Question What fried my motherboard?

[Hugebeatz]

Was having video issues (like there was a bad connection), so I bought a new video card. Couldn't get new video card recognized so I brought it into a computer repair place. When the guy booted it up, the MB started smoking and it fried the board. I ordered the same motherboard 2nd hand and put everything back together. Same thing happened I ordered the same motherboard again. What caused my MB smoke? Power supply? How can I test all of my components to see what is causing it? I really need this thing to work as I can't afford a new computer and need to reuse as much of my components as possible.

Intel DX79SR motherboard
64 gigs Corsair DDR3 RAM
Coolermaster Silent Pro M Modular PS 1000 Watt
Intel Core i7 3930K 3rd Gen Sandy Bridge CPU
4 SSDs (Samsung 850 Evo 4TB, 4TB, 256 G, 500 G)
2 HDs (WD Black 4TB)
DVD drive
GeForce GTX 560 SE Fermi Video card
Blackmagic Intensity Pro pcie card
Yamaha AIC 128D pcie card
Win 10 Pro

 

[rgd1101]

brand and model of the psu?

 

[Hugebeatz]

Sorry, updated info above. Also, the tech had no idea what caused the MB to smolder and offered no real help.

 

[DSzymborski]

I would consider the PSU the primary suspect; it's a constant in the two incidents and it's the thing that drives the power. While this was a rare competent Cooler Master PSU of this era, it's also a very old PSU at this point.

 

[Hugebeatz]

I would consider the PSU the primary suspect; it's a constant in the two incidents and it's the thing that drives the power. While this was a rare competent Cooler Master PSU of this era, it's also a very old PSU at this point.

Thanks for the input. My plan was to buy a new power supply and CPU fan and put only necessary items in...all while keeping my fingers crossed

 

[DSzymborski]

Thanks for the input. My plan was to buy a new power supply and CPU fan and put only necessary items in...all while keeping my fingers crossed

That's a good strategy. I'd go even father and remove the case out of the equation and do this 100% test bench style, with the motherboard on a non-conductive surface.

 

[Hugebeatz]

That's a good strategy. I'd go even father and remove the case out of the equation and do this 100% test bench style, with the motherboard on a non-conductive surface.

Good thinking! I'll have the tech do it that way to test it.