[SOLVED] Blown VRM but computer still works...B450M DS3H

[pitogo]

I haven’t seen too many cases in search 3 come up but not related.

I have a Gigabyte B450M DS3H motherboard. One evening as I powered it on there was a flash and computer shutoff. Looking in side near the flash was a blown VRM? Maybe? Its an IC close to the 8pin CPU power socket on the motherboard without a heatsink and right next to an inductor. There are clearly burn marks and a burnt chip. I powered off the PSU, powered PSU back on then turn the system on and it boots like like nothing happened. I power cycled and cold boot and it still works. Is it OK to continue using it? I’m assuming there are other chips to take up the load (capacity),

The motherboard is less than a year old so warranty repair should be OK, only problem is time to do so. RMA process and shipping...

 

[Darkbreeze]

Don't take the risk. Any fault in the power delivery subsystem could have a direct and catastrophic affect on the CPU, memory or anything else connected to the motherboard if it decides to go. Consider a major rockslide where it suddenly stops but is being held back by one particular rock that is barely wedged in but holding. That one little thing gives, since the whole thing is weaker than before, and it's ALL downhill from there.

Pretty much the same. There is no way you should continue to use any motherboard that has visual signs of damage to any part of the power delivery/VRM components. RMA the motherboard.

 

[norcalsc]

Nope could be a fire hazard

 

[pitogo]

Cool thanks for the feedback looking to get an RMA now 🙁
Photo

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yeah, that's bad. I don't know, either you're the luckiest SOB ever in the fact that it is still running, or you're a troll. I'm not sure which, but looking at that picture I can tell you that it shouldn't even have been a question of whether or not to keep running it.

 

[drivinfast247]

Cool thanks for the feedback looking to get an RMA now 🙁
Photo

He's dead, Jim!

 

[pitogo]

Gigabyte approved the RMA. Would have taken a video of it working but its already boxed up ready to go. Thanks. Will marking this as resolved.