HELP! PC shut down while gaming and burnt smell from GPU

[Laylaa]

Hello,

this morning my PC shut down with a strange crackling noise while gaming.
It also tried to restart itself but shut down again immediately after, before I could finally pull the plug.

When I opened the case, I could smell burnt coming from the GPU and (possibly?) the CPU.
I removed the GPU, connected the monitor to my MB and tried restarting only with MB, CPU and RAM in the system, but there was no BIOS and nothing would come up on screen even if the PC powered up and the fans were spinning.

So I decided to come to ask here for help before trying anything else.
What are the best steps to follow to check if something is broken?
Did my GPU get actually fried there? 🙁

Thanks for the help.

System info below:

CPU: Intel i7-4770k
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 780 GHZ ed.
MB: Asus Z87-A
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB 1600 Mhz
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 250Gb
PSU: SeaSonic M12II EVO 750W
SC: Asus Strix Raid DLX

 

[Phil-uk]

Doesn't sound too good but a system usually has some fail safe temperatures whereby if reached would shutdown rather than heat up to the point of self destruction. Let the system cool down fully, check your cooling setup to see what might have failed and then try to see if it will boot back up. Do not leave it running if you have cooling issues, you need to get to the core of the issue.
A burnt smell is never good though... good luck, hope it's not fried.

 

[Onefurrybanana]

You can look for burn marks but other than that you need to put it in another computer

 

[NoCashFlow]

I strongly recommend connecting a loudspeaker to the motherboads internal speaker connector and listen for error beeps upon startup. If you get anything look into the manual of your motherboard to identify what error has occured. If you get nothing your motherboard or cpu may be broken. If your motherboard has post LED's (LED lights that light up on the motherboard as components initiate) you may observe these to identify if any parts are not booting up correctly.

If you suspect a specific component to have malfunctioned you may search them for miscolored or broken circuits and components. Especially during power surges or power spikes components may become very hot and malfunction. If you find anything suspicious it is likely that the component is dead due to the incredibly precise conditions under wich they have to operate.

You may always test individual parts in another pc if you have the option to do so. If they don't work in a otherwise healthy pc they are obviously broken.

Hope any of this makes sense, wish you best of luck m8 🙁

 

[Laylaa]

Thanks for your replies.
I tried connecting the GPU to the system yesterday evening, but the PC wouldn't even power up as most likely some electronic components got damaged. Thus GPU dead. :/

Without the GPU the system would power up, but I got nothing on screen and it wouldn't get to BIOS.
The post LED's on the MB turned red for a short time one after another after power up (Memory -> CPU -> VGA -> Boot Device) and nothing would happen after.

I found no instruction on my MB manual regarding beep codes, so I could not try that out.
I think all this happened cause of some PSU problem in the end, even with a SeaSonic unit... :/
I will most likely try getting a new PSU, as mine was still under warranty, and will be trying the RAM modules in another system.

Maybe some of the other components was spared, even if I'm not really optimistic now... 🙁

 

[ko888]

My first suspicion would be the power supply unit.

 

[Laylaa]

My first suspicion would be the power supply unit.

Yes, I think that was what caused it. But I can't be sure of it, because I have no way of testing it. :/
Should I try contacting SeaSonic support for a RMA?

 

[ko888]

My first suspicion would be the power supply unit.

Yes, I think that was what caused it. But I can't be sure of it, because I have no way of testing it. :/
Should I try contacting SeaSonic support for a RMA?

Yes, you should contact Seasonic.

The only way to test is to temporarily borrow a known working power supply unit.

 

[NoCashFlow]

Thanks for your replies.
I tried connecting the GPU to the system yesterday evening, but the PC wouldn't even power up as most likely some electronic components got damaged. Thus GPU dead. :/

Without the GPU the system would power up, but I got nothing on screen and it wouldn't get to BIOS.
The post LED's on the MB turned red for a short time one after another after power up (Memory -> CPU -> VGA -> Boot Device) and nothing would happen after.

I found no instruction on my MB manual regarding beep codes, so I could not try that out.
I think all this happened cause of some PSU problem in the end, even with a SeaSonic unit... :/
I will most likely try getting a new PSU, as mine was still under warranty, and will be trying the RAM modules in another system.

Maybe some of the other components was spared, even if I'm not really optimistic now... 🙁

Usually when a power supply fails it tends to roast the components directly connected via cable to the supply, meaning your cpu and ram should be fine. Again, if you get error beeps your mb should be fine, if not it may be broke. The post LED's lighting up should be a good sign (although it is no guarantee of mb working). If the 12v line in your psu failed the gpu will not initiate, therefore you may try it with a functioning psu and see if you get anything.

Ar for other components test them individually in another pc, then hope for the best. I have felt your pain and wish you best of luck.