A gaming PC that destroys monitors. Exactly this problem a user has with his computer. His current makeshift solution: to accept two more broken devices in order to find the culprit in his PC. The community advises him to a less destructive solution.
A user has reached out to the community in despair because he has a rather specific problem. He explains on Reddit that his gaming PC damages every monitor he connects it to:
Whenever I connect a monitor to my computer, it seems to be permanently damaged, leaving artifacts on the screen forever.
He suspects two components: his power supply or his graphics card. His options are quite poor: in the worst case, he’ll have to sacrifice two more monitors to test all configurations. Accordingly, he asks the community for advice: Does he really have to sacrifice two more devices, or is there a less “destructive” way?
Another example is that one should ground oneself before tinkering with electrical devices. Because if one does not do this, it can permanently damage the respective devices.
Another player has a similar issue with broken hardware: He upgrades his setup with a new monitor, a little later sparks fly. Since he suspects the fault in the wrong place, he dismantles another graphics card and a second monitor. In the end, it’s not his hardware but his apartment that is to blame. And he is very lucky that he hasn’t seriously injured himself during the whole operation: A player upgrades his gaming setup, accidentally destroying 2 graphics cards and 2 monitors in the process
In total, as he explains in another post, his computer has already destroyed 3 monitors and he hopes that there don’t have to be two more models, unless he has no other choice.
Using a multimeter against broken monitors
Is there a better option? Some users actually recommend that he buy a DisplayPort adapter and then use a multimeter to measure the voltages at each of the DP pins and compare them with the DP specifications.
If you find a pin that shows 12 V instead of the intended 5 V, then your graphics card is defective and is sending harmful high voltages from your power supply to your monitor, causing it to burn out.
This way, he wouldn’t have to sacrifice any more monitors or his television to find out who the culprit in his PC might be.
Many are also surprised, as no one has ever heard of a monitor-destroying computer.
Surges occur in everyday life but should be avoided
Surges are not uncommon but should ideally be avoided, as they can cause significant damage.
This happens more often in everyday life than one might think. For instance, when large electrical devices are turned on, such as an air conditioner, it can briefly cause voltage spikes, which can usually be absorbed by the devices (via elektro-plus.com). This is ensured by special protection circuits and surge protection devices.
By the way, the best example of a surge is a lightning strike nearby. This can not only damage devices but also completely destroy them. By the way, even the best surge protection device is powerless against a lightning strike.
Another example is that one should ground oneself before tinkering with electrical devices. Because if one does not do this, it can permanently damage the respective devices.
Another player has a similar issue with broken hardware: He upgrades his setup with a new monitor, a little later sparks fly. Since he suspects the fault in the wrong place, he dismantles another graphics card and a second monitor. In the end, it’s not his hardware but his apartment that is to blame. And he is very lucky that he hasn’t seriously injured himself during the whole operation: A player upgrades his gaming setup, accidentally destroying 2 graphics cards and 2 monitors in the process
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