PSU Burning smell during stress test

I've just been stress testing my new i5 setup running at 4ghz and I noticed a bit of burning smell during the Linx test.

I'm guessing it's the PSU (500w Seasonic). What do you think? Time for a new one?

 

I assume your CPU temperatures are all in order?

What makes you say it's the PSU? Don't guess when replacing faulty components - diagnose.

 

psu yes lol i had that problem b4 and about a week later smoke and fire was comming out the psu XD i never seen me run and unplug a computer so fast

 

Maximum CPU temperature recored by coretemp was 72 degrees, so I don't think it's that. And the top of the PSU did feel quite warm.

I also think that a 500w PSU might be pushing it a little bit for an overclocked i5 and a 4870.

 

na, the wattage of that supply is plenty considering its a seasonic, anything more than 500W is usually required for crossfire or Sli setups.

If its a fresh build then sometimes when it gets warm it gives off a burning smell for a few days, all electronics dose it.

 

The PSU is over 2 years old, but the board, CPU and RAM are new.

I've already done some stress testing when it was running at 3.8ghz and it didn't smell of burning then. It is a bit worrying.

 

give the back of the psu a sniff

 

hm.. well its an old psu - is there a lot of dust inside the psu? that might cause the problem..

 

There's no dust inside it or the PC really.

I guess it could be the age of the PSU, but I don't use the PC that much, probably a few hours a week for gaming.

I'll see if it starts to smell again after I build it into my new case coming today.

 

it might not look as if its got dust in it, but after 2 years unless you live in a clean room, its got dust caked around the bases of caps, and other wonderful electronics that blocks the airflow.

I wouldn't worry about it. As i mentioned its most likely the new hardware burn in smell.

 

Checked the PSU as I moved my bits into a new case. There was absolutely no dust inside it at all.

 

Well, disaster has struck.

All the bits are now in my Antec 300 case. Everything was going well temp wise.

There was still a burning smell duing the Prime95 blend test for an hour. Then I ran a Linx test and after the 3rd run the computer shut off and now it won't power on.

Something's definitely dead.

 

Just tried the PSU on my old Q6600 and board, works fine. Guess it must be this **** Gigabyte board.

 

rats ! so it was the board ? Guess prime 95 must work it pretty hard.

 

Yep, I almost feel guilty for blaming my faithful Seasonic PSU now.

I never really liked my Gigabyte board anyway, or Gigabyte boards in general. I only got it because it was on the recommended list in Custom PC.

I'm thinking about spending an extra £20 and getting the ASUS P7P55D. At least it has heatsinks on its power circuitry.

 

I can recommend the P7P55D LE

 

What giga board was it bestseany?

 

And I can recommend the P35-DS3L

 

wouldnt be terribly useful in an i5 system though...

 

Every maker has a odd duff board.

Dont cast giga aside, they make boards every bit as good as asus