PSU Burning Smell, I located the source. Please help me. I found a burned type of paste

[XxPoNaGeXx]

So recently I noticed a burning smell coming from my computer. I spent hours locating the source. I tracked it down to my power supply. So I left it idle for 24 hours before opening it up to see what was wrong with it. I think I have found the source of the horrible burning smell. I will leave an image below.

The area that I have circled smells horrible. Exactly like the burning smell that I had smelled earlier. Correct me if I am wrong but to me it looks like some sort of paste. Now my question is can that be removed and be safely plugged back in so I can continue using my PC or do I need to buy a new power supply?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a bunch in advance

 

[DRagor]

Sure, if you want to put house on fire, feel free to plug it back to the PC. Don't forget to grab a camera and shot a film for us, we here on Tom's love to watch PCs bursting into fireworks.

Joke mode aside, there's a reason that something melted inside PSU. Correctly operating unit should not melt anything inside. So it's certainly broken. Either get it fixed by someone who knows what he's doing or buy new one. DON'T plug it back as it is.

 

[kanewolf]

From the factory there was a varnish on that inductor (coil of wire). IF that wire is getting hot enough to melt and burn the varnish you have a more basic problem with that power supply. You may be overloading it or there may be an internal problem. It is probably time for a new power supply.

 

[captaincharisma]

plugging it back in is a good way to melt your PC or even your burn your house down. do not use your PC until the power supply is replaced and if you want to avoid something like this happening again do not cheap out on one

 

[envy14tpe]

As others mentioned, get a new PSU. But we are curious as to what the PSU actually is. Can u list it?

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

As other mentioned, get a new one. But we are curious as to what the PSU actually is. Can u list it?

it's a WIN POWER +PLUS 550W

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

plugging it back in is a good way to melt your PC or even your burn your house down. do not use your PC until the power supply is replaced and if you want to avoid something like this happening again do not cheap out on one

Can you help recommend a safe cheap one for myself as I really don't know much about this kind of stuff. I'm just a friendly gamer/web developer.

 

[envy14tpe]

What country and what budget?

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

What country and what budget?

Scotland, and I really can't go over £30. My current one only cost £17 and it lasted 4 years

 

[envy14tpe]

What country and what budget?

Scotland, and I really can't go over £30. My current one only cost £17 and it lasted 4 years

For £17, I would expect that in a PSU. For £30, can't do much better. Maybe, shop for used PSUs. Sorry. I just checked UK prices and it looks bad.

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

What country and what budget?

Scotland, and I really can't go over £30. My current one only cost £17 and it lasted 4 years

For £17, I would expect that in a PSU. For £30, can't do much better. Maybe, shop for used PSUs. Sorry. I just checked UK prices and it looks bad.

What about these? http://www.ebuyer.com/566863-ace-black-120mm-fan-600w-fully-wired-efficient-power-supply-psuace600br

http://www.ebuyer.com/566863-ace-black-120mm-fan-600w-fully-wired-efficient-power-supply-psuace600br

 

[madmatt30]

No mate both awful

 

[captaincharisma]

i understand you may not have a lot of cash to replace the power supply but going that cheap is not a good idea. cause next time a a cheap PSU fails you may end up replacing more then just a bad PSU

 

[madmatt30]

What components are you actually running ??

There are 2 or 3 options that at least are not dangerous but depends how much power you actually need.

 

[Susquehannock]

Agree. Best to save up and buy a decent PSU. And not a good idea to reconnect that component as it will cause larger issues down the line.

For info sake ... that is indeed burned coating on that toroidal coil. Basically a type of inductor that stores magnetic energy to help oppose changes in current. One like that is classic of a poor quality (or old) PSU with wide fluctuating voltage range.

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

I bought a Corsair VS550

 

[Susquehannock]

I bought a Corsair VS550

Awful choice. Wish you luck.

 

[XxPoNaGeXx]

It's been working great for the past month , PC runs a lot smoother with it for some strange reason

 

[madmatt30]

The vs550 is kind of mediocre but its one of those cheap units that at least can do 550w in reality & is not dangerous.

Far better than your previous PSU.

 

[Susquehannock]

The vs550 is kind of mediocre but its one of those cheap units that at least can do 550w in reality & is not dangerous.

Far better than your previous PSU.

Agreed on that.
My problem with low end PSU is they usually start showing wide variance in voltage a few months after purchase. This puts more strain on components & can cause per-mature failure. I do understand having a limited budget, but spending less on a power supply often costs more money in the long run.