Help installing a new gpu.

Joswi · Sep 11, 2014

So I got a new gpu, MSI Radeon R9 280x, but when I put it in the computer it won't boot up at all. When I put in the old card it boots right up. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

Not sure what specs on my pc you would need but here is some of it.
Motherboard: Alienware 046MHW
PSU is an 875 watt
Old card is 2 Radeon HD 6870.

clutchc · Sep 11, 2014

You might try updating your MB BIOS first. If that isn't the problem, it may be a bad card. It happens.
I presume you have both headers populated on the card.

Joswi · Sep 11, 2014

How do you update your MB BIOS and what do you mean both headers populated on the card? Sorry, I'm a noob when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Cons29 · Sep 11, 2014

let's isolate the obvious first, you have the power cables properly installed? have you tried removing the gpu, and putting it back in firmly?
what is your psu?

clutchc · Sep 11, 2014

Joswi :

The card has 2 headers (6/8 pin connections). Do both have a connector plugged into them?

Joswi · Sep 11, 2014

I assume I had it the power cables in correctly, 6 pin in the 6 pin and 8 pin in the 8 pin. Yes. Not sure what brand it actually is, I just know it is 875W. I got the pc a little over 3 years ago from Alienware.

Joswi · Sep 11, 2014

clutchc :

Oh, yeah. I had those both plugged in.

Joswi · Sep 11, 2014

Alright, I updated my MB BIOS, made sure it was in all the way and plugged in correctly and still nothing. I hear the fans start up then die down and the lights on the mouse and keyboard don't light up like they normally do. It's like the pc doesn't really start up at all.

clutchc · Sep 12, 2014

If the PC still works when you put your old card back in, I'd have to assume you got a bad card. Time to begin the RMA process. Or return to store you got it from.

Joswi · Sep 12, 2014

Well that sucks but I guess it could be worse. Hopefully I'll get one that works next time.

Joswi · Sep 25, 2014

So I just got a replacement but the same thing happens. The fans all start up but nothing else seems to work, it just sits there with the fans running. Any ideas?

clutchc · Sep 25, 2014

What is the date of the latest motherboard BIOS you have now?

Joswi · Sep 25, 2014

It is showing up as 5/25/2011. That was the only one I could find when I was looking to update it.

clutchc · Sep 25, 2014

Joswi :

There should be no reason the R9-280X (basically an HD 7950 OC) doesn't work in that MB with that late of BIOS.
What does the rest of your system consist of?
CPU
PSU make/model
Old Gfx Card make/model
Drives

Joswi · Sep 25, 2014

clutchc :

Yeah really hoping it isn't an issue with the motherboard.

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3401 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)

This is what I could find about the PSU: Matte Stealth Black Alienware Aurora w/ 875W Multi-GPU Approved PSU

Dual 1GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6870 in Xfire.

Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability. Assuming that's want you meant by drives.

clutchc · Sep 25, 2014

I'm sorry, but I can come up with no good reason the 250W R9-280X won't work on that board if the 151W HD-6870 works fine. Since you've already replaced the 1st card with a 2nd one, that almost surely rules out a bad card. If the PSU were too weak to start the card in boot up, that could be an issue. But I can't see a Dell PSU that is rated at 850W being an issue. However...
If you can see the nameplate on the side of the PSU, take a pic of it and post it here. Or just report back the rating for the +12V rail(s). It will be listed in amps (A) and watts (W).

Joswi · Sep 25, 2014

clutchc :

The way my case is setup I can't see the side of the PSU without completely taking it out. Would there be any other way to tell?

clutchc · Sep 25, 2014

Joswi :

Not that I can think of. But Dell always uses good quality PSUs. I'd be surprised if it was under par. But that is the only thing I can think of that would be a problem. I'm grasping at straws here, though...
What is the exact model of your Alienware PC?

Joswi · Sep 26, 2014

clutchc :

Joswi :

Not that I can think of. But Dell always uses good quality PSUs. I'd be surprised if it was under par. But that is the only thing I can think of that would be a problem. I'm grasping at straws here, though...
What is the exact model of your Alienware PC?

I do appreciate the effort. I was thinking either the PSU or motherboard but I really don't know. It is an Alienware Aurora-R3 that I got in May of 2011.

clutchc · Sep 26, 2014

I think this is the nameplate on your PSU that you can't see: http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3746/2804.aurora_5F00_850w.jpg
If so, it has the necessary specs to handle that card. Unless the PSU is simply defective, I would say that is not the issue. I'm going to have to admit defeat on this one :-(

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