Blank Screen After Upgrading Graphics Card.

[Chai]

Then the next most likely reason is PSU. 250W is way too little for most modern PC.

[erickj92]

Quote from PNY tech support: "Hello Erick, 250 watts is not nearly enough power for this video card, this card requires a minimum of 400 Watts with 26 Amps on the +12 Volt rail."

Is there a way to make for certain that it is the PSU before dropping 20 bucks on one?

Also, I was looking at this one here for a reasonable price: Newegg.com - Sunbeam PSU-BKS-480-US 480W ATX12V Power Supply - Power Supplies
But I am worried that it will not fit and dementions are not listed on the site. Are they all pretty standard?

[Chai]

Test the card on another machine is the only way.

What motherboard are you using? And what casing?

[zy]

Originally Posted by erickj92

Quote from PNY tech support: "Hello Erick, 250 watts is not nearly enough power for this video card, this card requires a minimum of 400 Watts with 26 Amps on the +12 Volt rail."

Is there a way to make for certain that it is the PSU before dropping 20 bucks on one?

Also, I was looking at this one here for a reasonable price: Newegg.com - Sunbeam PSU-BKS-480-US 480W ATX12V Power Supply - Power Supplies
But I am worried that it will not fit and dementions are not listed on the site. Are they all pretty standard?

+3.3@28A,+5V@34A,+12@18A,-12V@0.8A,-5@0.5A,+5VSB @2A
got that from newegg.com
looks like you need something better, 12V rail rated at 18A.

[erickj92]

Biostar P4M900-M7 FE VIA P4M900 Socket 775 mATX Motherboard w/Video & Audio Biostar P4M900-M7 FE is the exact motherboard I'm using.

Also, would this PSU work? Blue Star 450W 20-pin ATX PSU w/SATA Blue Star BL-450

Sorry, I don't understand the amps and "rails" that they speak of.

[Chai]

Originally Posted by erickj92

Biostar P4M900-M7 FE VIA P4M900 Socket 775 mATX Motherboard w/Video & Audio Biostar P4M900-M7 FE is the exact motherboard I'm using.

Also, would this PSU work? Blue Star 450W 20-pin ATX PSU w/SATA Blue Star BL-450

Sorry, I don't understand the amps and "rails" that they speak of.

This PSU is even worse. It's only rated at 12V @ 14A! For a 450W PSU is one of the crappiest PSU ratings I've even seen. Get a reputable brand and pay a bit more.

It is recommended that get a PSU with more than 26A on +12V.

PSU is pretty standard IF you are using ATX PSU. Since your motherboard is a mATX, I don't know if the PSU is smaller in size, since the original is only rated at 250W, there's a slight chance. Do you know what type of casing is the PSU using?

ATX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Refer to the link for the standard sizes. Most of the PSU out there are standard ATX form factor.

[erickj92]

My case is an '04 eMachines case. The dementions match those of Blue Star 450W 20-pin ATX PSU w/SATA Blue Star BL-450

What would you recommend paying for a PSU? After dropping $120.00 on the GPU I don't have a ton extra for the store to raid my pockets on the PSU. :s

What does it mean when it has multiple +12 Volt rails? Like if there are 3 +12 volt rails at 20 Amps each?

One more thing, is it normal for the fan on the GPU to spin, even if there isn't enough power for the actual card?

[Ishtim]

The Sunbeam PSU dosen't meet the +12V , 26A requirement.
Attached is a pic of the newegg listing... You will need to find a card that supports the requirements by using the "Specification" Tab and the +12V Amperage rating, both highlighted by the Green Arrows that I stuck in the pic. Once you find one that's OK go to the manufacturer's and check to see if the dimensions will work.

The new GPU's want LOTS of juice...

HTH!

[PsYkHoTiK]

Don't skimp on a PSU. Big mistake that a lot of people still make. Think of it this way, the cheap ones significantly under perform and chances are, if it goes out, it will take most of the stuff connected to it along with it. Buy a high quality one. I assure you that the PSU will outlive the GPU.

Also try to stick with a Single 12v rail. No real benefit in having multiple rails. Single large 12v rail is the best. Especially high powered graphics cards (and no, you can't add the rails up - doesn't work that way).

[Adrian Wong]

Funny how they can do without the PCI Express power connector. The PCI-E slot can only provide about 75 W of power AFAIK. That isn't enough for the GeForce 9800 GT which needs about 125 W.

In any case, for the motherboard to provide so much power to the card, your PSU must have enough power on the +12V rails, and that means it must also have the extra ATX12V power cable, as well as the standard ATX power cable, attached to the motherboard.

From what I can see, your PSU is definitely not up to the task... PsY is right, go for high amps on a single 12V rail.