Problem replacing an APU's graphics with a graphics card

[Fanta Zee]

Okay so...
I bought this graphics card second-hand recently, an MSI Geforce GTX 780, to replace the gpu-side of my AMD A8-6600K APU.

Upon plugging in the card and starting the system up, one of two things happens, seemingly depending on how many monitors I plugged in in what order; Either the system launches without video output; or it launches with video output from the integrated graphics ( in which case the graphics are still coming from the APU instead of the card). In the latter case, the graphics card is not present in the device manager.
[EDIT]What is also mentionworthy is that I use a DVI-to-VGA adapter due to lack of the right monitor(s) and cable(s) for HDMI and the likes.

When the card is connected to the system, the fans do spin- I take this to mean it is functional. The manual suggests something about 6 and/or 8-pin cables; however, it seems to imply they are optional. I also do not seem to have any of them.

I want to disable my on-board graphics and finally manage to install this card to do the work... Sooo... Where do I start?

 

[DRagor]

You start with buying a proper PSU that has correct PCIe cables for your new GPU. Some of the cables *might* be optional (depends on exact model), but the GPU won't start if you will not connect at least one (and in most cases you have to connect all of them).

 

[Fanta Zee]

You start with buying a proper PSU that has correct PCIe cables for your new GPU. Some of the cables *might* be optional (depends on exact model), but the GPU won't start if you will not connect at least one (and in most cases you have to connect all of them).

So what you're telling me is that despite the hint of optionality, and despite the fans spinning, they are still neccesary?

 

[DRagor]

At least one cable must be always connected. If cards has 2 slots for PCIe cables, some will require both to be connected, others will have second cable optional - that depends on exact model of GPU.

 

[Fanta Zee]

At least one cable must be always connected. If cards has 2 slots for PCIe cables, some will require both to be connected, others will have second cable optional - that depends on exact model of GPU.

I see.. so considering I am not familiar with the cable types of the PSU, how can I be sure I buy the right one?

 

[DRagor]

If you check power supplies at pcpartpicker.com, you will see in description something like this: "PCI-Express 6+2-Pin Connectors: 2". 2 or more here is your target. But any quality PSU with enough wattage to power your 780 will have at least 2 of them.
If you are unsure how many W your setup needs, list all your components.

 

[Fanta Zee]

If you check power supplies at pcpartpicker.com, you will see in description something like this: "PCI-Express 6+2-Pin Connectors: 2". 2 or more here is your target. But any quality PSU with enough wattage to power your 780 will have at least 2 of them.
If you are unsure how many W your setup needs, list all your components.

Okay, so let's see.. I mentioned the GPU and APU, I am not sure what exact motherboard this is, but it's an MSI one; how do I make sure?
I have two drives:
Crucial M500 120GB
Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB
and I have two RAM cards, both of which I do believe have 4gb on them, and work at 1866 speed. Excuse me for the lack of knowledge on the correct terminology
furthermore I do not believe there are any more major components..

Is that sufficient information?

 

[DRagor]

So that's about 450 W, so you need good 550-600 W unit.
What would be your budget for PSU and country or preferred website?

 

[Fanta Zee]

So that's about 450 W, so you need good 550-600 W unit.
What would be your budget for PSU and country or preferred website?

I'm in The Netherlands so that'd be nice, I have no preferred website and budget.. well- let's say at the very most 200 euros.
Thing is, my current thing has 700w- making it a shame it doesn't have the right plugs- or at the very least- I happen to have found a loose 4-pin connector in here.
[EDIT!] on yet another note there are pin-connectors, but they are all connected directly to the motherboard... looks like it's not a single block though; it's split in like a 4 pin piece and a ...20 pin piece.

 

[DRagor]

Maybe your current unit is modular, and the cables you need are not connected to it, instead lying somewhere else (in the PSU box?). It's surprising 700 W unit does not have them - unless it's very old or the so-called 'PSU shaped object' (some random crap that claims to have 700 W output while in reality can't make more then half of it).

Anyway, any of those units will be great choice (550W or 650W): tweakers.net

 

[Fanta Zee]

Maybe your current unit is modular, and the cables you need are not connected to it, instead lying somewhere else (in the PSU box?). It's surprising 700 W unit does not have them - unless it's very old or the so-called 'PSU shaped object' (some random crap that claims to have 700 W output while in reality can't make more then half of it).

