Video Card keeps crashing

[skavang13]

I'm trying to get a GeForce 8600 GT video card to work, when it's in my computer will randomly crash. Sometimes it even happens when it's booting, the screen just suddenly says "No Input" and goes into standby, and if I have music or something on the sound cuts out so I know it's not just the monitor or connection.

I tried a bigger power supply, it didn't help. I have the newest drivers, and it doesn't feel like it's overheating (my case opens easily, I can unplug it & pop open the panel right after the crash and the card doesn't feel hot).

I'm at a loss, I'm hoping the cards not junk because I bought it awhile ago and doubt i can return it

Please help, I'm a nooob

[JPMiller]

"bigger" doesnt mean better...
How about a full list of your hardware
What OS
What drivers did you install
Try using WhoCrashed

[skavang13]

Alright, specs:
CPU: Athlon Dual Core 2.3 GHz
RAM: 2G
running Windows Vista
card is 512MB PCIExpress
PSU is 400W DYNEX brand
updated drivers to most recent dated 7/9/10 version 8.17.12.5896
made sure to uninstall the onboard video and checked BIOS, it is loading the PCIExpress 1st like it should.

I tried WhoCrashed, but it gave info for a crash from 7/13 which is before I put the video card in, don't know how to get it to analyze more recent crashes?

Appreciate the help

[JPMiller]

Dynex PSU's actually top my list of "brands" to NOT use...
The first thing to do is replace that, because you'll have no idea if its causing the issues in the first place
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply
That will likely solve your issues, but unfortunately it could have already damaged either the mobo or video card

It analyzed the dumps you have, so there were no dumps made since...
That means it was a hardware failure, not software

likely the video card is drawing more than the PSU can handle and is hard shutting down