I suppose you're wondering... why is it that sometimes a single bad cap can cause reboots and other symptoms, and other times a system is still stable when all the caps are bad? The answer to this lies in the PSU.
The random crashing and rebooting is a result of the CPU and/or other components on the board getting the wrong voltage, or too much 'ripple current'. The caps and MOSFETs on the motherboard are designed to further regulate the supply from the PSU so that the CPU gets as stable a voltage as possible.
If all the caps on the motherboard vent, but the PSU is still outputting a very stable supply, the blown caps will still be able to regulate the voltage (though the tolerance will decrease). However, if the voltage and ripple remain within tolerance, the system remains stable.
On the other hand, if a cap in the PSU blows, the output voltage and ripple will be severely affected. Even good caps on the motherboard will not be able to keep the voltage and ripple within tolerance, and your computer will start showing bad cap symptoms. In the worst cases, the severe ripple and over-voltage from a bad PSU can cause your motherboard caps to deteriorate and eventually bulge.
If your computer starts showing bad cap symptoms and the caps on the board look fine, check the PSU straight away! The longer you leave it with a bad PSU, the more likely the motherboard caps are to blow.
If you have anything to correct, or want to add information, please feel free to do so in this topic.
The random crashing and rebooting is a result of the CPU and/or other components on the board getting the wrong voltage, or too much 'ripple current'. The caps and MOSFETs on the motherboard are designed to further regulate the supply from the PSU so that the CPU gets as stable a voltage as possible.
If all the caps on the motherboard vent, but the PSU is still outputting a very stable supply, the blown caps will still be able to regulate the voltage (though the tolerance will decrease). However, if the voltage and ripple remain within tolerance, the system remains stable.
On the other hand, if a cap in the PSU blows, the output voltage and ripple will be severely affected. Even good caps on the motherboard will not be able to keep the voltage and ripple within tolerance, and your computer will start showing bad cap symptoms. In the worst cases, the severe ripple and over-voltage from a bad PSU can cause your motherboard caps to deteriorate and eventually bulge.
If your computer starts showing bad cap symptoms and the caps on the board look fine, check the PSU straight away! The longer you leave it with a bad PSU, the more likely the motherboard caps are to blow.
If you have anything to correct, or want to add information, please feel free to do so in this topic.
Comment