My gfx card doesnt work right - help!!!!!!

When i turn my desktop pc on, which i recently built, sometimes it gives the post passed beep then there is no gfx output, or extremely scrambled gfx output. This happens almost every time i turn it on from a cold boot.
I usually have the pc turned off at the mains (after a proper shutdown of course) and when it comes back on the above problem occurs.

I can usually fix the problem by removing all cables, opening the case then removing all appropriate screws and cables then removing/wiggling the gfx card. I can then re-insert it, re-insert all relevant cables in correct positions and it works fine.

This is rather cumbersome and annoying, any ideas on what is wrong?

Spec:
AMD Phenom 2 955 black edition 3.2GHz, 6MB cache
titan fenrir cooler
Asus M4A80GTD PRO mobo w/o usb3
4gb (2x2gb) DDR3 RAM
Seagate Barracuda 7200 rpm 500gb
XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB
OCZ MOD-x-stream pro 700w
Xigmatek UTGARD case

 

Could be a faulty graphics card, could be a faulty motherboard. Try a different card first (preferably a similar one).

 

I have already had the gfx card replaced by the supplier, as it was cocking up, but it was every time and i couldnt fix it by wiggling it around/removing and re-inserting the card.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/t.cfm/f-216/graphics_output_does_not_work_please_help-866731/ - link to previous thread
the new one worked fine for the first few weeks, then started gettting annoying

 

Are these cards second hand? The HD4890 is a discontinued model.

 

No. Both cards were brand spanking new. The first one was returned and i recieved a replacement which is now unfortunately failing, atleast i think it is the gfs card

 

nope. ive got a mate with a sapphire HD4870, but he is a stingey b**tard tho

 

I'd recommend trying a different board if you can, just in case. Asus boards are not reliable.

 

Does anyone know how the ASUS CPU level-up bios utility work? You install your processor and then in the bios it gives you the option for cpu level up and say (like me) you have a Phenom 2 955 black edition, it lets you overclock it to a 965, ok a MIGHTY 0.2ghz aint much but still. I did this and told the guy at my local computing shop who thinks it could have overclocked the buses (including the pci bus) and thus damaging the gfx card, is this a feasible explanation for my problems do you think? or does the cpu level up not affect the buses?

 

No idea, but Asus boards are unreliable enough as it is, if I were you I'd leave it alone.

 

That is interesting, i was under the impression, due to reading reviews and advice from others, that Asus boards were extremely reliable

 

Reviews only ever state how things perform new. Long-term Asus boards are very problematic, they usually fail between 6 and 24 months of age. They're always checked they work before being sent out so they're not that often DOA, but they're made really badly, so they don't last.