I'm trying to replace my RTX 2080 with a brand-new Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB, but the new card won't produce a display or POST. The RTX 2080 still works normally in the same system. The RX 9060 XT's fans spin, and I've checked that it is fully seated in the PCIe slot.
My system has an Intel i3-12100F, an Allied H610M4 micro-ATX motherboard, an MSI MAG A650BN 650W power supply, 2x8GB Allied DDR4-3200 memory, and two SATA 2.5-inch SSDs. Since the processor has no integrated graphics, I have to reinstall the RTX 2080 whenever I need to access the BIOS or operating system.
So far I've reset the CMOS by removing the battery for about 10 minutes, tried multiple monitors and both HDMI ports, disabled CSM, set the BIOS target link speed to 32 GT/s, and removed the old NVIDIA drivers with DDU. I can't install AMD drivers because the system won't display anything with the new card installed.
The motherboard is currently running AMI BIOS version H61MSA16 from November 27, 2023. The manufacturer does not appear to provide BIOS updates publicly, so I'm hesitant to use an unverified file and risk bricking the board. The graphics card is brand-new and under warranty. Is there anything else I should test before assuming the card is defective?
5 Answers
Give the first boot a few minutes after installing the new card, since some systems take longer to initialize new hardware. However, waiting around 20 minutes with no POST or display is already more than enough, so this probably isn’t just normal training time. Changing the HDMI cable or monitor and removing old NVIDIA drivers won’t affect whether the card can show the BIOS screen.
CSM being disabled is worth trying, but it normally would not prevent any sign of POST when the card is otherwise compatible. A BIOS update could help with newer GPU support, but only use a file provided by the motherboard manufacturer or a verified support channel. Don’t flash a BIOS from a similarly named board just because it uses AMI firmware. If no official update exists, contact the board manufacturer or the retailer instead.
Since the old RTX 2080 boots in the same motherboard, monitor setup, and power supply, the basic system is probably fine. The 650W PSU should also be sufficient for this card, assuming the dedicated GPU power connector is firmly attached and the pins look clean and undamaged. I’d power the system off completely, unplug it, reseat that connector, and inspect the card and slot carefully.
The card is brand-new and under warranty. I’ve checked the seating and tried supporting the card to reduce sag, but it still doesn’t display anything.
Try a minimal-hardware test: disconnect the SSDs and any unnecessary USB devices, remove one memory stick, and test with only the motherboard, CPU, one RAM module, and the new GPU. If possible, test each RAM stick individually and in the motherboard’s recommended slot. This can rule out a memory-training or initialization issue, although the old card working makes the RX 9060 XT itself the more likely suspect.
At this point, the strongest evidence points to either a faulty card or a compatibility problem between the newer GPU and this OEM-style H610 board’s firmware. Since the RX 9060 XT is new and covered by warranty, document the troubleshooting you’ve already done and request an exchange or test it in another known-working modern system. Avoid cleaning the PCIe contacts or modifying the card while it is under warranty unless the manufacturer specifically instructs you to do so.
CSM is disabled now, but the manufacturer doesn’t publish BIOS updates. The installed version is AMI H61MSA16 dated November 27, 2023, so I haven’t found a trustworthy update to try.