My PSU smells funny!

[square pusher]

Yeh....

Ok so I bought my TRUEPOWER 2.0 from OC in may with my yearly upgrade in MAY, I was told to make sure and have a decent PSU as it is really the heart of the computer, I was reccomended the Antec TruePower 2.0 430W and it should be good for what I was planning on upgrading too.

So its been fine up until now, there is a smell looming around my room, I narrowed it down to my PC and I began to panic, with close sniffing I narrowed it down to my PSU. I blew all the dust out (without opening for warranty) and their was alot of dust to say the least.

It still brings out the smell, I cannot quiet describe the smell as I havnt really had a problem like this or I dont remember an electrical burning smell but it smells like burning of plastic. I have looked inside and cannot see any damage (although their is this white "stuff" around the cables to keep them in place and in some places it looks like it's been almost dripping, Im not sure if it was like that when I bought that or it is down to over heating.

Now I am unsure what to do, I do not have a replacment for the time being and I dont want it conking out and taking some other hardware with it! (althogh this is'nt meant to happen after some research it still does apprently!)

So whats the situation with this PSU? is it on its way out? is it dangerous? (my comp is on all day) and will I be able to get replacement or a repair from Antec for this?

I would appreciate help, I've done some looking up on it and it looks most of the time it dies, but I am just wanting to know my options and if I should be using the comp.

My specs are as follows:
AMD 64 3500
ASUS A8N-SLI mobo
2 gig 3200 RAM
ASUS 7900GT
180gig SATA2 HDD
1 PCI firewire card
2 DVD/ DVD RW

I think its also worth pointing out that it has been fine from may until now, I recently put in the 180 gig SATA2 drive and the PCI FIREWIRE card ( I upgraded the HDD from a 40gig IDE). So I'm not sure if this is the cause and I have exceeded the limit of power.

link to the PSU: http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=17431

Thank you!

 

[Bbq]

Depending on the environment, I am willing to put money on it being the fuhjyyu caps going. I'd try a non-antec psu and rma the current one, and sell it when it comes back.

 

[Predator_CITF]

2GB of RAM and a 7900GT look a bit too much for even a 430W PSU. You should probably have 500W just to be safe. But then, it's Antec, it's a good brand but you just might've gotten a bad product. Call up Antec and get an RMA.

 

[nobody_here]

i vote RMA before it pops, which can potentially take other system components with the PSU when it goes

 

[wee96]

2GB of RAM and a 7900GT look a bit too much for even a 430W PSU

What? lol

 

[Farva]

What? lol

It uses more amperage than what the PSU can provide (or right at its limit).

 

[square pusher]

So basically I shouldnt use my comp until i can get it fixed from antec?

I should be able to get this thing sort of coverd since it does seem to be faulty.

Also, whats this RMA thing? I have never had to do this lol.

 

[Farva]

So basically I shouldnt use my comp until i can get it fixed from antec?

I should be able to get this thing sort of coverd since it does seem to be faulty.

Also, whats this RMA thing? I have never had to do this lol.

I would suggest to not use it. RMA = Return Merchandise Authorization. Call up the place you bought it and see if you can get a refund, if not, call Antec and get it replaced.

 

[bigredcat]

I would not use your computer, unless you want to start a thread in the motherboard section about something smelling funny.

I have never had good luck with Antecs. They all have seemed to die after a few months, and sound much like your problem. Sounds like the transformers are burning up. Which can cause unreliable power, and in return damage equipment.

An RMA is when you call up whom ever you bought it from, and they send you a new one. If its still under the window. I forget what it is for PSUs. You could always contact Antec and see what they say about returning it.

I no longer buy Antec, due to the high volume of PSU failures I have seen from them. Thats just me though I guess. I would recomend atleast a 550W PSU, but I like to play it safe with more than enough.

 

[square pusher]

Thanks for the replies

I think I will RMA it (thanks for tell me what that is from the place I orderd it as they seem to provide support from one year and hopefully get a replacment.

for now I am on another comp, I might buy a cheap 500W PSU to do me for a couple of weeks so I can access and do work over the holidays until I get it sorted.

 

[BinarySynapse]

Ok, sorry I have nothing useful to add as everyone has already said what needs to be said. But I had to laugh at the title. I transposed the S and U in PSU. I had to read it two times before I figured it out.

 

[Farva]

Thanks for the replies

I think I will RMA it (thanks for tell me what that is from the place I orderd it as they seem to provide support from one year and hopefully get a replacment.

for now I am on another comp, I might buy a cheap 500W PSU to do me for a couple of weeks so I can access and do work over the holidays until I get it sorted.

Do not use cheap PSUs! They can fry your components pretty easily. I would rather use an Antec over a CompUSA or other generic PSA any day of the week.

 

[MrFace]

2GB of RAM and a 7900GT look a bit too much for even a 430W PSU. You should probably have 500W just to be safe. But then, it's Antec, it's a good brand but you just might've gotten a bad product. Call up Antec and get an RMA.

430w is more than enough.

 

[BinarySynapse]

430w is more than enough.

wattage doesn't matter when you're drawing 350w from the 12v but the PSU put 275w of it's max on the 3.3v and 5v rails. In other words, it's the amperage that tells more about a PSU than wattage.

 

[Farva]

430w is more than enough.

Yes but how about the amperage? Is that enough? What if the PSU really is faulty? Then you do need to RMA it anyway.

 

[MrFace]

Yes but how about the amperage? Is that enough? What if the PSU really is faulty? Then you do need to RMA it anyway.

