Power Supply? PCI slot? Something else? Help!

LazyKingDave

Commendable
Mar 8, 2016
4
0
1,510
I am hoping you all have some advice for me. Here's my specs:

asus p8v68v LE
intel i7 2600K with liquid cooling
Cooler master v1000 PSU
8MB RAM
Windows 10

I've been struggling with a problem for a couple months -- lots of weird symptoms. I know just enough to be dangerous, so speak slowly and use small words, please.

Back in December I was still running Win 7 and using a PowerColor R9 290 card and everything was fine. One day, while downloading content from Steam and playing Minecraft I had a sudden shutdown. Rebooted and the problems began. I don't remember the order of events, but after a couple of BSODs, boot failures, an apparent high temp shut down or two, etc., I opened the case and cleaned things out (fans were dusty, but not bad; the cooler radiator was dusty too). I rebooted, but video signal was weird or non-existent over multiple boots. I also tried re-seating the RAM, reseating the GPU, resetting the bios using the software interface (I have not done a "hard" reset on the board itself), updating drivers etc., but I couldn't get a signal through the GPU.
I switched to the on-board CPU graphics, which works fine for some games and regular use, but not Skyrim and a few other games. In the interim I updated to Windows 10, which has been stable with no difficulties.

I did a lot of reading and convinced myself that my GPU (though only a little over a year old) was bad (I don't have a second rig to test on) and ordered a new Sapphire Radeon r9 380. I tried to install it the other day and no joy -- and now if either card (the new one or the old one) is in either PCI slot, the machine won't boot. Fans don't spin. No LEDs, no beeps. It's as though the machine is unplugged. With both cards removed and the monitor plugged into the mobo, it works as it has been.

This made me wonder if I have a power problem. The GPUs claim to need 750W (r9 290) and 850W (r9 380), and my 1000W PSU had hundreds of hours of trouble free use with the old card. The PSU was upgraded when I got the r9 290 a little more than a year ago. I have also wondered if I have fried my mobo or CPU somehow, and it has been limping along as long as no one asks it to try to use a graphics card.

That's about all I know, though I'm happy to answer further specifics, if it leads me to an answer. I'd prefer not to replace my mobo (though I've done it previously) if I don't have to. And of course, while my CPU could use an upgrade after 4 years, I don't really want to shell out for that, But, if that's what has to be, I'd do it. I'd just like to know that I'm going to fix the problem with whatever I try next. I'd like to return the new graphics card, but I'm reluctant to do so until I've ruled it out.

Sorry this is so long. I appreciate any help/advice you may have.
 
Solution
The average HDD lifespan is about 5 yrs, but it will depend on how you use the pc. And some of them will last longer, you should use the software like HD tune, or CrystalDiskInfo to check the S.M.A.R.T. but you should back up the date regularly at least.
Because you can only use the onboard iGPU to boot the pc, the problem is from either MB (pcie slots) or PSU. Recommend to update the chipset driver first, maybe the BIOS too, because the driver comes with the pcie controller driver, in case there is the software problem for the pcie slots. Chipset driver for win10 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/20775
Also go into the BIOS to check the 3.3V, 5V, 12V voltages, but I don't know your MB has those readings or not, check the manual. If your MB does not have that, and using the software like HWiNFO64
http://www.hwinfo.com/download.php And the PSU Voltage Tolerances
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/insidethepc/a/power-supply-voltage-tolerance.htm

If those voltage readings don't look good, get other PSU.
If the PSU looks good, and you still has problem after update the chipset driver and the BIOS, that means the MB has problem. And you maybe time to upgrade the pc, or buy the used MB ( either Z77 or Z68).
 

LazyKingDave

Commendable
Mar 8, 2016
4
0
1,510
Thank you for your reply. I have finally taken your advice. I updated the chipset driver. I do not know how to update the BIOS. I have reset it in the past, but is there an update utility for it?

Currently (without having updated the BIOS), the voltages look good. The 5V numbers didn't move at all from 5.000, which made me wonder, as the others were varying by several hundredths of a volt over the time I watched. Does that sound suspicious to anyone? (Mostly, I think I'm just trying to avoid the prospect of mobo/CPU replacement). Anything else I should check before I pursue that?
 
the voltages look good. The 5V numbers didn't move at all from 5.000, which made me wonder, as the others were varying by several hundredths of a volt over the time I watched. Does that sound suspicious to anyone?
That is great, because it means those readings are within the1% range, that v1000 PSU is the excellent PSU, to check those readings just in case there is something wrong.
The chipset driver comes with the pcie controller driver, after updated that will help. If the pc runs fine now, you don't have to update the BIOS. Usually you need update the BIOS when the PC has some problem that related to the new hardware.
For the BIOS update, you need the update utility. You can check out the asus site ( that site server is running too slow).
 

So after you updated the chipset driver, can you boot up the pc with the r9 290?
Also check the BIOS version. The newer one is 4102 that came out 5/22/14. https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z68V_LE/HelpDesk_Download/
Next to try that is to reinstall the win10, because when you upgrade to win from win7, it will be tricky, like hit or miss.
 

LazyKingDave

Commendable
Mar 8, 2016
4
0
1,510


I had done all that was instructed and no change. Over the last few weeks, I have begun to get high temp shut downs on simpler games. My RAM tests ok and my case seems sufficiently cool. But the CPU is running very hot. I've decided to bite the bullet and get a new z170 mobo and a skylake processor, as well as upgrade my RAM to 16MB of DDR4. Though I'll end up spending $700-$800, I figure this will keep me going for another four years of gaming. I appreciate all your help Cin.

One question, though for anyone: my original hard drive has been performing fine for the past 4+ years. What do you suppose the average lifespan for a hard drive is? Should I just wait until it fails to replace it (as long as I have a regular back-up strategy/process in place), or should I replace it proactively at some end of life target?