Video Card Installation - I need help. :(

[Murphie]

My new video card arrived today. Previously I had a 5200FX card, which came with my PC. I installed the new card, and then plugged everything back in and turned on my PC. Immediately the video card made this crazy high-pitched whine that didn't stop until I turned the machine back off. I thought maybe I hadn't put it in correctly, so I took it out, checked everything again, and put it back in. Still whining. So I reinstalled my old videocard, and everything worked just fine.

I am kind of an idiot when it comes to computers. I can muddle my way through, but I am in no way even what I would call kind of average with them. Well maybe average. Anyway! I don't know what the problem is.

I did notice that the card requires a power supply. I don't have an extra one, and I couldn't find anywhere to hook the video card up, so that may very well be the problem. I've done several google searches for "power supply" and "video card power supply" etc., but I haven't found any clear answers. Is there a special separate power supply that I can (and must?) buy for my video card? If so, can someone please point me in the right direction or even suggest one?

I'd really like to avoid having to send this thing back, but if I have to, I will. I was looking forward to finally being able to up my background resolution, but I guess I'll have to wait on that until I get this situation sorted out.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

yeah that VC will require and auxilary power source.

you should have received an adapter in the box (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...ard+%2D+Retail the connector on the bottom right of the 4th picture)
plug one end into your video card (only one will fit) and the other end into a spare connector from your PC's powersupply (again, only one end should fit).

[Murphie]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

I did get that connector. But the problem I'm having is that I can't seem to find a place to plug the other end into. I mean, I know where my power supply is, but I'm not seeing a place to hook this up. In fact, I'm not even sure it'll reach. But I'll give it a look again and see if I can sort it out. :/

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

you plug it into a spare molex connector (the same ones you connect your CD/DVD drive and HHD to).

[Omni]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

Aelathir,

The connector nt is speaking of should be able to fit into an existing line. It has 2 ends so, you can plug 1 end into whatever that line is currently being used for and the other into another device. Sorta like a Y splitter.

So for instance, if you have a power line going into your HD, while your puter is off, pull out the line that goes to your HD, hook it to the connector, plug 1 end back into the HD and the other free end into your new video card.

Good luck

edit: damn you NT. getting your quickness back huh?! :p

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

lol I actually got home early for once

[Murphie]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

I figured out where to plug it in! The other end was very well hidden behind a mass of wires and cords and other computer items of what purpose I can't determine. But I found it! And it works. So woo!

Since it's a 6800 XT, we'll just have to see if it actually plays nice with FFXI, but I really appreciate the help, NT. Seriously. I thought I was going to have to return this thing.

[Omni]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

it should play pretty well with ffxi. turn everything on high and start casting and using all the /ja you can! :D

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

glad to help. the 6800xt is a nice card.

[Murphie]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

I couldn't beat the price. I'm still figuring out how to make my game look the best while maintaining quality (still not sure about setting my background res to 2048x2048) but I'll figure it out eventually. Brandson's UI and font changes make a huge difference already.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

no you don't need 2048x2048 to make it look good (a bit of overkill imho). anything 2x your resolution will make the edges pretty sharp.

btw, aelathir became murphie? lol. the mystaru~y is revealed!

[Omni]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

what is this brandon's UI?

[neighbortaru]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

it's a dat replacement for the menu+fonts that makes it look more like old school FF

[Mhurron]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

btw, aelathir became murphie? lol. the mystaru~y is revealed!

Ya what was with the name change?

[Murphie]

Re: Video Card Installation - I need help.

Ya what was with the name change?

I just had a bunch of gil lying around. So it seemed like something to do.