Problems with PSU in new high-end WC build

[v1sper]

Hi all.

I'm having problems with my new home-built rig, more specifically I'm having problems with the PSU of likes I've never experienced before. I'm hoping that someone here can be of help, maybe give me some insight into what the issue can be.

For good measure, here are some pics of my rig:

Quickspecs:

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770k (Haswell)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme9\AC
RAM: Kingston HyperX Beast 2400Mhz
PSU: FSP Group AURUM PRO 1200w
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX780
OS: Windows 8 Enterprise

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The problems with the PSU started when I was all but done with the build. I had been running loop tests (to test for leaks) where only the coolant-pump was plugged in for days, and following that I started to play with overclocks of both the CPU and GPUs.

Everything was fine and dandy until one day I experienced a system crash, so I went into BIOS and removed the CPU clock. After booting back up and doing some diagnostics (which checked out), I rebooted back into BIOS and applied a slightly lower clock (4.4GHz @ 1.3v - pre-set profile by the motherboard manufacturer) and proceeded to boot the system. That's when the first real error occured. The system shut down, a whining noise was played over the speakers (plugged into the analogue motherboard audio ports), and that was it. The PSU was completely lifeless, even tested it by shorting the green/black wires on the 24-pin cable to see if it would start at all.

I went back to the shop and got it replaced on the spot, they didn't even check it for errors. I got back home and put the new PSU (same brand/model as the one that died) and booted the system. Everything was fine. I had to leave it at stock settings for a few days as I was busy work and whatnot, but tonight I was going to sit down and have some fun with overclocking.

I decided to start with a relaxed OC, 4.5Ghz @ 1.25v, but 10 minutes into the stability test in AIDA64, the exact same thing happened again! The system shut down and the whining noise played over the speakers, just like before.
The difference this time is that when I power on the system, the PSU starts up and shuts down in 2-3 second intervals. Hard to explain, so I got a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUR7aJXER1A

In the video, at the 15 seconds mark, you can hear the whining noise that plays over the speakers when I manually shut down the PSU. Exact same sound that appeared when the PSU "died". The clicking noise is probably a relay inside the PSU not working properly? I have no idea about these things.

So! What is going on here? Bad powersupply units? Something wrong with the motherboard that shorts the PSU at certain CPU overclocks?
I have never heard of this scenario anywhere before, does anyone have any clues at all?

I thought I'd check with you guys before I return to the shop on monday to ask for help, it would be nice to have some clue about what's going on here.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Sick build , looks incredible.

That PSU doesn't sound right , hard to believe two FSP's in a row would be bad though.

 

[v1sper]

Thank you, it took me a while

And you're right, I cannot believe that I've gotten two bad units in a row (especially when it is an FSP which have a reputation of being durable).

 

[Havick88]

Sounds like you have something that's sending a surge back into the PSU causing it to fry it. That (unlikely because your MOBO is still fine) or you don't have the WC system set up right and the heat isn't dissipating properly causing the PSU to overheat which is damaging it.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's rare if it is the PSU again.

If it's not the PSU , the board would probably be the culprit , like you said maybe a short somewhere.

 

[v1sper]

A symptom here is that it happened both times when I was OCing the CPU. Can't be a coincidence?

Although I have extremely limited knowledge about how the circuitry works, wouldn't a short have made itself present at any time when the system was powered?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I wouldn't think it's a coincidence.

 

[v1sper]

Guess I'll have to bet on it being the motherboard then..

 

[Havick88]

I don't think its the MoBO as if it were then chances are it would have been fried the first time it happened. I would be willing to bet that you might not have installed the WC system properly and there is a surge back going into the PSU because its only happening when you OC

 

[v1sper]

Hm, which part of the WC system tho? Nothing is hooked directly up to the PSU except for the pump, all the radiator fans are connected to the motherboard.

 

[Havick88]

I wouldn't know to be honest. I've only just recently started to get into the WC stuff and haven't gotten into the actual practical applications yet. though you can be assured that its likely not any of your hardware as it runs fine when you don't try OC, its not the PSU by itself because its fine until you start OC. So its got to be a combination of things that is leading to the problem, I just unfortunately cant help much past that.

 

[v1sper]

I get what you mean. I don't have any idea what could be the cause of these problems, that's why I made a thread here about it.

What about the CPU itself, could it be damaged or broken somehow?

 

[Havick88]

Its a possibility, though unlikely. the only way that I know CPU's to get damaged from use is when there is improper cooling which overheats the unit and causes damage that way or a surge hits the mobo in which case that's the least of your concerns.

 

[v1sper]

Ok. Well thanks for your replies everyone, guess I'll ask the shop if they can take a look at it.