Question Zapping sound (from the motherboard?) and burning smell ?

[waca]

Hello everyone,

My computer worked just fine earlier today, but now it won't turn on anymore.

The problem started when I replaced the GPU with a new one. Putting back the old GPU doesn't solve the issue.

Maybe I touched something I shouldn't have when I switched GPUs.

Whatever the case, I now hear a zapping/buzzing noise which I believe comes from my motherboard. The sound is only audible when the PSU is turned on while it's connected to the motherboard. There's also a faint burning smell.

What can I do? Thanks for your help.

Motherboard: Asus TUF Gaming B760M-plus
PSU: Seasonic S12II-Bronze 520W

 

[Lutfij]

PSU: Seasonic S12II-Bronze 520W
That is a bad Unit to have alongside concurrent hardware. Back in the day, the S12II unit was a great unit but with the passage of time, better units were launched for latter hardware.

My computer
When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

The problem started when I replaced my GPU with a new one.
What GPU were you on prior and what did you swap to?

Whatever the case, I now hear a zapping/buzzing noise which I believe comes from my motherboard.
You should inspect every connection made to your components, namely the motherboard as you're saying that's where the noise is coming from.

There's also a faint burning smell.
Yeah, If I were you, stop doing what you're doing and disconnect everything. Start inspecting all connections and using your nose, locate the source the smell.

 

[Aeacus]

PSU: Seasonic S12II-Bronze 520W

Best group-regulated PSU ever made. Even i used it for ~3 years back in 2015.

However, at current date and time, that PSU is WAY too old to be used. It initially was released in 2009, making it ~16 year old PSU. And it ever came with 3 year warranty.

The sound is only audible when the PSU is turned on while it's connected to the motherboard. There's also a faint burning smell.

Most likely cause;

Your new GPU put way too high load on the aging PSU, which overloaded it and caused it to fail completely. Hence the cracking and smell. Now, i can not tell if PSU also took something else with it (like MoBo or GPU) but i'd be very wary.

So, new PSU is a must. However, since we don't know your full system specs, including GPU, i can not suggest proper wattage to go for.
But model wise, good PSUs are: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.

(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have 2x PRIME TX-650 units and one Focus PX-550 unit. Full specs with pics in my sig.)

1st order of business:
* new PSU.
If build powers on with new PSU, you're golden. If not, you're looking further component replacements. Possible failures include: CPU, MoBo, RAM, GPU (or all of them).

Life lesson: While the PSU you used was a great one back in the day, nothing lasts for forever and don't use the PSUs past their warranty period. Now, Seasonic units do last far beyond their warranty period (i've seen several S12II-520 units lasting 2-3 times the warranty period), but when PSU eventually fails, it may be catastrophic fail, taking other components with it.

 

[waca]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, I made a silly mistake because I was exhausted: my PSU is not an S12II, but Seasonic M12II 520W from 2018.

Here are my full specs.

CPU: Intel i5-13400F
CPU cooler: Thermalright Assassin King 120 SE
Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming B760M-PLUS D4. I don't remember when the BIOS was last updated and can't check since the computer won't power on. I bought it in 2023.
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
SSD/HDD: Crucial MX500 250GB (system) + Crucial P3 1TB (storage) + Lexar NM790 1TB no heatsink (some apps and media)
old GPU: Gigabyte RTX 3060 gaming OC 12G. new GPU: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 9060 XT 16G
PSU: Seasonic M12II 520W from 2018
Chassis: Fractal Design Define R4
OS: Windows 11 Home
Monitor (LCD TV): Sony Bravia 40EX500

I've already tried unplugging the motherboard/PSU cables and plugging them again, but the results are the same. I've also checked the motherboard's screws.

I think I still have my old motherboard + CPU/RAM lying around somewhere. Should I try to power on the computer with the old motherboard/CPU/RAM? Or is that too risky?

update: I've just tried to identify where the burning smell comes from. It's hard to tell, but it seems to come from the general area of the motherboard's 24-pin connector.

 

[Aeacus]

my PSU is not an S12II, but Seasonic M12II 520W from 2018.

It matters not, since M12II EVO is the fully-modular version of S12II. M12II EVO was released in 2012, where Innards are the same, group-regulated platform. This makes your PSU platform 13 years old. Regardless when you bought the PSU. And it ever came with 5 year warranty. So, it's past it's expected lifespan.

E.g when i buy '57 Bel Air in 2024 and drove it 1 year, does it make the car only 1 year old? No. Car is still 68 years old.

I've already tried unplugging the motherboard/PSU cables and plugging them again, but the results are the same.

Yes, because the PSU is dead. And most likely something else as well.

I think I still have my old motherboard + CPU/RAM lying around somewhere. Should I try to power on the computer with the old motherboard/CPU/RAM? Or is that too risky?

NO! DO NOT DO THAT! Else-ways, you kill other components as well.

