So I'm fairly alarmed by this for obvious reasons, and have stopped using it for the time being.

Basically a few weeks back I first noticed this on a very hot day, and I assumed it was probably because of the heat, checked the pc temp, noticed it was high, and turned it off until later that night. It stopped producing that smell from that point forward and I carried on as usual.

Then earlier tonight, I noticed the smell again, this is almost a month later, and not on a particularly hot day. The PC temp was also well within reason, but I turned the computer off all the same.

My questions are: What generally would cause these "symptoms" for the computer, and what are potential reasons it would it go away for me for nearly a month as it did in my case. Also, more importantly, what should I do in response to this? It's also worth noting that the PC's performance seems entirely uneffected, but obviously there wouldn't be a burning smell for no reason.

Anyway, I appreciate any help, yet again.

This post was edited by shinigami on Sep 5 2016 01:44am

Saw from your other topic, your house has bad electrical. So we know that.
What we don't know is what computer parts you have...so...

And please list the power supply, make/model too.

/e The age of the computer would help as well.





Get SPECCY here: http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download
...get the FREE version from the: Piriform Link
...Speccy is a really nice system hardware/temperature, information Utility.
...simply install it...and run the program...then post a screen shot of the main page of the program, when posting a problem/question on these forums.

This post was edited by Ghot on Sep 5 2016 04:56am

---Operating System
Windows 8.1 64-bit
---CPU
AMD FX-6300
Vishera 32nm Technology
---RAM
8.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
---Motherboard
MSI 970A-G46 (MS-7693) (CPU 1)
---Graphics
Acer S202HL (1600x900@60Hz)
E241-A1 (1920x1080@60Hz)
2048MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series (XFX Pine Group)
---Storage
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00KUWA0 ATA Device (SATA)
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00KUWA0 ATA Device (SATA)
---Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NSB0 ATA Device
---Audio
AMD High Definition Audio Device

This was from a previous Speccy run, I haven't changed anything since then. I apologize for not listing this to start with, but this list lacks the power supply info which I know is important. Do you know of an easier way to find that info than cracking open the case itself? I could boot it up again if i need to look somewhere for the power supply info (was using a different computer after I noticed the smell) but I wasn't sure if that would risk further damage at all.

Built the computer about 1.5-2 years ago IIRC.

>msi 970a g46

theres ur issue
probably a leaked/busted capacitor on your board

edit: especially since no performance loss or power issues etc, but still a burning smell
i had a similar issue with my gigabyte ud3p board.

This post was edited by sayaka on Sep 5 2016 06:14am

Interesting, so this specific motherboard is known for this then? Also if it is the cause, would using the PC in the meantime cause further damage, or risk other components etc? Is it something that can be fixed or I just need to outright replace the motherboard (and if so, any clue what to replace it with?)

Thanks for the reply as well.

For the power supply...naw. Just gotta open the case.

w/o knowing what PSU you have...

...and it only happens on hot days...and rarely...

Could be thermal compound, on CPU, GPU, motherboard.
Could be power supply...straining in the heat.
Could be almost anything.

One of the reasons we ask for Speccy screenshot is to see the temps. We ask for power supply make/model, so we know if it is well made or a just enough power supply.

This is the Speccy screen shot we will need.... Also, an out of date one is kinda useless for a heat-smell issue.







If you have two sticks of RAM...you have one of them in the wrong slot...











Generally heat-smell issues would be the power supply, vid card, or the mobo.
Sometimes a monitor will make that smell also. Could be just the thermal compound ...somewhere...or it could be a component going bad.


Not really much to worry about, unless you have high temps, or a wimpy power supply.


/e Just start saving some money.


/ee No, your motherboard is not specifically known for having bad caps. That can happen on pretty much any motherboards. Cheaper motherboards, more often.

This post was edited by Ghot on Sep 5 2016 06:34am

hmm, all righty. If you think there isn't too much to worry about, then I'll hook my main PC up again and then Screenshot the speccy for you soon. If I'm to open the case, given that my house has carpetting and I know that can cause static issues, what should I do to be safe in that regard if you don't mind my asking? Also if I'm gonna open the case, is there anything else in specific I should be looking at in terms of relevant info? Like should I sniff various parts as silly as that sounds? lol.

I was just super worried because I had a Laptop once that literally died a day after I smelled that, and when I smelled it again for this PC, I had PTSD about it

Oh yeah and on the topic of the RAM, I'm not even sure if I have two sticks or not, you probably have a better idea than me from what the speccy report said. I had someone else put it together, and got the parts list from people on this forum, but if it is in the wrong spot, that's interesting to say the least...

This post was edited by shinigami on Sep 5 2016 06:54am

Ptsd made me laugh

Look for bulging capacitor on the devices

With all the air flow in a case...smelling for the problem, probably won't work.

For static charge...just touch naked metal part of case.
Opening a case isn't rocket science.

/e There MAY be bulging/leaking capacitors, around the CPU area. It could also just be some other component going bad...from age.

Generally burning-electric smells come from components with high voltages...like the power supply. This is why I would like to know make and model.


/ee Even too much dust, can cause a burning smell.

This post was edited by Ghot on Sep 5 2016 11:23am

Opened case

Power Supply info -
Active PFC
Model NO. ZU750W(X4)
Input 110-240 10/5A 60/50Hz

Looks like only one stick of RAM is in there

I didn't notice any of the capaciters looking damaged or leaky, but honestly, I wasn't sure what to specifically look for. None of them stood out from the rest regardless in any major way.

There is a fair bit of dust and I don't have any compressed air unfortunately, but it's not like, massively caked on. It is definitely dusty though.

As for the smell test, the power supply itself seemed to stand out from the rest in terms of retaining that smell after a solid 18+ hours of the computer being turned off, but like you said, that might be meaningless info, it's not scientific in the least haha.

Anything else important I should check out before I plug it back in for the speccy screenshot?

This post was edited by shinigami on Sep 5 2016 03:02pm