Incendiary motherboard

[A A Gruntpuddock]

Shortly after fitting a new, high-powered graphics card to my computer I had a few problems with the card cutting out and the computer re-booting.

I checked (again) that the card was seated properly, the external power cable connected properly and the fan turning. All seemed ok so I assumed that it was a driver problem.

The computer then ran for about 20 minutes before switching off.

I touched the card to check that it was not overheating then switched the computer back on again to continue downloading new drivers. Fortunately I left the side cover off.

About 1 minute later I noticed a warm, flickering light reflecting off the back of the case and looked inside to find the motherboard on fire around the power connector.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[frostbite]

Sounds like your posh new card has overloaded the power supply.

[A A Gruntpuddock]

Should have mentioned that I fitted an 800w power supply about a year ago.

The computer was still working when I hit the mains power switch, so the power supply was still operating ok

[green granite]

Sounds like a loose connection in the plug/skt causing it to overheat, it will need re-soldering and the skt pins closing up slightly to cure the problem. If it's burnt the tracks then it is not for the faint hearted to repair.

[bbrunton]

Some graphics cards draw so much power they have a seperate power connector on the graphics card itself and a corresponding cable on the power supply needs to be plugged into the graphic card plug.

Maybe you did not notice the plug? I wonder if your power supply has the correct cable and connector?


Bill.

[tony draper]

Some graphic cards even have a external power supply,I am running a fairly top end Graphics card (well top end three years ago)with a separate fan powered by 12v from the computer PSU which I have just noticed is 350 watt no probs.
:)