PC fails to start when GPU is connected?
PC fails to start when GPU is connected?
The minimum suggested PSU for the GPU Zotac Mini 1650 is 300W.
Would you like to see a photo of the PSU label on your unit?
From online sources, the PSU can deliver up to 276W across two 12V rails (not 350W).
If you're not using the PCIe power cable, you're only getting power from one 12V rail—either 120W or 156W.
That's insufficient for the entire computer plus GPU.
Spoiler: Get a better PSU with 450-550W and a single 12V rail.
The photo you shared matches exactly what I have. Before that, I used a 1050ti without any problems. I believe the processor is 65 and the GPU is 75, so it should function around 150 with an SSD and enough RAM. However, I lack information about how power delivery in the PSU works. My motherboard uses an 8-pin connector for the CPU and a 24-pin connector to the motherboard if that helps, since I’m unsure which is the 12V rail. I’ve seen people using a 1650 with a 250-watt PSU online. I was also looking for the user manual of my PSU but couldn’t find it from where I got the photo, which might help me locate the manual.
I added an 8-pin CPU connector and a 24-pin motherboard port. Just two cables are linked to the motherboard. To verify the power supply, you can use a multimeter or follow the manufacturer's guidelines for checking voltage levels. Don’t worry about what a rail means—it’s just a reference point in the system.
A single 12V rail likely passes through the CPU 12V cable. Another 12V rail probably connects to the PCIE power cable. Since you're not using the PCIE power cable, your PSU provides either 120W or 156W on 12V, with 120W being the more common option.
The parts don’t need extra power when under load, just the same as this GPU. They shouldn’t require more than 80-90 watts from the motherboard via a different cable.
The Pcie slot has a 75w limit, so power problems seem unlikely. The 1650 model can't exceed that capacity. Since the 1050Ti functions, it suggests the 1650 might be faulty. Was it purchased used? Do you still have the 1050ti available while you handle a return or replacement?
It seems it might have been left on his PC before but he isn’t sure what happened afterward. Do you know any nearby PC repair shops? The only options seem to be forcing air into the PCI slot to clean it, since the card doesn’t power on and there’s no BIOS issue—this usually points to a hardware problem with the card itself.