i have checked everything. g2g. psu is good, i have replaced usb cables, pci-e adapters, different vga cables. the only thing i havent changed or tried is swapping pci-e adapters from another port to the 16 but man im really tired of burning up risers at $10 a piece. and the risers im using are the best ive found. i have gone through about 10 different types and these are the best by far.
could there be something defective in the mb or something in the 16 causing it to short out?