Hi, I was wonderin if anyone could help me on a problem I'm having with a new graphics card.

I recently bought a GeForce 7600GT 256mb card to replace my faulty Geforce 6200TC (faulty in that it no longer goes above 640x480, 4-bit color, and there are vertical scanlines even on pictures during boot screen) both using PCI-E. When I switched my comp on with the new card, there is no display whatsoever, but I know for sure it is loading windows because after about 30 seconds when I tried to switch it off again it tries to hibernate, and when I switch it back to my dodgy old card it shows that it's trying to load from hibernation. There weren't any beeps etc. to indicate any errors.

There are two DVI outputs and one s-video. I haven't tested the s-video but since I have a VGA monitor, I have an adaptor to plug it into the DVI socket. Tried both sockets and it doesn't work.

I've checked pretty much everything I can think of: uninstalling old drivers, checking all cables, monitor. I don't think it could be anything else apart from the graphics card or the psu. Problem is I don't know anyone else nearby who has a desktop to test my PCI-E card. My PSU is I think pushing it in that it's 350W 15A on +12V. I haven't had any experience with a comp not having enough power but I would have thought that if there wasn't enough power then the computer either won't boot or just crash when the card draws too much power (and I know for sure it's loading windows).

Perhaps it IS a driver issue? In which case I honestly don't know what else to do.

Well, it does not appear to need an extra power connection, but according to at least one GeForce 7600GT card maker it does require,

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply. (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.)

I even found where your old card wanted 18amps. So, it would appear your PSU is underpowered and you should take care of that. Your old PSU may have finally given out and I would not attempt to power up your system with that supply again - at least not until it is tested by a qualified technician.

I recommend a new 500w to 550w supply from a major maker: Antec, TT, Enermax, PC P&C.

Well i think my PSU is inadequate but I don't think it's THAT serious. Consdering this was a pre-built system I don't think there's anything wrong with my PSU at the minute. The old graphics card works it's just not able to go any higher res and 4bit colour because it's obviously bust.

Anyhows, I intend to upgrade the PSU because I think it is most likely that that's preventing me from seeing anything on the screen for the new graphics card. Seasonic S12 430W perhaps? Thanks anyways though. I'll keep you posted.

Consdering this was a pre-built system I don't think there's anything wrong with my PSU at the minute.

I'm don't see what pre-built has to do with it - except may prebuilts are built with PSUs that are barely adequate to start with. Is all other hardware the same since new or have you added RAM or more drives for example? Do note that PSU components age and a PSU will actually grow weaker over time - some suggest up to 10% in the first year, more if used heavily - and I would say with your graphics power requirements, heavy use fits your usage patterns.

You said you "checked" the monitor, how? Did you try another monitor on your machine? Did you try your monitor on another PC?

Seasonic is a good brand and certainly 430 will meet your current needs. However, a good PSU should last for several years and through several upgrades. I recommend you look 2 or 3 years down the road. Will you be looking to upgrade your motherboard and CPU? Adding more RAM? Another drive? A bigger video card? An extra $30 to $40 now for a 550W seasonic may save you from buying another PSU next year should you decide to upgrade or HW failure forces an upgrade. Just something to think about.

I recommend you check out the Antec eXtreme PSU Calculator. Plug in all the hardware you think you might have in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or 2nd video card, etc.), change the CPU utilization to 100%, then see what they recommend. I usually add 10 - 20% for good measure.

Cool thanks for the advice.

Again about the PSU I just don't think my initial problems started with the psu, just the old graphics card. My old graphics card was passively cooled and it has always ran hotter on idle than usual so I sort of guessed it wouldn't last too long. I also said I checked the monitor because right now I've still got my old graphics card plugged in and I'm using it to type to you. Even if it has scanlines (assuming it was the monitor), surely it would still switch on when I plug the new graphics card? I dunno, I'm pretty sure it's not the monitor.

But, point taken that PSUs decrease in output over time, that my PSU is inadequate, and also I should get a more powerful PSU. I'll definitely check out the 500W version. I'm not really a heavy user, but I really like having smooth graphics for games at hi res when I have time to play games. And no, I haven't upgraded my comp at all since I bought it (mostly because it's been running pretty nice and fast since I bought it), but after buying a new psu I might think about another SATA drive.

I'm not too sure about Antec, I read some stuff around and despite the brandname it looks a bit dodgy (failing after maybe several months). But hey, maybe there's some guys employed from other companies to talk rubbish about those PSU.

Anyways, thanks a lot, I appreciate your help

I agree with your assessment that this looks like your old card is at fault. And I agree it appears your monitor is working. My point about switching out monitors with a known good one is that it is so simple to do, and swapping monitors will quickly prove if something is wrong with the monitor or not. Often monitors are still able to produce a display, but are unable to switch resolutions, or display other anomalies. Trying your monitor on another PC just ensures all is okay on that end of the monitor cable.

The new card not working may simply be because it does not have enough power.

I have been a long time fan of Antec cases and power supplies and have also been disappointed that some of their recent supplies have not lived up to expectations. Sadly, that is not trash talk from competitors, but true, and there are some (not all) reviews from reputable hardware review sites to substantiate that. But that problem has been centered on their Neo line of PSUs, the TruPower line continues to be strong contendors. And even with the Neo line, in all cases that I am aware of, Antec stood behind their products and replaced with new PSUs immediately - no questions asked. They are still a good choice and I will take an Antec over a off-brand/generic any day.

The calculator above has nothing to do with Antec - they just provide it on their site. It is really the xTreme OuterVision PSU Calculator Lite. The calculator does not recommend or lead you toward any brand, it only gives you a realistic assessment of your wattage needs. This is important because all too many people are over eager to recommend and push "bigger is better" and that is simply not true. So you can use the calculator without any misgivings about Antec or any other brand.