Burning smell from PSU

[acfchef]

Never had a problem until a couple of days ago - I woke up and noticed the computer was off and there was a burning smell near the rear of the computer case.

I opened it up and sniffed around the mobo, cpu, videocard and when I got to the PSU - the smell got more intense (like burnt rubber). I also didn't notice any blown capacitors, etc. on the mobo.

I figured it must be the PSU - so I decided to power it up one more time before repalcing the PSU. The computer started like nothing ever happened - temps, voltages, fans were all normal, but the smell is still there.

Do you guys think the PSU is on it's way out and is letting me know that it's time to replace it? Or, could it be something else causing this smell, like a wire that's burning in the PSU, etc.

Any input would be greatly appreciated - Thank you.

 

[moonbit]

Burning=bad

Turn off your computer unless you need to use it, and start shopping for a new PSU.

Having your computer on 24/7 can be stressful for a PSU, especially if you have high end components. If you want to keep your computer on all the time, go overkill on the PSU.

 

[Matthias99]

I would guess you probably have a blown capacitor in the PSU. Without opening it up there's really no way to be sure.

If that's the case -- it might do pretty much nothing, or it might eventually cause it to fail catastrophically.

 

[Zap]

You don't need to go "overkill" on the PSU in terms of buying a lot more wattage than your computer needs, but you do need quality.

Burning=bad, that I do agree with. With a system in use for 2 years, 24/7, likely the PSU got clogged with dust which caused overheating and capacitor failure. With the computer off for a while, it started working again but likely the problem will resurface as the PSU heats up. At this point I would no longer "trust" it.

My recommendation would be to replace it with a unit of sufficient quality and enough wattage/amperage (no need for a 1kW PSU or anything). Then in the future blow out the computer and PSU periodically with compressed air.

 

[acfchef]

Thank you all for the great advice - I'm out shopping for a new PSU. I guess I'm lucky nothing else got fried. You guys are the best.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Dust kills computer components; Zap speaketh the truth.

Good thing you are shopping for a new PSU - if you have reason to suspect your PSU might be dying, it's better to replace it and not worry about, "Am I wasting my money? Maybe it really isn't that bad..."

Because if you don't and it blows and takes out your motherboard and RAM the following week, you will hate yourself. (I speak from experience)

 

[JasonCoder]

This is exactly what happened before a raidmax psu went out on me last year. Man that sucker stunk (quite literally).

 

[ForumMaster]

the problem is keeping the computer on 24/7 for two years. the psu probably is full of dsut and is overheating. get a new PSU. this one is no longer safe. and from now on, clean your computer (yes void the warrenty on the PSU as well) and blow everything out with compressed air.

it's a conspiracy by the PSU companies. if you open up the PSU to clean it, you void the warrenty. but if you don't do every now and then, the PSU can die and your computer along with it. so screw the warrenty if it's dirty enough. open it, and clean it.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Topic Title
Burning smell from PSU

REPLACE IT NOW

 

[magreen]

Speaking of shopping for power supplies, I still haven't seen a PSU thread with a reasonable list of options for reasonable power supplies for mid-range PCs (i.e. no SLI 8800GTX with 4 raided HDDs and dual DVD burners). The only recommendations I've seen in threads are:

• 1. people will link you to silentpcreview which is great for high-end PCs and/or silence fanatics but most people don't need those

• 2. PCP&CPC&PCP&... is the only brand that makes decent units

• 3. never spend less than $100 on a PSU

• 4. never use a PSU under 500 watts, so get the $65 Enhance from ewiz.

I'm not trying to advocate no-name PSUs. But it seems to me a Sparkle or FSP 350 watt PSU for <$40 is plenty for a mid-range system w/ dual core C2D or X2 CPU, 1-2 HDDs, DVD drive, and mid-level graphics. [edit: spelling]

 

[Roguestar]

Then read more threads. I see people all the time recommending "get a good brand like seasonic or enermax or corsair, around 440W", and I've posted almost exactly that twice today. There are those of us who don't recommend 1000W power supplies and do indeed pay attention to the thread and needs of the OP and recommend slightly more subdued solutions as such. Besides, "mid-range" graphics is a hard definition to make and some would consider my graphics card to be mid range, or mid-to-high range. What's most important for that is a lot of amps on the 12v rail which you're not going to see on most 350W PSUs and certainly not on those with less-than-great brand names.

