Problem installing graphics cards

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

I just bought a whole new rig. Motherboard H81 Pro BTC, 1x to 16x riser cables, 8GB DDR3 ram, 128GB SSD, and 3 XFX 290s.

I build the whole system, install windows and catalyst 13.12. Then things start going weird. Sometimes the system boots, sometimes to black screen, sometimes I'll see artifacts all over the screen, obviously something isn't right with my build.

If I use the onboard HDMI output on the mobo, everything is fine, if I plug my HDMI into a graphics card it's a problem.

What I've tried : Different video card (same issue), different riser cable (same issue), connecting one video card directly to the 16x PCI slot (same issue).

I'm missing something small, it's gotta be. Any ideas?

jitpublisher · Jan 9, 2014

Hate to say it, but if the problem remains with multiple gpus, sure sounds like a bad motherboard.

biohazrdfear · Jan 9, 2014

Even though you use the on board HDMI, you may have a PCI-E issue. Do you have dual PCI-E or just one? I would say swap the graphics card into the other PCI-E slot if its available. If the issue persists, start up the RMA on that motherboard.

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

Yeah, I've swapped all the cards to different pci slots. I have 5 pcie 1x slots I've tried all of them.... sometimes it works, sometimes not. There is no consistent results.

Wolfshadw · Jan 9, 2014

First, please verify this is the motherboard you have.
If so, did you remember to connect both 4-pin molex power ports on the motherboard?

As a test remove all PCI-Ex1 to x16 riser cables and only run one card in the PCI-Ex16 slot.

-Wolf sends

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

Wolfshadw :

There are 2 molex power ports on the motherboard. From what I understand these are for crossfire. I haven't connected anything to them because I'm using power riser cables which connects directly to the PSU.

Yes I've tried the pcie-x16 slot... same results. Yes that is the exact mobo that I have.

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

Also another thing I would like to point out, I have built a wooden case with metal screw stand offs that hold the motherboard in place. These screws match the metallic screw holes in the motherboard. I haven't grounded them is this an issue?

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

Ok I've found that I don't need to ground those screws. So there are two possibilities that remain... I'm missing on configuring something correctly in the BIOS or the mother board itself is toast. Any other thoughts? What could I be missing in the BIOS?

biohazrdfear · Jan 9, 2014

I don't think you are missing anything from the bios. If you've cleared your CMOS with no luck, its safe to say that the board is toast and jam.

DavidLepine · Jan 9, 2014

First what the size and efficiency of PSU (dual PSU or Single) ?
Second your board is H61 or H81 AsRock Pro BTC ? Also which CPU did you get ?
Third I assume that you have quality riser with capacitor ?
Fourth do you use Linux (Xubuntu) or Windows ? is it 64bit ?

From what I seen 1200 watts PSU (80+) is recommended/needed for each two r9 290x

Are you familiar with you bios options?
Try SSH into your rig (no need to plug monitor into your rig)

Did you flash, undervolts your cards ?
http://www.cryptobadger.com/2013/10/undervolting-in-linux-via-modified-bios/#more-767

Do you have a meter (Kill a Watts mesure only at the wall) did you mesure power at each individual cards ?

DavidLepine · Jan 9, 2014

Manufacturer recommend 500 watts power supply (PSU) per card for the XFX R9 290

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

DavidLepine :

mobo: H81 pro BTC
PSU EVGA Supernova 1300w
CPU Intel Haswell 3100 I believe
I'm not sure if the risers have capacitors (how can I tell?)
Windows 8.1 64-bit
8GB Kingston ram
I didn't flash the cards, or undervolt them.

Jdonalds · Jan 9, 2014

Oh and as far as BIOS settings, I'm leaving everything as default in the BIOS. What should I have to change in the BIOS to work with multiple GPUS?

biohazrdfear · Jan 10, 2014

Jdonalds :

You shouldn't have to change anything. Not once in my life have I edited something in the BIOS to run dual graphics cards.

burnbrighter · Feb 11, 2014

What was your result with this set up? My belief is there are power issues across the PCI-E 1x slots on this board. Please update your findings.

madwaks · Feb 18, 2014

I am having the same problem. Hope to hear feedback. Although I will still diagnose more later.

CRITICALThinker · Feb 18, 2014

Try plugging in the four-pin plugs, from what I have briefly looked at they may be the problem.

burnbrighter · Feb 18, 2014

There are two on-board molex's. Yes both were plugged in in my case. I've since abandoned that set up with a 7990 and gone to 4x (soon to be 5) R9 290s + 1x 7950. So far under Windows 8.1 with Kalroth release and powered high-quality risers, all seems to be going well. My particular situation may have had to do specifically with trying to use a 7990 with this board. That card is a beast.

madwaks · Feb 19, 2014

Just tried using the 2 molex connection, no luck. On-board seems well, tried 1 gpu then it will work (x16 slot with no riser). When restarting the system, black screen again. As of now, it's on-board again. Hope Jdonalds has a solution. It is just exact. RMA?

Problem installing graphics cards

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