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What damage could an incompatible PSU cable cause to my PC?

April 28, 2025 5 answers
Asked by TechWizard92
Hey everyone, I've been dealing with some issues after using a PSU cable from Amazon to connect to my AIO cooler (a Corsair model). Everything was running smoothly for about two weeks, but then my PC just died. Now, when I try to boot, I keep getting various error codes on my motherboard. Sometimes it gets to BIOS but fails to load Windows, and I've seen some blue screens too saying 'Windows is missing UEFI'. I'm worried about the potential damage this might have caused. The AIO seems to be working fine, and the CPU temperatures are normal in BIOS. However, my GPU (the 7900 XTX Hellhound) is not powering on properly; the fans spin for a moment but then stop, and it's not being detected by BIOS. Could the PSU cable issue have damaged the GPU, even though it wasn't directly connected to it? Or do you think the motherboard could be the culprit?
Corsair AIO GPU issues Hardware motherboard problems PC components PSU cable troubleshooting

Answers

PCPioneer33
Make sure you have the right PSU; using non-compatible cables can wreak havoc. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Your GPU's fans not spinning could be related to power saving modes, but it’s suspicious that it’s not recognized. If possible, check another PC to see if the GPU works there, just to rule it out.

TechWizard92: Yeah, I should probably test the GPU elsewhere. I just hope it’s not the motherboard since I’ve read they can cause all sorts of chaos.

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FixItFelix99
If it was working before, the cable might not be the issue. I’d suggest starting with a new PSU, as that's often where problems arise. If you can swap out the PSU, you’ll know for sure if that's the cause. Just be careful, as motherboards are also notorious for failing without obvious signs.

GamerDude77: Definitely check the motherboard too. Those error codes can be a sign it's acting up. I had similar issues once, and it turned out to be a failing mobo.

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RepairGuru1981
From my experience, if the problematic cable is from a different brand and not the manufacturer of your PSU, it’s best to avoid using it. You might have dodged a bullet if some components are still functioning. I'd just replace the cable with the official one and see if that changes anything.
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GamerDude77
It’s unlikely that the wrong cable would instantly destroy your components. More likely, a loose or poorly fitting cable could cause some instability and lead to your current issues. You might want to check if the cable is seated properly and see if everything is connected correctly before blaming the cable.
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UpdateMaster90
UPDATE! After taking all your advice, I completely unplugged and re-plugged everything, reset my BIOS to factory settings, and guess what? I managed to boot into Windows! The GPU is fine, CPU is good too! Thanks for all the help, what a relief!
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