EVGA GeForce 980 issues

[Mt5_Roie]

So here's my specs now:

3.4 ghz Intel I7-2600k OC to 4.0 ghz, ASUS P8Z68-V LX motherboard (which only goes up to PCIe 2.0), 16 gigs of ram.

 

I originally had a GeForce 960 which I love and works great. But recently got the Oculus Rift DK2 and am going to get the release version when it comes out. It will require at least a 970...so figured I'd go ahead and get me a 980 SC.

 

So it came in today and I installed it no problems. Downloaded latest driver version and began to test it. In GTA V I started getting some issues right off the bat. There was a forum post on how to fix it (requires to under clock the GPU a bit) and that did fix the issues. In FSX things went ok, but that sim is mostly CPU based. In my main flight sim (DCS World) it had big issues. I would load up a mission and initially it would get about 120 fps or more....but then it blacks out...sometime it would come back for a second or two before blacking out again. I tried under clocking the GPU, but that didn't help.

 

So my question is - can my motherboard even handle this card? It's a 4 year old system at this point and I'm working on getting it upgraded. But would I ever be able to get this card working right with the current specs? I'm in the process of speccing out a new build with either Devil's Canyon or Skylark i7 in it, but probably won't be able to afford all the parts for another year.

 

So whats your opinion? Should I go back to the GeForce 960 which worked fine for now, or should I try to figure out the issues with the 980? Do you guys have any idea where to start fixing it?

[cichlidfan]

See my sig, and I have no issues. So I don't think it is your mobo.

[Mt5_Roie]

See my sig, and I have no issues. So I don't think it is your mobo.

 

Looks like you have a 850w PSU...I think my current rig has a 700w PSU in it. Is there any application that could check to see if its a power issue vs a driver issue?

[cichlidfan]

The sig is actually incorrect there. A while back I was working on a machine for someone and swapped out my PSU for a spare 750 watt unit. It is running fine and 980 is also quite efficient so I doubt power is the problem (unless you have a questionable PSU).

 

I'm not sure the best way to test that though.

[boedha68]

How mucb is your psu? I think psu 750 watt is minimum

[cichlidfan]

A stock GTX 980 should only draw about 165w. Nvidia specifies a minimum of a 500w PSU.

[Mt5_Roie]

So opened my case to look at the PSU (I bought the computer whole back in the day...). The PSU is a Xtreme Gear XG-P700 700W which doing a quick search on shows it's not the best PSU. Plus it's only rated for 700 either way.

 

I do have a 850w PSU that I was using for an old bitcoin rig which is missing most of the cables, but I know it has the video cable since thats what the rig was using. Would it be safe to hook up the 980 to that PSU by itself and have the Xtreme Gear XG-P700 700W ATX PSU power everything else? Because if that works, then it would show that it's truly the PSU and nothing else...but not sure how safe it is to run a GPU with its own power by itself.

[cichlidfan]

Well, there is no question that low end PSUs can be a weak spot in a system, particularly when pushed.

 

As for the issue of running two PSUs, I can't think of a reason why that would cause a problem but then I changed from Electrical to Mechanical Engineering after my first year of college so my opinion might not have much merit. ;)

 

EDIT: Actually, there is an issue with two PSU's. Most require a signal from the mobo to turn on. This signal is on the main mobo connection cable. So your second PSU might not even turn on when you hook it up. Some can be fooled into thinking there is a mobo signal but that varies with the supply brand.

Edited September 19, 2015 by cichlidfan

[Mt5_Roie]

Yeah there is a trick to turning them on. I've done it before. Basically connect the green wire to the black wire and it'll turn.

 

Will test tonight and report back.

[cichlidfan]

Good luck with it.

[Sporg]

So opened my case to look at the PSU (I bought the computer whole back in the day...). The PSU is a Xtreme Gear XG-P700 700W which doing a quick search on shows it's not the best PSU. Plus it's only rated for 700 either way.

 

I do have a 850w PSU that I was using for an old bitcoin rig which is missing most of the cables, but I know it has the video cable since thats what the rig was using. Would it be safe to hook up the 980 to that PSU by itself and have the Xtreme Gear XG-P700 700W ATX PSU power everything else? Because if that works, then it would show that it's truly the PSU and nothing else...but not sure how safe it is to run a GPU with its own power by itself.

 

I would not do that.

 

You risk getting weird problems, or worse, with uncontrolled return currents between the two PSUs.

 

Imagine one PSU running a slightly different voltage than the other for instance? Which way, and where will the currents go?

 

This is a very real problem with electronics design, even on a single power supply.

 

My suggestion is that you either purchase or borrow another PSU that is sufficiently powerful, and test with that one.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Sporg

[Demon_]

Turn "on" a psu unit: Short the green wire (ps-on) to the black (com).

 

Edited September 19, 2015 by Demon_

[Mt5_Roie]

So a little update. I have a Thermaltake PSU that is 850w and I used it to power the 980 card with the built in PSU running everything else. Results were good, no crashes or issues. So I spent some time tonight and replaced the old 700w PSU with the 850w one and so far things appear ok.

 

I tested DCS and did the instant action mission both using HDMI and DVI and was getting FPS from 85-120 depending on what I was doing. Before with the old PSU as soon as I hit the A/G button on the Targeting Pod it would go blank...so thats good. I did about a 15 minute flight with no issues.

 

Next I tested GTA V and played for about 30 minutes with no hiccups. So thats good.

 

Ran a stress test on the GPU and worked well.

 

So it's looking better, but I'm hoping to do a longer flight tomorrow to make sure. My normal flights range from around 1-2 hours normally so I'll do one of those.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

[cichlidfan]

Good deal.

 

This is a prime example of why I always stress getting a good PSU for any system. Another reason is that warranties on better PSUs last longer than many people keep most of their other components.

[Gladman]

I had to buy a larger PSU when I went SLI GTX780's. Mine very simply shut off and had to be restarted.