Check for any smoke or sparks around the rear IO cover on the Gigabyte Aorus x570 PRO.
Check for any smoke or sparks around the rear IO cover on the Gigabyte Aorus x570 PRO.
Hi everyone, I constructed this machine in 2019 and faced issues with the graphics card back then. It has been functioning perfectly afterward. This morning I tried turning it on, but the power supply emitted a clicking sound and failed to activate. A search suggested the PSU’s short-circuit protection was triggered, so I disassembled everything—reconnecting and disconnecting wires, repositioning components, and reseating the motherboard, CPU, and cables. It briefly powered on before sparks appeared near the rear I/O cover and a significant amount of smoke followed, accompanied by a burning odor (my NH-D15 makes pinpointing the issue tricky). I’m guessing the motherboard is completely dead, but how likely is it that the CPU or GPU suffered damage? Financial strain has been ongoing since the pandemic began (I had to relocate back with my parents), so I might be able to save up for a new motherboard in the coming months. However, if other parts are damaged, it could be a loss—especially with limited funds left. I don’t expect anyone to give a definitive answer, but any general insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! PS: The specs are... AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, Corsair CMK32GX4M2D3200C16, 32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz, C16, Aorus x570 PRO, Noctua NH-D15 cooler, Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 Super Gaming, OC 8G Corsair RM850x, Gold 80 PLUS.
From your description of the area, it looks like you likely damaged the VRM. You can remove the motherboard and take off the heatsink using a few screws to inspect it. The only other component possibly affected would be the CPU, though that seems less likely, though it can't be completely ruled out.
@Skiiwee29, your input helped clarify things. Thanks for confirming my concerns!