new computer boots with only one stick of ram after installng new graphics card

Trailblazer_117

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My brand new build was doing good, I was just waiting on my Graphics card. When I Installed my new GPU I turned my computer on but no signal on the monitor and no working usbs. I later took one ram sick out and the computer booted so I shut it down and put the remaining stick in and the computer booted just fine . the next day I turned my computer on and agin no signal or usb so I tried removeing th other stick and repeaated the steps above. And the comuter booted normally, Today i turned it on again and the same thing again so i did it again. I dont know what is going on if it is the ram the motherboard or my new GPU. If you know how to fix this please help.

My specs incase they are neccesary:
I5 4690k
Gigabyte GA-Z97N Wifi Mini-itx motherboard
2x4GB of Patriot Viper 3 1600 MHz Ram
Msi GTX 970 Gaming 4G
750W PSU (I forgot the brand)
 

Trailblazer_117

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the brand is a raidmax RX(RZ?)750W semi modular PSU. For the ram i just installed it and let it be
 
Ok. To start with, and I know you're not gonna want to hear this, but Raidmax PSUs are among the worst you can possibly buy. There are tons of bad reviews on them, professional ones and forum threads, and they are Tier 5 "Replace immediately" units on the PSU Tier list linked to below. They are known to cause all manner of failures and crazy behavior on systems, as well as being known to explode and take the whole system out while their at it.




PSU Tier list: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html


Don't be surprised when your cheap PSU blows up: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html


What happens with cheap PSUs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezk9OA7aKOE




I'd also go into the BIOS, after replacing the PSU, I wouldn't even run the system anymore with that PSU installed, and manually configure the XMP profile for the RAM.

All you need for the GTX 970 at minimum is a good 550w PSU of high quality although it's recommended to use a 600-650w. You want a Tier 2B or better unit model as listed on the Tier list linked to above. Tier 3 PSUs are not recommended for a high end GPU like the 970, and Tier 4 and 5 units are not to be used at all if you value your hardware. My recommendation for the best combination of price, quality and features would be this EVGA unit but any Tier 2B or higher Seasonic, XFX, EVGA, Antec, Rosewill (Capstone series only) or Be Quiet unit would work well.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $59.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-17 01:21 EST-0500


 

Trailblazer_117

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Ok. setting the bad raidmax PSUs aside do you know how to possibly fix this issue?
 
Yeah. Replace the bad Raidmax PSU. Apparently you didn't read any of the information at the links I posted. A cheap or faulty PSU can present issues similar to what you would experience with just about any piece of hardware. Since the PSU supplies power to EVERYTHING, NOTHING can work right without a stable, clean power source. Cheap PSUs present voltage ripples, voltage noise, voltage spikes, LACK of voltage, fluctuating voltage or just plain no voltage at all on some or all of the cabling.

More likely than not, the PSU is not capable of supporting your GPU, CPU and both RAM modules at the same time which may be why it works when you remove one module. Of course, that's just a guess and may not be the actual hard issue but regardless the PSU is not adequate for the system.

The first thing I'd do is, using a single memory module, go into the BIOS, reset to default settings by pressing whatever key is indicated to do so, power off, install the other module, power up and test.

If that fails to correct the issue, remove the GPU, connect the monitor to the onboard graphics output of the motherboard, install both memory modules and reboot to test.

If you still have no luck, go to the Gigabyte website and see if there is a newer BIOS version available and update if there is.

Make sure there are no loose cables anywhere, both motherboard power connectors are firmly seated and if you're using a power strip for the computer, eliminate it.

Also make sure you have both power cables to the GPU plugged in.


 

Trailblazer_117

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Ok. so i was looking at this psu. It is a corsair cx600m. is this a good psu replacement to the spontaneously exploding raidmax psus?

