I would suggest that before you condemn the mobo completely you try a good quality PSU. It could be that the PSU is clouding the correct analysis of your board.
Since though your opening statement contained this statement
Quote:
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I do not have the time nor resources to replace the power supply, so that is out of the question.
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and states categorically "I can't / won't change the PSU".
I can only imagine that you will probably get another case that has an equally cheap power supply with inadequate heatsinks, capacitors and chokes.
I would strongly suggest that you take the power supply problem into serious consideration and not take anything that "meets your financial crisis"! Better wait and get something good or you might well end up paying more than you bargain for in the long run.
If you do buy a cheapie, I imagine we will be seeing you again with another message like this one asking for help when something else gets burnt. You already lost a drive and possibly the mobo, who knows what will go next?
expensive hobby