As it stands currently, your M12II-520 EVO is the weakest component inside the PC, and most likely dead as well. So, new PSU is a MUST.

For new PSU, i suggest anything from Tier A, like: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
PSU Tier list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...JWkc/edit?pli=1&gid=1973454078#gid=1973454078

Tier A- will do too, while Tier A+ is preferred.
For your current build, 550W PSU minimum. While 650W is better suited. 750W one doesn't hurt either.
(My 3x PCs are also powered by Seasonic. I have PRIME 650 Titanium (Tier A+), PRIME Ultra 650 Titanium (Tier A+) and Focus PX-550 (Tier A) units. Full specs with pics in my sig.)

Once you have a new, good quality PSU. Then you can hook it to your components and look if build powers on. If not, use your 2nd set of backup components.

 

[waca]

Thanks! I'm thinking of getting a Corsair RM750x (2024). Would that be a good option?

update: sorry, supid question, the RM750x is already included in the list you linked to. I've just ordered it.

 

[popatim]

Keep us updated!

 

[Moonstick2]

I'd strongly suggest locating the source of the burning smell still. It tends to linger so you should be able to locate it without needing to turn anything on again. I would remove the PSU entirely since you're replacing it anyway, take it out of the case and have a good sniff around both.

If the burning is from the PSU and there's nothing from the motherboard, you'll hopefully be lucky just replacing the PSU. If there's burning on the motherboard then you replace that as well. I wouldn't want to risk connecting a brand new PSU to a motherboard with burned/shorted components, in case it manages to damage that new PSU.

 

[waca]

I'd strongly suggest locating the source of the burning smell still. It tends to linger so you should be able to locate it without needing to turn anything on again. I would remove the PSU entirely since you're replacing it anyway, take it out of the case and have a good sniff around both.

If the burning is from the PSU and there's nothing from the motherboard, you'll hopefully be lucky just replacing the PSU. If there's burning on the motherboard then you replace that as well. I wouldn't want to risk connecting a brand new PSU to a motherboard with burned/shorted components, in case it manages to damage that new PSU.

I've tried to locate the source of the smell, but it's actually not that strong and disappears quickly after the PSU is powered off. I can't conclusively tell whether it comes from the PSU, 24-pin connector/cable or other parts of the motherboard.

I'll post updated as soon as I get my new PSU. It was time to upgrade anyway... Let's just hope I can avoid a worst case scenario.

update: I placed my current PSU outside the case and hooked it up to the motherboard. This time, when I switched on the PSU, I'm fairly sure the burning smell came from inside the case, namely the motherboard or components on it. However, I think the buzzing/zapping noise comes from the PSU. At my parents' place I have an even older PSU (Corsair CX500, which I'm aware is not very good) which was still working when I replaced it with the Seasonic. Should I do a reaaaally quick test and check whether the computer powers on with the CX500 before I try my new PSU and/or order a new mobo as well?

 

[Aeacus]

I'm fairly sure the burning smell came from inside the case, namely the motherboard or components on it.

The MoBo is toast. Could be GPU too since it all started when you switched out GPU to a more beefier one.

Should I do a reaaaally quick test and check whether the computer powers on with the CX500 before I try my new PSU and/or order a new mobo as well?

Corsair CX500 with green label? 🤔

If so, that PSU is complete crap (Tier E) and i wouldn't touch it even with 3 feet pole. (It came out in 2013 btw.)

As of when you try power the CX500 on, and if it has sat for long time, you can get a big "BOOM" and nice fireworks out of it. I wouldn't risk it. It may even fry what M12II-520 EVO missed. A good way to get a full PC worth of dead components.
But if you do power it on, since you are in a "reaaally" hurry, i only have my condolences to send to you. 🪦

 

[waca]

Corsair CX500 with green label? 🤔

If so, that PSU is complete crap (Tier E) and i wouldn't touch it even with 3 feet pole. (It came out in 2013 btw.)

Yes, that infamous CX500.😛 All right, I won't bother with it then.

Is is worth the trouble testing the motherboard with the new PSU (RM750x), or is that too likely to damage the PSU?

 

[Aeacus]

Is is worth the trouble testing the motherboard with the new PSU (RM750x), or is that too likely to damage the PSU?

Well, if there is a short on MoBo, PSU Short Circuit protection would kick in and safely shut down the PSU, with no damage to PSU itself.

 

[waca]

Well, if there is a short on MoBo, PSU Short Circuit protection would kick in and safely shut down the PSU, with no damage to PSU itself.

Thanks, some moderately good news at last. Then I'll try the new PSU with the current mobo first (and with my previous mobo afterwards if necessary) before deciding what other parts I need to replace.

 

[USAFRet]

At my parents' place I have an even older PSU (Corsair CX500, which I'm aware is not very good) which was still working when I replaced it with the Seasonic. Should I do a reaaaally quick test and check whether the computer powers on with the CX500

No.

I had a green label CX600.
It died, and took the motherboard with it.