Hey everyone! I recently built a PC using an ASUS X870-P WiFi motherboard paired with a Corsair RM850e (2025) PSU. Initially, everything was running smoothly with 3 case fans and 1 fan connected to a hub on CHA_FAN_4, along with my AIO on CPU_FAN. After playing some games without any issues, I decided to add two more Arctic P14 Pro PST fans connected to CHA_FAN2. However, when I powered up the system, the PSU let out a loud pop, flashed, and emitted a burnt smell. I feared my new build was toast. I tested an older PSU afterward, and the system booted up fine (though it doesn't have enough wattage for my GPU). I've RMA'd the original PSU, but I'm anxious about reconnecting those two extra fans once the replacement arrives. My question is: could a faulty fan or connecting additional fans to a motherboard header cause my PSU to fail, or was it just a defective unit and this incident was coincidental? Thanks!
3 Answers
The power draw from fans is a drop in the bucket compared to your whole system's power requirements. It seems more like a coincidence that the PSU failed right after you added the fans.
It sounds like what you experienced was likely just a random PSU failure. Fans typically won't draw enough power to cause issues like that. What CPU and GPU are you running by the way?
It's definitely suspicious that the PSU blew immediately after adding those fans. If you're worried, I'd suggest using a multimeter to check the pins for shorts before you power things up again. Just make sure nothing is touching. If you don't have a multimeter, it might be wise to hold off on connecting those extra fans until you're completely sure everything is safe.
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