Hardware

Fix GTX 650 Ti BOOST No Video on ECS H55-M

Troubleshoot GTX 650 Ti BOOST no display on ECS H55-M motherboard: verify 6-pin PCIe power, PSU, reset CMOS, BIOS settings (PCIe priority, CSM, Gen2), test slot, cables. Step-by-step diagnostics for GPU compatibility.

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How can I get an ECS H55-M motherboard to display video with a GTX 650 TI BOOST? The GTX 650 TI BOOST produces no image on this motherboard, but the system shows video when I replace the graphics card, so the issue appears specific to this motherboard/GPU combination. What step-by-step troubleshooting and fixes should I try—specifically: which BIOS/UEFI settings (PCIe/IGFX priority, CSM/legacy/UEFI) or BIOS updates might be required, should I reset CMOS, what PSU checks and 6-pin PCIe power connector requirements should I verify, could output type or adapters (DVI/HDMI/VGA) cause no signal, how do I test the PCIe slot and seating, and what diagnostics will determine whether the GPU is defective or incompatible?

Start with power and BIOS: make sure the GTX 650 Ti BOOST has its 6‑pin PCIe power plugged in and the PSU meets NVIDIA’s recommended minimum (the GTX 650 Ti BOOST needs a 6‑pin and the card draws ~130–135 W), then reset CMOS and set the ECS H55‑M BIOS to initialize graphics from PCIe/PEG (enable CSM/legacy video or set PCIe link to Auto/Gen2) and update the motherboard BIOS. If video still fails, swap PSUs or test the GTX 650 Ti BOOST in another PC (and a known‑good GPU in the ECS board) to isolate a bad card vs. motherboard compatibility. Follow the step‑by‑step checklist below to work from fastest fixes to deeper diagnostics.

Contents

Initial checks: PSU and 6‑pin power for GTX 650 Ti BOOST

Power problems are the most common cause of a “no signal” with a working motherboard but a problematic GPU. The GTX 650 Ti BOOST requires one 6‑pin PCIe connector and NVIDIA lists a minimum system power recommendation (see specs). The card’s max draw is roughly 130–135 W, so check power first.

What to do (fast checks, 5–15 minutes)

  1. Physically verify the 6‑pin PCIe cable is fully seated on the card. Wiggle it gently and reseat it. Avoid Molex→PCIe adapters if possible.
  2. Confirm the cable comes directly from the PSU (not a cheap splitter) and, on modular PSUs, that the cable is plugged into the PSU port labeled for PCIe (not the CPU/SATA port).
  3. Look at the PSU label: is total wattage >= 450 W (NVIDIA’s stated minimum for some GTX 650 Ti BOOST SKUs) and does the +12V rail(s) supply adequate current? If unsure, swap in a known‑good 450W+ PSU. Reference: NVIDIA specs: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/graphics-cards/geforce-gtx-650ti-boost/specifications/ and community notes on power.
  4. Power on and watch the GPU fans. Do they spin? If the fans never spin and the 6‑pin is connected, that’s a strong sign of a power/PSU or card failure.
  5. If you’re comfortable with a multimeter: measure DC 12 V between the yellow and black pins of the PCIe connector while the PSU is on. If you see <11.5 V under load, swap PSUs or stop and get a bench PSU test.

If the card powers but still shows no image, keep going — power ok narrows this to BIOS, cabling, or the GPU itself. For an example of the same kind of power check step reported by users, see this community thread noting the PCI‑E power connection: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/no-video-signal-after-upgrade-asus-gtx-650-ti-boost.2378300/

BIOS/UEFI settings on ECS H55‑M for GTX 650 Ti BOOST

Older H55 motherboards can default to integrated graphics or have PCIe/OpROM/CSM settings that keep a discrete card from initializing. Updating the ECS BIOS is often necessary — ECS documents H55 board fixes in their FAQ (check for recommended updates). See ECS H55H‑M FAQ here: https://www.ecs.com.tw/en/Product/Motherboard/H55H-M/faq

Key BIOS settings to check (enter BIOS with DEL / F2 during POST)

BIOS update (when and how)

  • If settings don’t help, check ECS for a BIOS update that improves VGA/PCIe initialization. The ECS H55 FAQ mentions updating BIOS for “no display” scenarios — download the latest H55 BIOS and follow the ECS flashing procedure carefully. BIOS flashing carries risk; follow the vendor steps exactly and make a backup of current BIOS if the utility supports it.

Reset CMOS / clear BIOS settings

Why reset: a stale setting (IGFX priority, broken GPU enumeration) can be cleared by resetting CMOS.

Steps (simple and safe)

  1. Power off, unplug the PC from mains.
  2. Press and hold the case power button for 5–10 seconds to bleed residual power.
  3. Remove the CMOS battery (coin cell) from the board for ~60 seconds, or use the CLEAR_CMOS jumper per manual. (A one‑minute battery removal is a standard quick reset method reported by users.) Example community instruction: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/monitor-says-no-signal-when-i-put-in-my-nvdia-geforce-gtx-650-ti.1661296/
  4. Reinstall the battery, plug in, boot, enter BIOS, load BIOS defaults, then change Primary Display to PCI‑E and save.
  5. Try booting with the GTX 650 Ti BOOST connected.

Resetting clears any misapplied values and restores the board to a state where it will more consistently hand off to the discrete GPU.

Cables, adapters and monitor outputs (DVI/HDMI/VGA)

Wrong cable or adapter can produce “no signal” even though the GPU and BIOS worked. Check the physical video path.

