Question Smoke came from PC

[cooperhanson]

I recently upgraded my pc, I got a new CPU(Ryzen 9 5900X), CPU cooler(Thermalright Peerless Assassin SE), PSU(Seasonic Vortex 1000W Gold), and GPU (gigabyte 3080 water force AIO).
The computer was running fine for about a week, (though the rad was jankly hanging by one screw because I couldn’t find the fan mounts for my Fractal Torrent Case.)
Thermals were great, mid 30s for GPU and mid 60s for CPU running Diablo 4 on Ultra settings.

I found the mounting brackets today, and decided to install the GPU rad the correct way. ( I should mention that the AIO was put in a lot of different angles including ones lower than the GPU during this process)
I am aware of the melting 12VHPWR cables melting, and very securely attached the GPU power when reinstalling everything.
When I turned the PC back on, it was fine for about 3 min then turned off.
I waited 60 seconds, then my dumb ass turned it back on. Smoke immediately came from the case, so I turned the computer off right away, and opened everything up.
I could not identify where the smoke came from, and so far have yet to find and burnt or melted connectors anywhere.
What I did find was that I had both CPU fans hooked up to system fans ports on the motherboard, and the multi fan splitter thing that’s built into the computer case plugged into the CPU fan slot. I have no idea how I just noticed this, but it’s been like this for years, even on the old CPU.
I found the CPU splitter that came with the CPU cooler, and plugged the CPU fans into the correct CPU fan port, and moved the case fans to a sys fan port.
I then powered back on the PC, and there has been no smoke since, but now windows is totally borked on a blue screen at boot up, and my Linux drive is not even being detected in BIOS anymore.
Everything else seems fine, CPU and motherboard run cool in BIOS, except it sounds like there is some crackling coming from the GPU.
My best guess is that it there is now an issue with my motherboard due to the storage issue in BIOS, the GPU for the crackling, or both.

Sorry for the long post, but these parts are very expensive so I want to make sure I get this sorted out within the return policy, thanks for any insight.

 

[helpstar]

reset the BIOS

check windows integrity
open the command prompt as administrator and type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-open-an-elevated-command-prompt-2618088
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...em-files/bc609315-da1f-4775-812c-695b60477a93


clean boot

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Describes how to use the clean boot process to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

support.microsoft.com

check the memory by running memtest.org usb autoinstaller (bootable USB flash drive)


check the hard drive for errors with its manufacturer´s tool

 

[Misgar]

Switch off the computer.
Disconnect from mains.
Unplug the 12VHPWR cable from the GPU.
Check for signs of melting.
If there is any damage to cable or GPU, do not use the GPU again.
Regardless of state of 3080 GPU, do not use for time being.
Check all connections go to correct locations. Check again.
Check CPU cooler firmly secured.
Fit a low power GPU (one that does not require 12VHPWR cable or 6/8-pin PCIe GPU cables) into a different PCIe slot, in case the primary PCIe slot is damaged.
An old GT710, GT1030, GT1650 will do fine. We're not sure how good the PSU 12V rail is now.
Remove all SSDs and HDDs.
Fit new SSD and try to install Linux or Windows
Any problems, change PSU.
Any problems, change mobo.
Any problems, change CPU.

 

[cooperhanson]

Update:
I have since got my PC working and hasn't had any issues for a day or two.
The issue stemmed from something I did not mention in the original post; when applying the thermal paste to the CPU / cooler, I used a thin layer (though apparently not thin enough) of liquid metal. During the process of getting the GPU in the PC correctly, I guess somehow some of the liquid metal had dripped down to my Windows NVMe, and gotten between the M2 heatsink and the drive itself, burning the drive.
After replacing the drive and leaving the heatsink out, no issues have happened since. However the GPU would cause game crashes, and was running at about 300 MHz. I am returning the GPU, and considering swapping out the motherboard and PSU as well.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Misgar]

Ah. The delights of liquid metal. Never used the stuff.

Thanks for letting us know you've sorted things out.

 

[helpstar]

motherboard´s PCIe might be fried
did you check the GPU in a different system