PSU cords?

[woooe]

I built my computer last spring, and seeing as it was my first build, I wasn't surprised I would have problems with it. By the time summer came, my computer would overheat frequently and shut off. I bought more fans for it, but it didn't work and continued to overheat. Summer was soon over and by the time cooler weather came, I didn't have anymore overheating issues.

Now a year later and summer in progress, my computer still continues to overheat and shut off. I tried orienting the fans many different ways, but it still shuts off. Yesterday, after the usual overheating + shut down, I tried to boot it, but the lights and fan would only turn on for a split second, then off. After a while, I had a spare PSU cord and just decided to swap it and it worked. My original PSU cord worked as well. Today after my computer shut off, it would again turn on for a split second, then off. I tried to swap PSU cords, as it worked yesterday, but didn't work. I had a second spare PSU cord and plugged it on and it worked. My other two cords that didn't work did work. Now after another shut down, my computer would only boot for a split second and none of my three PSU cords could remedy that. I don't have a 4th cord to test it out, heh. So I was wondering why just using different PSU cords fixed the issue of a split second boot and how can i fix that issue now without anymore different cords to use?

 

[hunter315]

Well thats just plain bad, anything that can cause one PSU cord not to work is either not PSU related or really really bad. Based on the overheating issues i would guess that your CPU heatsink was improperly installed. Get some new thermal paste and reinstall it or get an aftermarket one if you have an intel one with the weird push pins.

If it really is your PSU get that thing out of there NOW. Those power cords are 12 guage wire normally, meaning a sustained draw of 15 amps at 120 volts wont destroy them. If you really did destroy the power cable then you are very very lucky your house isnt currently in flames.

 

[Paperdoc]

It is more likely that the power cords have nothing to do with it. The factor that changes, I bet, is the amount of time the system is shut off allowing it to cool. When you have spare cords lying right there and swap them right away, the system won't boot. But when you have to go looking after a shut-down, then finally get the new cord in place, the system has already cooled down and it boots.

The main symptoms you describe certainly point to poor cooling, likely of the CPU, so follow hunter315's advice and get that fixed up. While you're at it, look all over for excess dust accumulation that is blocking airflow around the CPU, and into and out of the case. If you have dust filters on air intakes, make sure they are clean.

Regarding fan orientation, I trust you have a mixture of intake and exhaust fans. The should be nearly balanced. My own preference is that there should be more intake than exhaust so that any leakage is from inside to outside, keeping exterior dust out. But others prefer the other way. Whichever you choose, you can try a small source of smoke, like an incense stick, held close to case holes. Which way does the smoke flow - into or away from the case - and how fast? For maximum air flow and cooling, try to get close to balance so the smoke flow is modest but reliable.