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Power supply scent?

C

cookeys

Junior Member
Hi,

I got a new machine about two months ago. I've noticed that when the computer is running, the power supply puts off an odor that smells kind of electrical. I have two fans on the back, and I only notice the smell coming from the power supply fan. Is it normal for a power supply to put out any sort of odor? I was thinking that maybe it was because it's new, but really, I don't know anything about this stuff.

Thanks

Edit: I should note that this is the first time that I've ever had a computer with a power supply that pulls air out of the computer. All the other ones I've had pull air into the computer, over the processor.

Thanks again
 


The only odors I notice around here are probably coming from me ........"phew"

I've installed several power supplies........I've never noticed any smell at all. Come to think of it, none of my parts have an odor.

That's pretty unusual. I'd be keeping a close eye on that part......and make sure I had a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.
 
The purpose of the power supplky fan is to cool the power supply by exhausting hot air out of it. Anything else is flat wrong. That is what creates the overall convection air current in a case - other case fans not withstanding. The electrical smell is most likely due to heat. The only time I ever smelled a power supply was when it burned up.

Next time you are in a big store with many computers - just pass your hand behind them and I'll bet dollars to donuts they are all blowing OUT.
 
I've seen quite a few computers that push air onto the processor with the PS. It never made much sense to me, but through browsing the web on this topic, I've found that that is one way of doing things. I'll see if I can find some links.

So what you're saying is that the smell is probably just heat?
 
I guess the smell will disappear with time. It's just the smell of a new power supply 🙂. I've also noticed that new monitors have a very strong smell that gradually evaporates.
 
Yea, my new monitor smells really strong. I would've been concerned about it if I didn't have other monitors that have been like that, in the beginning.

I certainly hope you're right about the PS. I don't care about the smell, if it's no big deal. My computer runs nicely cool most of the time, so I didn't think I was overheating anything.
 
It's the like the new car smell of computers... except well.. with computers... if it doesn't go away then you may have something to worry about, but let it go, and the instant is smells like burning... pull the plug and swap it.

--Mark
 
cookeys, unless the smell is definitely a burning smell, I wouldn't worry about it. I recently built a new box w/ an Enermax 430w p.s. and it too emitted a odor. I think it was as combination of the p.s. and the rounded cables. It went away after a couple months.
 
Sounds like ozone. I've smelled it from monitors or laser printers, but not from a computer power supply.
Is the odor noticeable when using your computer or just when you get close to the fan output? If it smells from a distance and you spend a lot of time there it may not be good for your health.

Edit: cuz i kant spel
 
My computer vents under a desk, and against a wall. There are times when I can smell it, but to really smell it, I need to get behind the desk. When the air conditioning comes on, it will blow under the desk and then it is more obvious. The computer is still under warrantee, so I suppose I could bring it in. I really hoped something like that wouldn't be necessary though.
 
When I get a bunch of new components at once, sometimes there is a little bit of hot electrical odor, I imagine it's a lot of stuff just getting burned in.
 
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