I dont doubt the PSU could be faulty, but a good PSU rated at 430w should be fine for his setup. Mine should have died a long time ago if not

 

[BinarySynapse]

I dont doubt the PSU could be faulty, but a good PSU rated at 430w should be fine for his setup. Mine should have died a long time ago if not

LIke I said, it depends on how the PSU distributes it's power. Going on wattage is like rating your car's fastest speed without taking considering of what speed the tires will shred apart. (e.g car is capable of 175MPH but your 128MPG rated tires)

 

[Farva]

I dont doubt the PSU could be faulty, but a good PSU rated at 430w should be fine for his setup. Mine should have died a long time ago if not

So you have never had a PSU fail on you? I have and that was because I put a lot more stress on it than it should have ever been on. This was also when I barely understood PCs.

 

[square pusher]

So I basically should'nt get a cheap PSU to use for atleast a week?

I am looking at this http://www.mpc-direct.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=501 to use for atleast two weeks... it is very very cheap - but I should think that it would only be a bad idea if I were to use this permenantly but after I recieve my replacment Antec I can use this cheap PSU as a backup if ever needed again. Or is it a real big risk getting a cheap PSU for a couple of weeks? I could really do with getting some work done over the holidays, without having ti fish out for a new psu, mobo or any other components.

 

[BinarySynapse]

MTBF 50,000 Hours @ 25 degrees

What PSU runs at 25c? I guess it means that as long as your don't run it'll last 50,000hrs?

PS: Cheap blingy PSU's are usually all bling.

 

[Farva]

So I basically should'nt get a cheap PSU to use for atleast a week?

I am looking at this http://www.mpc-direct.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=501 to use for atleast two weeks... it is very very cheap - but I should think that it would only be a bad idea if I were to use this permenantly but after I recieve my replacment Antec I can use this cheap PSU as a backup if ever needed again. Or is it a real big risk getting a cheap PSU for a couple of weeks? I could really do with getting some work done over the holidays, without having ti fish out for a new psu, mobo or any other components.

I have never heard of that PSU, I would stay away from it.

What PSU runs at 25c? I guess it means that as long as your don't run it'll last 50,000hrs?

PS: Cheap blingy PSU's are usually all bling.

Most PSUs advertise at 25c so it looks like they have more power than they reall do. P P&C advertises at (I believe) 50c. So imagine what they could advertise at 25c?!

 

[BinarySynapse]

I have never heard of that PSU, I would stay away from it.



Most PSUs advertise at 25c so it looks like they have more power than they reall do. P P&C advertises at (I believe) 50c. So imagine what they could advertise at 25c?!

Oh I know, it just struck me as funny that it was listed like it was a major feature.

 

[Farva]

Oh I know, it just struck me as funny that it was listed like it was a major feature.

I don't see where it says it as a major feature. I see it as MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure). I like how it is ATX capable with 1.3 and 2.03. (If I am wrong, excuse my ignorance here --> ) Since when has any PSU been capable between those 2 standards?

 

[square pusher]

OK - I am pretty confused on returning this.

Stupid nooby question I guess but I wont know until I ask - Who should I go to for a refund? Antec or OverClockers (where i bought it from) ?

 

[Farva]

OK - I am pretty confused on returning this.

Stupid nooby question I guess but I wont know until I ask - Who should I go to for a refund? Antec or OverClockers (where i bought it from) ?

If you can, return it to OverClockers for a full refund and get something better. Otherwise, see if they will take it back for RMA and send you a new one. If they will not because it is out of its return time, then contact Antec.

 

[Rabid Badger]

So I basically should'nt get a cheap PSU to use for atleast a week?

I am looking at this http://www.mpc-direct.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=501 to use for atleast two weeks... it is very very cheap - but I should think that it would only be a bad idea if I were to use this permenantly but after I recieve my replacment Antec I can use this cheap PSU as a backup if ever needed again. Or is it a real big risk getting a cheap PSU for a couple of weeks? I could really do with getting some work done over the holidays, without having ti fish out for a new psu, mobo or any other components.

For the love of God do not put that thing in your computer.

Check this one out. Not too pricey, good brand and will push your system just fine.

 

[venm11]

Hey man.. just squirt some Drakkar in there

 

[Bbq]

If you like burning smell, go with the cheapo 16 £ psu.

Since you are in the UK, and that power supply costs 46£ at scan, try this for only 32£. Then once you get the antec back, sell it.

 

[Crosshairs]

What PSU runs at 25c? .

Plenty of them...just so long as you don't turn them on

 

[square pusher]

haha thank you for all your help, after many opnions I wont be buying that cheap PSU now, I'll go with Rabid Badger and Bbq and get a half decent one with a good brand I know will tide me over until I can sell it.

It isnt worth the risk!

 

[Farva]

haha thank you for all your help, after many opnions I wont be buying that cheap PSU now, I'll go with Rabid Badger and Bbq and get a half decent one with a good brand I know will tide me over until I can sell it.

It isnt worth the risk!

*applauds* Thank you for taking our advise. We would have hated to see you come back and complain your entire system fried because of a crappy PSU.

 

[Lone_Star_Lynch]

Check out my specs. I have two hard drives, a dvd drive, and a floppy drive, and also the same PSU. Although maybe a 7900 is too much for the PSU, it's given me nothing but good. They have the same PSU in a 550 watt version I believe. I guess I was too late though

 

[nobody_here]

What PSU runs at 25c? I guess it means that as long as your don't run it'll last 50,000hrs?

PS: Cheap blingy PSU's are usually all bling.

yeah, pretty much, rule of thumb for me is the prettier looking a PSU is, the lower quality components it has inside, the highest quality PSU's are also the ugliest PSU's to the common consumer, set a PCP&C PSU next to an "Aspire Super Clear body UV lights and bling" PSU and they will choose the pretty one over the better one any day