A shocking story emerged on Reddit’s r/PCMR forum about a Gigabyte M6880X optical mouse that allegedly caught fire and burned to the ground. The user shared photos showing the melted mouse housing, burn marks on the desk, and a destroyed mouse pad. The whole incident not only caused property damage but also filled the room with smoke, covering it in black dust.
The Gigabyte M6880X mouse is a model that is over 10 years old, which may indicate natural wear and tear of components as one of the causes of the incident. It is important that the device is fully wired, so the involvement of batteries, which are often the cause of overheating, has been ruled out. Experts suggest that a short circuit or degradation of materials, which could become more susceptible to damage over time, could be a possible cause.
USB 2.0, which most of these devices use, operates at 5V and 0.5A. Modern motherboards, power supplies, and USB controllers usually have surge or overload protection. However, mice, as peripherals, are not equipped with such protection mechanisms as standard. This could have caused any surge to have catastrophic consequences.
Why was the fire concentrated on the top of the mouse?
An interesting aspect is that the bottom part of the mouse remained relatively intact, while the top case had completely melted. The cause of this phenomenon remains unclear and requires further investigation. It is possible that internal components responsible for processing the optical signal or electronic circuits on the circuit board were the source of the problem.
This isn’t the first time Gigabyte has come under fire. In 2021, the company faced allegations of high failure rates for some power supplies, which were dubbed “ticking time bombs.” However, the M6880X seems to be an isolated incident, given the lack of similar reports from other users.
How to prevent such incidents?
Although cases of computer mice catching fire are extremely rare, it is worth remembering a few rules. First of all, it is worth avoiding cheap, untested peripherals that may not meet basic safety standards. It is also worth investing in high-quality power supplies and motherboards that have appropriate protection against overvoltages. It is also worth remembering that old devices can be more susceptible to damage, so if you notice any signs of wear, it is a good idea to consider replacing the equipment.
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The Gigabyte M6880X incident is a PC enthusiast’s nightmare – the fire not only destroyed the mouse and mousepad but could have damaged other peripherals and even posed a threat to the user’s health and life. Although such cases are extremely rare, it is worth treating them as a warning.