Common gotchas and fixes

  • Are you plugged into the GPU or the motherboard? When a discrete card is installed, the monitor must be connected to the card’s outputs — not the on‑board connectors.
  • DVI‑I vs DVI‑D vs VGA adapters: a passive DVI→VGA adapter only works if the card’s DVI is DVI‑I (contains analog pins). Most modern GTX 650 Ti BOOST cards use DVI‑D (digital only). If you used a passive adapter and see nothing, try a digital cable (DVI‑D → DVI‑D or HDMI → HDMI). If you must use VGA, buy an active HDMI/DP/DVI→VGA converter.
  • Try every output on the card: both DVI ports, HDMI (and DP if present). Some cards only initialize one output at POST depending on VBIOS.
  • Test cables and monitor input selection: switch the monitor input manually, try a different cable and a different monitor if available.

If you previously used a DVI→VGA adapter on the motherboard and then plugged the same adapter into the GPU, that’s an easy trap — try a straight digital cable first.

PCIe slot, seating and minimal‑hardware tests

A bad seat or a shorted card can stop initialization. Even if a replacement GPU worked in the slot, some cards seat differently or have mechanical interference.

Steps (20–40 minutes)

  1. Power off and unplug. Remove the card and inspect the PCIe gold fingers for dirt/oxidation; blow out dust with canned air.
  2. Reseat the card firmly into the top x16 slot; ensure the retention clip/PCIe latch snaps into place and the bracket screw is secure.
  3. Try a different PCIe slot if the board has one (many H55 boards have a single x16 slot).
  4. Boot with a minimal configuration: CPU, one RAM stick (try the slot recommended by manual), GPU, PSU, keyboard, monitor — no drives, no extras. This reduces variables.
  5. If the card still shows no signal, try the GTX 650 Ti BOOST in a second, known‑good PC. Conversely, try a known‑good GPU in your ECS board. That A/B swap isolates the faulty component quickly. Several users resolved “no video” by doing exactly this.

If you hear POST beeps but no video (or specific beep patterns — see diagnostics), note those codes before changing hardware; they’re diagnostic.

Diagnostics: how to tell if the GPU is dead or incompatible

Use this when preliminary checks haven’t fixed the problem.

A. Visual / audible checks

  • Fans and LEDs: if fans never spin, or the card gives smoke/odors — stop and consider the card failed.
  • Beep codes: some BIOS beep patterns indicate video card initialization failure (example: 1 long + 2 short was reported as video init failure in a community thread). See community report: https://hardforum.com/threads/galaxy-gtx-650-ti-boost-no-video.1797955/

B. Does the system boot (POST / Windows sound) without video?

  • Yes, and you can boot via onboard video: check Device Manager (Windows) or run lspci (Linux). If the OS sees the GPU (device enumerates), the hardware is partially alive and problem is likely BIOS/driver related. If it does NOT enumerate, the GPU didn’t initialize at a low level.

C. OS-level checks (if you can use onboard display)

D. PCIe link and bandwidth checks (when you can boot to OS)

  • Use GPU‑Z in Windows to view PCIe link speed and width. If it’s x1 or negotiating Gen1, try BIOS PCIe speed change to Auto/Gen2 or test on another board.

E. Electrical tests

  • Multimeter checks on the 6‑pin connector: measure +12V on yellow pins and verify continuity on ground. If power is absent despite the cable being plugged, try another PCIe cable or another PSU.

F. Final isolation

  • If the GTX 650 Ti BOOST fails in a known‑good system with the correct PSU/cables and shows no video or doesn’t enumerate, the GPU is almost certainly defective — time to RMA or replace. If the card works in another system, the issue is the ECS board or BIOS compatibility.

Quick decision guide

  • Card works in other PC → motherboard BIOS/settings/power issue on ECS. Update BIOS, change PCIe/CSM settings, or replace motherboard.
  • Card fails in other PC → RMA/replace the card.
  • Card powers but enumerates only in OS via onboard video → check drivers/OS/CSM settings and try reinstalling drivers.

Practical prioritized checklist (copy and follow)

  1. Verify 6‑pin PCIe cable is firmly connected; try another PCIe cable.
  2. Swap monitor cable to a straight digital link (DVI‑D or HDMI) and ensure monitor is on the GPU input.
  3. Reseat GPU and tighten bracket screw; try minimal boot with one RAM stick.
  4. Reset CMOS (battery or jumper) and force Primary Display = PCIe in BIOS.
  5. Set BIOS: CSM=Enabled, PCIe Link = Auto/Gen2, Fast Boot=Disabled, Secure Boot=Disabled. Save and reboot.
  6. If still no video, update ECS H55 BIOS to the latest release per ECS FAQ.
  7. Swap in a known‑good 450W+ PSU (or test your PSU on another system).
  8. Test GTX 650 Ti BOOST in another machine; test another known‑good GPU in the ECS board.
  9. If card fails in another system, RMA the GPU; if card works elsewhere, continue BIOS/board troubleshooting or replace the motherboard.

Time estimates: steps 1–4 (10–30 minutes), BIOS changes/updates (20–60 minutes), PSU / cross‑testing (30–60 minutes).

Sources

Conclusion

Start small: confirm the GTX 650 Ti BOOST has its 6‑pin PCIe power connected and the PSU can supply the card, then reset CMOS and set the ECS H55‑M BIOS to use PCIe/PEG (enable CSM/legacy and set PCIe link speed to Auto/Gen2). If issues persist after a BIOS update, swap PSUs and test the GPU in another PC — those two moves will tell you whether the problem is the card or the motherboard. Follow the prioritized checklist above; if the card fails in a second system despite correct power and cables, it’s time to RMA the GTX 650 Ti BOOST.

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Fix GTX 650 Ti BOOST No Video on ECS H55-M