I built a gaming PC in early 2023 with an AMD 5600X, ASUS PRIME B450-M-AII, RX6800XT graphics card, 64GB of Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM, a Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 650W 80+ Platinum PSU, and a Cougar MX-330G case. I used it for about six months before it started having issues turning on if left off for more than an hour. The last time I tried, it took nearly 50 attempts to get it running, so I just left it in a closet for a while. Now that I've found it again, I'm wondering if any parts are worth salvaging or if I should try fixing the setup. My PSU passes the paperclip test, leading me to suspect the motherboard might be the culprit. Is it common to order a new motherboard just to test if it fixes the issue? Also, do the CPU and motherboard need upgrades? Lastly, would switching to a full tower case make cable management easier?
1 Answer
Based on your description, it sounds like your PSU might be the main issue, especially if it's only working after heating up. The RAM, GPU, and CPU you have are still pretty valuable! I'd suggest trying to diagnose the PSU before you decide to salvage anything; it's worth checking what else might be wrong first.
Is a PSU tester something most PC builders should have, or do you just take it somewhere for testing?