Fried the CPU 12-volt line?

[jamesm113]

So, I built the computer 12 years ago, using a Seasonic 380 watt power supply (S12-380). I refreshed the CPU/motherboard/RAM 6 years ago (AMD FX-6100, DDR3 memory and an ECS A960M-M3 motherboard).

Last week, the computer started crashing while using Windows. I smelt something giving up the magic smoke, so I decided to pull components to see if I could narrow down the culprit.

I found that the yellow line (12V) on the 4-pin CPU connector was the culprit of the smell.

What's the recommend course of action? Replace both the power supply and motherboard? What chain of events could cause this to occur out of the blue?

 

[Doctor Rob]

yes both! or upgrade the whole system as it could have damaged the CPU as well if it sent too much power in there.

 

[jamesm113]

Hmm, will do. What do you think caused it?

 

[volkgren]

Hmm, will do. What do you think caused it?

Well considering the amount of dust buildup I would count that as a factor along with the 12 year old power supply with a warranty of only 3 years.

 

[BFG-9000]

I would cut the plug off and solder the wires directly to the board. Such a computer is still useful as a secondary PC but not worth spending any money on.

I mean, what else would you do with the old motherboard and PSU besides throw them away anyway? And who would consider a new board and PSU for such an old CPU to be a good investment? All it would take is adding a cheap newer CPU that also takes DDR3 to have a much more modern system.

 

[jamesm113]

Ok, let's say I solder it straight to the board... I think whatever caused it melt in the first place would probably happen again, no?

I've already ordered and received a new PSU (500 watt EVGA). Figure might as well update everything now. Leaning towards an i5, unless there's another AMD chip out there that will get me a good bang for my buck.

However, Looking at pricewatch (do people still use that these anymore??), I don't see any motherboard+CPU deals that use DDR3.. What modern CPUs still use DDR3?

 

[BFG-9000]

No. Corrosion or simply the plug getting loose increases resistance until it gets hot enough to burn. With it soldered to the board, resistance will stay low forever. And you know everything is probably still working because you were in Windows (even though it was crashing from low voltage).

If you can swing it for a new system, get DDR4 too. My suggestion was for a used motherboard and CPU that would be an upgrade over your old system, so it would only be more modern than that one, not current. That's because just about any motherboard you could find for the FX-6100 would be used anyway, and you could still reuse your RAM.

Ryzen APU systems are great value but DDR4 isn't going to drop in price until next year.