Computer randomly freezes during regular usage after installing new graphics card.

Soundlemon

Reputable
May 22, 2014
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4,510
Recently, I've bought a Radeon 290x for my ancient computer. However, I realized that my computer kept on freezing after a while. It can depend on how long it takes, from a few hours to a few minutes. I have the most up to date drivers, downloaded from the AMD website, and my power supply is probably adequate. It's the 1200w cooler master silent pro gold. However, I'm using the same cable from the power supply in both the ports. What I mean by this is the psu is like a modular psu. It comes with some already attached, but some can be put onto the psu through ports. I'm wondering if both wires coming from the same port will be enough power, or is it another issue. Whenever it freezes, I power it off using the power button, and most of the time if I try to turn it back on it won't have the beep usually occurring during boot up. It's also fairly cool, and when I touch it, it's below body temp.

I have a core duo processor, (I'll find out which one later)
4 gb ddr2 ram
GA-P35-DS3L motherboard
Samsung 840 evo 1tb hard drive
Radeon 290x
Asus pce ac68 wifi
^
I put this in because it's directly above the graphics card and the heatsink is touching it
 
Solution
the only way to know for sure is either plug the card into another computer or return it and see if you have the same problem.

if the card has two power connectors, did you plug in both PCIe power connectors?

Soundlemon

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May 22, 2014
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4,510


Unfortunately, my computer will not boot up. Occasionally it will give me beep codes, but it is rare. Most of the time it is no beep codes and black screen. Sometimes, it may go to the motherboard splash screen, and stop there.
 

Soundlemon

Reputable
May 22, 2014
4
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4,510
I tried swapping out the GPU for my old one, turns out it works fine. I'm not sure if there is something wrong with the PSU, or the graphics card. My old GPU doesn't require extra power, so I'm not sure
 

Soundlemon

Reputable
May 22, 2014
4
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4,510
So I think I found a solution. not sure whether or not its temporary, but no issues so far. I put in my old graphics card, ended up uninstalling the AMD drivers and Catalyst Control Center, and I put back my 290x, and my computer now boots up fine :)