*POPS/BANGS* - computer died. I don't think it's the PSU.

[compgeek89]

So, yesterday I was just browsing the web when my PC made sequence of very loud firecracker type noises and powered off. My first thought was the PSU, but I'm smelling burnt circuitry near the CPU on the mobo and nothing from the PSU. The LEDs on the motherboard still light up but it will not power on. What do you guys think? What's my culprit here? CPU? Mobo? PSU surge causing the failure?

Specs:
- GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD5 LGA 1366 mobo
- eVGA GTX 480
- Antec TPQ-1200 PSU
- Core i7 930

Appreciate the assistance guys

 

[fralexandr]

if the computer will not power on at all it seems most likely a motherboard or PSU issue
i would test the PSU in another computer first and see if it works

 

[compgeek89]

My only problem there is that I don't have another computer to test it on :/ CPU either for that matter. I guess I was just curious if anyone had any insight given the event and current symptoms what I should try replacing first.

 

[fralexandr]

your motherboard should have an error code debug LED near the SATA inputs
does your motherboard display any post/error codes when you try to boot it up?
P 132 for what each error code means
http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-x58a-ud5_v2.0_e.pdf

you can also take a close look at your mobo, checking all the capacitors for bulges or leaks, and examine the PCB especially around the CPU for scorch marks (be sure to use adequate lighting, such as a flashlight)

you can buy a power supply tester to test if the voltages on your PSU are correct or use a kill a watt to check if your computer is still drawing power from an outlet (from what it sounds like though, the killawatt won't help at all in this situation) (these are some useful tools to keep around anyway though)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ps&field-keywords=power+supply+tester&x=0&y=0

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

My bet is PSU died, cap blew or something. I would get a new PSU to start. You have a 1200, which is pretty beefy. There is a way to test a PSU for start up. You need to bridge two of the middle pins. Google for "paperclip" and "PSU" and you will get the idea. I would just pull the plug off the motherboard (all of them) and see if you can get the PSU to spin up. also, see if you can locate the source of the smell, or look for burn marks on the motherboard or smoke marks from the PSU. If the PSU won't start up, you should start by fixing that....then test the motherboard, which might have gotten cooked by the PSU (but not likely).

 

[compgeek89]

My bet is PSU died, cap blew or something. I would get a new PSU to start. You have a 1200, which is pretty beefy. There is a way to test a PSU for start up. You need to bridge two of the middle pins. Google for "paperclip" and "PSU" and you will get the idea. I would just pull the plug off the motherboard (all of them) and see if you can get the PSU to spin up. also, see if you can locate the source of the smell, or look for burn marks on the motherboard or smoke marks from the PSU. If the PSU won't start up, you should start by fixing that....then test the motherboard, which might have gotten cooked by the PSU (but not likely).

I did look for scorch marks and couldn't find any, though burnt smell is coming from the motherboard area. I can't seem to find the culprit. I might just have to remove the thing and check it closer. I'll definitely check the PSU. Thanks!

your motherboard should have an error code debug LED near the SATA inputs
does your motherboard display any post/error codes when you try to boot it up?
P 132 for what each error code means
http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-x58a-ud5_v2.0_e.pdf

you can also take a close look at your mobo, checking all the capacitors for bulges or leaks, and examine the PCB especially around the CPU for scorch marks (be sure to use adequate lighting, such as a flashlight)

you can buy a power supply tester to test if the voltages on your PSU are correct or use a kill a watt to check if your computer is still drawing power from an outlet (from what it sounds like though, the killawatt won't help at all in this situation) (these are some useful tools to keep around anyway though)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ps&field-keywords=power+supply+tester&x=0&y=0

I don't get any codes, it doesn't power on that far. The only thing I get is a green and an orange LED on the lights next to the RAM slots and on-board power and CMOS-reset switches also glow, but again, the thing won't power up at all. I'll look into those tools. Thanks!

 

[donfm]

Popping sounds like a cap blew. Unfortunately when that happens it's like a domino effect down the line of the circuit taking out other components along with it. Good luck!

 

[paul878]

Removed the motherboard heat-sink around the cpu to get a better view.
I have to go with a Cap blowing up too, post some high res pictures.

 

[corkyg]

Caps are about the only things that go pop when they blow. Visual examination should reveal them.

 

[BoomerD]

Definitely sounds like a capacitor went...whether it's on the board or in the PSU is what you have to determine.

Here's Corsair's explanation of the "brief PSU test":
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=63991

 

[SwiftWind]

In cases like this You can almost always find burn marks somewhere. Pop the CPU out and the motherboard it off the case and visually inspect it. If you see nothing, then inspect the psu. Sometimes you can also still smell the burned cap or chip if check it closely so it might help you spot it.

 

[mindless1]

My vote is a popped mosfet in the CPU power subcircuit. Not especially common fault but not all that uncommon either when there's no visible damage.

If a cap popped you'd see shards of material everywhere or at least a vacant spot where a cap was with some leads still soldered in, but a shorted transistor, not necessarily.