New system , Burning smell, Power goes out

2 mos. old system, and I smelled something burning but no smoke.

I checked system temps (fine) checked cpu temp (32, fine) it got worse and worse and then power goes completely out.

I took out the PSU and could smell it in their pretty good. This 480w PSU came with the Case I wanted and it has no brand name at all.

Think its just a really bad PSU?

My system is an AMD 64 , 3500
2 GIG
200gb HD
256 mb nVidea

I am running a blue Cathode light also.

Still though, 480w should be fine right?

 

480 Watts should be more than enough, but I don't trust those dodgy power supplies that come with computer cases. I hope for your sake that PSU ruined only itself. Replace that PSU with a GOOD brand. You should have one over 400 watts for that system. Good luck!

 

Absolutely, Positively...DO NOT use that power supply again!! If you want to have some fun...Drop kick it out the window!!!!

Like capn_caveman said...hopefully it ruined itself before it hurt anything else!!

It is not uncommon for those generic psu to go bad right out of the box!! You've got too much tied up in that system to not be running a good quality psu!!

Roger

 

What has been stated about generic power supplies is for the most part correct. The quality is suspect in many of them. To get a better idea of how capable one is you need to look at the oututs specified for the different power rails. You will find big differences from brand to brand, even though the total rating may be the same. If you have to replace one, go with a name brand such as Enermax, Antec, or such. Having said that, the vast majority of computers run on generic PSUs, and even the name brands have failures. Stores that have been in business for a long time will have ones that have been proven over time, even if they are not a major name brand.

 

I actually was checking the temps about 5 minutes before it ttoally went dead.

What can the PSU do to destroy the MOBO?

 

Any kind of unstable power current or surge or drop, etc. can cause a number problems with the circuitry and built in components on the motherboard!!!! And any time something significant enough to cause motherboard problems, can carry over to anything connected to the motherboard, the cpu, add on pci cards, etc!!

Roger

P.S. If you need help finding a good power supply...let us know...someone, i'm sure, will help you!!!

 

The coil can get so hot thats the flux/shellac melts the high voltage coil arc's over to the low voltage giving everything in your system a good 110/240 v dose at about 26/13 amps respectively,then your house will burn down.LOL

 

Rikky...you have definately got a way with words!!!! LOL

For starters I would just get a good PSU and fire it back up with your fingers crossed!! You can always get lucky in the computer world!!


Roger

 

I have no idea what you just said.lol but now I am really, really worried.

It can destroy the MOBO and CPU AT the same time? OMG, that would toally suck.

When I took the PSU out, it was really, really hot.

Again, no smoke or anything, entire CPU just stopped.

I will be beyond pissed if I just ruined $ 700 MOBO and CPU alone.

 

The best thing about it all is,if it does go the psu company will replace the $5 PSU but they wont replace the stuff it took out and even better neither will Amd or the rest of your parts manufactures because they will say,it was because of your psu,thats why a good quality one is a must,I'm sorry for my last post if you dont use the psu again your fine,we'll find you a quality one in your price range!

 

Calm Down Now!!! You might be lucky!!! You won't know until you get a new psu!!

However...where did you buy the case?? And how long ago?? Chances are...if twist around all the warranties, especially for the case and psu...you might find that the warranty and/or guarantee on the psu will replace everything if the psu is at fault!! Exactly how old is all the stuff!!

Roger

 

Sounds like you got it in time dont worry.

 

How soon do you think you can acquire a good quality psu?? Let us now what you come up with!!

Roger

 

Well I tried to turn it back on and It didnt work. I just took the PSU out. The smell got real, real bad in the house and then it just shut off. Like I said, I read the cpu temp and MOBO temp about 5 minutes before when I was trying to figure out what the smell was and the entire system turned off.

 

I got the PSU from Gearbox.com

The whole system is just 2 mos. old.

 

Can you link me to your system on that site?? I seem to be an idiot today...LOL...can't find anything but apple computers on the gearbox.com site!!

Roger

 

I just went under www.gearboxpc.com and the site was fine. Just click under cpmputer cases and mine is the last one at the bottom with the glowing blue lights.

Also, if the MOBO and CPU went, can I get them replaced? my system is less than 2 mos. old and I bought it from Newegg.com.

I didnt realize that it could fry the CPU also, I heard some MOB'S could get fried, but the CPU itself?

 

Contact Newegg, maybe that crappy PSU is covered by warranty?
But I would upgarde to something like Antec.
Buy a good PSU.