Is the GTX 1070 compatible with my motherboard?

[Bombed]

I have an MSI Z68A-G43 Motherboard and I'm trying to use a GTX 1070 on it. I'm currently using a GTX 670 with no problems. When I plug in the 1070 the motherboard does one long beep followed by two short beeps indicating a GPU problem. Do I need to replace my motherboard to use a 1070 or is there an easier solution? My PSU is 650w. I have not tested the card on another machine because I do not have one available.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Is the BIOS up to date , and some older boards have an incompatible BIOS.

 

[CBender]

The card should work fine at your mobo. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't. You have to try it on a different or start RMA. Since the 670 works the 1070 should work too.

 

[Bombed]

Is the BIOS up to date , and some older boards have an incompatible BIOS.

The BIOS is up to date since I am still running a sandy bridge processor. Here is my BIOS page: https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z68AG43_G3.html#!type=download


Even if I wanted to, the 5.2 BIOS link does not work. 5.0 is the latest working download link. Do you think I should upgrade my BIOS even though I'm running not running Ivy Bridge?

* MSI recommend you to update BIOS with ME8 only if you are using IvyBridge 22nm CPU.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

What windows do you run?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Also is your PSU a good one?

 

[Bombed]

What windows do you run?

Sorry, I should have added this information in the main post. I am running Windows 7 and I think my PSU is good, it is 650w and can handle my 670 which I believe requires more power than the 1070.

I should also add that the GPU lights turn on and the fans spin when I turn on the power. The problem is that the mobo will not boot up at all, it just beeps at me.

 

[Komayy]

What windows do you run?

Sorry, I should have added this information in the main post. I am running Windows 7 and I think my PSU is good, it is 650w and can handle my 670 which I believe requires more power than the 1070.

I should also add that the GPU lights turn on and the fans spin when I turn on the power. The problem is that the mobo will not boot up at all, it just beeps at me.

I have had this problem, however mine was a fail in the end. It's compatibility by far, Update your motherboard if you can, it's got the right BIOS for the GPU, I cannot give you any more ideas as I do not know what else could be the cause. I do not think it is the power supply.

 

[Komayy]

Also, What is your CPU? If it has integrated graphics you can always - oh wait, you can do this with the current GPU, give it a try before you update your mobo UEFI version (if it has updates..)
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2218348/long-beep-short-beeps-bios-crashing.html

 

[Bombed]

What windows do you run?

Sorry, I should have added this information in the main post. I am running Windows 7 and I think my PSU is good, it is 650w and can handle my 670 which I believe requires more power than the 1070.

I should also add that the GPU lights turn on and the fans spin when I turn on the power. The problem is that the mobo will not boot up at all, it just beeps at me.

I have had this problem, however mine was a fail in the end. It's compatibility by far, Update your motherboard if you can, it's got the right BIOS for the GPU, I cannot give you any more ideas as I do not know what else could be the cause. I do not think it is the power supply.

Do you think I should update my BIOS even if MSI suggests against doing so because of my CPU?

"MSI recommend you to update BIOS with ME8 only if you are using IvyBridge 22nm CPU."

 

[Komayy]

What windows do you run?

Sorry, I should have added this information in the main post. I am running Windows 7 and I think my PSU is good, it is 650w and can handle my 670 which I believe requires more power than the 1070.

I should also add that the GPU lights turn on and the fans spin when I turn on the power. The problem is that the mobo will not boot up at all, it just beeps at me.

I have had this problem, however mine was a fail in the end. It's compatibility by far, Update your motherboard if you can, it's got the right BIOS for the GPU, I cannot give you any more ideas as I do not know what else could be the cause. I do not think it is the power supply.

Do you think I should update my BIOS even if MSI suggests against doing so because of my CPU?

"MSI recommend you to update BIOS with ME8 only if you are using IvyBridge 22nm CPU."

Do what I said in my second message before updating. What is your CPU?

 

[Bombed]

My CPU is i7-2600.

 

[Komayy]

My CPU is i7-2600.

