Eggy smell coming from PC? PSU?

Could be any number of components really!

Visually inspect any caps for leakage or swelling on the motherboard and GPU.

Is your cooling up to scratch? Install Open Hardware Monitor and check your temps.
 
Philtor said:
Could be any number of components really!

Visually inspect any caps for leakage or swelling on the motherboard and GPU.

Is your cooling up to scratch? Install Open Hardware Monitor and check your temps.
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Temps of CPU is highest 60's, I will monitor the GPU temps when I'm on there tomorrow but also open up the case and have a closer inspection.. Cheers for the reply
 
How old is the PSU? Again, open up the PSU and check for bulging or leaking capacitors - any sign of either, replace the PSU unless you feel confident in replacing the capacitors yourself.
 
Brizzles said:
If you are going to be opening up a PSU for inspection, unplug it then WAIT and hour for it to discharge, before you stick your fingers/screwdriver in it.
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wait longer, those caps hold a LOT of charge and they will electrocute you. unless you are knowing what you are upto then I highly recommend not touching capacitors
 
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Leaky caps would be my guess too. Have a look around for any that are domed - the top of them isn’t flat, and has started to swell.

You could look inside the PSU, but I’m not sure I’d recommend working in there. It’s risky business without the specialist knowledge and equipment required.
 
Can't imagine what electrical component would give off a sulphide smell but concur PSU is most likely don't open it just sniff if its strongest there discard it theres no user serviceable parts inside infact potentially dangerous with undischarged caps
 
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Blackjack Davy said:
Can't imagine what electrical component would give off a sulphide smell but concur PSU is most likely don't open it just sniff if its strongest there discard it theres no user serviceable parts inside infact potentially dangerous with undischarged caps
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I vaguely remember smelling an eggy smell when certain capacitors etc have gone in the past, I think it can also be a fishy smell with over heating wiring.

I'd back the PSU as the most likely thing. I had an antec 300 watt psu way back in the day go pop, and from memory there was an eggy smell once it went.

throwaway4372 said:
Also consider if it's a gas leak, they make gas smell eggy on purpose for this reason.
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Possibly although I'd imagine you'd notice it all over the place if that is the case, but having said that I once spent something like 30 minutes trying to locate a fishy/hot smell in the kitchen before I realised it was one of the parts of a light fitting.
In that instance it took a lot of going outside to clear my nose and back in.
 
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Electrician here, Two smells to watch out for.
1) Fishy, This is caused by the release of amides from the heat decomposition of modern electrical insulators & older components like Strip light ballasts.
2) Sulpherous, (Hydrogen sulphide AKA sink bomb) decomposition of glues, pvc insulations, breakers, minature components etc.
Get either of these & you can almost guarentee somthing has or is about to burn out.

9/10 its a old MCB breaker in the fuseboard stinking the house out or a burnt out junction box under a floor
 
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Skully178 said:
If you do decide to open up the PSU, please be very careful. I've always been afraid to mess with PSU stuff.
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It's perfectly fine to open a PSU just to have a look if you have left it an adequate length of time to discharge.
There appears to be no firm answer of how long but I think a couple of hours is fine, but if you're worried a day after it not being on and disconnected will definitely be fine.
 
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