Is this new GTX980 defective?

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ikkyu2

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Oct 21, 2014
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I received and installed a Zotac GTX 980 Amp Omega. The computer had previously had a GTX 650 that was working fine; which was removed.

I connected both power adapters to separate power cords, and the little USB connector to the motherboard. Video was OK for Windows, but as soon as any load was placed on the card - any game getting to a render screen - the whole computer would power off suddenly, then after 3 seconds restart. Windows Experience Refresh would get about halfway through and then the same crash would occur - not always at exactly the same time. Monitoring the card temp revealed it never went over 50 degrees and its fans spun up as they are supposed to.

I tried driver remove and install, underclocking (though it didn't seem to take), unplugging the USB dongle, installing the older Nvidia software that came on the CD, and everything else I could think of over two hours. Finally I gave up.

The anti-static bag was open on one end when I received the card, I don't know if this means it was someone's failed overclock experiment or if Zotac ships them that way.

My conclusion is that this card was defective, but I thought I'd ask here because folks are way more knowledgeable - i'm just a non-power gamer. Thanks in advance
 
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ikkyu2

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Oct 21, 2014
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The PSU is an 800W "Solid Gear" brand. It was running the previous 650GTX with no trouble, and I put the 650GTX back in and again it works well.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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That doesn't prove the PSU isn't at fault since the GTX650 would use less power, and your problem occurs under load.

It very well could be the card, probably is, but that really leaves the troubleshooting options I mentioned before of a different PSU, or try the card in a different computer.

*Either way, I suggest you contact Zotac as they may have some advice.
 
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ikkyu2

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Oct 21, 2014
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Well, I just got an RMA and got a replacement card instead, identical model. The replacement card lasts a few more seconds before going belly up in exactly the same way. It's only running 51 degrees when it does; the power supply just cuts out. I would just as soon replace the power supply, so I'm going to try that next unless you have any other advice - my time is far more valuable than the cost of a power supply so if I take the thing out, I'm not going to be sticking a paper clip in it, I'm just going to install a new one.
 
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ikkyu2

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Oct 21, 2014
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The power supply, though rated 800 watts, could not handle the demand of the card under a load. I removed it and replaced it with an EVGA Supernova G2 850 Watt unit. The computer and card performed flawlessly on reboot, and I also had a chance to clean up and reroute all the power lines, so that was a bonus. It was easier than I thought it'd be and the EVGA labels on the power connectors and sockets made it easier still.

Just looking at the construction you can see that the EVGA is a far better built unit than the no-name cheapie that shipped with this computer and which was probably defective from the beginning.

The utility that helped me figure out what was going on is called "CPUID HWMonitor," freeware version, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone trying to troubleshoot this kind of issue - in retrospect the wobbliness of the voltage outputs ought to have clued me into the PSU being wonky straight away, they are rock-solid with the EVGA.
 
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