P.s i fixed the problem with having to take out one ram stick but now i get a solid blue screen on boot that is just fixed by pressing the restart button
 

Trailblazer_117

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Ok, what's done is done I suppose. Don't overclock ANYTHING with it though. It's not rated nor intended for it, as indicated on the PSU Tier list that I posted the link to above. Keep in mind, you just saved five bucks to get an inferior Tier 3 unit, as compared to the Antec which is a Tier 2 class A unit, and is twice the PSU of the Corsair model.


Only Corsair's high end models, most of which are easily over a hundred dollars, are worth purchasing and even then there are many models made by Antec, Seasonic, EVGA, XFX and Rosewill that are as good or better for substantially less money. Corsair rides on their name alone, and targets mostly the mainstream users that are not intending to use high end GPUs or overclocking their hardware.


Regardless though, it should be fine so long as you don't plan to do any overclocking. If you do, I'd return it and get the Antec or another Tier 2B or higher unit.
 

Trailblazer_117

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Ok i didnt plan on oc'ing till a while down the road so by then id probably have bought a WAY better psu. Hey thanks for helping me out though i provably would have stuck with pos raidmax if i didnt ask for help here . Ps im new here so this is really a good first experience on these forums :D
 

Trailblazer_117

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It arrived 2 hours ago, I already have it installed It booted just fine but I'll have to wait till tomorrow to see if it boots to a solid blue screen... Hopefully not fingers crossed.
 

Trailblazer_117

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Ok so I booted today for the first time and i get mb manufacturers logo for 2 seconds then solid blue screen no error code nothing. if I press the restart button and restart it goes into windows like nothing. I wonder what that is.
 
RAM. A RAM configuration error is about the only thing I can think of that would cause that. What is the exact model number of your memory modules?

Double check the 24 pin ATX power connector and the 4 or 8 pin CPU power connector connections at the motherboard to make sure they are fully seated. I'd unplug them, check to make sure no pins are bent or cocked, and reseat them. Make absolutely sure the RAM is completely seated as well. I'd even remove and switch places with the modules. Sometimes one module doesn't like a certain slot for some reason or another. I know it makes no sense when the modules are identical, but I've seen it happen. More often than not it's likely a result of not being completely seated in most cases but just double check.

Double check all your SATA cable connections, both at the board and drives. In fact, double check ALL connections. If you're using a power strip to power the unit, eliminate it and plug the unit directly into the wall socket. Power strips are notorious for causing voltage related issues.

 
P.s i fixed the problem with having to take out one ram stick but now i get a solid blue screen on boot that is just fixed by pressing the restart button

What does this mean? What did you do? Once windows does boot, can you check to see that both modules are IN FACT working? Try downloading CPU-Z (Free download) and run it. Go to the memory tab and take a screenshot. Go to the SPD tab and take a screenshot for each module which can be determined by the dropdown menu in the upper left hand side of the SPD tab. Post the screenshots here by using the following method:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2173703/post-images-tomshardware-guide.html
 

Trailblazer_117

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http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Profile-240-Pin-Desktop-PVL38G160C9KB/dp/B00GXEZXPY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1417674428&sr=8-6&keywords=patriot+viper+3+2x4gb
that is my ram and I have checked all connections but not the ram config
Ps. Doing the Cpu-Z thing right now
 

Trailblazer_117

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In a bit of a hurry

https://www.dropbox.com/s/acdmgw56ly7v8vp/Screenshot%20%281%29.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bd4n976wffh9w3e/Screenshot%20%282%29.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ks9yapdsarjt184/Screenshot%20%283%29.jpg?dl=0

 

Trailblazer_117

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already done and still blue screen. what i found out though is that if I leave the blue screen on for a minute it goes to splash screen then windows. not sure if that is a problem or what though seems harmless to me
 
You might try setting the Memory Boot Mode to Fast boot. This is located under the MIT tab and should not be confused with the Fast boot setting under Boot settings.

Make sure that Intel processor graphics setting is disabled, or it will be looking for the iGPU every boot and will only switch to PCI or PEG after initialization of the iGPU fails.