Custom Desktop won't power up.

jdtdwp · 20 Nov 2012

I am currently building a custom desktop (Specifications in My System Specs) and I've run into a few problems along the way:
- When I first put it all together and powered it up, the edge of the motherboard literally caught on fire for a second and I immeadiately turned the power off.
- I returned the motherboard and the psu and got both brand new again.
- I just tried to reinstall the motherboard and psu and now I get no power at all to the pc.
- I checked all connectors to make sure they were plugged in tightly and correctly. Everything looked fine. The 12V atx power connector and 24-pin connector were both plugged in correctly.
- I checked the psu with a paper clip and checked the voltage of each pin that should have been outputting voltage. Everything was fine there. And the psu powered up and the fans turned as soon as I pressed the switch.
- Checked for bad heads on the motherboard. None.
- I also went through all of these steps already: PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about POST/boot/no video problems! - New-System-Build - Homebuilt-Systems

I'm not sure what else to check. Anyone know what could possibly be wrong with it?

Layback Bear · 20 Nov 2012

I highly recommend not using that power supply. Their is no such thing as a $35.00 quality prower supply. A GTX-650 requires a quality power supply along with the rest of your hardware.
I would recommend using a Corsair or a Seasonic power supply 650W or more.

DavidE · 20 Nov 2012

I agree with Layback Bear about the PSU recommendation.

Did you do the breadboard test, and do you get any boot beep codes now?

jdtdwp · 20 Nov 2012

So could the poor quality of the power supply result in nothing in the pc powering up because it cant handle the load? The fan of the psu doesn't even turn on when I power up the psu when it is connected to everything in the computer. It makes a high pitch ringing noise but nothing happens.

Layback Bear · 20 Nov 2012

A poor power supply can cause fires. You have already found that out. It can explode or cause damage to just about everything in your computer. Your last power supply destroyed your motherboard but it also could of damaged you video card and more.

DavidE · 20 Nov 2012

A poor power supply could cause any number of problems, and that may be what caused your original issue and your current problems.
The original issue resulting in a fire may have fried any number of components including the GPU, CPU, etc.

I would not run a PC with a PSU having the issues you are seeing now.

jdtdwp · 21 Nov 2012

Well I did get the PC to boot up now after trying a number of different things. All fans are running. Hard drive and disk drive are running. But now there is no display. The graphics card fan is running and there doesn't seem to be any sign of burns or anything on the actual chip part of it. Is there a command prompt that should show up since the operating system is not installed yet?

bobafetthotmail · 21 Nov 2012

The "no display issue" is likely be due to the fact that the graphic card isn't getting enough power. Fans spinning don't mean the card is receiving enough power to actually run, as fans require little power.

Your PSU does not have the 80 plus certification, which means it won't produce more than 1/2 of the stated output (yes, it's a 300W psu disguised as a 600W as 600W is peak load, something it can keep for a few seconds), and is likely to melt down and damage computer components if you ask more than 300W from it (as being cheap it lacks decent voltage and amperage regulation and safeties).

Please buy a PSU with the 80 plus certification and stop trying to make this piece of crap run your rig, or you'll likely destroy something.

non-certified PSUs are ok for consumer rigs you can buy for cheap at walmart or whatever cheap place you can buy cheap things at. Gaming rigs and workstations only use certified PSUs.

jdtdwp · 21 Nov 2012

I will be taking everyone's advice and getting a new power supply. But does booting up and displaying a screen really require more than 300W?
Also I tried plugging the monitor in through the graphics card and it displayed "no signal". then I unplugged the graphics card and removed it. Then I plugged the monitor into the mobo and still displayed "no signal". Unfortunately I think I know what that means; the cpu is blown or damaged? Or could that be the psu not outputting enough?

bobafetthotmail · 21 Nov 2012

this calculator tells you the power required by your hardware. Fill your specs, and it will tell.

The point is that the PSU you bought isn't 80 plus certified, so it's not been tested to deliver what it promises.
It could be outputting anywhere from 0 to 400 W with wildly fluctuating voltages (this last detail is the thing that damages hardware), and no guarantee that it will survive the stress of operation at more than half its rated output.

Unfortunately I think I know what that means; the cpu is blown or damaged? Or could that be the psu not outputting enough?

Unless you plug a new psu with the 80 plus certification, there is no way to tell.

Although when PSU die (or do power spikes like when asked to output more than possible), the collateral damage are usually hard drives, DVD burners, and whatnot, as most decent gaming motherboards do have good power management systems that stand a better chance to dampen such power spikes.