New GPU for H8-1214

[Souperhero]

So I have an H8-1214 Desktop with a new 600W power supply. At the reccomendation from this thread, I tried to install a N750TI GPU with no success. The inital boot screen comes up, and I get a hardware incompatibility beep. I cannot enter into bios even. I also tried a GT 420 GPU (lower power requirements, and is PCI-E x16 v2 instead of v3) also with no luck. No beep, but otherwise the same behavior; no boot, and can't enter bios.

The machine was originally Win7 but is now Win10 with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS installed on a second HD. The OS upgrades and the PSU upgrades are the only changes to the default specs.

I've reached out to the GPU OEMs without any success.

So my question here is, I'd like to upgrade my GPU. What can I install that would improve my graphics? Will one of the cards I have work (and if so, how can I get it to) or if not, what one might I try?

Thanks.

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Open up the command prompt and enter: MSINFO32

Look at the BIOS version/date.  If it's version 8 or higher than most of the newer graphics cards should work. If the BIOS is version 7 then you will need a legacy graphics card such as the NVIDIA GTX 660 (best for performance).

Let's hope that your PCIe slot is not faulty or your cable is faulty or you are not plugging your monitor into the wrong port or that your graphics cards are dead.

Remove the graphics card and connect the monitor to the motherboard. I suggest that you run diagnostics and make sure that your PC is stable.

[Souperhero]

Thanks! BIOS version was 7.16 and that GTX660 GPU worked!

For my own edification, how would I have been able to find this out on my own?

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Experience and knowledge of HP BIOS levels would have been key to solving your problem. Additionally, knowing the year and month of manufacture is also key information. Finally, knowledge about graphics cards would then add problem solution by knowing what makes and models are legacy and which are UEFI based.