New Build - Sparks Flew

[Muzzy]

Hello Everyone,

Am in a bit of a pickle here to be honest.

Purchased bits for a new pc build (also used some old bits)

AMD X2 240 AM3 CPU
MSI C45 770 MOBO
CORSAIR 2GB VS2GB1333 DDR3 RAM
COOLERMASTER 690 II CASE
CORSAIR 400W PSU

I had an "old" HD - 500GB Maxtor & GPU ATI 1950 kicking around so used them also.

Took my time and did a proper job putting everything in - am sure I got the cables right and everything was done proper.

The RAM arrived seperately from another supplier today - plugged it in no problem in the DIMM1 slot.

Switched the pc on - I had fans + blue LED's (4)

At first I could hear a faint but audible snap / crackle noise (heck add some pop in there also)

I checked to see if any cables were touching the fans as they span round but nothing.

I then started to smell an increasingly bad "electric" burning smell - wasnt the smell of a new pc being switched on. It was more like a harsh irritating smell.

I then noticed what appeared to be an orange "flame / flicker" in the area or the 1R2 capacitors to the right of the MSI cooler in this shot:

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_i...d-review/6.jpg

Switched the power off imediately.

I am now unable to get it to post using the GPU - Tried it with an 8800gts and a different monitor using a DVI cable instead of vga and I cant get a display.

All the fans turn - the LED's light up but nothing.

Have been in touch with the supplier and he is saying that the memory voltage may have been incorrect.

"The damage you have mentioned almost certainly represents an issue with the memory modules, as from your email the voltages regulators have burnt, this only happens with memory installed running at the wrong voltage"

I never tweaked the RAM - just took it out of the box and straight into the pc.

Google shows the RAM as 1.5v - same as the DIMM slots on the MOBO.

Writing on the ram shows as:

1165714 10210629

VS2GB1333D3

Totally confused to be honest

Wondering what kind of damage has occured?

Thanks,

Murray

[GoNz0]

your suppliers full of s**t

[Ulti]

With an AMD system you can pretty much run the RAM up to at least 1.8V on DDR3 (and maybe even higher but don't take my word for it) so it's definitely not what your supplier says. Unfortunately, I am not sure what the problem is though.

[Splash]

The location on the board that you describe sounds like it's close to one of the board mounting points - any chance you had a short? You made sure to only put standoffs at the relevant locations, right?

[Muzzy]

Hi Guys,

First off many thanks for taking the time to reply to my post - much appreciated

I took the motherboard out of the case today to see/smell if I could find the problem area.

My nose definately picked up a strong odour coming from the area where I saw the flash - then I noticed one of the capacitors had a light but noticeable burn mark.

Managed to take some pics of the damaged area.



Will get in touch with Amazon/MSI/Scan/Corsair today.

your suppliers full of s**t

I bought Mobo/PSU/Case/CPU from Scan.

RAM From Amazon.co.uk

With an AMD system you can pretty much run the RAM up to at least 1.8V on DDR3 (and maybe even higher but don't take my word for it) so it's definitely not what your supplier says. Unfortunately, I am not sure what the problem is though.

I did think it was odd that the was saying that the memory was installed at the wrong voltage - seeing as it was a new pc I never had the chance to change the voltage in BIOS etc.

The location on the board that you describe sounds like it's close to one of the board mounting points - any chance you had a short? You made sure to only put standoffs at the relevant locations, right?

Triple checked this today and they are all where they are meant to be - used the right screws for this also.

On the damage front - hopefully its just the motherboard that needs replaced - would be a shame if this has wiped out all the other components.

Many thanks,

Murray

[GoNz0]

I bought Mobo/PSU/Case/CPU from Scan.

maybe you got a new guy, thats not the sort of reply any of us would expect from scan

[Carlh]

Muzzy,

If you can PM me your invoice number for the items you purchased from SCAN I shall check into this further for you.

Regards,

[wesleyaldred]

Muzzy

I never once said it was an issue with the voltages, I asked you to obtain the memory voltages and my advice was that the problem was almost certainly from the memory modules, never did i mention because of the voltage, the question over the voltage was just to rule that out as an issue.

I suspect the issue has been caused by 1 of 2 problems:

Faulty RAM

Short.

[Muzzy]

Wesley,

If I have got the wrong end of the stick then I apologise - however it has never been my intention to disrespect anyone or get angry.

All I want is a computer that works - having an office full of computer parts and the hassle of all this is of no benefit to me.

In relation to your above comment I reacted to the following comment by you.

"The damage you have mentioned almost certainly represents an issue with the memory modules, as from your email the voltages regulators have burnt, this only happens with memory installed running at the wrong voltage."

I was confused as to how the RAM could be installed at the wrong voltage thats all.

Thank you,

Murray