2G Graphics card upgrade...Beep! beep!

I tried installing an MSI Radeon HD 6450 2GB Pci express x16 video card. Once hooked up, I boot up and computer beeps, from what I can tell 1 or 2 long beeps, 8 short beeps. I was running built in 128m video so I disabled that in the Bios, but that didn't do it.

I noticed the Video card manuf. recommends minimum 400W PS, my rig only has a 300W PS. Would that really affect my upgrade or am I barking up the wrong tree. I don't want to fork over for a new PS unless it' warented. Thanks a bunch.

Windows XP PRP SP3
-Intel P4 CPU 3,00 Ghz, 3,0 Ghz,
-Intel Luxemburg D915GUX (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)

-Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family (built in video 128 Mo) Accelerator 3D Intel GMA 900
-WDC WD1200JS-00MHB0 (111 Go, IDE)
-2016 Mo (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
-Creative Audigy LS Audio Processor

 

It's possible you need a new PSU.

The TDP on that card is only 27 Watts and it doesn't require a hook up so I would think your current PSU could maybe support but I wouldn't risk it. There is also the possibility that the motherboard you have isn't providing enough power to the card.

You could try to re-seat the card or clean out the PCI express slot and see if that helps.

 

So you don't think it's a question of compatibility or a defect in the card. Strange how a flimsy GPU would need extra power to even run at start up. I figured if the card would boot up and fail after being solicited by a resource hungry game, that would be a sign that the PSU is over it's head. I even tried to use MSI's power supply test, but I don't think I have enough info to get an accurate result.

Now I need to figure out if I should get rid of this card and down-grade to a less power hungry 1G GPU or just dish out for a 450-5ooW UPS. Il do like you suggested and try to clean out my PCI express slot, but my tower' pretty clean inside and out.lol

Thanks for the help pclover
If you got any other input, you're more than welcome

 

The 6450 is a pretty low end card. Do you have another pc to test it in?

I'm thinking the GPU may be defective due to the low TDP of the card. They say 400 Watt suggested but the TDP of the card is only 27 watts which isn't very much power. I ran a 8600 GT on 300 watt psu which had a TDP of 47 watts.

I would try to re-seat the card and make sure it's fully in the slot.

 

I have another one but it's an AGP. Well, according to MSi' test I hit 257W easy, and that's without CPU code. If I us a random code, my results shoot up way passed 300W...more like 350'ish. Unless I can find a way to lower my consumption... doubtful, I tried disconnecting my 2 drives and my sound card, as well as my usb cards earlier today, but I got squat out of that.lol

I'll probably try re-setting the card again tomorrow, but I'd be shocked if it changed anything.

 

why the hell would someone put 2GB on such a low end SLOW card
I would return the card and look at building a new machine you are wasting your time here

 

Seeing that I'm not using it for intense gaming, it would be more than sufficient for everyday use. +, the reviews I saw seemed pretty good. For 30 bucks, I ain't gonna cry about it.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?mode=productreviewread&product_id=73221

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...dsPerPage=5&body=REVIEWS#CustomerReviewsBlock

 

just so you know what you are getting into that Pentium 4 is going to seriously bottleneck the performance of that card to the point where it won't be a whole lot faster then the onboard you are using
as for its refusal to post its entirely possible that the motherboard can't deliver enough power to post the card or perhaps the PCIe slot is faulty either way a pentium 4 rig is practically ancient now adays especially when you could build something with 5X the power for under 400 bucks

 

That being true, I don't need a beast of a machine. But you bring up a good point about the card not being able to handle the cpu. Still, for 30 bucks I can still sleep at night. :zzz

 

Have you tried to re-seat the card and make sure the pci-e slot is clean yet?

 

Yup! It was like deja vu, but without the puzzling feeling.

 

Update.
Well, I sold my card for 35$,lol
Told the guy to check it out and if it doesn't work we'll void the sale. Spoke to the guy later and he's pretty happy with it. :clap

Il try to check on a new 500W psu this weekend if I get a chance.
Then I'll start checking cards again.