Metallic backplate for AMD64 Kit

[BaD CrC]

Well, yesterday my DFI NF4 SLI blew up along with my brand new enermax 600W PSU. My mach2 GT is fine but I'm not sure about my AMD64 X2 and my two 7800GTX. But when I switched my PSU on, I heard a big BANG at the ATX connector level and the led on the MB went dead. I tried the PSU on another mobo, and it's dead. The rear of the MB, once the metallic backplate of the AMD64 kit removed, it showed what I think is a trace of an electric arc and I suspect the metallic backplate to have grounded some part of the MB on the chassis.

Anyone have that before? Any way to avoid that? This little plate is gonna cost me a lot.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

wow that is really bad news mate - I have honestly never heard of that before

 

[K404]

No way! That is horrible!

First off...damage check. Do you have access to any other PCI-E or S939 rigs to check your GPUs and CPU? I know that`ll be worrying you at the mo.

As for electrically insulating the backplate... Make sure the condensation proofing extends right to the edges and is maybe slightly thicker there, so when its pushed against the mobo, it`ll bulge out a little at the sides and cover the metal at the edges better. I`d also say maybe do the same for the other side of the plate...Electricians Insulation tape for that maybe?

Sympathy, and hope more survives than just the Mach

Kenny

 

[BaD CrC]

Gonna RMA the PSU, but I think my DFI will never do it (have to send it directly to DFI in netherland). I will try the electrical tape for sure.

 

[maverik-sg1]

It has not happened to me mate, but the 1st thing I did when I got me metal backplate was to cover it in insulation tape.

The reason I did it was because my DFI board has lots of stuff exposed under the backplate and I thought the 'potential' for arcing or shoring to happen was there, you have confirmed my thoughts (unfortunately).

The other thing I did was to coat the components with a smal amount of dilectric grease.

I feel for ya bud, RMA'd a few of these now, good luck with DFI.

The coach

 

[BaD CrC]

Got my enermax replaced, but DFI guys are rather tough with RMA. Although I tried to power the NF4 with another PSU, and I couldn't see any led switching on, they still want me to try with a 'known working' graphic card (yeah, well, I don't really have stocks of PCIes), and another CPU (of course, I always buy loads of 939) before I send it to them. Those guys think I'm working in a computer shop or an IT department or what?

Well, I used conformant coating AND di electric grease on the back of the mobo, but it seems now I have to add electric tape on the list. I'll also cut a piece of my case to clear this backplate (I did that already for my ASUS, but of course, DFI is not positioning the socket at the same place).

I bought another DFI cause the RAM to Netherland will probably take for ever. The plan is now to have the whole thing run on air this week, and if everything's fine, switch to Mach2 next week.

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[Whizzz]

Well, yesterday my DFI NF4 SLI blew up along with my brand new enermax 600W PSU. My mach2 GT is fine but I'm not sure about my AMD64 X2 and my two 7800GTX. But when I switched my PSU on, I heard a big BANG at the ATX connector level and the led on the MB went dead. I tried the PSU on another mobo, and it's dead. The rear of the MB, once the metallic backplate of the AMD64 kit removed, it showed what I think is a trace of an electric arc and I suspect the metallic backplate to have grounded some part of the MB on the chassis.

Anyone have that before? Any way to avoid that? This little plate is gonna cost me a lot.

Would it be possible for you to post a pic of the aluminum backplate and mobo where the arcing took place?

I would really like to see this.

I'm sure you can understand why.