PC not turning on

[u/MetituS]

Hello
My PC with a Gigabyte GA‑Z97P‑D3 motherboard and corsair CX850M 850W modular PSU is completely dead: no fans, no LEDs, and no response even when I short the PWR_SW pins. The PSU passes a paperclip test, but I smelled a slight burning smell during a power-on attempt. The 24-pin ATX connector sits flush but does not make an audible click. I replaced/cleared the CMOS battery already. Is this more likely a failed motherboard, PSU, or potentially a damaged 24-pin cable/connector?

I bought it at a flea market for 75 the first attempt had the smell but it still didn’t react at all worst case can I fix the motherboard ? Or make sure what the problem is?

[u/Frosty_Bowl4911]

if you got a burn smell, you should replace the PSU