burnt smell coming out of my pc build

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

While my kid used the PC, he smelled something that just got burnt. We shut down the PC immediately and opened a window to vent it.

Although I shut down the computer, I didn't take it out of the electrical socket.

After a while, the room fuse popped.

I disconnected the PSU from the socket, raised the electric fuse in the fuse box, and the electricity returned to normal.

 

I decided to open the computer, which is dusty, to try and identify what component burnt away.

I couldn't find the exact source, so I tried to power on the machine again to see if I could spot any failing parts.

It seems that the PSU fan is working on and off, and I saw the other computer fans are also jerky.

I use an old tower Antec case with seven 120mm fans.

Also, the RGB lights did light up; they are connected to the motherboard.

 

I suspect that the PSU is failing. I have a Corsair RM850x.

As this is a new-ish build, like 4 years (I know, for me it's still new-ish), i hope that PSU is the problem.

How can i determine that the PSU is the problem, so i could only need to replace it.
also i know i will need to replace my case, as its time.
If the RGB lights that are connect to the motherboard are working means that it's not compromised ? should i try and disconnect the PSU and just run it with no other comppenet 
connected to it so i see if i see the fan failing again ? 

It's an Intel i7 10th gen PC with 32GB memory DDR4.

 

[strange13930]

my guess is that you popped your power supply, what was you kid doing when he smelt the smoke?

[thekingofmonks]

Also care to give us the full specs?

[PDifolco]

If the board light up and fans are spinning then the PSU does work...

But the PC doesn't post ? Do you have error LEDs on the board ?

[Sawa Takahashi]

3 hours ago, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

raised the electric fuse in the fuse box

Can you specify what you mean by "raise the electric fuse" ?

If it means resetting a breaker, that's ok. If it means using a bigger amperage fuse, then are setting the stage for an imminent house fire.

3 hours ago, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

Although I shut down the computer, I didn't take it out of the electrical socket.

After a while, the room fuse popped.

Unless you flipped the power switch on the PSU (if it has one), it was still receiving power. Unplug it just to make sure.

3 hours ago, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

should i try and disconnect the PSU and just run it with no other comppenet 
connected to it so i see if i see the fan failing again ? 

It may or may not do something depending on the failure point. Just don't plug that PSU again, it has become a fire hazard.

3 hours ago, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

How can i determine that the PSU is the problem, so i could only need to replace it.
also i know i will need to replace my case, as its time.

Best way is to use another PSU. Even if you fried some components (like the motherboard), a good PSU should be protected and survive easily. Take time to test if the computer boots with the new PSU and if all runs well, you should be good to go.

BTW, you should clean the dust before installing a new PSU. It will help longevity.

 

Good luck !

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

14 hours ago, strange13930 said:

my guess is that you popped your power supply, what was you kid doing when he smelt the smoke?

he was playing fortnite

13 hours ago, thekingofmonks said:

Also care to give us the full specs?

i'm sorry i dont rememeber the full specs. and the full list is on my pc that i dont want to boot until i figured the problem for sure. i cant disassemble it right now.
this is the a semi list:

motherboard: gigabyte z490 aourus pro ax
gpu: asus rtx 3080 (tuf sereis)
2 nvme samsung drives, one 2TB and 500GB (the 2tb is 980 sereis, dotn rememer the second one) 
two sata drives, one is ssd 4GB samsung and the other and hhd.
the memery sticks are kingstone brand
 

13 hours ago, PDifolco said:

If the board light up and fans are spinning then the PSU does work...

But the PC doesn't post ? Do you have error LEDs on the board ?

i didnt attached any external componnets to see if it booted. there is not any other led that i saw on the  board it self on the second run when it half worked.

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

11 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

Can you specify what you mean by "raise the electric fuse" ?

If it means resetting a breaker, that's ok. If it means using a bigger amperage fuse, then are setting the stage for an imminent house fire.

 

yes i meant resseting the breaker.
sorry english is not my main language.
 

11 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

Unless you flipped the power switch on the PSU (if it has one), it was still receiving power. Unplug it just to make sure.

yeah i totaly forgot about that switch at that moment, i believe thats the resean the room breaker poped.

 

 

11 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

It may or may not do something depending on the failure point. Just don't plug that PSU again, it has become a fire hazard.

Best way is to use another PSU. Even if you fried some components (like the motherboard), a good PSU should be protected and survive easily. Take time to test if the computer boots with the new PSU and if all runs well, you should be good to go.

i think you are right there. not to gonna power this PSU on. i would buy a new one. 
i dont know if to buy the same one or something equivalent to it.
 

12 hours ago, Sawa Takahashi said:

BTW, you should clean the dust before installing a new PSU. It will help longevity.

i will rebuild it with a new case. it's time to move on. and ofcourse im gonna clean it beforehand. 
need to use compressed air to clean that.

i sure need some suggestion for a new case and a new psu.
 

[Sawa Takahashi]

11 hours ago, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

i sure need some suggestion for a new case and a new psu.

That depends on where you live and the sales price of cases and PSUs.

For the case, I'd purchase one with a good price that has all the features I need. There are many cases under CDN$100 that fit my needs.

As for the PSU, I seen many Seasonic, Corsair, Thermaltake, MSI all about the same price. The choice is really yours. Make sure there is a good warranty.

Have a nice day !

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

Thanks.

 

I will search for a case that fits my GPU and board. I do have a Blu ray burner in my case but didn't use it for years. Need to think if I need a case with 5.25 bay still.

 

One thing I notice today when examining the PC. The GPU is saging a bit. It got me thinking maybe it have faulty connection and maybe that it got fried and not the psu.

 

Tomorrow I will gonna disassemble the case, after Ill get some compress air spray to clean the inside and get some boxes to store the parts.

[Blue4130]

On 2/14/2025 at 10:57 PM, Itaib_at_Barmor said:

 

I suspect that the PSU is failing. I have a Corsair RM850x.

As this is a new-ish build, like 4 years (I know, for me it's still new-ish), i hope that PSU is the problem.

Should still be under warranty. I'd contact corsair.

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

1 hour ago, Blue4130 said:

Should still be under warranty. I'd contact corsair.

i would check it, but i dought it as in my country the max warrenty of psu that i have seen is 3 years.
not even sure if they have an offical representor.

thsnk you

[Itaib_at_Barmor]

thanks to all you guys here.
it was under warnenty, bearly, and i will get the new shift version of the rm850x as a replacmenet.