Are new psu's suppose to smell and for how long?

[lobo4]

I recently replaced an old unbranded 500w psu with a corsair rm 650w after i got a really bad smell coming from it but even though i have changed the psu to something of a better quality it seems to still have a very strong smell coming directly from the new psu aswell. I ignored the smell for a couple of days thinking it would go away but its now been atleast 2 weeks since i installed it and the smell isn't going away. i know its coming from the psu because i smelt around my pc case to find out the smell came strongest from the psu.

Back to the question are new psu's suppose to smell like this, i can't really describe it well but its a metallic type of smell, not burning, my pc is very cool with no overheating issues. Also my psu is top mounted would that have anything to do with it? I just need someone to explain if this is normal for a new psu to smell and if so how long should it last.

 

[Karsten75]

that doesn't sound right. I've never had a PSU give off an odor except when it was defective.

I've used CorsairRM PSUs before and it goes for them as well.

Maybe a heat-related issue if it cannot vent properly in the position you have it installed in?

 

[lobo4]

that doesn't sound right. I've never had a PSU give off an odor except when it was defective.

I've used CorsairRM PSUs before and it goes for them as well.

Maybe a heat-related issue if it cannot vent properly in the position you have it installed in?

I do have the back of the computer atleast 15cm away from the wall, is that enough space?

 

[Karsten75]

Is there free airflow *through* the PSU? are the vents of the PSU obstructed? is the PSU exhausting air into or out of the case? How much power are you drawing?

 

[lobo4]

Is there free airflow *through* the PSU? are the vents of the PSU obstructed? is the PSU exhausting air into or out of the case? How much power are you drawing?

Nothing is obstructing the airflow of the psu, the vents are where the smell is coming from strongest. Im starting to think that maybe the psu being top mounted is the reason for this.

 

[GhislainG]

It shouldn't smell even if it's top mounted unless the fan can't pull enough fresh air. A new PSU usually smells a bit, but that shouldn't last for hours or days.

 

[lobo4]

It shouldn't smell even if it's top mounted unless the fan can't pull enough fresh air. A new PSU usually smells a bit, but that shouldn't last for hours or days.

Even as a type right now the smell is just overwhelming. I tried positioning the computer and keeping the window open but still it is there.

 

[GhislainG]

There either is something wrong or you are extremely sensitive to the smell of new components as they initially get heated up. You could test it outside of the case to make sure the smell really originates from the PSU.

 

[Karsten75]

The intriguing thing is that usually I'd associate that smell with imminent component failure (if not an after-the-fact effect). THat OP smells it that strongly for so long is interesting. Slow burn of insulation?

 

[GhislainG]

I'm not sure it's from the PSU because both the old and the new one do it. It may be something else even though the smell seems to be coming from the PSU; running it outside of the case would help the OP determine if it really is from the PSU. I've also rarely smelled something burning for hours or days; it usually smells, pops up in smoke and then no longer smells because it doesn't work anymore.

 

[Karsten75]

... it usually smells, pops up in smoke and then no longer smells because it doesn't work anymore.

ha ha

 

[lobo4]

I'm not sure it's from the PSU because both the old and the new one do it. It may be something else even though the smell seems to be coming from the PSU; running it outside of the case would help the OP determine if it really is from the PSU. I've also rarely smelled something burning for hours or days; it usually smells, pops up in smoke and then no longer smells because it doesn't work anymore.

Yeah i think i'm gonna run it out outside but i doubt its burning cause i feel cold air blowing out if it. If it was it would of popped by now anyway. Maybe i am just oversensitive to the smell of new components.

 

[GhislainG]

Are you also oversensitive to a new car's engine smell?

 

[lobo4]

Are you also oversensitive to a new car's engine smell?

ha idk really, don't usually smell car engines

 

[Karsten75]

Are you also oversensitive to a new car's engine smell?

ha idk really, don't usually smell car engines

If you don't know it means you never noticed it, which probably means "no". Look around inside the case with a flashlight. Pay close attention to all components on the motherboard - such as capacitors. They can fail.

 

[lobo4]

Are you also oversensitive to a new car's engine smell?

ha idk really, don't usually smell car engines

If you don't know it means you never noticed it, which probably means "no". Look around inside the case with a flashlight. Pay close attention to all components on the motherboard - such as capacitors. They can fail.

Checked the inside, capacitors look fine. No marks of damage or melting anywhere. but a really strong scent inside the case. Mainly around psu area.

 

[GhislainG]

You won't know for sure what's causing the smell until you remove the PSU.

 

[lobo4]

You won't know for sure what's causing the smell until you remove the PSU.

ok i guess i have to remove it tomorrow and see. But really i think its the psu.

 

[lobo4]

You won't know for sure what's causing the smell until you remove the PSU.

could air blowing through the psu cause the smell. my case has a very good airflow and it seems that the more fans i put in the more strong the smell gets.

 

[GhislainG]

Only if your PSU is pulling air from inside the case, but then the smell really is from the PSU; otherwise you'd smell it from the other exhaust fans. Newer cases usually have the PSU mounted at the bottom where it pulls air from outside the case.

 

[lobo4]

Only if your PSU is pulling air from inside the case, but then the smell really is from the PSU; otherwise you'd smell it from the other exhaust fans. Newer cases usually have the PSU mounted at the bottom where it pulls air from outside the case.

well with all this info gathered i think the only solution to this problem is getting a pc case with a psu bottom mount. Thank you all for helping!

 

[GhislainG]

They are better because the PSU gets fresh air instead of warmer air from the case.

 

[Karsten75]

It is NOT the solution. There are many, many cases like yours. While top-mount PSUs have issues, they do not all emit that smell. Either you are overly sensitive to the smell (unlikely) or you have a problem in your setup. I'd hate for you to buy a new case and then still have this issue.

 

[GhislainG]

It is NOT the solution. There are many, many cases like yours. While top-mount PSUs have issues, they do not all emit that smell. Either you are overly sensitive to the smell (unlikely) or you have a problem in your setup. I'd hate for you to buy a new case and then still have this issue.

He had an even worse smell issue with the older PSU. I'm not suggsting he replaces the case until the PSU is tested outside of the case to make sure the smell really comes from it. If getting warmer air in air makes it run hotter, then it will smell a bit more.

 

[lobo4]

It is NOT the solution. There are many, many cases like yours. While top-mount PSUs have issues, they do not all emit that smell. Either you are overly sensitive to the smell (unlikely) or you have a problem in your setup. I'd hate for you to buy a new case and then still have this issue.

It is NOT the solution. There are many, many cases like yours. While top-mount PSUs have issues, they do not all emit that smell. Either you are overly sensitive to the smell (unlikely) or you have a problem in your setup. I'd hate for you to buy a new case and then still have this issue.

He had an even worse smell issue with the older PSU. I'm not suggsting he replaces the case until the PSU is tested outside of the case to make sure the smell really comes from it. If getting warmer air in air makes it run hotter, then it will smell a bit more.

I really don't know what to do then. I was thinking burning dust but i just sprayed the inside of my case a couple days ago. Didn't find any leaking or broken capacitors, no overheating problems with the pc or psu and the fact that the psu is top mounted doesn't seem to be the real reason to this problem. I am so lost.