Melted 20+4pin PSU connector advice needed

[kaotik]

Hi guys i just here for some advice really, first i will detail the problem i have been having..

Over the last week i have been having random BSOD's relating to DirectX and my graphics drivers. I found this strange as nothing had been changed and the computer was running perfectly fine before this. Whilst troubleshooting the problem and trying to revert to old drivers the computer started to switch itself off. I decided to unplug all cables and check nothing was loose, whilst removing the 20+4pin motherboard connector i noticed that it was melted slightly. The wires that have melted are the yellow wires that supply 12v which would possibly explain the bsod relating to the graphics drivers and the eventual shutdowns.

I have done some research as to why this could happen and have found that this is very common in SLI setups. Most new motherboards have an extra power connector to provide more power to the PCIE slots when needed but the Sabertooth X79 does not have this and so even with a new PSU it would probably happen again. I have however found an adapter i can buy called Evga Power Boost (http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-MB-PB01-BR) that will add the extra power needed so my GPU's don't melt the next PSU. The motherboard is not damaged and has no burn marks and so I'm hoping no further damage has been done.

What i really want to know is do you guys think that i am right and its my GPU's that are pulling to much power and that's what has melted the plug? Has anyone tried this Evga Power Boost? Would it be worth me buying so i don't have this problem with the next PSU? Also do you guys think more damage could have been done to other components?

Here is a picture of the problem I'm facing, this is not my picture but i have the exact same issue, If you guys need me to upload my own picture is not a problem i'm just being lazy..



I'm totally baffled by this as why would PCS even build SLI on this motherboard if the PSU is going to attempt to melt itself to the motherboard lol... Any advice would be great as i really don't want this to happen again.. Below i have listed my system specs..

Type: Desktop PC
Case: CORSAIR VENGEANCE® C70 BLACK
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH X79
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-3970X Processor Extreme Edition
RAM: 32GB KINGSTON HYPERX GENESIS QUAD-DDR3 1600MHz
PSU: CORSAIR 1050W PRO SERIES™ HX1050-80 PLUS® GOLD MODULAR
GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX TITAN
GPU2: 6GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX TITAN
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ Xtreme Audio
HDD1: 120GB KINGSTON HYPERX 3K SSD
HDD2: 1TB VELOCIRAPTOR WD1000DHTZ
HDD3: 1TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD1002FAEX

Thanks for reading

 

[mantadog]

Firstly.... What a system you've got yourself! I want one....

Now I have no experience with the Evga Power Boost cable so I cant really comment, however Evga is a recognised brand so I doubt they're selling junk. Should work as intended.

Now with the issue regarding PCS building a system that causes this fault, I ant speak for PCS but I can say what I think about it. Those titans should be getting enough power from the dedicated PSU cables that will be attached directly from the PSU, I'm sure they're drawing something from the PCIe slot but I would have though plenty would be coming from the stand alone connectors to stop any damage being done to the 24 pin motherboard connector. I doubt PCS sell too many setups with dual titans so it may have been an unknown issue to them at the time. You could give em a call and ask about it to see what they say.

Are you overclocking the cards at all? it might just be an issue that come to light quite recently with the huge power some of these cards draw now, hence the need for a supplementary connector to power the motherboard. Only PCS could tell you for sure if they have been made aware of this/encountered it at all before. I would give em a call to clarify if it was me.

 

[tom_gr7]

wow, never seen that before.

I'd give PCS a bell. I'd guess its possible a PSU fault issue or a 24pin cable issue.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the evga cable.

if it was my rig, I'd call up PCS and RMA the PSU back to them. Then I'd get a different PSU, probably something larger. EVGA do a 1500w PSU (overkill) for about 160 quid. Which is of much better quality than Corsair products. - Obviously, corsair don't make the PSU, they just stick their brand on it, same as most companies tbh. But EVGA PSU's are made by a OEM called Superflower Leadex - I read that they are some of the best PSU's on the market. So yeah I'd get me one of them, you have an amazingly high end rig there, I'd want something powerful in there.

As for the corsair one you have now, Speak to PCS first, then RMA it. The replacement will be brand new sealed and sell it on ebay. Easily cover most of the cost of a better PSU.

 

[tom_gr7]

Just to add, If you have a multimeter, its probably worth testing the 12v rail yourself. If you want to do this, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

The 12v rail might be fudged.

 

[kaotik]

Hi mate, thanks for your comments about my PC i have waited a few years to be able to get something like this ...

No i am not overclocking the cards as i really don't see any point, i haven't overclocked anything and i don't really plan on doing so. I have read quite a few threads on this now and even found somebody with the same motherboard and same problem but they were running 3-way SLI which is where this problem is most common. Evga actually released that tool because they had to replace a lot of there own motherboards that were being damaged because of the issue.

Also about the blue screens i was facing.. I never really explained them properly. When they happened i wouldn't actually see the blue screen, my screen would have no signal, like somebody had pulled the graphics card out. It was only after restarting windows was i told about the crash, which really does make me think the PSU melting and forming a bad connection is the cause of all the problems i was facing.

Like you say its probably an unknown issue as not every build runs GTX Titan in SLI. I have sent an advanced RMA request detailing the problem and the research i have done into the problem so I'm just hoping that will be approved and maybe PCS can shed some light onto the issue. I will be ordering the EVGA Power Boost i think as for many people facing the issue it seems to have fixed it and removed a lot of heat from the 20+4 pin connector.

@tom_gr7

I don't have a multimeter to hand and so i cant check that unfortunately and i have wondered about the Corsair PSU and was thinking about buying an enermax 1350W but reading forums where people have had this problem it has returned when they have swapped the PSU. I really don't want to risk spending 200+ on a PSU that i could possibly end up melting to the motherboard. Hopefully PCS can tell me more on why it has happened but i think you're right and i should sell the new PSU if i manage to get RMA.

 

[mantadog]

Keep us updated, quite an unusual problem but its not every day some complete mentalist decides to run titans in SLI is it?

 

[dogbot]

With one of those I could have a computer controlled central heating system

 

[liquidtmd]

32GB of RAM and Dual Titans....sigh

But does it run Crysis?

Good luck dude, no idea but completely concur with the posts from Mantadog and Tom

 

[kaotik]

Ok guys so here is an update..

PCSpecialist said i can NOT have an advanced RMA and they wanted the whole PC sending in. I told them this wasn't going to happen as i have everything under liquid and unless something is broken beyond repair i really don't want to send it in. This is fine they said but i still could not have an advanced RMA as the PSU is now EOL and they don't stock it. I asked if i could pay money and upgrade but again was told NO it must go back to Corsair. They told me i have to pay for the item to be delivered to them First Class recorded delivery and i could find postage slips in the back of my introduction booklet. I found this a little odd as this was never my fault and surely after i have spent 4000GBP with a company and there is a fault you expect them to pay delivery charges.

Anyway i sent the item paid 13GBP and checked on the tracking information today. Nobody at premises to receive the parcel both on Friday and Today so i phone PCS up to ask them what the heck is happening. I spoke to a guy called Darren who wouldn't give me his full name, he would only say im the only Darren here and that's all you need to know. Darren went on to tell me that they have moved and are no longer at the address they sent me 4 months ago in my welcome booklet. I would have to pay again and resend the parcel. I started to tell Darren that i didn't think this was fair and i felt i had spent a lot of money with PCS who seem to be of no help at all. Darren then slammed the phone down :O .. I phoned again and as soon as he answered Darren slammed the phone down.

So now I'm left with NO PSU NO Address and NO hope of an RMA. This is totally disgusting IMO and anybody who is thinking of spending any money with PCS should think twice as there after support is terrible.

I have had to spend 200GBP on a new PSU myself, I have had to buy supplementary power boosters because the motherboard they supplied me cannot handle the GPU they put in. Its crazy when you think this sort of problem could have burned my house down!!

Seriously had enough of PCS now

On a side note, with new PSU and EVGA Power Booster everything is much more stable and running good. IF all i lose is a PSU i suppose i have been lucky because it could have been far worse.

 

[mantadog]

Hmm sounds rough...

Let me see if I can get this straight. Your PC is 4 months old, and you did not have the silver or higher warranty? If that's the case I can see why they are asking you to pay the postage, however failing to inform you of the change of address is a bit of a fail... I know they moved but I'm on here every day its not something your average customer can be expected to know.

As far as getting full names, and how the conversation led to the phone getting put down etc, I'm not going to comment too much because that's between you and PCS. But as far as I'm aware PCS do offer some of the best support, I don't think what they have done is unreasonable in making you pay the postage, and anything after that is just your version of events so I wont comment.

Did you at least put a return address on the PSU? Hopefully it gets back to you, if your not happy to send it into PSC you could send it back to corsair directly.

 

[kaotik]

Hmm sounds rough...

Let me see if I can get this straight. Your PC is 4 months old, and you did not have the silver or higher warranty? If that's the case I can see why they are asking you to pay the postage, however failing to inform you of the change of address is a bit of a fail... I know they moved but I'm on here every day its not something your average customer can be expected to know.

As far as getting full names, and how the conversation led to the phone getting put down etc, I'm not going to comment too much because that's between you and PCS. But as far as I'm aware PCS do offer some of the best support, I don't think what they have done is unreasonable in making you pay the postage, and anything after that is just your version of events so I wont comment.

Did you at least put a return address on the PSU? Hopefully it gets back to you, if your not happy to send it into PSC you could send it back to corsair directly.

Hi mate..

No i didnt get silver warranty.. To be honest i didn't mind paying the postage once but twice is just excessive. I didn't put a return address on the parcel as i really didn't expect something like this to happen when i had used the recommended RMA postage slips, ill phone Parcel Force and hopefully ill be able to get it back. I don't think i could return to corsair as i was never supplied the warranty card or box for the PSU so id probably have problems returning it..

I've only ever needed support once (this is my second PC from PCS) and i do feel rather let down. PCS was no helping in finding the problem or a solution, even when i finally get the PSU to the correct address nobody can tell me when i will get it back so i could be left weeks/months without a PC wondering if any more damage was done to the motherboard and other components, even tho i offered to pay more money for an upgraded PSU with PCS which would have been much cheaper than the PSU i ended up buying..

Thanks for your advice @tom_gr7 i ended up going with a Super Flower PSU (SuperFlower Leadex Platinum 1200W Fully Modular "80 Plus Platinum") and its one hell of a PSU

 

[tom_gr7]

When you get the PSU back, Give PCS a call and try and send it back to PCS. Alternatively pop in a support ticket to corsair, This page should point you in the right direction.

When you get the replacement, list it on Ebay, 99p no reserve. Will definitely get you over 100 quid. Probably more, but I cant remember what model you have.

hope ya get things sorted mate.

 

[mantadog]

Yep, I think the problems stem here from a lack of communication about the new address. I would have tough PCS would have setup some procedure to get parcels/mail delivered to the old address but who knows.

I'm with tom, go through the process (however long it takes) get your new PSU and flog it on ebay. £100 is still £100 after all...

 

[kaotik]

Thanks for your advice guys, ill get it on ebay when i eventually get the RMA. I think first i will contact Parcel Force and see if they will ship to a different address and hopefully the charge wont be as big. The main thing is everything else is working fine so it seems no further damage was done

 

[kaotik]

Final update:

Well i phoned PCS yesterday because my RMA status still said awaiting faulty item. They said they would look for the package and get back to me. Within 30 minutes i had an email saying RMA dispatched which i found strange as i was originally told the PSU must go to Corsair and then back to PCS before i could have it fixed but somehow PCS had found the misplaced PSU, sent it to corsair and received it back ready to be sent back to me all in 30 minutes.

Well i just open the PSU and its exactly the same nothing has changed and the plugs are still melted. so i decided to check the RMA status online which says item inadequately packaged. it took PCS from the 25th Feb until the 5th of March to tell me this.

All i can do at that is laugh because it was more than adequately packed i used bubble rap i used a big enough box and the PSU has no actual signs of damage other than the burned pins on the 24pin connector. The funny thing is this PSU was broken anyway and was at risk of causing a fire if left in a system operating. How PCS can come up with a silly packaging excuse to get out of an RMA that they don't actually have to deal with as the item is EOL and surely corsair can decide if the item was damaged in transit. All i can think is that maybe Darren that originally slammed the phone down on me was working the RMA yesterday.

Needless to say i am now in the process of contacting trading standards to see if i can get PCS to fulfill this warranty, something i have never had to do in my life..

Don't even consider buying from PCS they will dodge all responsibility when something goes wrong and the support is the worst i have EVER had to deal with.

I want to thank all the members of the forum that helped me earlier in the thread with their comments.

 

[steaky360]

I'd probably suggest (perhaps in tandem with your contact with trading standards) getting back in touch with PCS regarding this. It seems unusual that they'd return an item because it was inadequately packaged.

I assume you've already contacted them since receiving the PSU back in the same condition you sent it but you didn't mention it in your message above (or at least I didn't notice)

 

[kaotik]

Hi mate. No i haven't wasted another call with them. PCS have been nothing but hassle so far, i had to send the parcel to 2 addresses in the first place because the RMA labels PCS gave me a couple of months before were wrong. Then they left it sitting there for 10 days before i had to contact them again to send me the exact same thing i sent them. To be honest ive had to phone/contact PCS every step of he way, ive had support slam the phone down and now this. Im just fed up with PCS now, and if i didn't have everything on water blocks i would just demand a refund as the motherboard they have supplied is not up to the job and can't safely run the GPU i have running in SLI. I have spent £4000 with PCS and i hoped the support would have been better.

 

[mantadog]

A PSU is a chunky bit of kit and would need significant packaging. I suspect PCS called the packaging inadequate for them to send on to corsair, if it arrived at corsair damaged then they would probably get charged for the unit or something. Quite how your supposed to package a PSU without custom designed polystyrene foam I have no idea.

I think calling for people to avoid buying from PCS is probably a tad harsh, but obviously you and PCS are the only one who knows exactly what happened in this whole situation. Seems like a bit of a comedy of errors from the outside, not sure where the blame lies but you can certainly send it back directly to corsair if you feel like it.

 

[kaotik]

Well that's the thing mate, i can't send anything back to corsair as PCS have all the box's and warranty's, unfortunately for me they hold all of the cards.

My PC is running again but its cost me a further £300 to get it in a stable state. £4000 for a computer that has the ability to set itself on fire is why i would never ever use PCS again.

 

[keynes]

I am surprised someone from their call centre will slam the phone at you, I always had excellent support from their technical support and sales department.