[quote=DirtyHarry3033]
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Elder-Pirate
I was deeply engrossed in Oblivion IV Elder Scrolls. It was a most impressive explosion, a loud " BANG", 18 inches of bright flame coming out the back of the PS, a choking cloud of burning electronics and of course everything died instantly. Well my jaw hit the floor, my practically-new state-of-the-art gaming rig was dead 
Bought a new 750w Thermaltake Toughpower the next day, spent an hour putting it in, sh*tting bricks wondering what would happen when I applied power for the 1st time (never had a PS blow up before so it was all new to me) but I got lucky - system started right up, no damage to anything else and I was back in business! |
I know the feeling. I've had two PSUs blow on me over the years. First about 4 years ago. Not as dramatic as yours, but there was a visible flash under my desk, and then smell of burned out electrical components. No real smoke.
Second time about a year ago, there was just an audible *boof*.
Both times a capacitor got blown (those tubes about an inch high), and both times no damage to the rest of the system. Over time capacitors get worn down, and output less amps (allthough Voltage remains stable). When they get a demand of more amps than they can deliver, they blow. Almost like a circuit braker (of which BTW PSUs got plenty of, thankfully, both on mains and each of the rails.), so there is no risk of other PC components getting damaged.
This taught me to buy PSU that can output at least twice the demand of my systems (got a small render farm for 3D work). And quality PSUs like Mist or Hiper only.