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jwenting 1,905 duckman

Installed a new videocard today.
Plugged in the powersupply as directed (since when do videocards need powersupply anyway...).
Turned on the PC, start MSFS2004, marvel at the graphics.
5 minutes later my screen goes black and the PC boots itself.
Try again, same thing.

Turn it off, check everything again, find that one of the leads from the powercable isn't properly seated.
Reseat the lead, reconnect the cable, and all is well.

So if something seems right but still your system doesn't work: check your cables!

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Dani AI

Generated

Good, practical tip from — loose power contacts are a common, easily overlooked cause of random reboots when new video cards are fitted. Beyond a quick reseat, a few targeted checks help find the real problem and prevent repeat failures.

Quick troubleshooting checklist (safe order):

  • Power down, unplug the PSU and discharge components by holding the case power button for a few seconds.
  • Inspect the GPU power plug and cable ends for bent pins, damaged insulation, or burn marks; check the connector latch actually engages.
  • Confirm you used the correct connector type (PCIe 6-pin vs 6+2/8-pin) and that the PSU meets the card maker's recommended wattage and amperage on the 12V rail.
  • Swap the cable or use a different PSU connector (or a known-good PSU) to isolate cable vs. supply vs. card.
  • Avoid forcing connectors; replace suspect modular cables rather than reusing one that fits loosely.

Diagnostics to narrow the cause:

  • Check Windows Event Viewer for unexpected shutdowns (Kernel-Power) or display-driver crashes (TDR messages).
  • Use GPU monitoring tools (GPU-Z, HWiNFO, MSI Afterburner) to watch power draw and temps under load; instability that appears only after a few minutes often points to power or thermal limits.
  • If you have a multimeter or PSU tester, verify the 12V rail under load; modular pins that lose contact can show voltage drops.

Prevention and cautions:

  • Secure cables with strain relief or ties so weight doesnt pull connectors loose. Dont rely on Molex-to-PCIe adapters for high-draw cards. If you find scorched contacts or repeated failures, stop using the PSU and replace or RMA the faulty part to avoid fire risk.
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