Anyway, any of those units will be great choice (550W or 650W): tweakers.net

Thanks- and the psu and all currently installed hardware came as-is; I bought this computer as a whole. (meaning there's no box for stuff to be hidden in. )

 

[DRagor]

So prebuilt machine - well, they often come with poor quality PSU.

 

[Fanta Zee]

So prebuilt machine - well, they often come with poor quality PSU.

I see. So when I do buy one of these, and plug in the right cables-
you're saying the card should 'activate' and show up in devices, making overriding the APU's graphics possible?

 

[madmatt30]

Probably not a real 700w PSU at all.
Pull the side panel off & tell us the model number from the PSU label .

https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/745441/corsair-cx650.html

Rock solid PSU for €70

 

[Fanta Zee]

Probably not a real 700w PSU at all.
Pull the side panel off & tell us the model number from the PSU label .

https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/745441/corsair-cx650.html

Rock solid PSU for €70

RS-700-ACAB-D3 is the number.

 

[DRagor]

The number leads to http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/thunder/thunder-700w/
And it has 4 PCie plugs. So something's not right. Whoever built this machine forgot to include PCIe cables? Or?

 

[madmatt30]

That's a cooler master b700 - its not a great unit but it has 4x 6+2 pin PCI express connectors.

Its not modular so the cables are tucked away somewhere.
2 cables , with 2 plugs on each cable - they should be hard to miss!!

 

[madmatt30]

I have a thunder 700 sat in front of me right now , the cables are definitely there ;-)

This thing powered 2 x r9 280x's in crossfire for 3 years.

It can handle a 780 no problem at all.

 

[Fanta Zee]

I have a thunder 700 sat in front of me right now , the cables are definitely there ;-)

This thing powered 2 x r9 280x's in crossfire for 3 years.

It can handle a 780 no problem at all.

So wait, how the heck do I not see them? Are they liked stored in some kind of compartment?

Besides; 4 pins seem to be in use..

 

[madmatt30]

Bottom row on picture , middle picture.
4 of those , 2 each on 2 cables - these are thick cables too.
Trace the cables out of your PSU .
If its a top mounted PSU (top of case ) the likely place for them to be shoved is in one of the optical drive bays straight across from the PSU.

 

[Fanta Zee]

Bottom row on picture , middle picture.
4 of those , 2 each on 2 cables - these are thick cables too.
Trace the cables out of your PSU .
If its a top mounted PSU (top of case ) the likely place for them to be shoved is in one of the optical drive bays straight across from the PSU.

Damn! they did hide them there. Okay- next issue..
Am I plugging the right ones in here? After plugging the cables in and trying to start it it kept shutting itself off till it didn't even start to begin with. Moving some cables around then eventually let it start again, but something smelled like it was burning, forcing me to turn it off and remove the card again. Turns out the smell was coming from the card; am I plugging these things right?

 

[madmatt30]

I have no idea.
These cables are 6 pin with 2 pins hanging off the side.
Do not use the 4+4 pins if they were shoved in there aswell.

As you have 2 cables with 2 connections on each I suggest using the end connectors off each cable.

Slot the 2 pin to the 6 pin before plugging it in.

It will only fit 1 way, on 99% of gou 's the latch on the plug will face downwards.

 

[DRagor]

They are build such as to be impossible to insert them wrong way. At least in theory ...
Maybe you did not push them enough? The clip on the plug has to lock, so you can't remove plug without pressing the clip.

 

[madmatt30]

^ I agree but a smell of burning is not a good sign .
I've seen people force the wrong cable or the wrong orientation in the past before - it is doable if you put enough force behind it

 

[Fanta Zee]

I have no idea.
These cables are 6 pin with 2 pins hanging off the side.
Do not use the 4+4 pins if they were shoved in there aswell.

As you have 2 cables with 2 connections on each I suggest using the end connectors off each cable.

Slot the 2 pin to the 6 pin before plugging it in.

It will only fit 1 way, on 99% of gou 's the latch on the plug will face downwards.

Yeah; got two cables with each having two connectors.
I can't help but worry about the heat smell though...
are you -sure- I'm not messing something up about the wiring?