Burning smell + dead computer = PSU problem?

DimensionM

DimensionM

DimensionM

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Joined
18 Jan 2013
Posts
6
Hi guys,

I noticed a strange burning smell while gaming on my aging rig. This was quickly followed by my computer dying, and it is now a large paperweight. Am I right to assume this is due to an expired PSU?

The PSU is the oldest part of my rig, and the smell does seem to be coming from there.

As a follow on question, I'm going to upgrade my GPU in addition to the PSU. Was thinking of a Gigabyte GTX 760, and I'm wondering if that would be compatible with a Corsair 600w PSU(2013 gamer series, 80 plus bronze) - and if both of these would work with my old ASUS M5A78L motherboard?

Sorry for so many questions, a big thanks in advance for an answer to any of these!

Cheers guys...
 
Chances are the PSU has failed, you should remove it from your PC and check to confirm.

Onto your next question, first up you board will run that GTX760 just fine and while a 600w PSU might work just fine for me it is on the limit. You would have little spare capacity to add anything else such as another hdd and if you decided to go SLI a 600w PSU won't cut it.

My recommendation would be one of these Seasonics.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-SS&groupid=701&catid=123

If your on a budget then try

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-054-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

A good PSU will give long service without the hassle of random crashes so its worth doing some research.
 
Thanks a lot for your helpful advice. As I am indeed on a budget, I'll prob go for the second PSU you linked. I knew I was on the edge with my current PSU (purchased 4 years ago in Beijing) and I'd like to avoid a similar meltdown in future.

Thanks also for confirming the hardware compatibility. Guess it's time to pull out the credit card....
 
Yes sounds like your PSU has died.

600w is PLENTY for a single GTX 760. You really dont need 850w, that is just overkill.
 
Even a good quality 450 would be fine for that setup. No idea what RHS is on about. I would personally go for a 650 just for future proofing (adding another GPU etc) but thats just me.
 
The 760 I have just bought draws something a little like 180W MAX. **** knows what RHS has been snorting.

I have i5 2500k, 8GB RAM, several hard drives and SLI 460's atm and my 750W is fine (touch wood).
 
Cheers guys for the tips.

I ended up doing a little research as RHS suggested, and settled on a Corsair Enthusiast Series 750w - which hopefully will future-proof me a little. Picked up another 500g HDD while I was at it.

Now to go hunting for a GIGABYTE gtx760 - looks like OC are sold out till Aug!
Might also pick up an AMD fx 6300 (currently using an Phenom II 945)
Funny how something like a burnt out PSU can "force" you to into that long-delayed pc overhaul ;)
 
RHS said:
Chances are the PSU has failed, you should remove it from your PC and check to confirm.

Onto your next question, first up you board will run that GTX760 just fine and while a 600w PSU might work just fine for me it is on the limit. You would have little spare capacity to add anything else such as another hdd and if you decided to go SLI a 600w PSU won't cut it.

My recommendation would be one of these Seasonics.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-SS&groupid=701&catid=123

If your on a budget then try

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-054-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

A good PSU will give long service without the hassle of random crashes so its worth doing some research.
Click to expand...

Krisali said:
Yes sounds like your PSU has died.

600w is PLENTY for a single GTX 760. You really dont need 850w, that is just overkill.
Click to expand...

DimensionM said:
Cheers guys for the tips.

I ended up doing a little research as RHS suggested, and settled on a Corsair Enthusiast Series 750w - which hopefully will future-proof me a little. Picked up another 500g HDD while I was at it.

Now to go hunting for a GIGABYTE gtx760 - looks like OC are sold out till Aug!
Might also pick up an AMD fx 6300 (currently using an Phenom II 945)
Funny how something like a burnt out PSU can "force" you to into that long-delayed pc overhaul ;)
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend the Corsair PSU's. Too many issues with then developing funny noises and faults.

Your best bet would be to get one of the following:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Silverstone Strider Plus 750W Modular '80 Plus Silver' Power Supply (ST75F-P) £109.99
1 x Seasonic G series 650w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £99.98
1 x XFX Pro Series 750W XXX Edition Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £85.99
1 x Enermax Triathlor FC 650w '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply (ETA650AWT-M) £85.99
1 x BeQuiet Pure Power L8 630W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply - With 120mm Silent Wing Fan Built in £79.99
Total : £474.55 (includes shipping : £10.50).



I've tried to keep the options as modular.
 
I disagree, the return rate on them is probably very low, it's just because people wouldn't post that there's nothing wrong with it ;) I have one, absolutely fine.
 
Hyburnate said:
I disagree, the return rate on them is probably very low, it's just because people wouldn't post that there's nothing wrong with it ;) I have one, absolutely fine.
Click to expand...

On top of that aren't the non i corsair units oem seasonic anyway (same as xfx) ? So they shouldn't be an issue. I have an 860i which is flextronics, but the thing is solid as hell but is way over budget for this spec.

In all likelyhood be it seasonic, corsair or xfx your likely to end up with a more than decent psu so it's probably just a price consideration between the 3.
 
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