I'm running a Ryzen 7 7800X3D on an ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-Plus WiFi with 16GB of DDR5, an RX 9070, a 750W PSU, and Bazzite. One of my fans was making a lot of noise, so while the computer was running I unplugged and reconnected it several times to identify the problem and tried using fan-control software. The CPU cooler fan still spins, and temperatures look normal—around 80°C during gaming—but the system now powers off after roughly 30–40 minutes of use. I reset the CMOS with the PC turned off, but that didn't help. Could repeatedly connecting or disconnecting the fan while powered on have damaged the motherboard, or is there something else I should test before replacing it? I'm also concerned about whether the CPU, GPU, RAM, or power supply could have been affected.
2 Answers
A motherboard fuse is possible but not the first conclusion I’d jump to. A fan header can fail without taking out the CPU, GPU, or RAM, and the rest of the system may still be recoverable. Before buying a board, inspect for burnt marks or damaged connectors, test another fan header, and have the PSU checked. If replacement becomes necessary, disconnect the power completely, discharge the system, and handle the CPU, memory, and graphics card carefully. CMOS resetting will not repair physical electrical damage, but it was safe to try.
Never plug or unplug internal fans while the computer is powered on. A fan header is powered, and a short or electrical spike could damage the header or another component. That said, don’t assume the motherboard is dead yet. Check the CPU and GPU temperatures under load, inspect the fan connectors and headers for bent pins or damage, and try another known-good fan header if possible. Also test with a minimal setup and check the system logs for shutdown or hardware errors. If the machine shuts off cleanly rather than freezing or showing a blue screen, the PSU, motherboard power delivery, or a protection trigger could be involved. A repair shop can test those parts before you spend money on a new board.
The CPU fan still works normally, and gaming temperatures stay around 80°C. I also reset the CMOS with the system fully powered down, but the shutdowns continue. I’ll test the other headers and power connections before replacing anything.