I'm at my wits end here. My system as stated below started getting an error saying not enough power to the video card. Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere in the bios or something?
I'm not running SLI and I have a LC B400 ATX PS, so what is up? What are recommended PS for my system if it needs replacing?
If pics. are needed then just let me know and I can post them.
Ok - first - gut reaction....if the system says you need more power......uh.....you probably need more power.
Second reaction - That seems to be a sad excuse for a power supply.
You will need a new power supply. Read the PSU 101 sticky regarding what to look for in a power supply.
Then, based on that, get the best PSU you can get. Quality matters - this is the component that feeds the rest of your computer with power - so you want to feed it well.
Recomendations - PCP&C, Seasonic, Fortron (FSP) are all excellent. The Corsair brand is popular - and I think they are OEM'd from Seasonic.
Ok - first - gut reaction....if the system says you need more power......uh.....you probably need more power.
Second reaction - That seems to be a sad excuse for a power supply.
You will need a new power supply. Read the PSU 101 sticky regarding what to look for in a power supply.
Then, based on that, get the best PSU you can get. Quality matters - this is the component that feeds the rest of your computer with power - so you want to feed it well.
Recomendations - PCP&C, Seasonic, Fortron (FSP) are all excellent. The Corsair brand is popular - and I think they are OEM'd from Seasonic.
In order for me to hook up the two fans on the side of the case and the video cards 8 pin ATX connection, I have piggy back several connectors. Could it cause a loss in power somewhere?
My video card alone has to have 350W min and 500W min to run SLI. How is LC B400 ATX over kill isn't it 400W? Otherwise why would i get a error message saying it needs more power?
Do you have the required power connection from your psu to the card hooked-up?
Message edited by kpo6969 on 10-31-2007 at 06:38:08 AM
------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
Reply to kpo6969
I too had a similar problem with an X800GTO that would not power up, and after removing all power connections and reassembling, it worked. It seemed that the Y-splitter adapter cable thing for the gfx card needed 2 separate feeds from the power supply, as 'daisy chaining' it from one molex power connector to the next, on the same double plugged cable run, didnt work. If you have cables with a single power connector, use them all first.
I got mine working by connecting the gfx cards power cable to a cable 'run' that also goes to a dvd/cd, also a fan only power run, and other low power drawing runs, but not on a run with a hdd on it, that didnt work. (OK I still have IDE )
All said and done, maybe your supply isn't up to the task. It might be short a few watts from its name, which is quite usual if you got the supply with a low cost case.
Well if it says you need more power ill assume it needs more power. you seemed to awnser your question when asking it.
400watts is really really really pushing it. Hell i remember from what 5 or so years ago i believe reccomended power was 350watts even for alot of systems.
If your system says you need more power you need more power. Get a quality 550watt thats really 550watt and stop getting 400 watts that are most likely 300 to 350watt.
just because it says 400 really doesnt mean anything. Even if it was 400 watt i personaly wouldnt get something so weak for your system anyways.
------------------------------M2R32-MVP Deluxe || Athlon 6400+ x2 || 8gig PC800 Corsair Expert
ATi Radeon 4870 x2 || Sound Blaster XFi Titanium
2 X 500gig 1 X 250gig Hitachi || 16x Pioneer DVD-RW - 16X DVD
Samsung 305t 30" LCD 2560x1600 || 1000watt enermax Galaxy
Reply to EnFoRceR22
Alot of psu's apply alot of power where its not needed, like 3 volt or 5 volt, and not the 12 V rails. Being that high wattage will NEVER be demanded from these voltages, it truly isnt what it claims. When buying a psu, always check to see how much the 12 volt combined AVAILIBLE power is. It may say 20 AMPS per rail, but still only deliver 30 amps to both at the same time. Or : 240 watts per 12V rail, with combined or 360 watts to the entire 12 volt rail. You CAN get 240watts on ONE 12V rail, leaving only 120watts for the other rail. If a cheap psu claims 400 watts, it may give 100 to the 3V and 75 to the 5V, leaving only 225 to the 12 volt rail, which drives your gfx and mobo. Always check this layout when purchasing a psu, as any decent brand WILL have it broken down in such a manner
------------------------------I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
Reply to jaydeejohn
I agree that my reccomendations above are a bit of overkill (though I like overkill so as I am not pushing the absolute limit of my equipment.)
Didja read the sticky? C'mon be honest - didja read it? In it you will find a wealth of information, including a great discussion on amps, watts, connectors, and power calculations. If ya don't wanna read it - I suggest the overkill approach.
If you want something a bit less than the FSP power supply that I listed above (which I own and love) - make sure you have at least 18Amps on a minimum of 2 12V rails (preferably 3 or 4). If you have 20 or more Amps on 2 or more rails, that would be better (notice the fine use of number theory - more is ... more)
As for quality, plan on spending at least $80 USD for a power supply. Not the perfect threshold, but high enough that the components should last you a while. Friends don't let friends buy cheep PSUs.
One alternative - is to get a drive bay power supply such as:
These are intended to take on the load of a graphics card, while leaving your existing PSU in place. For the cost - you could simply just replace the existing PSU of course - but it is an option.
Good luck.
Message edited by avarice on 10-31-2007 at 12:39:13 PM
------------------------------CPU-E6600 - AC Freezer Pro 7- ASUS P5B MB
2GB Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - XFX 8800GTS
Antec P180B case - FSPGroup FX600-GLN 600W PS
Reply to avarice
I'm pretty sure I read everyone's response before I posted this, but I think I may have the answer:
When connecting the video card's power (8-pin PCI-e plug), you CAN NOT have it daisy chained at all. The plug going into the card has to be a straight shot from the PSU. Otherwise, you'll get a power error. It needs to be a pure, uninterrupted source.
Hope that helps. If not, get a new PSU
Message edited by krazynutz on 11-04-2007 at 03:01:21 AM
If you're running newer hardware, you really should have the PSU to back it all up.
If you have a video card that needs additional power and your PSU doesn't have dedicated cables/plugs for PCIe, then drop the cash and upgrade. That way, you don't have to worry about making sure it's a clean route from the PSU. That part's taken care of for you.
You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months. If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.