Leadtek 7950GX2 power ralested problems

[Liquid3D]

OK here's the story,

I have two leadtek 7950GX2 vid-cards arrive from different sources. I decide to try one in the follwoing system
Opteron 148
DFI LAN PArty Nf4 UT (original early version, penil modable to SLI)
2gb TwinX4400 PRO
AOpen 7800GTX
XG Duro 900 which is actually a SevenTeam 650W PSU.

I know this board isn't on the supported listbut I figure what the Hey it's a native SLI chipset why not?

I put the 7950GX2 in the DFI and it boots right into windows no problem. It's working fine until I get the message the resolution needs to be optimized (higher then 1024x768) I install the included drivers on the Leadtek CD and everything begins to go haywire? Each time I booted into Windows and went to the Desktop there was a delay as certain files were loading then a re-boot. This happened sevarl times and each time there was no message such as "Windows did not start properly, providing the Safe Mode Option.

Then on aboput the fith try the system won't boot up at all. I cleared CMOS to no avail. I re-installed the AOpen 7800GTX and the system wouldn't even power up? I had an inkling it was the PSU but I checked the molex and it's got power?

Then I pull the entire system and try installing my new:
Asus M2N32SLI deluxe
AM2 3800 X2
Crucial PC2-8000
Aopen 7800GTX
Duro 900

I try again and nothing? Now I don't know what the heck is going on? Do I have a fried 7950GX2 and if so why did it work at all?

I replace the Duro 900 with a Mushkin 650XP and everithing was finethre system has been running now with a 6600GT installed. So now I try agaion to install the 7950GX2, this time the BIOS is flashed to 0603 (0404 is all that's required) and nothing happens? Dead, so I then open the other card which hasn't been touched and it doesn't work either.

My question is (Doh) why? What am I missing? Why did the card orignally work on the LAN Party then fail? Should I try a more powerful PSU? I have the PCPOwer&Cooling 1KW althougjht it's running the system I'm using now, my Asus P5WD2, Presler 930, AOpen 7800GTX, watercooluing etc.

Here's what concerns me. The Duro 900 was used in my Nautilus 500 review where I not only ran the LanParty system described above, I also powered the pump on my other H20 system to keepthe watr circulating. In other words it's almost as if the card is being groundeed or something on thne case? Why else would both 7950GX2's fail to power-up?

[Illyest]

Did you try the 91.33 drivers off the nvzone site? Kinda sounds like one of your cards may be DOA tho. I'd just send them back to Leadtek asap.

[Liquid3D]

Wow somebody replied! The miracles never cease.

I discovered the source of the problem to be the PSU's. I had a feeling it was power related because initially the card did work, therefore one would think uninstalling the Leadtek drivers (if they caused the issue) would remedy the problem. It did not. the system would work with a Asus 6600GT, or AOpen7800GTX but no go on the 7950.

So I switch the Presler system into the case with the Mushkin 650XP (which now seems to be Dead) and put the Socket-AM2 3800X2, Asus M2N32SLI-Deluxe and 7950 into a case with the PCPower&Cooling Turbocool 1KW, and voila' she works.

[Westline]

I would definitely recommend you use aftermarket drivers. IMO, the stock drivers suck for overclocking. I have two leadtek 6600's, ancient by todays standards, but have never had any problems with my cards and their beastly heatsinks that I put on them.