Installed a new GFX card ..

Cina

As the title says, I bought a 7800 GS (the AGP gainward one with 512mb ram) I installed the card, seemingly without any problems at all (grounded myself on numerous occasions). Then I started up the computer. The weird thing is that it worked ... for about 10 seconds before just shutting down. I can't think why this happened, I tried my old card again and it worked fine. The only thing I can think is that the GFX card is faulty?
I've emailed overclockers about returning it and getting a replacement, the first email they send me asked about my PSU, which is a 500W LC Power and should be more than capable, so i'm waiting to see if they'll give me an RMA number now so I can return it.

I just want peoples opinions, what couldve gone wrong, is it possible it was faulty when i got it? Bearing in mind that i've fitted numerous graphics cards before and never once had any problems.
Oh and before anyone asks, both molexes were connected to the card for the extra power!

Conar

Sounds like the card is faulty.
You should probably make sure that the firmware of your mainboard is at the latest revision but it's a long shot.
Do you have another PC you can try the card in?

Cina

unfortunately no, it would be rather annoying spending 20 quid sending the card back only to find out that its fine. but like i said, ive tested my old card (5950 ultra so still quite power demanding) after i installed the new one and the PC worked fine.

Conar

Yeah, I know what you mean.
I'd say its pretty safe to assume its failed. If not and you figure it out then please let us know what was causing it.

BTW are you certain that the power cables you used are definitely delivering the power? Maybe worth testing with a voltmeter or swapping it with one from one of your hdd's.

Cina

Yeah I tried it again with 2 molexes from my HDs. It didn't start up at all so I think it's safe to assume it's completely fubared.

Conar

Reckon so!
Pain about having to fork out for shipping!

Cina

Just a quick update, i've been exchanging emails with an OCUK representative, when I first emailed him about the situation, he asked me what PSU I had. I replied with the details of my PSU (LC Power 550W) . To which at my complete astonishment he replied.

Dear ********,

This is a £30 UK PSU sir - no where near upto the job of powering the
fastest agp card ever made.

Regards,

*********.

That is ridiculous. I know for a fact my PSU can handle that card, a friend of mine has 2 of them, one which he uses on his main PC (6800 ultra and 4 hard drives) and one which he uses on his server (12 hard drives, possible more at this stage)
What's more annoying is the bluntless of this response 'sir' . What a complete twat.

Ponster

I can't imagine that one brand 550W PSU would have trouble powering your gfx card more than a different brand 550W PSU.

It does look like the card is dead as opposed to not getting enough power to run.

Conar

Well I'm currently running 3 Hdd's 2 x CDs, a PCI-Ex board with a dual core AMD proc, and a 7800GTX on a 400W PSU without any problems at all so that seems like a load of crap to me.
A 550W PSU should be more than able to run any standard PC setup.
If its cheap then its probably not very quite, but should still be able to run at the advertised power specs.

B00MSTICK

Does the +12v have over 18 amps?

Cina

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30_300&products_id=3052

That's it there, or a slighty newer version maybe, but much the same, so it does have 18A yes.

Cina

Just an update.

This guy from OCUK has sent me another email saying:

Nvidia state that this PSU needs a 400W BARE MINIMUM. They make the
card so I'm sure they know what they are doing Sir.

I can't get over this guy, I've already told him I have a 550W and he replies with this? A full working day has gone past and I still haven't gotten an RMA number to send it back. This guy should get a punch for the way hes acting.

Conar

Thats brutal.
Doesn't exactly inspire you to hrow more business their way does it?

Cina

Well i've finally got an RMA number after asking for a different representative. Turns out the other guy thought that EVERY time I turned the PC on it would would work for 10 seconds then shut down. When infact it only happened once.
As long as they replace it for me now ..