PC smells chemically

[katierose5112]

I just purchased a refurbished gaming PC from ebay. I can't help noticing that it smells very metallic, plastic and just of chemicals. I'm not accustomed to PCs and know nothing really about building them. The smell isn't overpowering, however It's bothering me that I'm having to sleep in the same room as it and breath that stuff in. Will the smell go away? Should I return it?

 

[profoundnoah]

Can you post the system specs (including the PSU)? That kind of smell usually isn't a good sign in the PC field.

 

[jsmithepa]

Keep it on 24x7 for a few days, hopefully whatever cleanser they use evaporate by then.

 

[katierose5112]

Can you post the system specs (including the PSU)? That kind of smell usually isn't a good sign in the PC field.

Hi, thanks for answering I really appreciate it. These are the specs ZOOSTORM 7876-0306/B GAMING PC Core i5 3330 @ 3.0GHz 8GB RAM 1TB HDD Win 10 Pro

 

[Ztdutxjgxgtu]

Can you explain what the smell is?

 

[katierose5112]

@jsmithepa what do you mean by 24x7? I'm sorry, I just don't have much of a clue when it comes to PCs.

 

[katierose5112]

Can you explain what the smell is?

It's like a metallic/plastic/chemically smell. That's the best way I can describe it. It's not over powering like I said, but I'm not happy about having it my bedroom and breathing it in.

 

[mdd1963]

you will learn to appreciate the new motherboard/new PSU smell......only happens every few years...

 

[katierose5112]

you will learn to appreciate the new motherboard/new PSU smell......only happens every few years...

Okay lol, I just feel like it's bad for my health. How long will it take to go away?

 

[Kallakix2015]

I just purchased a refurbished gaming PC from ebay. I can't help noticing that it smells very metallic, plastic and just of chemicals. I'm not accustomed to PCs and know nothing really about building them. The smell isn't overpowering, however It's bothering me that I'm having to sleep in the same room as it and breath that stuff in. Will the smell go away? Should I return it?

I've never had a PC smell of chemicals, or anything really. Maybe what you can smell is cleaning products. If the PC has liquid cooling and you know how to dismantle it maybe you should see if anything is leaking.

 

[jsmithepa]

@jsmithepa what do you mean by 24x7? I'm sorry, I just don't have much of a clue when it comes to PCs.

Short hand for 24 hours, 7 days. Meaning all day everyday.

By keeping your PC powered on in the hope that it "burn" way the chemical.

 

[profoundnoah]

I don't think that's a good idea, personally. I'd advise seeing WHERE in the PC it's coming from before you start running things. But yes, it is more than likely a cleaner.

 

[norcalsc]

some people use carburetor cleaner and wd-40 on MB and PC equipment. I see why it's not a good idea.... hope it works out might want to get that thing out of your room if it's making you ill

 

[katierose5112]

I contacted the seller and asked why it could be smelling. He said he used white spirit to clean it and that it should go away.