caught fire - ASUS Crosshair V formula - Z

[enjoiskaterguy]

To start I just wanna stress how hit and miss these boards can be. I have always thought of ASUS of having high standards (other than their RMA call centers negligence and lack of quality reps who understand tech problems) and great quality products. I have now had 3 of these boards have issues. (just check my previous posts).


So now to the story of the motherboard that caught fire on its PCB....

So under a stress test and even down clocking my FX8350 voltage on a previosly stable 4.7Ghz overclock to get better temps my motherboard PCB went up in flames after only 3 minutes in prime95 with core temps reaching only 60? and the socket only 70?. I was about to turn off prime95 even but my computer shut down to prevent damage but then immediately turned right back on and my motherboard PCB near the VRM mosfets/chockes went up in flames. Other parts including CPU, RAM look fine.

I am not sure what might have caused this. I did tweak some power management settings in BIOS to prevent voltage droop and adjusted the HT link speed to its safe max - 2600mhz. My CPU voltage was lowered from 1.46 to 1.45v. Then after testing it, the smell came on and then all he'll broke loose on the motherboard PCB....and I thought PCBs were coated with fire-retardants. Apparently not this one.



Note: CPU and NB were cooled by EK waterblocks and had been for some time.

Note 2: hadn't stressed tested system after getting replacement NZXT Hale 90 ver.2 PSU 1200watts (gold rated)...it had never given me problems before so I'm not sure this could be the culprit.

Note 3: this is the 3rd ASUS CROSSHAIR V formula- Z motherboard I have recieved from ASUS...all having previously had faulty DIMMs or other problems.

I have contacted both AMD and ASUS for RMA for advice but I'd thought I'd let the hardware communities such as yourselves be aware of stuff like this.

[enjoiskaterguy]

To start I just wanna stress how hit and miss these boards can be. I have always thought of ASUS of having high standards (other than their RMA call centers negligence and lack of quality reps who understand tech problems) and great quality products. I have now had 3 of these boards have issues. (just check my previous posts).


So now to the story of the motherboard that caught fire on its PCB....

So under a stress test and even down clocking my FX8350 voltage on a previosly stable 4.7Ghz overclock to get better temps my motherboard PCB went up in flames after only 3 minutes in prime95 with core temps reaching only 60? and the socket only 70?. I was about to turn off prime95 even but my computer shut down to prevent damage but then immediately turned right back on and my motherboard PCB near the VRM mosfets/chockes went up in flames. Other parts including CPU, RAM look fine.

I am not sure what might have caused this. I did tweak some power management settings in BIOS to prevent voltage droop and adjusted the HT link speed to its safe max - 2600mhz. My CPU voltage was lowered from 1.46 to 1.45v. Then after testing it, the smell came on and then all he'll broke loose on the motherboard PCB....and I thought PCBs were coated with fire-retardants. Apparently not this one.



Note: CPU and NB were cooled by EK waterblocks and had been for some time.

Note 2: hadn't stressed tested system after getting replacement NZXT Hale 90 ver.2 PSU 1200watts (gold rated)...it had never given me problems before so I'm not sure this could be the culprit.

Note 3: this is the 3rd ASUS CROSSHAIR V formula- Z motherboard I have recieved from ASUS...all having previously had faulty DIMMs or other problems.

I have contacted both AMD and ASUS for RMA for advice but I'd thought I'd let the hardware communities such as yourselves be aware of stuff like this.

this conversation is also going on TomsHardware

[kkn]

did you use the extra 4pin power on the motherboard? ( and no not the molex )

[kkn]

did you use the extra 4pin power on the motherboard? ( and no not the molex )

[enjoiskaterguy]

did you use the extra 4pin power on the motherboard? ( and no not the molex )

yeah I used the 4-pin on the top middle of the board.

[enjoiskaterguy]

did you use the extra 4pin power on the motherboard? ( and no not the molex )

yeah I used the 4-pin on the top middle of the board.

[Esmea]

Wow, those pictures sure bring back memories of when I had the same thing happen on a motherboard in 1998. Mine was a burnout with the sound card wiring, though.
Sometimes things just don't work out in manufacturing; hence why warranties address "manufacturing defects." Even the best brands have runts that slip through.

[enjoiskaterguy]

Wow, those pictures sure bring back memories of when I had the same thing happen on a motherboard in 1998. Mine was a burnout with the sound card wiring, though.
Sometimes things just don't work out in manufacturing; hence why warranties address "manufacturing defects." Even the best brands have runts that slip through.

i see. I thought it might just be a defect. I have filled out a RMA ticket on the ASUS website. I'll call them monday too. Then I'll update here whether or not they will let me send in the board for their review and possibly get another motherboard (4th one)

[Raja@ASUS]

yeah I used the 4-pin on the top middle of the board.

What about the 8 pin connector?

[enjoiskaterguy]

yes, i used the 8-pin as well.