Problems with XFX 4870 1gb :(

[SirJangly]

Hey guys, I finished building my first computer only to get no POST, and three red lights from the back of the video card. I searched online and found that this is caused by insufficient power. This is my psu:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182185

Isn't that more than enough power? I was told it would be. This is really disheartening I thought I'd be playing Crysis Warhead by 10:00PM, and now it's 2:00AM

 

[Flyordie]

Could just be the card...

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Can you try the card in another machine,or maybe try another psu just to be sure.

 

[Easo]

PSU definetely should be enough.

 

[Flyordie]

Its a ChannelWell build... so PSU is still iffy.

 

[SirJangly]

What does that mean? Also, my ram is rated at 1.9v, but the mobo mentions 1.5v. Wouldn't the memory automatically downgrade, or would this be causing it?

 

[SirJangly]

I must add that the mobo has six screw holes but came with 3 standoffs. Could this be causing shorts anywhere?

 

[rake]

Also, my ram is rated at 1.9v, but the mobo mentions 1.5v. Wouldn't the memory automatically downgrade, or would this be causing it?

You motherboard reads and displays memory information from the SPD chip on the memory, this has no real bearing on the 'rating'.

If you leave all the memory settings in your BIOS on AUTO, your RAM will run at the highest SPD value it finds and use the default memory voltage setting of your motherboard. You have to manually adjust the memory timings, frequency and voltage to get to the memory manufacturer's 'rating'.

But only do this once you've eliminated other possible causes for your PC failing to POST.

 

[Flyordie]

What does that mean? Also, my ram is rated at 1.9v, but the mobo mentions 1.5v. Wouldn't the memory automatically downgrade, or would this be causing it?

ChannelWell was a very bad PSU manufacturer back in the Antec Smartpower days... lol.

 

[boomstik360]

I have never had problems with rosewill PSU's.... Dang Jangly that really sucks man I hope it all gets figured out and nothing is really DOA.

 

[SirJangly]

UPDATE

I put the xfx card in my gateway, ran fine. I put my 8800gt into this new mobo and still no post. Anyone else think this is a mobo and not psu/proc issue?

 

[erocker]

Time to rebuild from the ground up. Make sure you have all of the stand-offs and make sure there are no stand-offs mounted where there is no hole on the motherboard. Re connect all connections. Just take your time, do everything slowly and check and re-check everything.

 

[SirJangly]

I must admit there are 6 mounting holes bur only 3 standoffs that came with the mobo could that have caused a short when I mounted it and fried the mobo?

 

[erocker]

What case are you using?

 

[SirJangly]

Mid tower rosewill at newegg for 29.99. I would get a link but I'm driving and typing on my blackberry lol. The standoffs came with the mobo, the case came with nothing but the case itself.

 

[erocker]

Stand-offs shouldn't come with a motherboard, as they are designed for whatever case you are using.
If it looks like this:

You don't need stand-offs, they are built into the motherboard tray.

 

[SirJangly]

So I can safely. Place my mobo on the elevated metal parts of the case, without using any standoffs?

I also tried posting the mobo while outside the case with the same results.

 

[erocker]

Well if you tried it outside the case, then it might be broken. Did you hear any cracking when trying to install it with three standoffs that you didn't need? Did you check your CMOS jumper to see if it's in the correct position?

 

[SirJangly]

Cmos is correct and was reset multiple times. The board flexed a lot and there was a lot of scraping.... I wouldn't say cracking, at least not what I could see.

Another problem has arisen. My mobo is an msi c4d. At the top of the mobo are 4 blue leds. Up until recently in my attemps they would all light up blue and solid. Earlier when I was trying to post out of the case I had to turn off the power so I flicked the psu.

Now, when I try posting, only the first light is solid while the other 3 are very dim and flicker.

 

[erocker]

If everything is connected/mounted properly it's broke, or a short or both.

 

[boomstik360]

Did you make sure you had no static electricity before you started your build? As in you grounded yourself with the case with the PSU in and plugged in to an outlet?

 

[erocker]

Did you make sure you had no static electricity before you started your build?

Cmos is correct and was reset multiple times. The board flexed a lot and there was a lot of scraping.... I wouldn't say cracking, at least not what I could see.

Another problem has arisen. My mobo is an msi c4d. At the top of the mobo are 4 blue leds. Up until recently in my attemps they would all light up blue and solid. Earlier when I was trying to post out of the case I had to turn off the power so I flicked the psu.

Now, when I try posting, only the first light is solid while the other 3 are very dim and flicker.

Lol, static electricity isn't the problem. I can pet a sheep and build a rig and not have a problem with that!

 

[SirJangly]

Ugh. Could it be the psu? Everything has power and lights up though, or the proc maybe?

 

[boomstik360]

Lol, static electricity isn't the problem. I can pet a sheep and build a rig and not have a problem with that!

Hey it has happened. You can never be to safe

 

[SirJangly]

Can anyone else confirm that I don't need to use standoffs?