I built a new PC on June 25, and it's still giving off that "new PC" smell when it's running. While the odor has lessened a bit, it's still quite noticeable after 8 months. My friend, who has built many PCs, helped me put it together, and we've checked for any hardware issues, but everything seems fine; temperatures are normal, and I'm using reputable hardware. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this smell? Is it normal for it to last this long?
5 Answers
I had a similar situation with a new rug that had an awful smell for months. I bought a seriously good air purifier with a solid amount of activated carbon, and it resolved the issue. The smaller HEPA filter purifiers didn’t do much for odors, though.
If the smell isn't electrical or burning, you're probably fine. My PC still had that new smell after a year! I found that putting it in a cupboard with extra fans helped reduce the odor. It just takes time for the factory smell to dissipate.
I've never experienced a new PC smell lasting more than a couple of hours. Can you describe the odor? Is it from a brand new build, or did you get it used? If you're really worried, you might consider using an ozone generator.
Factory cleaning methods have changed, so it’s common for new components to emit odors for a while. If you're not pushing your system hard with intense loads, be patient—it may just take longer to burn off the smell. Also, if you notice a fishy odor, that's a red flag for hardware issues.
Make sure you removed all protective films, especially from the CPU cooler and fans. Sometimes they can be missed during assembly, which can create lingering smells. It's always good to double-check!
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