PSU has a weird gray blob of goo inside?

[dank24345]

I was looking through all my computer components after an unlucky incident where my pc started smoking. I looked through the metal grating in my psu and I was shocked to see some gray goo/blob attached to two cables and some copper rings. Is this normal?

P.S.: I'm pretty sure its not thermal paste because its not the same gray that I used for my thermal paste.

 

[scout_03]

that from your psu rma it dont use it in system anymore .

 

[joex444]

> my pc started smoking

Was it your PSU that did the smoking? You'll need a new whatever it was since PCs are not supposed to smoke.

The gray goo, does it look like solder or melted components perhaps? The copper rings are probably the inductors.

 

[Gam3r01]

There are insulating/sealing "goo's" used in PSUs, they vary and we cant really tell you for sure.
That being said, we dont need to know whatever it is. You saw smoke, great sign you need a new PSU. (Dont use it anymore)

 

[dank24345]

There are insulating/sealing "goo's" used in PSUs, they vary and we cant really tell you for sure.
That being said, we dont need to know whatever it is. You saw smoke, great sign you need a new PSU. (Dont use it anymore)

The smoke was from a usb wire which i quickly replaced. I just connected the motherboard by itself to the PSU btw and the motherboard did not turn on. Could you please help?

 

[dank24345]

> my pc started smoking

Was it your PSU that did the smoking? You'll need a new whatever it was since PCs are not supposed to smoke.

The gray goo, does it look like solder or melted components perhaps? The copper rings are probably the inductors.

I believe it was a USB cable from the case. The cable in question has burn marks and the copper is visible. Can I find a replacement for this?

 

[Gam3r01]

Where was the USB attached to/what was it used for?
What specific PSU do you have anyway?
If its a USB cable that smoked its more likely a motherboard issue.

 

[dank24345]

Where was the USB attached to/what was it used for?
What specific PSU do you have anyway?
If its a USB cable that smoked its more likely a motherboard issue.

The PSU was a Thermaltake TR2 850w.

The USB was attached to the case and was used for the USB slot on the front of the case. The cable got to close to the graphics card and started burning. The graphics card is a GTX 960.

The USB cable marks are on the side where it touched the Graphics card and nowhere near the pins.

 

[scout_03]

so that usb cable got overheath and burn on the shell your lucky it did not made any short .

 

[Gam3r01]

This sounds like an odd event.
In any case, I would replace the TR2 unit (they are not quality, and it could have failed now. Even if it didnt, they do fail often and take components out with them).
There is no reason that cable should have burned if it were quality.

 

[nukemaster]

Some power supplies and other devices will have a glue(i use this word loosely) that holds caps and other parts in pace and keeps them from vibrating and making them more fun to replace.

 

[dank24345]

This sounds like an odd event.
In any case, I would replace the TR2 unit (they are not quality, and it could have failed now. Even if it didnt, they do fail often and take components out with them).
There is no reason that cable should have burned if it were quality.

So do you believe it was the psu?
P.S. I did do the paperclip test and it worked.

 

[Turb0Yoda]

This sounds like an odd event.
In any case, I would replace the TR2 unit (they are not quality, and it could have failed now. Even if it didnt, they do fail often and take components out with them).
There is no reason that cable should have burned if it were quality.

So do you believe it was the psu?
P.S. I did do the paperclip test and it worked.

I would blame the PSU in this case. As said before, the Thermaltake units are renowned for.... bad stuff...

 

[turkey3_scratch]

The technical name I think is caulk which is the glue-like substance used for suppressing vibrations, particularly it holds coils well in place to reduce coil whine. Vibrations also reduce the lifespan of capacitors, so another reason to use it.