My 8–10-year-old hand-me-down computer suddenly shut off while I was gaming, so I replaced its old 500W power supply with a 700W Thermaltake unit. I had to remove a fan and what looked like a rectangular cooling assembly to reach the CPU power connector, then reassembled everything with the new PSU's permanently attached cables. The computer turns on, but Chrome and games such as Overwatch now lag even though they worked normally before. The PC also makes a constant humming noise, and I can feel a slight electrical tingling from the back of the case. I am not very experienced with computer hardware and would strongly prefer not to spend more money, since the replacement already cost me about $60. What should I check first?
3 Answers
The tingling sensation is the most urgent issue. Shut the computer down and unplug it until you can verify that the outlet and PC are properly grounded. Do not keep using a system that seems to be leaking voltage through the case. The humming could also indicate a poor-quality or defective power supply, so make sure the replacement is the correct model and is installed securely.
If you removed the CPU cooler or disturbed the cooler assembly, check the CPU temperature while the computer is idle and under load. A cooler that is loose, or one that was removed and reinstalled without fresh thermal paste, can cause the processor to overheat and slow itself down. Also confirm that every fan is spinning and that the graphics card is receiving its power connector.
The higher wattage rating alone does not mean the new power supply is better. A low-end 700W unit can perform worse than a reliable 500W unit, and the original failure may have damaged another component. Double-check that the monitor cable is connected to the graphics card rather than the motherboard, and compare CPU/GPU temperatures and clock speeds while gaming. If the electrical sensation remains, stop troubleshooting while powered on and have the PSU, outlet, and grounding inspected.
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