Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

[JarreYuri]

Hi!

I posted this in another thread but got no reply. So I'll try to put this in a unique thread.

Hi!

I am new to this forum and I read this thread some days ago and wanted to get a problem solved.

I recently bought the Z68XP-UD4 together with the 2600K and also a Corsair SSD 60Gb SATA3 in cash RAID with 1Gb SATA3.
I kept my Corsair TX650W PSU, my 4Gb Corsair CMP4GX3M2C1600C7 memory and my ATi HD 4870 X2.

I started to get problems right from the start actually.
My monitors lost their signal and turned to standby after a minute or two.
This also happened while I was in BIOS menu.
The think the computer also froze as I could not get it to react on keyboard inputs.

Then I took out the ATi HD 4870X2 card and put in a simple ATi HD 5450 and NO PROBLEM with blackout!!!
I started to think.. what the H*LL!?!?!?

After some time I was getting very hungry for some gaming and but in my 4870X2 again and it worked.
...well, at least until I tried to get my memory to run in its XMP 1600 instead of the 1333 that the motherboard wanted. Then the problem was back with screen blackout.
Also if I hooked up another hard drive, same problem.
Trying to overclock the CPU, same problem together with a message on boot that the frequencies caused a problem that made the motherboard switch back to standard.
Overclocking and adding more hard drives with the lesser HD 5450 graphics card produced no problem what so ever. I overclocked to 4.3 GHz and with memory on XMP and no problem at all.
I can't actually not do anything to the BIOS except handling startup disks and using X.H.D!!!
I can't even set the HPET mode to 64 Bit in bios!!!! (I use W7 pro 64 Bit).

The problem seems to be that my new setup can't handle and drive the HD 4870X2 if strained with extra hard drives or even with the slightest overclocking OR XMP profile for the memory.
I tried to run the 2 extra power couplings to the graphic card from a separate PSU but without any luck.
Or is the problem that my 4870X2 has got S-VHS output that actually is a forbidden combination with HDMI that is integrated with the MOBO? There is no way to shut of the onboard GPU!

Or is it that the 4870X2 draws too much power from the mainboard PCI?

Can it be that my Corsair 650W PSU are to weak???

Please try to help me out! :)

[profJim]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

For your 4870x2 card, are you connecting one 6-pin and one 8-pin connector? Have you tried the other pci-e cable?
EPS12V connector: Are you using an 8-pin connector (2x4-pins)?
How old is your power supply? Is it the original TX650? Is it the newer TX650 v2?
You might need to test with another power supply, preferably at least 750 watts.
Try testing your 4870 in a different pci-e slot to see if the results are the same.

[wazza300]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

The igpu should auto shut off if a graphic card is detected,do you need to install the lucid virtue drivers for that mb/igpu? Maybe its causing problems? Using latest mb bios? Could be a BIOS issue

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Well, my BIOS are the latest "F5".
I do use both PCI-e power connectors to the GPU and the graphic card seem to think it's ok as it otherwise would lit up a few diodes in case of lack of voltage.
The PSU are the original TX650 and it's maybe 2 years old or so.

When I used my previous MOBO Gigabyte GA-EP45T EXTREME I could overclock to an easy 4GHz and used that 24/7. But I could not use the MPX profile for my memory. Maybe because they are made for i5 and i7.

It's so annoying as I can't do any changes in BIOS without the screens getting blacked out.

I will try the other pci-e slots...

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

PS. I don't know if I will put my GPU in the other pic-e as it is used for SLI/crossfire and is also only 8x.
It is already proven that the main 16x pic-e slot does work as it works flawlessly with the lesser HD5450 card.

As for now I can barely get my computer too stay on without the monitors turning off with my HD 4870x2.

Can it be that the power supply to the motherboard is too low?

Noteworthy is that the HD 4870x2 with its AC-cooler always performed flawless in my previous setup and also flawless when my new setup does work.

[profJim]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Can it be that the power supply to the motherboard is too low?

Your goal right now is to try and find out where the problem is.
It's possible that your power supply is defective.
You should test using the remaining psu pci-e cables.
Your should test with the 2nd pci-e slot, even if it is only 8x. Even though the first pci-e slot works with the less powerful video card, the first pcie-e slot may not be able to supply 75 watts to your video card.
You might need to test with a different monitor and/or cable.

My monitors lost their signal and turned to standby after a minute or two.

Try using only one monitor until you can find the problem.
Can you test your 4870x2 card in another system?
Try running your system with a minimal hardware setup for now.
You might need to delete and reinstall your video drivers, possibly with an older or newer version.

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Ok!

I have tried using older drivers. But You see, they can black out even in BIOS mode.
Right now it works after several restarts and the only BIOS change from optimal (that works) is the use of X.H.D.

I will try using only 1 monitor and also try the 8x-slot.

My 4870X2 worked flawlessly in my previous setup! And it does so in this setup too if I don't change anything at all in the BIOS except for the X.H.D.

I will shut of my system now and try 1 monitor....

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Ok, tried the 8x pic-e and no difference.
1 monitor, no change.

[profJim]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

With your ATi HD 5450 installed, can you make bios changes and overclock your memory?
Did you load optimized bios defaults before making any bios changes?
Is your motherboard version 1.3?

From the http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...beta-bios.html thread, F6c is the latest beta bios for your motherboard.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/12...68XPUD4.6c.zip.
It might be worth a try.

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

As of this writing moment I am using the lesser HD 5450 and can change and actually USE the XMP Profile for the memories and also use HPET 64 bit mode.
No blackouts.

I have Revision 1.0 on the motherboard.

[profJim]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

It looks like the problem is with your power supply or video card.
Can you test your 4870x2 in another system to verify that it still works?
You should test your system with another power supply with your 4870x2 installed.

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Yes, I think it will be the cheapest way to buy a new PSU and try again then to buy a similar new GPU as that would be a h*ll of a lot more expensive. heheh

I will get back to You all on how it goes.

[profJim]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Have you tried running your cpu and memory at stock settings and putting a heavy gaming load on your video card for an hour or more?
Is there a way that you can temporarily disable one gpu using catalyst or device manager?
Can you borrow a psu to test with?
Can you bring your TX650 to a local computer shop for testing?
They would need to perform a thorough load test. A voltage test is not a sufficient.
How much would they charge to check out your system?
You've got a decent psu, but even the good ones can have problems.
If you buy a new psu, see if you can return it for a full refund if it doesn't fix your system.
One additional psu test: A good 400 - 500 watt psu should power your system where you keep gpu usage to a minimum.

Good luck.

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Well, when it worked I had the BIOS in optimized mode except for the use of my SSD with X.H.D. and were able to play Battlefield 3 without any hickup in High settings.

I have ordered a new 900W PSU from Antec.
I'll ask them if I can return it if there is no change when I pick it up.

[JarreYuri]

Re: Z68XP-UD4 graphics blackout problem

Ok, a new stronger PSU made no change what so ever.....

It seems to be a compatibility problem between the motherboard and my ATi HD 4870X2 as I can gladly overclock my GPU when the motherboard is in optimized BIOS and with X.H.D. Grrrrr...
So the HD 4870X2 works flawlessly as long as the motherboard is in "standard" mode.
Overclocking the CPU makes the screens black out in BIOS but the BIOS mode is still running and has not crashed as I can manouver, save and restart the BIOS though I am blind without the screens.

Somehow the motherboard seem to overclock or mess with the PCI-E though I NEVER EVER change the B-Clock.

Any thoughts?