I've been having a bit of a scare with my PC recently. Everything was running smoothly with normal temperatures and no crashes, but I started to notice a faint burning or hot plastic smell when my system was under load. When I took a closer look, I spotted very small dark marks on the PSU power connector pins. They're not melted, just some discoloration. I also heard a faint crackling sound early on when the PC was brand new.
I'm using an older power strip that has been powering household appliances for about two years. Now, I'm confused about whether this is a problem with the PSU itself, an issue with the cable or connection, or if my power strip could be causing some resistance under load.
Should I stop using my current setup? Do I need to replace the PSU, buy a new power strip and cable, or is it safe to keep using things short-term?
1 Answer
Honestly, I recommend you take the PSU out and stop using it until you can replace it. That burning smell and the discoloration on the power connector could lead to a fire hazard if you continue using it. It's better to be safe than sorry!
What do you think caused it to get to this point? My first PSU failed suddenly, and now I’m worried about this one too.