After PSU replacement, smoke may appear.
After PSU replacement, smoke may appear.
Just to clarify, any component that connects directly to the PSU wasn't repurposed, was it? This PSU is semi-modular, meaning some connectors stay fixed while others can be swapped out. It’s possible one of those isn’t working properly and could be the problem. What seems to have occurred is that the voltage reaching certain parts of the motherboard didn’t match expectations. There are several potential causes: the PSU itself might be defective—cables could be misaligned, or there might be an internal short sending 120V to the 12V rail. Another possibility is the 8-pin EPS was inserted upside down (though not easy), or the 8-pin PCIe power plugged into the CPU connector mistakenly. Using the wrong cable also could be a factor. A failing motherboard is less likely, but it’s still a chance, especially since replacing the PSU coincidentally happened. Regardless, swap that PSU and be cautious—hope it didn’t cause damage. You might want to reach out to Corsair to check their replacement options, though some RMA experiences are quite negative.
No direct parts from the old power supply were used for the new PSU. The unit isn’t modular, so we chose the CX750 instead. We confirmed point 2—definitely challenging but achievable. The CX750 comes with labeled cables for the CPU, making it unlikely there’s a labeling issue (unless they’re mislabeled on Corsairs). I think replacing it is a good idea since the system is about seven years old and most components have failed. As for how much might be dead, that’s a tough estimate. Also, the short-circuit problem seems more severe now, especially with my GameScent setup.
The main board seems likely to be the issue. The CPU and RAM appear fine, though their failure isn't impossible. The GPU and storage are uncertain and could either work or not. It's probably okay until you have working components. This isn't uncommon. I recall a recent scandal involving one of the big suppliers (EVGA is just an example) using incorrect cables for their PSU. Details are unclear, but it's happened before. Also keep in mind to mention or @RONOTHAN## so we stay updated.
Your power supply is completely bad—clearly it's a total mess. I’d send it back for replacement and check the rest of the gear. If anything fails, I’ll reach out to Corsair to ask about swapping components (they might not be able to help). Be prepared to swap parts if needed.
I've reviewed the relevant articles and believe a major explosion is usually unlikely these days because electrical fires are hard to extinguish. I'm curious if today's power supplies handle higher voltages, maybe not the cable itself. I plan to return the item for repair and also seek advice from an electrical expert about possible fire causes and unusual smoke without visible damage.