ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1070 Mini Not Working in New Build

[TooOld4Stress]

I've noticed many threads similar but not identical to this one, thus my dilemma of ignorance. Here's the piece of junk in question:
Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 Mini

Just built a new rig for my son containing the following critical components (including the runt, above):
MSI B250M PRO-VD Micro Board
i5 7400
SeaSonic 550W psu

Issue

After assembly, we plugged the monitor into GTX 1070 (using both an HDMI and a DVI connection, separately) and received a black screen. GPU fans kicked on, so it was receiving power. When we removed the GPU and connected the monitor to the DVI onboard graphics port in the motherboard, the monitor worked just fine. We loaded Windows 10 and installed a butt load of drivers while we had the monitor working. The drivers for the GTX 1070 wouldn't load w/o detection of the hardware, or so my son told me (he handled the Windows install).

So, we tried the GTX 1070 again now that Windows 10 was loaded, and same result (black screen). I then installed the GTX 1070 into my older PC by switching it out with my Radeon RX 480, and it black screened (HDMI and DVI connections once again). The Radeon RX 480 was too large to squeeze into our new system for testing (mini tower), so I dug up my old Fermi card and installed it into the new system build, and it fired up just fine. Fermi card also runs with two 6-pin power connections, so I figured I could rule out a power issue (besides, my older PC is running a 600W SeaSonic and the GTX 1070 didn't work it that system, either).

Current Status

I am thinking about returning the Zotac GTX 1070 mini to Amazon and ordering a replacement. While we are waiting to make a final decision, my son will roll with the Fermi in his new build. I have this sinking feeling that perhaps it's not so much a dead card as it is some software modification that is needed, but it's odd that it wouldn't work in either system, and then the Fermi worked just fine "out of the box".

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[superninja12]

Its not a power issue, I can ensure you that.

I think the hdmi to dvi is the problem, if your monitor doesnt support hdmi try to see it on a tv. if you get a picture and can install the drivers.

 

[TooOld4Stress]

Its not a power issue, I can ensure you that.

I think the hdmi to dvi is the problem, if your monitor doesnt support hdmi try to see it on a tv. if you get a picture and can install the drivers.

I may have confused you in my original post. I was stating that I used two different connections to test the card (an HDMI and a DVI), not that I was using some weird DVI/HDMI adapter or anything.

Someone else just told me that it might be my board that is the issue, but I'm still wondering why the card didn't work in the new build or my older PC (different boards of course, manufacturer and all)

 

[superninja12]

Its not a power issue, I can ensure you that.

I think the hdmi to dvi is the problem, if your monitor doesnt support hdmi try to see it on a tv. if you get a picture and can install the drivers.

I may have confused you in my original post. I was stating that I used two different connections to test the card (an HDMI and a DVI), not that I was using some weird DVI/HDMI adapter or anything.

Someone else just told me that it might be my board that is the issue, but I'm still wondering why the card didn't work in the new build or my older PC (different boards of course, manufacturer and all)

did you install all the chipset drivers like the onboard vga driver?

 

[TooOld4Stress]

I downloaded the most recent motherboard drivers (including the vga driver) to a thumbdrive prior to the build. Once we were able to get a response from the monitor by uninstalling the GTX 1070, my son was supposed to load Windows 10 and then install all the drivers from the thumbdrive. So a direct response would be "I don't know", but given the above information I'm inclined to believe that he did load them.

 

[superninja12]

I really think its a wrong channel on the monitor.

fans spin right? can u install the drivers from the nvidia website?

 

[TooOld4Stress]

I really think its a wrong channel on the monitor.

fans spin right? can u install the drivers from the nvidia website?

The GPU fans do spin upon startup, that is correct. Neither connection was able to produce a signal from the monitor even though the Fermi works on both connections. I have not downloaded any drivers or modified any settings prior to the Fermi being installed, so it works on the new build out of the box.

My son mentioned to me that the Nvidia drivers for the GTX 1070 wouldn't load in Windows due to no hardware found, or something along those lines. So I don't believe the Nvidia drivers are currently loaded.

 

[superninja12]

whats the windows 10 version?

 

[TooOld4Stress]

whats the windows 10 version?

Home 64-bit

 

[superninja12]

Sorry my bad.

Update windows 10 all updates, than it might catch on.

 

[TooOld4Stress]

Sorry my bad.

Update windows 10 all updates, than it might catch on.

The Windows 10 update was installed last night after we had loaded Windows, and I was thinking the same as you. But when we installed the GTX 1070 and tried it again, it black screened again. That's when I lost all patience and just decided to go with the Fermi until we can figure out the problem or the sun engulfs the earth, whichever comes first.

 

[superninja12]

Alright youcan try to update the bios see if it works otherwise its a dead graphics card:/

 

[TooOld4Stress]

Alright youcan try to update the bios see if it works otherwise its a dead graphics card:/

At this point the only upsetting news would be to have no resolution, so knowing that the card is bad is better than not knowing anything at all. Thanks for your assistance by the way, ninja.

 

[TooOld4Stress]

I sent the Zotac back to the seller and purchased a Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano, and the system fired up just fine after the installation, settings and all. My conclusion: Zotac GTX 1070 Mini was a dead card.

Resolution: Purchased a new card and returned the Zotac Mini.

Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano