Anyone burned a motherboard like this before?

[frank anderson]

My computer has been crashing a lot today, so I took a peek inside to make sure there were no leaks, not once, but twice.. I didn't find any.. SO I thought a re-image (format) from a previous good install that I know is 100% clean and error free was necessary, manage to stay stable for 20 minutes before crashing again.

So I went to basics, Windows 7 install with only the bare essentials, threw in Heaven benchmark and enabled 3 way SLI on a single screen,  it went for 10 minutes then I started smelling faint funny odors, like something burning, then crashed..

Could not find the problem, last thing I thought would have been the ATX power connector, so I thought maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.. Gave it another go and this time, even my Missus confirmed that there was a odor, much stronger this time..

Took it apart piece by piece and this is what I found... What do you guys think? Any chance I can get a RMA? Kinda bummed out, this board cost me $500 when it was first released.

[Fatman]

Yeh I would send in for RMA request. I would also send them the pics of your board as well.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Looks nasty there! It would seem as if the connector was not making a good contact and was sparking which caused the heat damage. So it could be the motherboard's 24 pin connector block or the power supply unit's plug that was at fault in the first place. They will both need repairing/replacing.

[frank anderson]

Thank You for your response, I have sent a RMA request to Gigabyte, hoping for the best..

I really like Gigabyte products, they seem very well built and built to last.. this is my 4th Gigabyte board and I have 2x 580's that are made by Gigabyte also, X38 UD5 > X58 UD9> P67 UD7> Z68 UD3 and its the first time I ever had to return something to them.. The UD9 is gone as I sold it to a friend that needed it since he broke his by spilling coolant on it, but that X38 is still kicking in my missus rig..

I'd like to ask... Does anyone know about this problem with this board not having a external PCIE power source? I am reading that 3 580's pulling power from the PCIE lanes requires this, but I notice the P68 UD7 lacks this connector.

[Dark Mantis]

I would think that you are correct that if you have a heavy PCIE load you would need an extra power feed from the PSU. There are very many motherboards that will fascilitate the use of multiple GPUs that don't have any extra power supply connections though, so it can't be critical.

[frank anderson]

  +1 for gigabyte's awesome support and Synnex (Synnex is the distributor in HK for Gigabyte products)..

I sent my board back to the distributor (Synnex) last Thursday, They called me up today (Tuesday) and told me the engineers has fixed my board and is available for pick up or delivery.

Wow... I didn't expect to hear from them for at least 7-10 business days..

so Gigabyte, Thank You for a awesome product and most importantly, awesome customer service... I always say "a product is only as good as the support that is behind it"..

and Thanks to all the helpful volunteer folks that are on this forum, shame that you are taken for granted by a lot of users, but at least you know there is some people out there that appreciate your efforts, it is you that make this community a good place to be.

It is reasons like this that I choose Gigabyte Products.

[Fatman]

That's great news and Kudos for Gigabyte for being so speedy. 

As Dark Mantis mentioned, how is the 24 pin ATX connector from your power supply??? You need to make sure that is ok before you plug it into your new board!!!

[frank anderson]

The burned PSU cable was a extension cable, I have thrown it out, going to test my AX1200 before putting it back in to make sure the voltages are normal.

[Fatman]

Ahhhhh then all's well then! 

[frank anderson]

Yep, all is good !! 

The old extentions were beyond repair. The plastic that were protecting the male pins have melted into the female socket on the motherboard..

I got some Corsair made pre sleeved cables coming in for my AX750 and 1200, can't wait.. I should have my rig back up and running by this weekend.

[Dark Mantis]

That is indeed great service and news. Was the original extension cable a Corsair product ? My guess is no. Normally Corsair are excellent quality.