)
  Removing the motherboard from the case and testing it on top of it's cardboard box, no difference
  Testing on another motherboard, no video most likely due to it using its onboard video
  Checking the bios to change various settings while both cards were connected

In conclusion, I've been led to two different possible conclusions.

• 
  The video card is completely dead, however the fan on it spins indicating power to it
  There is not enough voltage/wattage going to it as it requires a 400w PSU and my 450w included with my case is barely skimming that requirement

I would like to gain access to another PSU later on, hopefully from an older PC because I've already spent enough on components. Thoughts? I feel as if I've tried everything within my power at the moment.

 

[herrwizo]

Sir, noname and bad quality PSUs can't even provide HALF of their rated power. I firmly believe PSU is the issue here. An exact model would help, though.

Get a quality unit from Seasonic or XFX (550W will be more than enough as long as you don't SLI more than one graphics card).

EDIT: And please, by all means, avoid using another questionable-quality PSU. Get a proper one. Cheap PSUs can fry your motherboard and other components. Cheaping out on PSUs is the worst idea. If you must, cheap on everything else, but never, ever on the PSU. This is the most important component in your rig, a basis for everything else.

 

[superhaloid3]

Sir, noname and bad quality PSUs can't even provide HALF of their rated power. I firmly believe PSU is the issue here. An exact model would help, though.

Get a quality unit from Seasonic or XFX (550W will be more than enough as long as you don't SLI more than one graphics card).

EDIT: And please, by all means, avoid using another questionable-quality PSU. Get a proper one. Cheap PSUs can fry your motherboard and other components. Cheaping out on PSUs is the worst idea. If you must, cheap on everything else, but never, ever on the PSU. This is the most important component in your rig, a basis for everything else.

Okay, thanks! It was included with my case as a combo kit (the first pc I ever put together) so I didn't think on it too hard, but I've learned my lesson. The model is a TT-450nl2nk. Below is a poorly lighted photo of the voltage chart on it.

So, your recommendation is to get a good one? I'm trying not to spend more then I have to, if I can help it. I have a local PC hardware store nearby that I may be able to shop for there if I need to (because I wanna play some pc games already)

 

[herrwizo]

There are two versions of 650Ti: regular and boost. Regular version needs 20A on +12V rail, while boost version requires 24A on +12V rail for the entire system. As you can see, your PSU provides 25A on +12V rail, and that's frankly a horrible rating. A "supposedly 450W" PSU barely provides 237W in practice, since +12V rails are the most important in today's rigs.

In theory, it should run, but barely. And only if the PSU is brand new and truly can provide rated power. Which it doesn't, apparently. Even if it did, that would be pushing it way too hard - you need at least 20-30% headroom for the PSU not to overheat too much. Ideally 50%.

That's why I recommend a PSU with at least 40A rating on +12V rail.

Best models are from Seasonic or XFX, for example.

I am aware that they may not look cheap to you, but they can save you money in long run. You can use it in your next rig. You can power basically ANY single graphics card out there with a quality 550W unit. Like this one:

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-xfxts550w

 

[herrwizo]

If you cannot find that particular model in your store, take a look at this list, and try to find any PSU (550W or higher) from tier 1, tier 2a or tier2b (in your case, tier 2b seems most appropriate, since it is the cheapest of them, yet very high quality).

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[superhaloid3]

Actually, I do want to note now that I remember it, there is a 6pin power adapter thing on it. However, my PSU only has the two 4 pin ones and I need at least one of them for the motherboard. Do I need to have the 6pin for that? I was reading the manual and it told me to do that only if I'm gonna be running dual gpu's (and I'm not.)

 

[herrwizo]

You cannot run a card at all without that 6-pin connector. If your PSU doesn't have one, you can use molex to 6 pin adapters, but considering the bad quality of your PSU I would not recommend that. Get a quality PSU and connect that cable.

 

[superhaloid3]

You cannot run a card at all without that 6-pin connector. If your PSU doesn't have one, you can use molex to 6 pin adapters, but considering the bad quality of your PSU I would not recommend that. Get a quality PSU and connect that cable.

Can I get a higher quality PSU with the same wattage? I was considering http://www.amazon.com/Antec-VP-450-Energy-Certified-Supply/dp/B004IZN3K2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420364303&sr=1-3&keywords=Antec+basiq

Trying not to go over 40$. Cheap I know but I need to work on a budget here, just need one with the 6pin or more stability for the molex/6in conversion.

 

[herrwizo]

It will work, a very good PSU (tier 2B). But for the sake of future upgrades, I would rather get XFX 550W. If you cannot afford it, Antec will do.

 

[superhaloid3]

It will work, a very good PSU (tier 2B). But for the sake of future upgrades, I would rather get XFX 550W. If you cannot afford it, Antec will do.

It seems to be missing the 6-pin. Should I couple the molex to 6pin cable with it?

edit: nvm, found it on their site. I'll get the Antec and report back, thanks! http://store.antec.com/vpseries/vp450.html

 

[superhaloid3]

It will work, a very good PSU (tier 2B). But for the sake of future upgrades, I would rather get XFX 550W. If you cannot afford it, Antec will do.

Thank you so much for the help! I just installed the new psu and everything is working as it should, installing the drivers right now. Learned something too, haha. Tonights gonna be fun!

 

[herrwizo]

Great to hear! 😉