I was playing Battlefield V on my gaming PC when the power suddenly went out for everything in my room except the lights. Only part of the breaker panel tripped. I heard a loud bang and immediately noticed a burnt smell coming from around the computer. Since then, plugging the PC into different outlets causes the breaker to trip again. I have an Intel i5-10400F, a Radeon RX 6800, two monitors, and currently use a 650W power supply. One monitor was replaced recently and stopped working around the same time. I have limited PC hardware experience—what should I check, and is the power supply likely damaged?
3 Answers
Do not keep testing it in other outlets. That can create a safety hazard and could damage other components. Unplug the power cord, remove the side panel only after it is disconnected, and look for obvious scorching or melted connectors—but avoid touching anything inside the PSU itself. If you are unsure how to disconnect the internal cables, have a repair shop handle it.
A 650W unit may be adequate for an i5-10400F and RX 6800 if it is a reputable model, so the failure does not automatically mean the system needed more wattage. Replace it with a high-quality unit that meets the graphics card manufacturer's recommendation, commonly around 750W for additional headroom. Inspect the motherboard, GPU power connectors, and the recently replaced monitor for damage before installing the new PSU, and do not reuse modular PSU cables unless they are confirmed compatible with the replacement.
The power supply is the most likely failure point. A bang, burnt smell, and an immediate breaker trip strongly suggest an internal short or failed capacitor. Stop plugging the computer in and disconnect it from the wall. Replace the PSU rather than trying to repair it, since opening one can be dangerous even when it is unplugged.
A quality surge protector or, even better, a properly rated UPS is also worth considering after the faulty unit is replaced.
Everything still appears to work, but I had not unplugged the PSU because I was unsure how to access it. I will leave the system disconnected and have the cables and components checked before trying another power supply.