Could a defective power supply unit or its cable damage your RAM?
Could a defective power supply unit or its cable damage your RAM?
The variations in components between my previous setup and current system:
Differences include a new motherboard, a different RAM configuration (both failed), and other hardware changes.
Common elements remain unchanged: identical power supply, same case, identical CPU, and the same SSD.
Question - I increased the CPU multiplier and now PC keeps restarting without display? Last settings i changed in the bios were primary gpu to pcie exp and the cpu multiplyer from 39 to 40. Tried resetting the bios by removing the cmos battery, removing the psu cable and changing the jumpers to 2-3, still the same thing after i turned it back on. I also tried cleaning the rams sticks... forums. you mean when you oc the system wrong?
It’s a bit of a tricky situation trying to figure out if the PSU could be responsible for damaging the RAM. There are only two main ways electronics can be harmed: through high voltage or too much current. High voltage usually works quietly, while excessive current often causes overheating and a loss of performance.
Since RAM modules don’t receive power directly from the PSU but instead from the VRM, any extra voltage would likely come from the VRM itself. It’s unlikely there’s an excessive current issue because you’d probably notice a burnt smell or a short circuit somewhere. Also, it seems improbable that a short would exist in the slot, especially if the pin connections are correct.
Looking higher up, the VRM plays a key role. It consists of three main parts: the IC for voltage regulation, inductors (chokes), and capacitors. These components are designed to handle failure safely, so it’s unlikely they’d cause damage unless something goes wrong. Inductors can fail by overheating or cracking, which would stop power from reaching downstream parts. Capacitors might short out, but since they’re usually connected to ground, any current would likely be dissipated there and wouldn’t affect nearby components.
Further up, the PSU itself could be the culprit if it delivers too much voltage. A sudden voltage spike isn’t damaging to the parts directly, but it can cause instability. Too little voltage might not harm anything, yet it could still disrupt operation. If the issue is voltage-related, it’s more likely to affect the entire system rather than just the RAM.
It’s hard to say for sure without more details, but the conclusion seems to be that the RAM probably died because the system couldn’t get enough power or because of a voltage problem.
Good thing there isnt any burnt smell coming from the any of the ram sticks. My cousin has a system that is nearly identical. His ram works perfectly on my system but when i place my ram into his system, his system cant boot too.
Could it be that it was a coincidence for the new ram was faulty too?
Are they exactly the same in terms of CPU, motherboard, GPU, and PSU?
The CPU and motherboard are quite different, with the i5 4570 and the ASUS H81M-C. The GPU and PSU remain consistent.