I learned a valuable lesson while building a new PC with parts from both the USA and Australia the other day – always make sure you use a transformable power supply that can step down or step up to the right voltage that your motherboard needs! A lot of newer power supplies sold in Australia are the 500W types that only supply 240v as input and do not have the ability to step down to 110v input for US motherboards, so check the specs before you buy a power supply. I almost burned out my motherboard by using a power supply that couldn’t transform between the US standard 110v input and the standard Australian 240v input!
If you hear a high-pitched “squeal” being emitted when you first turn on a newly built system, then you should shut off the power immediately. More than likely, the sound is being emitted from the capacitors on the motherboard freaking out because they are being overloaded with too much voltage. Another sure-fire sign is onboard motherboard cooling mounts heating up abnormally.
