Computer Problem

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First I appologize for coming here with my personal computer problems but, I've been debating it for a week and I decided I should give it a try even if it makes me feel foolish.

Last year I put together a hand built computer. Out of all the components I got I didn't get the Motherboard I want because Fry's was out of stock. Instead I got an MSI motherboard and, it's been fritzy since I first installed. The computer would intermittently shut down for apparently no reason randomly but, on very long and random time frames. It couldn't blame it on a heat or power issue although heat may have been a factor that slightly increased the chances of a glitch. The problem was the shutdown glitch was so rare it was nearly impossible to diagnose. So for the most part I ignored it. Then maybe about 6 months ago it shutdown and wouldn't turn back on. After trying a few different things I swapped the RAM from one pair of slots to the next pair and the computer turned on. It's been working "normally" since then although the "random" shutdowns continued on. Then 2 weeks ago I came back from picking up a hot dog and, the computer had shutdown and didn't turn back on. I tried a few different things but, I just can't get it to come back. I did notice that my CPU cooler fan was revving a little high before I left but my temp readings didn't seem to be overly high at the time (I run a fan controller with 5 temp probes).

Long story short is I think my Motherboard is Toast possibly my CPU and my Liquid CPU Cooler might be bad but, I'm not sure how I can test these without a working platform. Any advice would be helpful because I think it's going to be like $500 to replace these components (although I am upgrading them too).

Is your OS Windows? You didn't say if your shutdowns were just the results of BSOD's. I figured it'd be RAM because that's mainly why Windows won't boot up sometime. I'm guessing all of your RAM chips are matched pairs, right?

I don't think the shutdowns had anything to do with windows. They where hardware failures. Most of the time like someone just pulled the power plug on the computer. Otherwise I'm running Windows 7.

Also I'm pretty certain it's not the powersupply because I swapped in 1200w supply in and it was having the same problem with both powersupplies.

Okay. Thanks. The reason I'd mentioned Windows is because the BSOD is able to give you clues, albeit very quickly, about where the hardware failures are. With RAM, for instance, BSOD spits out a long string of 00000000's at the bottom.

If you purchased your components less than a year ago, you may be able to get the manufacturer to issue a Return Materials Authorization, or RMA to exchange the parts.