Strange Burning Smell From PC Under Load

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Hello, since i have moved my pc to under my desk i now notice a smell when hot air is blowing out the case/pc is under load its a kind of chemical burning smell almost, it gives me a headache and makes me feel dizzy after a while. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? doesnt happen unless its under load/hot air blowing out. im thinking power supply? or burning dust on my gpu? as there is a thin coat of dust on the top of the gpu but surely not enough to smell of burning? the gpu only reaches 78c max at 100% gpu usage and can run up too 92c without being damaged, and my cpu is water cooled and reaches 50c at 100%

Would it be the dust getting hot or power supply and how would i go about fixing this

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Also my psu does buzz a little when gaming

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 3, 2016

Do you have a bottom mounted PSU?

johnnyb105 · Mar 3, 2016

What are your system specs and what PSU is installed in your pc?

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Yes sir xfx 550w 80+ bronze

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

johnnyb105 :

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-xfx-core-edition-p1-550s-xxb9-80-plus-bronze-1x135mm-fan-atx-psu

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Specs: i7 4790k @4.4ghz H100i GTX, 16gb corsair vengance pro ram, msi 4gb gtx770 xfx pro 550w psu arc mini r2 case msi z97m gaming mobo

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

i know im pushing the limits for my psu as the gpu needs 600w as it is

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 3, 2016

Is it on a rug or floor?

Don't have it on a rug or the PSU could get real hot without proper ventilation.

Titanforall · Mar 3, 2016

TommyFamzy :

As you are informing that its a strange smell and buzzing at peak load then your PSU is overloaded ,capacitors and transformers are making spark and buzz sounds AND it might burn if you continue to use it (huge losses ) it would be better for you to buY a DECENT 700W PSU like EVGA Seasonic 80+GOLD.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438066

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

its on a carpet but i have 2 planks of wood under the feet to lift it off the carpet so it doesnt suffocate

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Titanforall :

TommyFamzy :

As you are informing that its a strange smell and buzzing at peak load then your PSU is overloaded ,capacitors and transformers are making spark and buzz sounds AND it might burn if you continue to use it (huge losses ) it would be better for you to buY a DECENT 700W PSU like EVGA Seasonic 80+GOLD.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438066

i will be getting this https://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-corsair-rm750i-series-fully-modular-psu-80plus-gold-certified-135mm-fan-atx

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 3, 2016

Better quality made by
Super Flower.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£74.99 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £74.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-03 15:19 GMT+0000

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

So have we all jumped to the conclusion that the psu is the culprit?

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 3, 2016

Not for sure , I would still try to locate the smell , because your PSU is great quality , just be careful running it , you don't want whatever is causing it to take out other components , does the PSU feel hot after a good load \ stress is put on it?

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

Yes

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

It getting hot and buzzing is dangerous right? and i cannot locate the smell for the life of me

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 3, 2016

I would change it , to protect your other components , get a decent 650w , will give you headroom.

TommyFamzy · Mar 3, 2016

im thinking rm 750i as its a small case cable managment is an issue and i can monitor it with corsair link also im looking too upgrade to sli 980tis soon

thanks for the help i will get a new one and see how it goes

Strange Burning Smell From PC Under Load

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