Motherboard and CPU not working properly after attempt to upgrade GPU.

[bjerne]

I'm not quite sure on which board I should post this, but this was the best one I could.
I recently tried upgrading my GPU from just running intel HD 4000 to a ASUS Strix GTX 970. I have a 500w PSU which was the recommended amount and after reading various forum posts I thought it would be fine. I managed to install the gpu without any issues.

However when I tried to run benchmarks or demanding games it would crash. No BSOD or .dmp files were created. It was just a grayish screen and I had to shut off the computer manually. After one crash the entire PC failed to start. I got it to start again by taking out and putting back in each part and resetting CMOS. However it didn't recognize my integrated gpu anymore and I had to put the 970 back in to get screen feedback.

I tried reinstalling the drivers for the integrated graphics card but it still doesn't recognize it. After a while of no issues I decided to run a benchmark (FFXIV Heavensward benchmark, maximum settings). It completed the entire benchmark without any issues and I thought everything was fine. However it did crash again when I started playing games. I can still power on the PC but I cannot use the the power buttons on both the front or the motherboard. The motherboard has no LEDs active, the CPU fan isn't spinning and I cannot get screen feedback with or without a gpu installed. I did not see any sparks, fire or smell anything burned so I don't think I fried anything. When the PC stopped working the first time it showed no signs of power at all.

So what am I supposed to do now? Is the issue my PSU, my motherboard or my CPU? Should I replace one or multiple of them?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Not sure if this might be an issue but your ram seems awful low for the board you have ?

[B]Motherboard [/B]ASRock Z77 Extreme4  
    [B]Memory [/B]8,00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)

Where did you come up with that number 666Mhz ?

 

[bjerne]

Hi, thanks for the quick response.

I ran your program that automatically scanned the specs a few years ago and I haven't replaced the RAM since then. I'm pretty sure it's just a 1 missing and that it's supposed to be 1666 Mhz.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Thanks I don't see it listed as a supported Mhz :/

Memory: 4X DDR3-2800+(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 DIMM Slots, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, Dual Channel, Maxi Capacity up to 32GB

 

[cyclops]

Just my 2 cents on the numbers for the RAM. I am running 4gb of DDR3 1333 clk #'s also 9-9-9-24. All monitoring displays just 667mhz also. What I have read says something along the lines of dual channel is only showing half the actual numbers.
Just sayin'.

 

[wasnotwas]

The 2X RAM speed mix-up is due to the memory being DDR ie double data rate.

Back in the day, data was only transferred to/from RAM once per RAM clock cycle. Then some clever dude found a way to transfer data on both the leading and trailing edge of the clock signal (think square wave). This effectively doubled the data throughput - so the RAM appeared to run at double the speed, and was known as DDR or double data rate. (DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 are version numbers, not related to speed).

My 1600MHz RAM shows as 800MHz in my Aida64 on-screen gizmo - which it should.

Dual channel is a different thing, and relates to having 2 identical RAM cards operating together. This also increases data throughput, but by less than the 2X as implied in the description.

 

[cyclops]

WOW, thanks wasnotwas, who were once a pretty good band. You just swept out some cobwebs for this old fart. I should have known that since it was explained in a class which I attended in 2003.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep thanks for the explanations
I was just looking for clarification I was pretty sure it was 1333 in reality not sure why this forums spec's utility posted 666 because it should show what it is not half :/
I've used it before and it didn't show half.

 

[wasnotwas]

WOW, thanks wasnotwas, who were once a pretty good band

Yeah - and a funky sax player IIRC. Open the door, get on the floor, everybody walk the dinosaur . . .

snip from Aida64 showing real vs effective RAM clock on my trusty old 2600K

 

[Mellon Head]

So what am I supposed to do now? Is the issue my PSU, my motherboard or my CPU? Should I replace one or multiple of them?

The first thing I would do is to borrow a power supply from a friend if you can, and hook it up and see if you can get the machine to boot.

How old is the original PSU?

It's possible that it may have blown and damaged the motherboard in the process.

In my humble opinion, 500W is not enough of a power supply for that GPU and all of the other things in your computer. An ASUS Strix GTX 970 will sink as much as 225W. Add a processor, motherboard, drives and fans and you haven't got a lot of headroom to work with, power-wise. Especially when gaming or doing anything GPU/CPU intensive when power requirements really climb. I would recommend at least a 600W to 650W PSU for your system, and not a Corsair CX series. I have heard that they aren't as good as some of Corsair's other offerings. The TX series is good. So are supplies from EVGA and Seasonic, though both can be a little on the high side as far as price goes. But, the PSU is the heart of your rig. You should always try to get the best PSU you can afford. Your other components depend on it.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I agree CX series I sent one back and bought a evga 850P2 instead of the CX850
Personally I believe a 750 is a bare minimum depending on your computer hardware upgrading plans go
As you can tell I stick with the platinum 80+ and not the gold ratings.
It is a commitment though
10 year warrantee though.