Pc buying advice.

[ReverseFutaIsLove]

Hey all,
I currently live in Karachi and throughout the previous 2 years I have unfortunately lost 3 motherboards and 2 CPUs to voltage disruptions and shortages.
During these incidents I had my PC hooked up to a UPS, stabilizer, and most recently both.
The only viable solution that I have been recommended is to go buy a pure sine UPS and a top of the line PSU to make sure this doesn't happen again.
So, there are two paths I can choose, either spend around 30k-40k rs to get a proper UPS setup (and with the increased prices of GPUs these types of costs are really intimidating me) or just get a good gaming laptop.
What would you guys recommend ?

 

[Simonsayz]

Hey all,
I currently live in Karachi and throughout the previous 2 years I have unfortunately lost 3 motherboards and 2 CPUs to voltage disruptions and shortages.
During these incidents I had my PC hooked up to a UPS, stabilizer, and most recently both.
The only viable solution that I have been recommended is to go buy a pure sine UPS and a top of the line PSU to make sure this doesn't happen again.
So, there are two paths I can choose, either spend around 30k-40k rs to get a proper UPS setup (and with the increased prices of GPUs these types of costs are really intimidating me) or just get a good gaming laptop.
What would you guys recommend ?

You would still need a UPS for your DSL/ONT/Router/WiFi etc if you go for gaming laptop if you play online multiplayer games. Desktop offers upgradeability and higher performance but with GPU shortages these days laptop might be more accessible, however, gaming laptops aren't that cheap as well.

Anyway, what we can offer you here is pros and cons for both routes, but it would be your decision. If you go the UPS & Desktop route then have a read of this and go for an Online Pure Sine Wave UPS like SMT 1500i or eqvivalent https://www.pakgamers.com/index.php?threads/electricity-backup-ups-for-gaming-pc.300406/post-3020178

If you go for gaming laptop route then depending on your budget you might find suggestions on PG forums here, search and you shall receive. Best of luck.

 

[Teddeybeard]

Hey OP.

I know this may sound rudimentary, but I lost a motherboard this way long ago:

Have a good look at your motherboard standoffs. First off, make sure that you're using them. Second, make sure that there's not contact between any of the pins on the back of the mobo & the PC case. This could cause shorting issues.

Secondly, are you SURE that the cause of your losses are electricity supply issues? Do you have a lot of brownouts in your area? Because usually the first thing to go in the case of voltage issues is the PSU. Before damage occurs to the other mentioned components, a PSU will normally short itself. Given that that's not the case for you, do you have overvoltage issues?

Also, you may want to do a little bit of detective work & think about whether there is any component in your build that has been there with you throughout all these issues. For example, a 24-pin ATX power cable, or even the PSU itself. Isolate those pieces of your system & try swapping them for another component if you feel that could possibly be the cause.

Lastly, what PSU are you using? A strong word of advice is to NEVER cheap out on your PSU. Avoid new Chinese brands & things which sound too good to be true. Stick to something that is solidly reviewed & well known, & do NOT buy a used PSU.

Also, if you are into overclocking, you may have done this to yourself. Remove all overclocks & save yourself the chance of something going 'bang'.

I personally just use a high quality extension cable that has a built-in surge protector. This cost me about 3.5k in Karachi, & it holds my whole rig, plus a TV & other peripherals with no issues, mA.

Hope this helps.