So, I thought I was getting awesome deal buying Predator G3620-UR20P last year, but apparently I'm stuck with a computer that cannot be upgraded with a new graphic card!
 
I need my computer for 3D work and I'm really frustrated at this moment. This OS is Win7. I tried to install EVGA GeForce GTX760 2Gig but I cannot boot the computer after installing a new card, moreover I cannot even get to BIOS - it shows the splash screen and I can hear few beeps, then the screen turns navy-blue with a blinking cursor. 
 I can see both of the card's fans are turning.
 
 Something that should be as easy as 1-2-3 becomes an anoying process of troubleshooting leading to nowhere.
Things I tried:
- Upgraded PSU to 600W with +12V @ 62A
- Tried different power connectors - PCI dedicaded and using power adapters provided with the card
- Upgraded BIOS to P01.A2
- Uninstalled all the previous graphic drivers including all traces in registry
- Changed booting sequence in BIOS, HDD as 1st device, DVD as 2nd, USB as third, LAN as 4th and 'EFI device' at the end
- Loaded Factory settings in BIOS
 
Any ideas? Please help!

I have no such option - no UEFI option, since my OS is Win7
 
Thus many things mentioned all over the place are not option for me - like disabling secure boot or CSM via UEFI
 
Is there a trick to enable some advanced features in BIOS, e.g. via key combination?
 
Or, is there a way to get 'hacked' BIOS somwhere?
 
Or, sorry for the question,  is it possible to flash update BIOS for Win8 UEFI, but run Win7 on it? 
 

 

Sorry for misunderstanding - I meant both of the 760's fans are turning. There is only one PCIE 16 slot on the motherboard.

It's Acer IPIMB-AR 

Thanks for the link, but again I do not have 'Launch CSM' option in BIOS boot menu...

Yes, with the stock GT630 it boots correctly.
 
I don't know excactly what would be the "EFI Device", there is some interesting read about (U)EFI on Wiki:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface#Intel_EFI
 
I'm kind of losing hope and slowly getting picture that I'm in trouble, because Acer last BIOS update for Win7 systems was 2012/08/13 whereas (second) BIOS/UEFI update for Win8 was 2013/05/20, thus it seems they don't support systems with Win7 anymore. I think BIOS is the culprit and people with Win8 can at least fiddle with secure boot and CSM settings via UEFI. There are no such options in systems with Win7 and that's why the system cannot be upgraded with 600/700 gtx series.
 
I will attempt to contact Acer and try to work with Nvidia, but I don't see this being resolved.
 
I guess I could try to buy another motherboard and use all other peripherals from my current system...

Pull the card out reset the cmos and put the new card back in.
 

Yes, pull out the battery, wait a few minutes and then put it back in.
 
If that doesn't work, I guess other options would be to upgrade to Windows 8 and flash the BIOs for that and then disable the UEFI and use Legacy.  Another option would be to sell the 760 and pick up a 600 series or maybe even 500 series.  I know that seems like going backwards but even say a 560Ti is way better than the GT630.  Maybe have more success with the Acer motherboard with one of those cards.
 
I guess another option would be to replace the motherboard with another one.  Not sure what processor you have.  The rest of your components should be able to be reused.
 
Good luck! Keep us posted and don't hesitate if you any questions.

I think it an incompatibility between the gpu BIOs and the motherboard BIOs.  You should contact EVGA tech support, maybe they can provide a different BIOs to flash your 760 to make it work.
 
Otherwise, for less the $100 you could replace the mobo, which will most likely fix the issue.
 
Good luck!

Hello, 
 
I do apologize for the issues you are having. As previously mentioned it may likely be a conflict between the mb bios and video card's bios. Unfortunately there has not been a bios/firmware updates for the gtx 760. You may need to set the Video OptRom to "Legacy" which may be located in the security or advance tab. Please keep us updated with the results of your testing so we can further assist you.
 
Regards,

Can you turn off the splash screen for the ACER, maybe see if it's reporting an issue via the monitor?

My thinking is that they put stickers and disabled the onboard graphics by default is because there was a stand alone card, i.e. the GT630.  Probably to avoid confusion with people trying to connect to the onboard instead of the graphics card.

At least it has been confirmed by Acer that it is motherboard incompatibility. I guess you are stuck unless you either try to sell your system and recoup your money or swap out the motherboard. Neither are probably what you want.

Good luck. If you decide to swap the mobo and have any problems, let us know. I'm sure there will plenty people willing to help you out.

OK, I decided to buy another card.
GTX 560 Ti 2win works fantastically, although I had to order better PSU. My current is 600W with 46W on +12V and the official requirements are 700W with 50W on +12V.
The card works without hiccups with the current PSU, but I'm afraid to overheat the system with the underpowered PSU.
I'm really happy with the card performance for 3D rendering in Blender:
The benchmark file is rendered in only 46 seconds vs CPU (i7 3770 3.4GHz) in 166 seconds vs the old stock GT630 214 seconds. So rendering if 3.6x faster on GTX 560 Ti 2win vs. CPU and 4.7x faster compared to GT630.

The GTX760 I tried to install in the first place renders the file in about 70 seconds, based on reports by others. So, in the end, I ended up with a better card for my primary interest :)