No display from GPU. GPU does not show up in BIOS or device manager

[AGos]

I've been experiencing a slight problem with my GPU in a new build. I can't seem to get the computer to detect or use the GPU although it appears to be powered on, (lights on, fans run).

More backround:
Running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
CPU and Mobo are; Intel i5 6600K, Asus Z170 Pro-Gaming
PSU is Thermaltake Toughpower 850W 80 Gold
And the GPU in concern is MSI Geforce GTX 980 Gaming 4G

So far I am able to get the computer to boot just fine and use the integrated graphics for display; however, I cannot detect the gpu. Nvidia's own GPU scanner does not find it, I can't see it in device manager, (even with hidden devices visible), and when I go into the BIOS's GPU options it shows no cards in any of the PCI slots. I have tried moving the card to the other slots but no luck there.

This is the part where I hope I'm just doing something stupid. The card has 2 8 pin PCI power inputs right next to each other. The cards own instruction pamphlet only shows a 6 pin and an 8 pin power next to each other and is unclear whether I need to plug something into both inputs or just use the 8 pin since I have an 8 pin power cable. With just one 8 pin power cable plugged in the GPU's lights power on, fan runs although the system boots using the integrated graphics. With the second 8 pin PCI power input plugged in with 6 pins or 8 pins everything turns on, GPU, fans, etc but I can't get a display from either the Mobo or the GPU.

I'm a little bit stumped at this point. Google has lead me to similar but not quite the same enough problems for me to get anywhere past this so hoping someone might spot something here. Thank's for the time.


Update: After unplugging and replugging both 8-pin power cables back into the card it's running and recognized by the PC. Probably didn't push one in correctly, thanks for the suggestions to mess with the power cables some more.

 

[lucas_7_94]

If the card requires 2x 6+8 connector, plug it and try to check if works.

Can you test the GPU in another system?

 

[AGos]

If the card requires 2x 6+8 connector, plug it and try to check if works.

Can you test the GPU in another system?

Not easily. My other device is a laptop and I don't have any friends near here with towers either. I could go to PC store and see if they'd be able to but unfortunately they're all closed today.

Also, I have tried plugging 6 + 8 connector as well as 8 + 8. In both those cases everything powers up but I get no display at all, even when plugging the monitor in through the Mobo.

 

[larkspur]

Hi AGos! Instructions booklets with graphics cards are usually very generic, that's why it shows a 6-pin and an 8-pin instead of your card's two 8-pin connectors. You need to use two 8-pin PCIe power cables from your PSU. Make sure you are using the 6+2 pin PCIe cables and NOT the 4+4 pin ATX/EPS CPU power connector. On your PSU the 8 pin power cables are 6+2 pins and have a red colored connector - they are labelled PCI.

Steps: 1) Shutdown and unplug the PC from the wall (shut off the power supply switch).
2) Install the card in the x16 size slot that is closest to the CPU - make sure it is fully seated in the slot
3) Hook up BOTH 8-pin PCI power cables to the GPU - make sure they are fully connected (those 6+2 pin cables can be a pain).
4) Plug monitor into the graphics card (not the motherboard)
5) Boot up - that should allow you to see the BIOS splash screen and windows should load using a generic driver
6) Install the newest GPU driver downloaded from nvidia

That should be all that you need to do. If the card still isn't giving you any picture especially when in the BIOS then it might be a bad card. Testing it in another system would be ideal at that point.

 

[lucas_7_94]

Try in a friend pc , if still fails, RMA the card.

 

[AGos]

Update. In the spirit of plugging in power cables to see if anything changes I plugged both 8 + 8 cables in and got nothing. Then I tried booting up again with only one 8 pin power cable like I have been, but this time using the left power input rather than the right shown in the instruction manual. Upon booting I actually got a display telling me to power down and connect the power cables to the GPU. I powered down, plugged both 8 pins in an..it worked. I don't know why I never got that message before with just the one power cable, or why the two together didn't work before but it seems to be up now. Must've just been me doing something stupid.

 

[larkspur]

Awesome, glad it's working! In the future, if the card has two 8-pins or two 6-pins or whatever, then make sure to plug them both in. They put those connectors on there for a reason Have fun!