I have a new build with the following:

MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ BE MEMORY: Patriot PC2-6400 800 MHZ 4GB (2x2GB) (5.5.5.12) 2.0V GRAPHICS: EVGA 8800GT 512 SuperClocked HSF: Rosewill Z3 HD: WD Raptor 36GB 10,000 PSU: Corsair VX550 Watts

The problem is the MOBO & GPU. It would not POST and I troubleshooted entire system for hours and with help from forums. I found that could get it to POST with a RADEON X1300 PRO. I contacted EVGA and they said if problem persisted to RMA card which I did. I now have second new card and same issue. No video signal, no lights on keyboard and not a beep from the case speaker. I have used all three options for power to the PSI-E card, two PCI-e cables from the PSU and adapter using two 4 pin power connectors. This PSU specs out to more than enough for the 8800GT.

I called EVGA and we got into BIOS and changed IRQ from [Auto] to [101]. This did not resolve problem and it was then a question of the motherboard not working with EVGA or any NVidia card as doubt if two bad cards. I called Gigabyte they said card should work. We reset IRQ back to [Auto] and corrected voltage to memory still no POST so told to update BIOS to F4. I now have Version F4 of BIOS but still not a working combination. The only thing working with this card in is all fans, never a keyboard light, beep from speaker and of course no video signal to monitor. 

So, why can't we get this to work? Do I have to use ATI cards like EVGA said may be the case?

 I think your right couldbe a motherbaord problem. Do you also have onboard video? If do maybe we can make it work.

That sounds like a power problem to me. Do you have a larger PSU to try? Can u borrow one from a freind?

 Edit...I just read your other thread, I'm sorry to say I'm at a loss.

 I dont think its a PSU problem 550w should be fine to run it.Have you tried a diffrent PCIE slot on the mobo it might be the Slot. I have had that happen to a friend bofore with a new board....

Problem solved!  It was defective Gigabyte Motherboard, for some reason the PCI-E slot would not support the higher powered 8800GT. NewEgg rushed out a new MOBO for me and success Vista is now installed. BTW that MOBO only has a single PCI-e x16 slot and you are right it was not the PSU.

TheOldMan let me know how that board works for you !

TheOldMan:

Problem solved!  It was defective Gigabyte Motherboard, for some reason the PCI-E slot would not support the higher powered 8800GT. NewEgg rushed out a new MOBO for me and success Vista is now installed. BTW that MOBO only has a single PCI-e x16 slot and you are right it was not the PSU.

 

Yay! Have fun with ur 8800 GT.

The board has now worked out fine. It was odd that problem was only limited to that PCI-E slot not working when a modern or more powerful card was put in. It worked with a friend's Nvidia 8600GT and Radeon X1300PRO but, would not post or even make a sound with my 8800GT.

The location of the IDE connector is not ideal as it sits at the back end of the PCI-e slot and with a large card like my 8800GT is actually underneath. The MOBO is a bit smaller than standard AT size contributing to this problem. The floppy connector is on the bottom of the board and again the GPU if large can get in the way. I know these ribbon cables are dated but, if you have a large case you may have a problem getting these connected.

I had a problem with the software included on the disk, Vista did not like it so. I removed the programs after finding out they were the cause. I looked on Gigabyte Web site and could not find updates or the programs and as one was convenient OC tool will just have to OC the old fashioned way. Gigabyte support leaves a lot to be desired, days to respond to email and calls do not help much either as the techs do not sem to have a lot of answers other than to RMA your board. Their web site is not well designed and when I tried going to page for Vista users kept running into page errors.

 All in all figure it is good board for the money. I did not expect much other than a working board having all the connections and on board features I needed and that is what I got the second time around. I cannot highly recommend nor could I tell you to stay away from it. Personally, if I upgrade again doubt if Gigabye will be at the top of the list but, when I went to look at a replacement could not find one at this price point.

 Thats a good review. Glad to know you got the problem solved and identified other issues.