 

[Umberger]

just out of curiosity, what was the brand of the PSU? there are perpetually threads on here about quality brand psu's... and i'm just wondering if this was one of those.

Umberger :beer:

 

[aka1nas]

Sparkle and FSP supplies are fine alternatives. However, I would still recommend 400+ watt models even on a mid-range system as the 350 watt units may not provide enough Amps on the +12V rail even if the total wattage rating is sufficient.

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: aka1nas
Sparkle and FSP supplies are fine alternatives. However, I would still recommend 400+ watt models even on a mid-range system as the 350 watt units may not provide enough Amps on the +12V rail even if the total wattage rating is sufficient.

Well, even the 350W Sparkle for $32.50 from Newegg has +12V1@18A,+12V2@16A -- and I hear Sparkle is really honest about reporting amps or even under-reports them. I've also heard that PSU would be called 400W by most other manufacturers. The only difference to their 400W model (in terms of amps) is the 400W has +12V1@18A,+12V2@18A.

But I suppose if you need the PCI-e connector then you're right, the 400W model for $45 is better (though it only has one SATA connector).

 

[Boyo]

Well for running for 2 years straight, obviously you already know how to pick a PSU. Good thing you are out shopping for a new one.

 

[acfchef]

The PSU was Thermaltake 400W - nothing fancy.

 

[Yellowbeard]

I personally like the way that Jonny Guru reviews PSUs. He finds great bang per buck deals as well and torturing the largest and most expensive units. So, you can shop several ways including by budget, power needs, esoterics, etc.

www.jonnyguru.com

 

[Operandi]

I would highly recommend you read ---> "Power Supply Fundamentals" before you make your next PSU purchase.

My two favorites are (any) Seasonic and the 80+ units from Enhance from eWiz (LINK).

 

[BladeVenom]

Everyone's talking about buying a new powersupply, but doesn't the one you have come with a 3 year warranty? Get Thermaltake to fix or replace it.

 

[acfchef]

Actually, the PSU was pulled from my older computer - it's over 3 years old. Can't complain - it served me very well powering my file server.

Anyways, as an update - I went ahead and opened up the old PSU just to see what was burning in there. I was amazed to find a couple of blown capacitors along with a fried coil - and the PSU still powered on. Thermaltake has impressed me with this incident. I think I'll be looking for another TT to repalce it.

 

[acfchef]

Just ordered a 500W TT .

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Then read more threads. I see people all the time recommending "get a good brand like seasonic or enermax or corsair, around 440W", and I've posted almost exactly that twice today. There are those of us who don't recommend 1000W power supplies and do indeed pay attention to the thread and needs of the OP and recommend slightly more subdued solutions as such. Besides, "mid-range" graphics is a hard definition to make and some would consider my graphics card to be mid range, or mid-to-high range. What's most important for that is a lot of amps on the 12v rail which you're not going to see on most 350W PSUs and certainly not on those with less-than-great brand names.

Well, I ain't looking for a fight, and it's true sometimes people recommend more subdued solutions, but I still think people often recommend more PSU for more $$ than people need. I still haven't seen a rec. for a PSU for <$40 on this site. And I don't know why, with the Sparkle I mentioned above.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: magreen
I still think people often recommend more PSU for more $$ than people need. I still haven't seen a rec. for a PSU for <$40 on this site.

You haven't been looking hard enough. I just recommended some here and here, and have recommended various budget units in the past.

Too bad eWiz is OOS on the Enhance ATX-1136FA-DBS. Specs here. It's 360W, reasonably quiet for using an 80mm fan, is good quality, weighs a TON for such low wattage (the poor-man's way to judge PSU quality), even has 6 pin PCI-E... best thing was that eWiz had them for $26 (using Froogle link). Tough to decide between this and the $32 Fortron FSP300-60GLN at Newegg (except Newegg has stock). The Fortron has supposed 80% efficiency and a 120mm fan. The Enhance is cheaper, has more power and a PCI-E plug.

 

[magreen]

All right, man! I stand corrected. Good links.
Hope the word gets out more.

 

[Roguestar]

I'm not picking a fight either, just saying that there's some hope left yet .