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Computer smell, need advice
Hi everyone! I made a post here a while ago about my computer having a horrid smell coming from it. Just recently have I tried to figure out the problem since I've been so busy with school up until now. So I downloaded hwmonitor to check my computers temperatures to see if the smell was coming from something overheating. Mind you, I am horrible with computers and just take other peoples advice when it comes to these things, so I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm just guessing with everything I'm doing and assuming lol.
At the moment, I'm assuming the PSU is the problem since the temps showing from hwmonitor seemed relatively fine. Also, my computer just shut off on its own when I was just updating games on steam (temps seemed fine or atleast at a moderate level when this happened). The smell also appeared while the temps were at moderate level, so I assumed none of those parts were the issue, since they weren't overheating.
I suspect the PSU but wanted to make this post to get other peoples opinions. Don't wanna buy a new psu and end up returning it because it wasn't the right piece and I still end up with the horrible smell. Also fyi, my computer used to shut down on its own before too, but that was when I was playing csgo for like almost an hour straight and my computer was actually heating up. Also when I turned it back on, I forget the exact words, but it was something like "shut down because overclock or overheating" or something along those lines.
I bought a new cpu a while back because I thought that was the problem. However, when I placed the cpu in, the smell was still there. My friend said it might be because new cpu comes with a smell and that I just need to keep using it or something like that and the smell will eventually go away. It's been a month or two, and the smell is still there. I don't open my pc often (only when I try to fix the problem, which is every month or so) so I'm not too sure.
Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks.
At the moment, I'm assuming the PSU is the problem since the temps showing from hwmonitor seemed relatively fine. Also, my computer just shut off on its own when I was just updating games on steam (temps seemed fine or atleast at a moderate level when this happened). The smell also appeared while the temps were at moderate level, so I assumed none of those parts were the issue, since they weren't overheating.
I suspect the PSU but wanted to make this post to get other peoples opinions. Don't wanna buy a new psu and end up returning it because it wasn't the right piece and I still end up with the horrible smell. Also fyi, my computer used to shut down on its own before too, but that was when I was playing csgo for like almost an hour straight and my computer was actually heating up. Also when I turned it back on, I forget the exact words, but it was something like "shut down because overclock or overheating" or something along those lines.
I bought a new cpu a while back because I thought that was the problem. However, when I placed the cpu in, the smell was still there. My friend said it might be because new cpu comes with a smell and that I just need to keep using it or something like that and the smell will eventually go away. It's been a month or two, and the smell is still there. I don't open my pc often (only when I try to fix the problem, which is every month or so) so I'm not too sure.
Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Comments
You should be able to tell pretty readily if it's the PSU just by sniffing the fan outlet from the PSU - if it's really strong coming out of that fan, stronger than other spots blowing out from the case, that's probably the culprit.
And you should replace it ASAP - PSU, when it finally dies, usually take out a lot more in parts - RAM almost always dies, motherboards usually die, video cards can die, and hard drives can die.
Temps from HWMonitor are good then you can reasonably assume it's not one of those components. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a PSU problem - just for example, it could be a developing short on a sound card or NIC that's causing an overcurrent (and your smell), and the PSU is shutting down like it's supposed on overcurrent to protect itself.
In fact, if I were you, I'd probably just replace the PSU on principle anyway, and then if the smell still doesn't go away after that, keep the new PSU anyway and keep hunting for what's about to catch on fire. I don't know exactly what's in your computer, but something along these lines is what I'd look for:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094
It is one of the most important things.
First a good PSU keeps your PC safe from a Power Surge which might fry your Motherboard.
Second it supplies power to your GPU of course, s oit needs an high wattage.
Some GPUs are really power hungry and if the PSU is not up to the job then you get black screens and PC restart if it doesn't get enough power (That's why your PC restart suddenly after intense use).
Do you smell burnt rubber?
In this case is definitely the PSU.
Which model is your PSU?
Though I suspect you don't know, not many people care.
If it should blow, make sure to not inhale the smoke.
Here's your previous thread that you alluded to above:
http://forums.mmorpg.com/discussion/457499/my-computer-has-a-sort-of-burning-smell#latest
I asked the same question about hardware specs then, and am still waiting for an answer. There's only so much that can be done to help without more details about what you have.
To OP:
* What PSU brand are you using?
* You can calculate your PSU wattage needs with this: http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator
When you don't want the truth, you will make up your own truth.
ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
CORSAIR XMS 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M1A1600C11
Rosewill Stallion Series RD600 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
AMD FX-6300 Vishera 6-Core 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD6300WMHKBOX Desktop Processor
I think that is my cpu, i forget.
My money is on PSU now for sure
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119
And if you keep your current power supply until it dies, you may well have to replace more than just the power supply.
That's quite a good price on that power supply I linked, by the way. $50 after rebate for a very good quality 550 W power supply is practically stealing, and cheap enough that there's no need to look at cheaper power supplies that are probably good enough. Even $65 if you ignore the rebate is a pretty good price on it.
I dunno, I think your PSU can sufficiently power up your components..
How long you have used that PSU?
Edit: Oh, for budget-friendly option, you can choose PSU from FSP brand.
When you don't want the truth, you will make up your own truth.
I would not turn on a computer with a burning smell. Check all power connectors. Unplug them and look at the ends to see if they are burnt, melted, black, discolored. Smell them one at a time as well. Take a flashlight and look closely at your motherboard for any signs of burn marks usually near a connector.
If you are lucky its one of the case fans.
Anything 80+ rated from Seasonic or a Seasonic rebrand is not a bad investment. There are better in some wattage ranges, but Seasonic is about as solid across the board as any PSU manufacturer.
You really shouldn't be close to stressing 600W, or the 550ish it actually puts out, based on your hardware list, but that's what I'd look to replace first regardless. Sketchy quality and relatively easy and cheap to replace.
I've roasted more than my share of power supplies over the years, sometimes intentionally, sometimes I was paid to. Never, ever had one take out anything other than itself. Plenty of instability issues that were all resolved with the PSU replacement, but nothing beyond that. Things like the computer shutting down while updating games on Steam. I'm sure I'm just exceptionally lucky and all the anecdotes are true though.
Good luck
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6ZP3RB4797
Would this one be good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074
The 430 Quizzical linked above is the answer. Don't know all your specs, but even if you're running an overclocked 8370 and 4 or 5 drives with more case lights than a Christmas tree you're likely not cracking 400w total.
Computers are nice warm places; could happen.