New PC Build Burned Up

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bmoore2388

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Oct 17, 2014
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Here are the main parts used for the PC:
Asus Z87-EXPERT
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2x4GB)
Intel Core i5-4590
Corsair CX600M PSU
Corsair 120GB SSD
Gigabyte 2GB 750 Ti Graphics

So I built this PC for someone and hit the button to power it up. About 5 seconds later, I heard some popping noise, looked at the case, and saw flashes inside the case. So I turned it off and let it set for a while. Opened it up and saw some burn marks by the CPU. I've probably built over 100 PCs in my time, and this is the first time I've experienced anything like this.

I know I need to RMA the board now. But I'm concerned about A) what caused it (is it a bad CPU or PSU that burned the board up) and B) when the board burned up, would it have messed the CPU, RAM, anything else up as well?

I contacted Newegg and they said they couldn't RMA it since it was damaged, which seemed weird because I've never had an issue RMA'ing components before. So I'm going to have to send the board back to ASUS. But should I be concerned about the other components? I hate to RMA this board and get it fixed only to find out the PSU (or something else) was what actually caused the board to burn up. At that point, I will have burned up 2 boards...

Any help or insight on what might have happened is appreciated.

 
Solution
nostall
Sounds like you were one of those who got a bad PSU. CX models are o.k., but theyhave a 3 year warranty for a reason; lower end capacitors.
CX power supplies: there are millions out there, most will last a good amount of time, but every model has an occasional bad one (I had an HX go bad on me a few years ago).
Contact Corsair ASAP and get an RMA going. And you know enough not to try that PSU again.
Might want to try the CPU in another working computer, if someone will let you, just to be sure it didn't burn up too.
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nostall

nostall

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Sounds like you were one of those who got a bad PSU. CX models are o.k., but theyhave a 3 year warranty for a reason; lower end capacitors.
CX power supplies: there are millions out there, most will last a good amount of time, but every model has an occasional bad one (I had an HX go bad on me a few years ago).
Contact Corsair ASAP and get an RMA going. And you know enough not to try that PSU again.
Might want to try the CPU in another working computer, if someone will let you, just to be sure it didn't burn up too.
 
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Zerk2012

Zerk2012

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I agree or either you had something shorting out in the back like a standoff or aftermarket CPU cooler back plate.
Corsair made their name off selling Seasonic and super flower rebrands now their making a killing selling junk like the CX series to the uninformed.
I use a TX 850 V2 made by Seasonic.
 
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bmoore2388

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Thanks for the info. So I guess I need to RMA the board and the PSU to be safe correct? I had a different PSU selected, but they wanted to cut the price down a bit so I went with this CX model. Guess that was a bad idea now.

I don't have an 1150 board around that I know of so I'm not sure I'll be able to test the CPU until the RMA board comes back. When I get the board back, if there is something wrong with the CPU, it won't mess the board up again will it?

@Zerk2012, it was the stock CPU fan so that wouldn't be it. The case I used was the Rosewill Challenger U3. I've used that case probably a dozen times. Not sure what to really look for, or how to tell if a standoff was the issue, any ideas? I don't think that was the case because of where the burn spot is on the board.

I took a picture but I'm not real sure how to post it on here (1st post on TomsHardware).

Thanks again for the help.
 
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nostall

nostall

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I just learned how to post pictures myself, and I used this website;
http://imgur.com
You might have to try a couple of their options before you get it posted. I can't remember exactly what I did.

Regarding contact by a standoff; You've built enough that a simple check of where the posts are located beneath the board, and compared to the board, will tell you if that was the problem; it doesn't sound like it. Also, burned board would probably produce some marking/scarring on a shorted-out standoff and on the back of the board.
If the CPU is bad the PC probably won't start, might not even post; fans spin and then shuts off or goes 'black screen'. Worked with a member this summer who actually had a defective CPU, but his PC would occasionally run: Overvolting the CPU (as in killing it) is probably gonna give you a 'no boot' situation. Doubt that it would cause damage to another mobo.
Won't know about the other parts (RAM,, Video card, etc.) until you can either test them in another working pc or you get the new mobo and psu.
 
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bmoore2388

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Here is the link to a picture:

http://i.imgur.com/mlcwCEq.jpg

It almost looks like it shorted out from the nut where the CPU clamp latches on to. Not real sure though. Take a look at the pic and let me know what you think. I'd rather not RMA the PSU if not needed. Just curious if you think it looks like it was just the board shorting out instead of the PSU causing it.

Another note, out of curiosity, I tried to power it back up to see what would happen. Fans spun up and stayed powered up until I forced it to shut down. Everything seemed to be normal except the 'CPU_LED' light was lit up, signify an error with the CPU. Do you think that could still be related to the board being burned up by the CPU, or do you think that indicates a problem with the actual CPU?
 
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nostall

nostall

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Speculation only at this point. Either thing could cause that light to turn on. Even the PSU if it is damaged.

That whold burned area looks really bad. Almost like the CPU mounting bracket bolt/screw shorted something out in the board; that would be a manufacturing defect. Looking at the picture, that board is shot as it appears soldier has melted and traces are burned.
 
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bmoore2388

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Oct 17, 2014
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Thanks for the help and guidance. I think I'm just going to RMA the board, I really don't think the PSU caused this. The more I look at it, the more I agree that the CPU bolt/screw shorted something out. Kind of odd, but I guess the more you build, the more likely you are to run into stuff like that. I would think if the PSU caused it, then it would have acted funny when I tried to power it back up after the incident. Plus given the location it burned the board, it wasn't anywhere near a power connector.

Thanks again.
 
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nostall

nostall

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You're very welcome. Please repost when you get the new board and let us know if you got it to run or if there are other problems.
 
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bmoore2388

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Just an update... I ended up RMA'ing the CPU as well. After looking at it some more, the edge of the CPU had some minor burn markings on it. So I RMA'ed it to be safe. After getting the CPU and MOBO back, all seems well. So must have just been a faulty board that shorted out some how.

Nonetheless, whether it was the cause of the problem or not, I was pretty disappointed in the PSU. It definitely felt cheap and unlike the Corsair products I've used a ton of in the past. Thanks for the heads-up/explanation about that. I'll make a note of that for future reference.
 
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nostall

nostall

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