Hi all,
I'm not a newbie and the problem I'm going to describe is not common, I think. I know what gets broken but I don't really know why ...
PART 1
Configuration (quite old, I know):
But a few days later after pressing power button nothing happend - no beeps, no display on screen, only fans spinning for a while. So I've checked everyting removing part by part and powering up - all drives, GPU, then RAM. After removing RAM post beeps appeared, so MB & CPU seemed to be working properly. I installed one stick - no post codes again. I've checked all four RAM sticks in every RAM slot - all four RAM sticks were broken. I've checked them also in another PC at my work - same behavior.
I had some spare parts so I've installed another one RAM and PC started - short beep, without any monitor connected (GPU was removed).
So I've put GPU and ... it stopped working again - no post beeps etc. Quick check and another RAM stick is broken.
My first diagnosis was: graphics card or power supply. Or maybe motherboard? I've broken two or three another RAM DIMMs and I was almost sure that the GPU is damaged (power section?). I don't understand how it could affect RAM but ... to be sure I've replaced almost everything and reduced my PC to minimal configuration, as it is now used as home theater PC.
PART 2
Configuration (changed):
It was great for a week. Then suddendly ... the same thing again: no beeps, no signal on HDMI port. And again, all RAM sticks broken. And again, I've put another DIMM and PC started properly.
I have two hypotheses:
I'm not a newbie and the problem I'm going to describe is not common, I think. I know what gets broken but I don't really know why ...
PART 1
Configuration (quite old, I know):
- MB: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H
- CPU: i5-3570K with box cooler
- RAM: 4x4GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
- GPU: ASUS GTX960 OC STRIX 4GB DDR5
- PSU: Corsair RM650x
- CASE: Zalman HD503 (SATA, USB - front panel, AUDIO)
- DVD-RW: 1x (SATA)
- SSD: 1x (SATA)
- HDD: 3x (SATA)
- two case fans connected to case panel (not connected directly to MB)
But a few days later after pressing power button nothing happend - no beeps, no display on screen, only fans spinning for a while. So I've checked everyting removing part by part and powering up - all drives, GPU, then RAM. After removing RAM post beeps appeared, so MB & CPU seemed to be working properly. I installed one stick - no post codes again. I've checked all four RAM sticks in every RAM slot - all four RAM sticks were broken. I've checked them also in another PC at my work - same behavior.
I had some spare parts so I've installed another one RAM and PC started - short beep, without any monitor connected (GPU was removed).
So I've put GPU and ... it stopped working again - no post beeps etc. Quick check and another RAM stick is broken.
My first diagnosis was: graphics card or power supply. Or maybe motherboard? I've broken two or three another RAM DIMMs and I was almost sure that the GPU is damaged (power section?). I don't understand how it could affect RAM but ... to be sure I've replaced almost everything and reduced my PC to minimal configuration, as it is now used as home theater PC.
PART 2
Configuration (changed):
- MB: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H (another one)
- CPU: i5-3570K (the same) with a new cooler
- RAM: 4x4GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance (another set)
- GPU: CPU integrated
- PSU: FSP HEXA+ 400W (another one)
- CASE: Zalman HD503 (SATA, USB - front panel, AUDIO)
- DVD-RW: 1x (SATA)
- SSD: 1x (SATA)
- HDD: 3x (SATA)
It was great for a week. Then suddendly ... the same thing again: no beeps, no signal on HDMI port. And again, all RAM sticks broken. And again, I've put another DIMM and PC started properly.
I have two hypotheses:
- As all DIMMs fail at the same time it is due to overvoltage.
- Since only the CPU and peripherals remained from the old configuration, it seems some of them is defective. But could any damage of CPU, HDD/SSD/DVD (connected to SATA) or the front panel of the case (connected to USB, SATA, AUDIO and USB3) cause overvoltage in RAM slots?
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