I need help (like so many others) figuring out whats wrong

[jdktech2010]

I just assembled a computer (first time...friends helping) with these main parts:

2.66 GHz Phenom X4 Quad Core processor
4 GB Ram
500 GB Hard Drive
1 GB XFX Radeon HD 4850 graphics card
Okia 550W ATX power supply (+12 volt reading of 24 A)

Whenever I don't have the graphics card plugged in from the power supply...everything turns on (and works I'm assuming since I can't see any output on screen due to graphics card not being powered). However, when I try to power the card (using 2 x 4 pin molex to 6 pin pci connector that was provided in the card's box), the computer doesn't even turn on.......

Is my power supply not good enough (it was only a 30 dollar supply)? Could there be something wrong with one of the parts? Anyone know what the required amperage is for the 1GB card? Please help......I'd be happy to clarify anything I can if you have questions

 

[uh_no]

(it was only a 30 dollar supply)

there's your answer

though 550W should be plenty for any single card setup

 

[jdktech2010]

Yea, I figured it was too good to be true and it was but what power supply would I need for a setup like that? The Wattage should be enough but maybe the Current isn't high enough......

Here's the one I have now (24 A on +12 V rail) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817162018
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Here's the one I'm looking at (52 A on the only rail) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[renegeek]

The OKIA = That would be your issue, because its an off brand, and looking at the sticker, of the wattage... that power supply is probley out put is about 300 watt / @ 80% effency...

the Corsair = that will do just fine, u may be able to run 2 Vid cards at the same time with that...

 

[jdktech2010]

I'm getting that from other people on other message boards too....

Is there anyting else that could cause this problem or is that the first thing you would replace? I just don't want to go on a wild goose chase and spend 300 dollars on something I could have fixed with 20...

 

[belial2k]

It is POSSIBLE something is wrong with the video card...if you have something you can swap out in its place you might be able to check it, or if your friends have a better PSU you could put the card in their machine to see what happens. Its easier to move cards around than to change power supplies.

 

[jdktech2010]

I might do that tomorrow.....it recognizes the card because when I didn't have plugged in power wise, a message on the screen said the card wasn't powered properly so I assume that means that card is recognized and is working to some extent??

 

[jdktech2010]

anyone know why the computer will turn on when I don't have the card powered but it won't when I do have the power going to the graphics card?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Twoboxer]

As you have been told, the psu is by far the most likely suspect, though rarely the vid card could be bad.

You seem locked in to the idea that the only way a psu goes bad is if you get NO lights. If a single dog can't pull a sled with 800 pounds on it, it doesn't mean the dog is dead.

 

[jdktech2010]

As you have been told, the psu is by far the most likely suspect, though rarely the vid card could be bad.

You seem locked in to the idea that the only way a psu goes bad is if you get NO lights. If a single dog can't pull a sled with 800 pounds on it, it doesn't mean the dog is dead.

Sorry If I'm coming across as rude and whatnot.....I'm pretty much coming to the conclusion it's the power source but I've never been good with electrical issues which is why I'm just hoping for some help (which you all have been giving)

I think I might just go ahead and get a better power supply because the worse thing that happens is I spend 100 bucks but have a power supply that could last through an upgrade or two.....again, sorry if I've been rude or anything

 

[Twoboxer]

No, you weren't rude at all. PSUs fail in a variety of ways . . . sometimes they can't maintain (eg) +12V, sometimes instead of +12V DC you get sort of +12 AC (ripple), sometimes they can hold to spec while delivering 10 Amps, but not 20 Amps. Sometimes one "Rail" (one or mor cables) can go bad. And so on.

If the damn things would just *die* instead of flaking out, 80% of the problems around here would disappear. Seeing so many psu problems . . . and then watching folks spend days arguing 5 FPS differences between AMD/ATI and Intel/nV while buying $30 PSUs . . . gets pretty frustrating lol.

Hold on to your old "defective" psu. You never know when it might help you diagnose some future problem.

 

[croc]

No, you weren't rude at all. PSUs fail in a variety of ways . . . sometimes they can't maintain (eg) +12V, sometimes instead of +12V DC you get sort of +12 AC (ripple), sometimes they can hold to spec while delivering 10 Amps, but not 20 Amps. Sometimes one "Rail" (one or mor cables) can go bad. And so on.

If the damn things would just *die* instead of flaking out, 80% of the problems around here would disappear. Seeing so many psu problems . . . and then watching folks spend days arguing 5 FPS differences between AMD/ATI and Intel/nV while buying $30 PSUs . . . gets pretty frustrating lol.

Hold on to your old "defective" psu. You never know when it might help you diagnose some future problem.

I think that I have just heard of a PSU that's worse than a rosewell. 24 (doubtful) amps on the +12 VDC rail? I really wouldn't trust that PSU to diagnose anything other than 'with the current breeze, a shoe won't keep the door open. But that POS PSU holds it quite nicely...'.

 

[jitpublisher]

Everyone is right on here I can tell you from personal experience.
I have had drives that "clicked" and I thought were going bad, (yes...I am not kidding here)
I have had memory I thought was bad or unstable,
I have had builds spin up everything and all lights on, but no POST,
I have had builds work with onboard video, but adding a GPU would not POST,
I have had GPU's with bad artifacting leading to believe the card was bad,
I have had slow video performance and frame rates.
I have had random lockups and bluescreens.

All of these symptoms were eventually fixed either on purpose or by accident by installing a new quality PSU. Bottom line, a cheap PSU can cause any number of issues or problems that a lot of folks would never think of, or simply refuse to believe it is being caused by the PSU not supplying a constant, ample, clean stream of power.

Believe it. When you build, a quality PSU should be the cornerstone.
Cheap no name brand or low rated PSU's are simply not worth it.

 

[jdktech2010]

Ok, well thanks for all the replies

I went ahead and bought that corsair 650 W Power Supply with a 52 A single 12 V rail. Even if it's not the problem, I could prevent future problems with my computer from the way it sounds.

Time for the process of elimination to start. Thanks again

 

[jdktech2010]

Just wanted to let everyone know the new power supply came in and it booted up and I'm currently running Windows Vista.....

One question I had was about temps and fan speed........The last bootup after installing vista was at 38 degree Celsius on my AMD Phenom X4 processor and a system temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. These were after installing XP and VIsta for about an hour and a half. Is that about normal? Anything to worry about?

 

[campro]

Make sure the your CPU Wattage matches your motherboard. The 9950 comes in two Wattages 125W and 140W. If your board does not support 140W and that is the CPU you have it may flake out with the power draw off the GPU.