Alright, you're sandy bridge.. don't update it at all if you don't want to risk damaging something/breaking compatibility. Please try what I posted in my second response.

 

[Bombed]

My CPU is i7-2600.

Alright, you're sandy bridge.. don't update it at all if you don't want to risk damaging something/breaking compatibility. Please try what I posted in my second response.

"I would try removing the GPU, connect the display to the integrated port. Clear/reset the cmos. Power on and enter the bios, set the which GPU to intialize first toe PEG (Pci Express Graphics). power down. Install the GPU in the top x16 slot, connect the PSU power cables to it, connect the display to it, and finally power back on. Also make sure you are using the correct ports on your PSU if its a modular one. If it still fails I would be looking at the motherbd. "

Is that what you want me to do? How do I clear/reset the cmos? The rest of it makes sense but I don't know how to reset the cmos.

 

[Komayy]

My CPU is i7-2600.

Alright, you're sandy bridge.. don't update it at all if you don't want to risk damaging something/breaking compatibility. Please try what I posted in my second response.

"I would try removing the GPU, connect the display to the integrated port. Clear/reset the cmos. Power on and enter the bios, set the which GPU to intialize first toe PEG (Pci Express Graphics). power down. Install the GPU in the top x16 slot, connect the PSU power cables to it, connect the display to it, and finally power back on. Also make sure you are using the correct ports on your PSU if its a modular one. If it still fails I would be looking at the motherbd. "

Is that what you want me to do? How do I clear/reset the cmos? The rest of it makes sense but I don't know how to reset the cmos.

To reset the CMOS, first clear your static energy (touch the metal frame of the case) and there is a battery, take it out for about 5-10 seconds and put it back in. It will reset the UEFI bios to its defaults. Instead of using the integrated port, use the GTX 670 for that step, then do the rest with the 1070

 

[Bombed]

My CPU is i7-2600.

Alright, you're sandy bridge.. don't update it at all if you don't want to risk damaging something/breaking compatibility. Please try what I posted in my second response.

"I would try removing the GPU, connect the display to the integrated port. Clear/reset the cmos. Power on and enter the bios, set the which GPU to intialize first toe PEG (Pci Express Graphics). power down. Install the GPU in the top x16 slot, connect the PSU power cables to it, connect the display to it, and finally power back on. Also make sure you are using the correct ports on your PSU if its a modular one. If it still fails I would be looking at the motherbd. "

Is that what you want me to do? How do I clear/reset the cmos? The rest of it makes sense but I don't know how to reset the cmos.

To reset the CMOS, first clear your static energy (touch the metal frame of the case) and there is a battery, take it out for about 5-10 seconds and put it back in. It will reset the UEFI bios to its defaults. Instead of using the integrated port, use the GTX 670 for that step, then do the rest with the 1070

Okay, I will try this tomorrow. First I am going to test the 1070 on a friends computer to make sure it isn't just DoA. Then I will try this method. Thank you for your help and I will let you know how it goes!

 

[Bombed]

My CPU is i7-2600.

Alright, you're sandy bridge.. don't update it at all if you don't want to risk damaging something/breaking compatibility. Please try what I posted in my second response.

"I would try removing the GPU, connect the display to the integrated port. Clear/reset the cmos. Power on and enter the bios, set the which GPU to intialize first toe PEG (Pci Express Graphics). power down. Install the GPU in the top x16 slot, connect the PSU power cables to it, connect the display to it, and finally power back on. Also make sure you are using the correct ports on your PSU if its a modular one. If it still fails I would be looking at the motherbd. "

Is that what you want me to do? How do I clear/reset the cmos? The rest of it makes sense but I don't know how to reset the cmos.

To reset the CMOS, first clear your static energy (touch the metal frame of the case) and there is a battery, take it out for about 5-10 seconds and put it back in. It will reset the UEFI bios to its defaults. Instead of using the integrated port, use the GTX 670 for that step, then do the rest with the 1070

Okay so I tested the 1070 on a friend's PC and it booted up fine. Then I reset my CMOS and now the computer won't boot at all. It says 'BOOTMGR is missing'. I'm kinda freaking out. I have Windows on an SSD. How do I get it to boot back normal?

