Loud Pop and Spark from PC while turned off

Nathaniel McKeegan

Nathaniel McKeegan

Nathaniel McKeegan

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Joined
29 Jan 2021
Posts
8
Hi All

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some advise.

I recently got a new computer from OC because my last one blew up on me. The PSU went pop and wouldn't turned back on. i replaced the PSU and everything was okay for a month or so and then smoke started coming from the case one day, after that i decided to just buy new.

I've had the new computer since early Feb and last night at around 1:30am while the computer was off, i was asleep and was woken in quite a scare to a loud pop.
My partner was awake feeding the baby and she confirmed it was from the PC and she saw a light from the back as if it was a spark. This sounds like a PSU issue again to me.
The only thing that was on was my wireless headset which was plugged in via usb to the back. The PC itself though was NOT switched on.

I'm deeply concerned now about the safety of the PC, if it damaged anything and going to start smoking again etc.. i tried turning it on this morning and it switched on fine, went to the desktop no problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
If I understand rightly, this is your third psu to fail? If so then surely there must be something wrong with the wiring in your house or the lead/extension cable you are powering it from. As this was a OCUK PC it wasn't a crappy Kolink psu was it? What make and model psu's have failed and what is the spec of the pc they are powering? At least the pc is still under warranty so you should post in the customer services section (very top of the forum) to get a RMA started.
 
Second PSU issue, the replacement one in the old PC had no issue the smoke was coming from somewhere else.

My current PC has a Kolink PSU yes, i understand these PSUs aren't great but to go after a month or so is abit much... The PC turns on fine so i dont think the PSU is completely gone. the spec of the PC is I5 10400F, GTX 2070, 32GB RAM.

The only thing i can think of as well is dodgey wiring in the house as the extension lead i brought was quite a new surge protector one to try and stop what happened last time.
 
For a start I would stop using your current PSU, it might start up fine but if it's caused sparks in the past it could be a hazard and at best might still end up causing damage to your components. What is the exact make and model (including wattage) of your Kolink PSU?

I'd highly recommend getting someone out to check your wiring.
 
I'll look into replacing the PSU as soon as possible, im not great with PC components though so changing these things i struggle with. I have to use the PC for work as well though really its not an option to stop using it but now you've worried me lol
The PSU is 700W 80Plus Rated PSU (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/koli...80-plus-certified-power-supply-ca-05u-kk.html) this one here.

We will defo get people out to check the wiring.

Thanks!
 
That is just cheap and nasty garbage. It's not really a 700w psu and only has 576w on the 12v rail and I would be surprised if it would even manage that. The interior components are the cheapest of the cheap and are barely a step above a generic unbranded psu. OCUK uses them in their builds because they get them for next to nothing but I presonally feel that they should be using quality psu's in their pre built PC's not these garbage Kolink's. We have had people posting about these Core series and the KL series which are supposedly a step up being dead on arrival, blowing up when first turned on and others failing within a week or two. There is no quality in them and the best place for them is in the bin. Don't use it as it could fail completely and take the rest of your system with it.
 
Nathaniel McKeegan said:
Thank you for the recommendation, is 650W enough for a 3070 and an I5 10400F? I'm looking to update my CPU with a new AIO cooler when i can, can i push it to 750? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Do you have a 2070 or 3070? For the former 550W is ample, I doubt your build is pulling more than 400-450w under load. I don't think the 3070 uses much more power, although requirements start ramping up for the likes of the 3080-3090. That said, going for a 650-750W unit will give you more headroom and allow for certain upgrade options.

What heatsink do you currently have?
 
The 550W should be fine, but for the sake of an extra tenner I'd go for the 650W Seasonic.

Are you having problems with your CPU temps? If not I wouldn't bother, you're not going to gain anything outside a neater looking build.
 
Nathaniel McKeegan said:
Where do i find an RMA number?
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If you contact them with your order number and an explanation of the problem, they'll give you the RMA number and instructions on how to get the machien back to them (assuming they'll agree to look at it).

For example, my latest (albeit a while ago now) post in there is calle 'Possible Faulty PSU' and in the post I explained my issue and gave my order numebr so they could find it. I was then given an RMA number so I could ship the PSU back for testing / replacement.

As you purchased a full build, you'll probably have to send it all back - which makes sense as you'd want multiple components checking.

If you feel like an upgrade, it could be worth asking if they'll upgrade the PSU for a cost difference over the Kolink - never hurts to try! :) (worst they can say is no)
 
Nathaniel McKeegan said:
Second PSU issue, the replacement one in the old PC had no issue the smoke was coming from somewhere else.

My current PC has a Kolink PSU yes, i understand these PSUs aren't great but to go after a month or so is abit much... The PC turns on fine so i dont think the PSU is completely gone. the spec of the PC is I5 10400F, GTX 2070, 32GB RAM.

The only thing i can think of as well is dodgey wiring in the house as the extension lead i brought was quite a new surge protector one to try and stop what happened last time.
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honest bud people will bring up that psu every single time you post an issue in here lol
 
EsaT said:
You should be worried about the safety of your house, if you keep using cheap PSUs.
https://www.theregister.com/2012/11/26/exploding_computer_vs_reg_reader/
There just isn't any guarantee that makers of such garbages don't cost cut safety regulation compliance.

Yuu should have OcUK upgrade PSU to one actually designed to be reliable and safe even if you have to pay some difference.
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this is the kind of post youd have to get used to OP and it won't change. garbage psus are fire hazzards. esp in gaming/high draw rigs
 
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