GTX 760 and Acer Predator Win7 - no boot / no BIOS problem

[marcheenek]

So, I thought I was getting awesome deal buying Predator G3620-UR20P last year, but apparently I'm stuck with a computer that cannot be upgraded with a new graphic card!

I need my computer for 3D work and I'm really frustrated at this moment. This OS is Win7. I tried to install EVGA GeForce GTX760 2Gig but I cannot boot the computer after installing a new card, moreover I cannot even get to BIOS - it shows the splash screen and I can hear few beeps, then the screen turns navy-blue with a blinking cursor.
I can see both of the card's fans are turning.

Something that should be as easy as 1-2-3 becomes an anoying process of troubleshooting leading to nowhere.
Things I tried:
- Upgraded PSU to 600W with +12V @ 62A
- Tried different power connectors - PCI dedicaded and using power adapters provided with the card
- Upgraded BIOS to P01.A2
- Uninstalled all the previous graphic drivers including all traces in registry
- Changed booting sequence in BIOS, HDD as 1st device, DVD as 2nd, USB as third, LAN as 4th and 'EFI device' at the end
- Loaded Factory settings in BIOS

Now, I've read in few places that people with Acer Predators with Windows 8 were able to go to UEFI and disable 'secure boot' as well as enable CSM or Legacy mode and this allowed them to boot the computers with new cards. I have no such options in my BIOS.

Is there a way to access boot options elsewhere?
Thanks!

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

I tried to install EVGA GeForce GTX760 2Gig but I cannot boot the computer after installing a new card, moreover I cannot even get to BIOS - it shows the splash screen and I can hear few beeps, then the screen turns navy-blue with a blinking cursor.
I can see both of the card's fans are turning.

Something that should be as easy as 1-2-3 becomes an anoying process of troubleshooting leading to nowhere.
Things I tried:
- Upgraded PSU to 600W with +12V @ 62A
- Tried different power connectors - PCI dedicaded and using power adapters provided with the card
- Upgraded BIOS to P01.A2
- Uninstalled all the previous graphic drivers including all traces in registry
- Changed booting sequence in BIOS, HDD as 1st device, DVD as 2nd, USB as third, LAN as 4th and 'EFI device' at the end
- Loaded Factory settings in BIOS

I would try to put the old card back in and reinstall it's drivers. See if you can get back into Windows. It's not going to solve the problem, but it's a place to start. Let's get you running, then re-attack the issue.

 

[marcheenek]

Oh, the system is running fine on the stock GeForce GT630. Once I swap the card with GTX760, I cannot get past the initial screen, neither to BIOS.

 

[Boozad]

With the 760 in can you boot into Safe Mode and check for any driver at all for either card. Check for Windows updates that include nVidia drivers too and uninstall them. Then try booting again.

 

[marcheenek]

The system doesn't boot in safe mode either - I set minimal safe mode from System Settings, messed with other settings like PCI lock but nothing helped.
I also pulled out the CMOS battery but didn't help either.

 

[Boozad]

I presume you upgraded your PSU before installing the card? What different connetors did you use again for the card?

Do the fans spin on the card when you power up?

 

[marcheenek]

I talked to Acer tech support on the other side of the globe and the guy admitted this is mobo incompability. He said that the engineers are working on driver updates as well as BIOS update and told me to check the Acer website weekly. He wasn't able to provide any dates, neither further contact to confirm that there's BIOS update coming for Win7 machines...

I also talked to NVIDA tech support and they reach the same conclusion - I need to either wait for BIOS update for mobo or try another card, maybe earlier series.

 

[mademperor7]

Hello,
I had exactly the same problem. The Infamous Acer Predator G3620 and a new shining Nvidia Geforce GTX 760.
You can't imagine how angry I was when I discovered my brand new video card was not working on this pc. Then I found this thread and I tried to contact Acer support too. It only helped to get me angrier because the noob at support just told me that they only supported the original hardware configuration, so they had nothing else to say to me.

Then I had an idea to fix this problem the smart way. After some searching I ordered on Amazon a ASUS P8Z77-M PRO motherboard, arrived the following day, for just 120€. This new motherboard is a jewel, so full of great features that make the Acer board seem a toy in comparison.
Take my advice pal: trash that s**t and buy a real motherboard. The one I bought is fully compatible with the rest of the predator (I have the version with the Intel core i5-3450) and has left me completely satisfied.
I will never buy a 'branded' pc again, especially not from Acer.

 

[marcheenek]

Thanks for the advice with the mobo. Did you have to buy new OS installation disk?

I decided to give the current setup another try - I just ordered GTX 560Ti 2Win and will report back with the outcome.

And for sure - Neither I nor anyone from my family / friends will buy Acer in the future!

 

[mademperor7]

I don't have problems about buying OS disks because I am using Ubuntu. The 3D si great BTW, I have been playing Dota 2 a lot.

It is a shame to go from a GTX 760 to a GTX 560Ti because the latter is much inferior:
PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmark Charts - Video Card Model List

With the same expense you could buy a real motherboard that would fix all your present (and future) issues. The Acer motherboard has no bios updates, no support, no overclock.

 

[marcheenek]

Not necessary. I'm not a gamer - I need my computer for 3D rendering (Blender) using CUDA and actually GTX 580 and GTX 560 Ti 2Win are superior over GTX 760 when it comes to 3D rendering. I got the GTX 760 in the first place because of a membership related deal on Amazon.
More on CUDA for Blender:
CUDA Performance - GeForce GTX 760 Review: GK104 Shows Up (And Off) At $250

 

[marcheenek]

OK, the GTX 560 Ti 2win works fantastically, although I had to order better PSU. My current is 600W with 46W on +12V and the official requirements are 700W with 50W on +12V.

The card works without hiccups with the current PSU, but I'm afraid to overheat the system with the underpowered PSU.

I'm really happy with the card performance for 3D rendering in Blender:
The benchmark file is rendered in only 46 seconds vs CPU (i7 3770 3.4GHz) in 166 seconds vs the old stock GT630 214 seconds. So rendering if 3.6x faster on GTX 560 Ti 2win vs. CPU and 4.7x faster compared to GT630.


The GTX760 I tried to install in the first place renders the file in about 70 seconds, based on reports by others. So, in the end, I ended up with a better card for my primary interest

 

[HristoBB]

Acer Predator 3620

I had a Acer Predator 3620
and GTX 760 Palit version and also many other cards that ive tried worked pretty perfectly
i got fortron 750W 80 plus silver PSU
everything is working fine to me