[RCA] MSI B450 Pro VDH Max IC shorted itself

dvader · 2024-09-01T22:00:05+0530

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to quench my curiosity as to why a small IC in my MSI mobo burst out of nowhere. Long story short, I have a rendering PC (for my wife) and it works fine. One fine evening I turn it on and boom. My first thought was PSU (it's Corsair RM650x) but Corsair PSUs don't do that (at least not the ones just 3-4 years old). On close inspection, I found a small IC ( TPS25944L per boardview). Now this IC powers the ARGB header and I had nothing plugged into it. The motherboard should work without the IC though (will desolder it) and I will thoroughly test it after I install the new mobo. Any idea why would that happen?

Note: I checked a small SMD cap beside the small IC and it was shorted (don't know if that was before or after the fact).

For ref:

Thanks,
dvader

nRiTeCh

Usually argb wont affect unless you plugin some argb peripheral which might mess the voltage and cause further damage. As for the capacitor it is used to regulate voltage to the argb controller. In under warranty you shall get the mobo replaced and if oow then rendering already uses the system to its max so its best to get a new one.
You may try a few trusted pro pc component repair shop and they might do the job or msi sc.

mokendkomer

It would be great if it's under warranty, but I think op is taking more of an academic interest in the problem than looking for a solution as a consumer.

It really does seem odd that it would break when there's nothing plugged into the RGB header. My only thought is to check the bottom of the case to see if there's anything at all that may have come into contact with it somehow?
This is an extreme long shot but imagine a bug finding its way onto the board and bridging two points.

Please do share your findings once you desolder the chip and cap. I see the chip on sale for a few hundred in case the board is designed poorly enough to not work without it.

dvader · 2024-09-02T12:26:41+0530

nRiTeCh said:
Usually argb wont affect unless you plugin some argb peripheral which might mess the voltage and cause further damage. As for the capacitor it is used to regulate voltage to the argb controller. In under warranty you shall get the mobo replaced and if oow then rendering already uses the system to its max so its best to get a new one.
You may try a few trusted pro pc component repair shop and they might do the job or msi sc.

I already ordered a new Mobo. No point in risking CPU and GPU. I am just baffled as to why it happened.

mokendkomer said:
It would be great if it's under warranty, but I think op is taking more of an academic interest in the problem than looking for a solution as a consumer.

It really does seem odd that it would break when there's nothing plugged into the RGB header. My only thought is to check the bottom of the case to see if there's anything at all that may have come into contact with it somehow?
This is an extreme long shot but imagine a bug finding its way onto the board and bridging two points.

Please do share your findings once you desolder the chip and cap. I see the chip on sale for a few hundred in case the board is designed poorly enough to not work without it.

I thought about the bug and though it's possible, the bug would have blown up before the IC given the loud bang and big spark. The back of the mobo at this IC is just blank (in case it touched the back of the bcabinet somehow). Anyway if it works without the IC (most prob should) then I will use it as a server/backup board, one less IC to go wrong.

Also an SMD resistor (too small to even zoom) just between the IC and the shorted CAP is shorted too. again could be after the fact. I will just do an amputation surgery and remove shorted stuff (related to ARGB) and see if board boots. I have the board view file for the mobo so surgery should be easy. It's driving me a bit nuts at this point though.....

mokendkomer said:
Please do share your findings once you desolder the chip and cap. I see the chip on sale for a few hundred in case the board is designed poorly enough to not work without it.

I just cleaned the burnt area with IPA and the blast took some of the solder mask around the chip away. So resoldering a new chip is now out of the question since the pads are gone. I could attempt adding some UV curing solder mask (don't have it on my bench though) but with the cost of extra equipment, I can get two mobos

. or maybe this could be an excuse to buy some equipment.

Emperor

another story of MSI h/w issue, I think 3rd in last 2 months.

What brand board now you opted for?

dvader

Emperor said:
another story of MSI h/w issue, I think 3rd in last 2 months.

What brand board now you opted for?

I have had a good experience with Asrock (I can call myself a fan at this point, have an RMA post here on TE too). Even bought their top-of-the-line (sort of) Taichi board. However, I think I should have a backup brand. Went with Gigabyte DS3H. Let's see how it goes.