Hey everyone, I recently upgraded my PC and ended up facing a bit of a disaster. While trying to connect the RGB for my case fans, I mistakenly plugged a power supply cable into the 5v LED header instead of the 12v RGB header. This resulted in a small spark, a popping sound, and now it seems my motherboard is definitely damaged, possibly with one of the MOSFETs smoking a bit. I'm planning to replace the motherboard, but I'm worried about whether I should also replace my power supply. I did the paperclip test and the fan spun up, but I'm concerned it could cause issues with a new motherboard. I've searched online, but I couldn't find a definitive answer, so I'm turning to you all for advice. I'm trying to avoid an extra $70 for a new power supply if I can help it!
2 Answers
Honestly, if you want peace of mind, consider taking your power supply to a repair shop. They can test it properly to see if it still functions well. Just be careful not to open it yourself, as that can be risky. Better safe than sorry!
Your power supply might be just fine. It has built-in protections against short circuits and overheating, which should help it survive mishaps like this. Just passing the paperclip test indicates it still powers on, but it doesn’t guarantee everything’s perfect. I'd keep an eye on it, though, just in case!
That’s reassuring to hear! I didn’t know much about the protections. I guess I’ll rely on that info and monitor it carefully. Appreciate the clarification!
Thanks for the advice! I hadn’t even thought about taking it to a shop to get it checked through properly. I’ll definitely keep that on the list.