 

[Bombed]

Okay so I had to change the boot order from my HDD to my SSD. I am back online! But the problem still persists after wiping my CMOS, I am unable to use the 1070. Last year I was able to use a 970 and everything worked fine. I called MSI and their tech support was great but they were also just as confused as I am. We tried booting up the PC without plugging in the 8-pin power cord and the exact same thing happened. I will try another power supply tomorrow but I'm worried that isn't the problem either.

The 1070 booted right up in my friends computer so that GPU isn't the problem.
The 670 and 970 booted right up in my computer so my motherboard isn't the problem.
What is the problem? I can't even pinpoint what is wrong.

 

[Komayy]

The 1070 booted right up in my friends computer so that GPU isn't the problem.
The 670 and 970 booted right up in my computer so my motherboard isn't the problem.
What is the problem? I can't even pinpoint what is wrong.

Huh.. what ports on the card have you tried using for output? it may only be able to use a specific one..
The recommended PSU power supply is 500 watts, try use a 500 watt one if yours is lower (I doubt it though)
Otherwise, I have no idea what could be the case, maybe motherboard compatibility with this new card? Though that is unlikely because you can use a 970 with the PC. And also, when using it this time with a new PSU, use the 8 pin, the card cannot draw 150 watts from the PCI slot.

 

[Bombed]

The 1070 booted right up in my friends computer so that GPU isn't the problem.
The 670 and 970 booted right up in my computer so my motherboard isn't the problem.
What is the problem? I can't even pinpoint what is wrong.

Huh.. what ports on the card have you tried using for output? it may only be able to use a specific one..
The recommended PSU power supply is 500 watts, try use a 500 watt one if yours is lower (I doubt it though)
Otherwise, I have no idea what could be the case, maybe motherboard compatibility with this new card? Though that is unlikely because you can use a 970 with the PC. And also, when using it this time with a new PSU, use the 8 pin, the card cannot draw 150 watts from the PCI slot.

I've been using the DVI output on the card but when trying to boot it doesn't even bring me to bios so I don't think that makes a difference. My PSU is 650w and I've been using the 6+2 pin connectors. I will try a different PSU and hope for the best today. If this does not work I might just have to sell the card.

 

[Bombed]

So after two days on the phone with MSI support, it appears that my current bios will not support the new 10 series cards. They emailed me a new bios to try (4.44) but they said to flash it at my own risk as it may brick my board. As of right now I can't afford to brick my PC so I think I will sell my 1070 and get a 980 instead.

Thanks for all the help guys! This is why I come to Tom's Hardware for tech support because of people like you.

For those curious I also tried switching out power supplies and that obviously did not fix it.

 

[Bombed]

UPDATE: I went ahead and bought a 970 because I knew a 970 had worked in this system before. But this 970 is doing the same thing as the 1070. Both of them are ASUS cards. I'm thinking that these ASUS GPU's will not communicate with my MSI motherboard for whatever reason. I will try a different brand and go from there.

 

[BillNepean]

UPDATE: I went ahead and bought a 970 because I knew a 970 had worked in this system before. But this 970 is doing the same thing as the 1070. Both of them are ASUS cards. I'm thinking that these ASUS GPU's will not communicate with my MSI motherboard for whatever reason. I will try a different brand and go from there.

 

[BillNepean]

I am using same mb with Intel i7-3770k and bios version 5.0, and Asus gtx 1070. If set bios to use igp internal GPU, it boot up smoothly,but the device manager shows gtx 1070 error, Code 12: This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use . If initial GPU setup in bios is gtx 1070, the bios booting is very slow, and cannot show booting page correctly. After windows startup,it runs OK, but gtx 1070 still show error in device manager with different code. I doubt it has compatible issues

 

[BillNepean]

It seems that Z68a-g43 has compatible issues:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=254019.0
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=176859.0