Motherboard shorted twice, GPU seems to be issue

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

Hello everyone. Going through my first build and I'd like to preface this with the fact I am building my computer for the first time, but have had a lot of help from people who have built them.

A link to my build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dbR9Bm

Now. We've set up the computer a couple times. The first time we had too small a power source (a 450W model of my psu) and couldn't get the GPU to start. We got a 750W and plugged into the gpu and tried to turn it on and it wouldn't go. At the time we thought it was static one of us has touched it with. But we got a new motherboard and tried it again without powering the gpu first and it worked. We plugged in the gpu and it blew. Is there an something I have missed that could be causing this issue? Thank you!

littleleo · Jan 23, 2015

When you installed the motherboard in the case you used the standoffs right?

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

littleleo :

Yes. Standoff's were used both times.

gilbadon · Jan 23, 2015

So the computer will not work even without the video card after installing the video card for the first time?

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

First, accidentally clicked best answer, screen jumped on me, sorry! Second. When we first set it up the GPU wasn't on, one of the power cords wasnt plugged in all the way. We installed everything and had the computer running without the graphics card technically hooked up. When we noticed and plugged it in and powered it on, the Motherboard blew. Second time, getting a different Motherboard thinking it was just static we tried it again without plgging in the GPU first, then when we plugged it again, it blew again.

littleleo · Jan 23, 2015

You plugged in both power cables to the motherboard the 24pin and the 8pin CPU power cable?

littleleo · Jan 23, 2015

CJ1092 :

If your plugging the card in properly and making sure it's seated completely you may have a defective VGA card. Can't say I've seen that happen in 25+ years but that is what it sounds like. You are plugging in just the PCI-E power cables into the VGA card? You aren't plugging in the motherboard 8pin connect into the VGA card?

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

littleleo :

Correct. Both cables were plugged in correctly. I have pictures if needed.

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

littleleo :

CJ1092 :

If your plugging the card in properly and making sure it's seated completely you may have a defective VGA card. Can't say I've seen that happen in 25+ years but that is what it sounds like. You are plugging in just the PCI-E power cables into the VGA card? You aren't plugging in the motherboard 8pin connect into the VGA card?

Seems to be my luck lately. Yes those were plugged in correctly (at least as I was led to believe.) I do have pictures of the wiring if necessary

DarkSable · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

Sorry for unselecting you, mate, but I was asked to.

gilbadon · Jan 23, 2015

How do you KNOW the motherboard is blown?

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

1. Saw sparks the second time around.
2. Both times we tried to turn it on after, only the power button lit up down on the bottom, when we tried resetting it, the only light to turn on ws the one for the little coin battery to reset. (Cannot remember the name for the life of me right now, forgive me). Most places I googled those symptoms seem to think that means the motherboard is blown.

gilbadon · Jan 23, 2015

That is a nice mobo. Even with shorted lines coming from the graphics card, it should not do to much damage from an electrical stand point. It seems as if the power from the molex connectors are somehow arching to the rails on the motherboard and destroying it.

Where did the sparks come from?

It sounds like you just need to replace the GPU if it boots with all but it.

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

Sparks came from the top 8-pin connector near the CPU if I remember right.

gilbadon · Jan 23, 2015

Well both the CPU 8pin header and the graphics card use the 12V rail to supply voltage so something is getting blown up on that rail. It very well may be the power supply in that case.

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

I thought that as well at the beginning but talking to another friend he thinks it may be a wire thats doing it. To power the 6 pin on the graphics card, I was missing a connecter and emailed MSI about it and they told me I needed an adapter that turns 2 4 pins into a 6 pin.

This is what it looks like. As stupid as it sounds, this is what it may be possibly?

http://imgur.com/wrp8NEB

gilbadon · Jan 23, 2015

You have 4 PCIE connectors on the PSU. You should not need an adapter of any kind.

CJ1092 · Jan 23, 2015

gilbadon :

So using the adaptor like that could very well have shorted the motherboard?

gilbadon · Jan 24, 2015

It sure as hell probably is not good. The PSU manufactuter splits rails as it seems important. If you're putting more current draw on something that the PSU manufacturer did not expect by doing things like using adapters, it can cause problems. That PSU is not the greatest either (not terrible and should easily power the system)

littleleo · Jan 26, 2015

Usually the VGA card comes with adapters to convert 2 molex to a PCI-E connector. It sounds like defective cabling on your power supply.

CJ1092 · Jan 27, 2015

littleleo :

None of the parts came with the adaptor for the molex to PCI-E. So possibly missing piece, but couldn't you just use a PCI-E to PCI-E cord to power that part of the VGA? Either way, I've got a new motherboard, Video Card and Power supply to try this again so hopefully it works this time. Thanks for the help!

Motherboard shorted twice, GPU seems to be issue

Reputable

Splendid

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Splendid

Splendid

Reputable

Reputable

Judicious

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Splendid

Reputable

Share this page