New R9 270X not being recognised

[Shieldmaiden]

Hi everyone! I've just bought a new GPU and PSU as the first of a bunch of planned upgrades, but the GPU isn't being recognised by Windows. Device Manager just says that it's a Standard VGA Graphics Adapter. It's definitely powering up and displaying a picture, I've checked the BIOS and it's set to PCIE output and I can install Catalyst fine without it throwing up any errors.

I've been messing around with it and searching for help all afternoon, but I can't quite figure out what the issue is. Any ideas?

 

[DerekODwam]

Try installing the latest AMD drivers from the AMD website

Best regards.

 

[Andrew Buck]

That could be 2 things:

Either Graphics Drivers are not installed, which mine were for both of my cards (Download here: http://support.amd.com/en-us/download)
OR
You are running on Integrated Graphics (I.E. Intel HD Graphics 4600, Intel HD Graphics 4000, AMD Radeon HD 8670D, etc.). You need to turn them off in BIOS. I had the same issue when I first got my Intel processor and it recognized one Generic VGA Adapter.

 

[Shieldmaiden]

I've installed the latest drivers (and uninstalled them. Several times. Then tried installing the ones on the disk just in case) and my BIOS is showing no integrated graphics. Is it possible that my motherboard is just too ancient? It's an ASUS M3A. The plan is to gradually replace everything, I just figured the PSU/GPU combo would be a quick boost before doing the CPU, motherboard and RAM.

 

[Andrew Buck]

Well, what CPU do you have? Also, is your PSU adequate?

 

[Shieldmaiden]

THe PSU is a brand new 600W Corsair. The CPU is an AMD Phenom 9550. Yeah, I'm upgrading a real piece of crap.

 

[Andrew Buck]

Well, that Phenom most definitely cannot run that GPU. It could maybe handle a GTX 750. Upgrade your CPU before anything else. I would say upgrade your CPU and motherboard to maybe an FX-4300 or FX-6300 (6300 is much better for gaming) and a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128627&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= . That should make it so that you can run games at higher FPS. You could try to either use that GPU or sell it and get a slightly cheaper one.