First PC Build Troubles: No Power After a Possible Short
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TechieAdventurer42
Hey there! I'm building my first PC and followed a Linus Tech Tips video for guidance. While testing my motherboard, GPU, cooler, and power supply outside the case, I accidentally shorted some pins while trying to connect the power switch header pins with a screwdriver instead of using the case's power button. I heard a small pop and immediately pulled away, but now nothing powers on at all, not even a light on the GPU. I checked the PSU with the paper clip test, and nothing happened. Just to clarify, I made sure the outlet is good and that the PSU is powered on.
For reference, I initially connected my GPU using a splitter from a single 12-pin to two 8-pin connectors, plugged into the PSU's CPU and PCI-E slots. I'm really worried that I might have ruined my GPU, which was $540, or at least the $90 PSU. Here are my specs:
- GPU: Asus TUF 5060 TI 16gb
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- PSU: MSI MPG A850G
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus B650 Elite AX
Any advice on what to do next would be hugely appreciated!
Answers
If there was an electrical short, you'd usually smell something burnt. Do you smell anything at all?
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Sorry you're dealing with this! Honestly, that situation with jumping header pins can be risky, especially for beginners. It’s not your fault; the instructions could have cautioned more. If you can, try swapping out the PSU first. It’s cheaper and might solve the issue without having to replace the GPU. It's a bit better than risking a $90 mistake if it turns out to be the power supply! Let me know how that goes!
TechieAdventurer42: I felt uneasy about it too, but they sounded so confident in the tutorial! That’s good advice, I’d prefer changing the PSU first. Fingers crossed!
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TechieAdventurer42: Nope, no burnt smell, just a quiet pop when I shorted the pins.