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ATX 24 Pin Mobo spark...

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  • Computers
  • CPUs
  • Cooling
  • Build
  • Motherboards
  • ATX
Last response: in Motherboards
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October 7, 2014 8:28:21 AM

This is the first computer I have ever built, and I saved for many months in order to construct it, and this computer is important to me. While I was putting it together I had come to notice the 24 pin didn't snap into the port entirely. I had put pressure on it and for whatever reason it never snapped in, however it was snug in the port. I had figured this would hold and I could run my computer this way. I built this computer in June, and other than a weird GPU driver issue, it had ran perfectly fine. I had noticed on a few occasions my computer would shut down under full load(CPU + GPU). I had chalked this up to a GPU hardware problem, as the drivers had failed a few times(*nvlddmkm) and postulated that purchasing a new card(GTX 980) would solve the problem.

*This was just a driver problem and after rolling back the driver, I no longer have the nvlddmkm issue.

I was going to purchase a GTX 980, and I was inspecting my wiring and checking to see how much dust has built up in my case. Everything seemed to check out, however my GPU had been in the second PCI-E slot, not the first. This irritated me so I had spent a good twenty minutes fixing it. After I was finished I rebooted and everything ran perfect for about thirty minutes. Then my computer completely turned off.

I shrugged it off and proceeded to attempt to turn it back on. After pressing down on the power button I waiting for the sound of the post beep. After waiting a tad longer than usual and seeing my computer was running(led fans were on) I had assumed the card may be having driver issues once again. So I held down the power button and saw the computer turn off. I then pressed the button again anxiously awaiting the sound of the beep, and there wasn't a beep, and no bios on my monitor. At this point I began to panic. I put my face up against the transparent acrylic glass of my HAF-X tower and starred down the motherboard as I pressed the button a third time. I saw a slight spark coming off of the 24 pin when I had powered it up. The fans were spinning and the light from my linksys usb wireless adapter was on. The PSU was functioning, but the motherboard seemed as through it was not.

I frantically pulled the side of the case off and put my fingers in front of the cpu fan and booted again...nothing. They weren't spinning at all. I just starred at it or about ten minutes. Finally I had the brilliant idea of examining the atx 24 pin and lo and behold, it would seem it was semi loose, and easy to pull out. After clamping down on it and putting sufficient pressure on the cable it connected all the way and was clipped on. Nervously I turned the computer on again, and I heard a beep!!!!

:bounce:  :D  :bounce: 

Needless to say this was the single greatest beep I had ever heard, in life.

However I'm left with a question...did that spark break anything?
Did I ruin my motherboard, or computer in anyway?

As of right now it seems to be running just fine,
Thanks




My current computer build:

Motherboard - GA-Z97-D3H
GPU - Nvidia EVGA GTX 760 4GB SC w/ACX Cooler
CPU - Intel i7 4790
Aftermarket CPU Cooler - Cooler master Hyper EVO 212
Power Supply - Raidmax RX-600AF-B
RAM - Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600
3 HDD, 1 SSD

More about : atx pin mobo spark

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October 7, 2014 8:35:27 AM

If it boots and works well while in use, then its fine...

You might want to check if it still crashes at full load.

If it does it might be an indication of instability (due to overclock)
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October 7, 2014 8:38:47 AM

This has nothing to do with your sparking problem, which likely caused no lasting harm; I have never seen a Raidmax PSU pass a competent technical review. Yours is probably struggling to power the GTX760 (it probably gets very warm), and cannot handle a GTX980. You'll need to replace it first, with a quality unit such as one made by Seasonic (their own, XFX, some Antec) or Superflower (Rosewill Capstone, 80+ Gold EVGA). I'd get 650W to have a comfortable margin.
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October 7, 2014 8:43:18 AM

Onus said:
This has nothing to do with your sparking problem, which likely caused no lasting harm; I have never seen a Raidmax PSU pass a competent technical review. Yours is probably struggling to power the GTX760 (it probably gets very warm), and cannot handle a GTX980. You'll need to replace it first, with a quality unit such as one made by Seasonic (their own, XFX, some Antec) or Superflower (Rosewill Capstone, 80+ Gold EVGA). I'd get 650W to have a comfortable margin.


I believe you're mistaken, as the GTX 980 has a maximum TDP of 165 W where as the GTX 760 lies at 170 W. Thanks for answering my question, and I didn't know Raidmax PSU's were so terrible.

