Is it Normal for PSUs to run hot and smell weird?

[ThePUNisher96]

I just upgraded to an Corsair RM 750 and it's tended to run quite hot to the touch and also have an almost burnt electronic-type smell to it when it's on.

 

Is this normal for PSUs? I did open a support ticket with Corsair to see if maybe I could get a replacement unit

[Prodigy_Smit]

4 minutes ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

Is this normal for PSUs?

Not normal. Stop using that right away. Get a replacement and don't try to DIY fix it

[c3dric69]

6 minutes ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

I just upgraded to an Corsair RM 750 and it's tended to run quite hot to the touch and also have an almost burnt electronic-type smell to it when it's on.

 

Is this normal for PSUs? I did open a support ticket with Corsair to see if maybe I could get a replacement unit

Has the fan on your psu enough air? or is it just suffocating? 

[ThePUNisher96]

Just now, c3dric69 said:

Has the fan on your psu enough air? or is it just suffocating? 

There is a vent in the bottom of the case, which is a Fractal Design Focus G and the PSU fan is facing the bottom of the case

[c3dric69]

Just now, ThePUNisher96 said:

There is a vent in the bottom of the case, which is a Fractal Design Focus G and the PSU fan is facing the bottom of the case

Oops; that sucks; does the fan from your psu spin? 

 

[ThePUNisher96]

3 minutes ago, Smit Devrukhkar said:

Not normal. Stop using that right away. Get a replacement and don't try to DIY fix it

It doesn't seem to affect normal operation of the computer, though, and all the other parts seem to be fine, and I'd rather not unwire this and reinstall the non-modular one I have

 

I would instantly replace this one with a new one when I get that one, though

[Tan3l6]

If it gets really hot then RMA.

Though new PSU's tend to smell bad for a while.

[ThePUNisher96]

1 minute ago, c3dric69 said:

Oops; that sucks; does the fan from your psu spin? 

 

I think it does? The PSU does make noise like a fan spinning

[ThePUNisher96]

3 minutes ago, c3dric69 said:

Oops; that sucks; does the fan from your psu spin? 

 

Should I have mounted the PSU so the fan faces up?

[c3dric69]

1 minute ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

Should I have mounted the PSU so the fan faces up?

IdK; SORRIE  

[Tan3l6]

When the PSU is in the bottom (of the case) I'd put it fan-side up, as putting the fan to the floor might result in overheating.

[jj9987]

6 minutes ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

Should I have mounted the PSU so the fan faces up?

If there are vents/airflow holes at the bottom on the case (especially great if there's an extra airfilter there aswell), it doesn't matter which way you install it. More dust could get in the PSU though, as dust could fall in (that comes in with other intake fans), whereas when facing down, dust can only get in when PSU fan is running.

 

This is all assuming a standard tower style case.

[Mateyyy]

12 minutes ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

There is a vent in the bottom of the case, which is a Fractal Design Focus G and the PSU fan is facing the bottom of the case

I assume you didn't put the computer on a carpet or something that might obstruct airflow for the PSU, right?

[ThePUNisher96]

11 minutes ago, Mateyyy said:

I assume you didn't put the computer on a carpet or something that might obstruct airflow for the PSU, right?

It's on a wooden desk

[seon123]

"Hot to the touch" means absolutely nothing. A smell coming from a brand new PSU is common, it's just flux. 

[Biomecanoid]

1 hour ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

I just upgraded to an Corsair RM 750 and it's tended to run quite hot to the touch and also have an almost burnt electronic-type smell to it when it's on.

 

Is this normal for PSUs? I did open a support ticket with Corsair to see if maybe I could get a replacement unit

PSUs may smell only when they are brand new and that is slightly and only for a few minutes

[ThePUNisher96]

2 hours ago, seon123 said:

"Hot to the touch" means absolutely nothing. A smell coming from a brand new PSU is common, it's just flux. 

So I should just try and wait it out a few days to see if the smell goes away entirely?

[Guest]

4 hours ago, seon123 said:

"Hot to the touch" means absolutely nothing. A smell coming from a brand new PSU is common, it's just flux. 

This.

1 hour ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

So I should just try and wait it out a few days to see if the smell goes away entirely?

I'd say for at least a week.

[MaverickBNA]

I still would suggest you replace it immediately. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Go straight to an RMA.

[ThePUNisher96]

9 hours ago, seon123 said:

"Hot to the touch" means absolutely nothing. A smell coming from a brand new PSU is common, it's just flux. 

I should say that it definitely feels more than just a little hot when the PC is under load

[MrBrightSyde]

1 hour ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

I should say that it definitely feels more than just a little hot when the PC is under load

The RM is rated to run with continuous output of it's rated wattage (so 750w for your model) at 50c, or 122F, which would feel hot to the touch as our bodies temperatures are around 98 degrees (37c). Of course, it won't burn you unless the PSU is heated to 71c (which you might already have problems with the PSU well before that point.)

 

In other words, hot to the touch means nothing when it comes to diagnosing whether a PSU is overheating or not. You would need an IR temperature reader to really tell what temperature your PSU is running at.

[seon123]

2 hours ago, ThePUNisher96 said:

I should say that it definitely feels more than just a little hot when the PC is under load

 

11 hours ago, seon123 said:

"Hot to the touch" means absolutely nothing

 

[OrionFOTL]

Whatever feels hot to your biological human fingers doesn't necessarily feel hot to an inanimate machine.

[artuc]

Although have had crappy old PSUs fail that are overheating and are capable of burning you hot.

 

Also smells can be off gassing from materials, same as new thing smell.