PSU (Power surge) - Blown out capacitor in motherboard!

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Brad Wilde

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Mar 8, 2015
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I'd like to start off by saying I have a Custom gaming PC. Which I had bought around a year and a half ago however without any flaws until now.

Specs:

Processor AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight Core Processor
8 CPU'S (~4.GHz)
16GB Ram
NIVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

About a fortnight ago, I had left my computer on for about 4 day's prior to the surge - I don't think that would have made a difference. But I'm going to give all the small details on what had happened.

I was using the computer, when suddenly it decided to turn itself off. I tried turning it back on to no avail. - The power was still connected and I switched off the backswitch of the computer, I saw a spark/mini fire for a few seconds and smelt burnt plastic. I disconnected everything as fast as possible.
One thing I don't understand is if I turned off the switch at the back of the computer what would cause it to surge? It was fine beforehand, when I tried turning it on - But obviously it wouldn't turn on.

I have bought a new PSU thinking that was the initial problem, due to the fact the computer would not turn.

I didn't use a power surge protector. Rookie Mistake, I'm going to link some images. A capacitor on my motherboard has blown out I believe.

I need some advice, anything would help. Should I get a new motherboard?
Should I try fitting the new PSU and see where it goes from there? Would the computer work without one of the capacitors from the motherboard working?

http://imgur.com/KOhOrG0

http://imgur.com/yWRpILK
 
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SkylerJacobs

SkylerJacobs

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Jan 26, 2015
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Motherboard is done for.

When posting System Specs, please include PSU (As it really is one of the most important parts in your system)

Edit
Also, more than one component could have been taken out due to the power surge. Its best to test all components (besides the motherboard, i would not put power anywhere near it ever again) in a known working system if possible.
 
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cin19

cin19

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Mar 14, 2011
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Hi Brad Wilde,
From the picture, your MB should be the M5A78L-M/USB3 http://www.advancetec.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1250x1250/b65b7106e6199ae52d7f08f5a5033ae0/m/5/m5a78l-m-usb3-2_1.jpg , you need the new MB, because one of the power phase (VRMs) was burned, I don't know maybe by overheat or power surge, or by both. And I don't know what called that small parts, but I know that whole area called the power phase (VRMs).

You may try to call asus and talk with them to see you need the new MB or something else. I am interesting to know what is final result. If that causes by overheat, and it is the classical example of throttling from the VRM section.

Can you post it back? whatever you get from them.

More info for the power phase (VRMs) looks like http://www.ixbt.com/mainboard/msi/890gxm-g65/vrm.jpg the picture from here http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/mainboard/msi-890gxm-g65-890gx-p1.html
 
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iamlegend

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Aug 19, 2014
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Since you mentioned that you leaved your computer on for 4 days which is not a very good thing to do. Chances are and will, something will get burnt and did.
Mobo and PSU are to be checked and verified if still functioning properly.

Be careful, remove all other components (RAM, GPU) and test the new PSU and Mobo before putting back other parts.

Again, be careful not to produce further damage and never leave your computer turned on for long days.
 
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GhislainG

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Jul 16, 2008
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Leaving a system on for 4 days isn't an issue; I leave a couple of them on 24x7 and they don't fail. It blew for a totally different reason like a power surge or the cheap motherboard that doesn't even have VRM coolers.
 
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SkylerJacobs

SkylerJacobs

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Jan 26, 2015
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I also leave my computer on pretty much 24/7. I however have power surge protection, and monitoring of all components in my system.
 
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westom

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Mar 30, 2009
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Nothing even implies a surge existed. If you had a surge, how many other appliances (ie dishwasher, clocks) are also damaged?

Second picture also says it was not a surge. That damage is typically classic of a manufacturing defect. Such defects can cause failures even years later.

Nobody can say more as to why that damage happened. But we know a few things. Suspecting a PSU based upon what was posted made no sense. PSU was replaced only on wild speculation (shotgunning).

Power surge protector would have done nothing. Worse, had a surge occurred, then that protector may even compromise robust protection in a PSU. Connect a surge directly and destructively into the motherboard. You have no reason to believe an adjacent protector does any useful protection. However, if you know otherwise, then post the manufacturer specification numbers that say so.

A failed power supply does not damage a motherboard. And a failed motherboard does not damage a power supply. These statements made obvious by facts even in Intel's original ATX Standards. However that failed module could have created CPU damage.
 
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