Very Faint Burning/Metallic Smell from PC

[newtothiscomputerthingy]

Recently built a new PC, the temps seem fine (30C for GPU IDLE, 35C for CPU IDLE), fans are all running and working, lights inside the PC turn on fine, boots up fine, case is not hot to touch. So I thought it may be the PSU - but the smell comes more from the fans/graphics card than anything else. Is this just a residue smell for when the PC starts to kinda settle in, and if so how long should it take for the smell to leave?

sorry for my paranoia, thanks in advance!

 

[ameyer75]

If you're smelling burning, then something is wrong. It very well could be a fan. It could also be the PSU or GPU. I would leave the side open and look to see if there's any smoke, or start taking parts out and smelling them for smoke/burning. Start with the GPU, then PSU, then fans. Let us know if you find it!

 

[newtothiscomputerthingy]

If you're smelling burning, then something is wrong. It very well could be a fan. It could also be the PSU or GPU. I would leave the side open and look to see if there's any smoke, or start taking parts out and smelling them for smoke/burning. Start with the GPU, then PSU, then fans. Let us know if you find it!

There is no smoke coming from anywhere, the wires are all fine and non-bubbly or melting, and the PSU looks and smells fine, (EVGA 650W GQ, so I doubt that it is this). However, I do believe it is my exhaust fans, as they are cheap NZXT 340 Elite molex fans, and the smell seems to be entirely coming from them, as I have to get within 3cm of the fan to actually smell anything. I did do a quick clean out and now my PC looks even cleaner, but the smell persists.

 

[InvalidError]

It could simply be the "new electronics" smell and in that case, the smell should subside after a few days. When I got my GTX1050 almost two years ago, it took nearly a week for the smell to completely go away.

 

[offroadguy56]

The smell your smelling is most certainty electrical fire. Most common cause are case fans. Next is probably power supplies. If you stick your nose up to each of the fans and take a good whiff you'll find it right away.

 

[newtothiscomputerthingy]

The smell your smelling is most certainty electrical fire. Most common cause are case fans. Next is probably power supplies. If you stick your nose up to each of the fans and take a good whiff you'll find it right away.

oh dangit, and i thought my build went smoothly! i knew those molex fans would cause a problem. will it be alright to keep them going for the time being until new fans arrive? the smell is incredibly faint and i think its only caused by one fan, but if it does fail/short, will it damage the PSU seen as it is connected to it?

 

[R4DIO4CT1VE]

The smell your smelling is most certainty electrical fire. Most common cause are case fans. Next is probably power supplies. If you stick your nose up to each of the fans and take a good whiff you'll find it right away.

oh dangit, and i thought my build went smoothly! i knew those molex fans would cause a problem. will it be alright to keep them going for the time being until new fans arrive? the smell is incredibly faint and i think its only caused by one fan, but if it does fail/short, will it damage the PSU seen as it is connected to it?

Just remove the problem fan(s) and watch your temps until a new fan arrives just to be safe.