Also here is a link to my PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I was hoping the power down was simply due to the loose connection. My system as of right now only needs about 480W to run, so 600W is perfectly fine for me. GTX 980 isn't going to change that to my knowledge.
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October 7, 2014 8:49:59 AM

That Raidmax Power supply was cheap for a reason, it was built cheap. Some Raidmax PSUs are called "the motberboard killer".
Never go cheap on the part that can destroy the rest of the computer.

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.tomshardware.c...
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October 7, 2014 8:56:17 AM

Hybr1d said:
Onus said:
This has nothing to do with your sparking problem, which likely caused no lasting harm; I have never seen a Raidmax PSU pass a competent technical review. Yours is probably struggling to power the GTX760 (it probably gets very warm), and cannot handle a GTX980. You'll need to replace it first, with a quality unit such as one made by Seasonic (their own, XFX, some Antec) or Superflower (Rosewill Capstone, 80+ Gold EVGA). I'd get 650W to have a comfortable margin.


I believe you're mistaken, as the GTX 980 has a maximum TDP of 165 W where as the GTX 760 lies at 170 W. Thanks for answering my question, and I didn't know Raidmax PSU's were so terrible.

Also here is a link to my PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I was hoping the power down was simply due to the loose connection. My system as of right now only needs about 480W to run, so 600W is perfectly fine for me. GTX 980 isn't going to change that to my knowledge.


The main +12V rail on your Raidmax outputs 38A which provides only 456 Watts. I'd get a better PSU.
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October 7, 2014 8:58:51 AM

Just because a company slaps a number on the power supply does not mean it can actually output that number. Unless they pass a tested standard, then that number doesnt mean much of anything. Its like a $80 no brand car amp claiming it outputs 1600 watts.
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October 7, 2014 9:29:49 AM

To get its 80+ Bronze certification (which is legit; it's listed at 80plus.org), it did survive at full power for at least half an hour, BUT, they test at an unrealistic 23C, and performance degrades with heat. Also, they don't measure noise and ripple. The last HardOCP review of a Chokemax PSU (same series as yours) was a steaming failure:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/03/18/raidmax_cobra...
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October 7, 2014 9:35:37 AM

Onus said:
To get its 80+ Bronze certification (which is legit; it's listed at 80plus.org), it did survive at full power for at least half an hour, BUT, they test at an unrealistic 23C, and performance degrades with heat. Also, they don't measure noise and ripple. The last HardOCP review of a Chokemax PSU (same series as yours) was a steaming failure:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/03/18/raidmax_cobra...


What PSU would you recommend as a replacement in the 600W-700W range?
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October 7, 2014 9:44:20 AM

Anything Seasonic makes will be solid (their own, XFX, some Antec). Super Flower is one of the few companies also able to compete in that league. They make the Rosewill Capstone, the EVGA G2, and Kingwin Lazer series (among a few others).
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October 7, 2014 9:48:43 AM

Thanks for the answers, so you guys are sure that I didn't screw up anything?

Would it be okay to run this computer with the GTX 760 and current power supply for another week or two, maybe three...while I order a new Seasonic 650W and GTX 980?

Also I may purchase this PSU instead as I do not plan to run SLI and it may save me some money, however it is still Seasonic.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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October 7, 2014 10:34:40 AM

You can stay on your current PSU but if its going to crash your system at full load you'll want to avoid that.

The S12II Bronze is fine.

You're the only one who can tell if something is screwed. Its pretty obvious when something goes wrong.
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October 7, 2014 10:44:43 AM

Onus said:
To get its 80+ Bronze certification (which is legit; it's listed at 80plus.org), it did survive at full power for at least half an hour, BUT, they test at an unrealistic 23C, and performance degrades with heat. Also, they don't measure noise and ripple. The last HardOCP review of a Chokemax PSU (same series as yours) was a steaming failure:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/03/18/raidmax_cobra...


huilun02 said:
You can stay on your current PSU but if its going to crash your system at full load you'll want to avoid that.

The S12II Bronze is fine.

You're the only one who can tell if something is screwed. Its pretty obvious when something goes wrong.



Thank you guys for the help.

I'm going to get the SeaSonic S12II as soon as I can, and I'm sure nothing is screwed up.
Hopefully the raidmax cobra doesn't blow my computer up before hand. :lol: 
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