Why did my psu explode???

[Louis_32]

So today I switched the graphics card in my pc from a gts 450 that only needed one 6 pin connector to a gtx 570 se that needed two. As my pc only had one 6 pin connector I used a 2 molex to 6 pin connector. The card worked fine I played Skyrim for a bit then launched heaven benchmark to check temps on the card. As the benchmark was running a whining noise started to sound I thought it was the card so I was going to close the program but then BANG my psu exploded. My pc is fine but why did it explode my rig uses around 380w and I use a (cheap) 600w psu. It's been fine until today is the molex to 6 pin to blame???

 

[William Henrickson]

Nasty capacitor got hot, was probably cheap and old. You pushed it to the limit. Not surprising at all. This is why people spend money on a good one. The 600w rating is probably fantasy marketing.

 

[MeepsterNotchy]

a (cheap) 600w psu.

That's why it failed and exploded
What brand and model is it?

 

[Louis_32]

a (cheap) 600w psu.

That's why it failed and exploded
What brand and model is it?

It's called an alpine 700w psu

 

[PeskaGoPro]

the 12v rail got overcharged by the use of 6 pin + 6 pin molex adapter, probably your psu didnt had the amps either to sustain such a card a 570 is a very power hungry card Maximum (Graphics Card Power (W) 219 W) for todays standards , back in the days i runned a gts 250 150 w card on a 350 w psu witch burned the 12 v rail completely, you just need a better psu with good amps on the 12v rail. Since you got lucky and didnt burned anything .

 

[sizzling]

It's a cheap low quality PSU, most likely it could never handle 600w as these low end PSU's very often don't meet there quoted spec. PSU components deteriorate with time and judging by the gpu you upgraded from I'm guessing this PSU was also a few years old. Bottom line is cheap PSU's are a ticking time bomb and should never be used in a gaming PC.

It has nothing to do with using a Molex adapter, that's perfectly safe with a good PSU and is just a coincidence.

 

[sizzling]

Am on my phone but take a look on Youtibe, there are many videos of cheap PSU's failing and sometimes spectacularly under stress tests usually way under there quoted spec. These are usually brand new too.

 

[William Henrickson]

I know people in here will probably have a problem with my recommendation but this guy probably will not spend enough to get a top notch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

$30 after rebate card. Has the dual connectors you require, and will not burn your house down.