I just unpacked a brand new power supply unit (PSU) from Microcenter, and it has a strange, off-putting odor that reminds me of a zoo or manure. Is this common for a PSU straight from the factory? I checked, and the box and cables don't have any bad smells, so I'm certain it's a new product. I've heard others describe similar odors as 'toxic plastic,' but mine genuinely smells like something you'd find in an elephant pen. Should I consider returning it, or is this smell something I can ignore? For reference, it's a Corsair RM850x.
3 Answers
Not sure about the manure smell, but I once had a PSU that had a strong plastic odor when I first used it. It went away after a few hours, so it might just be a temporary thing.
If your PSU smells like something burning, that's a sign it's defective, and you should replace it. But if it's just a weird factory smell and not burning, you might be okay. Microcenter is usually pretty good with returns, so don't hesitate to swap it out if you're worried.
I'm not sure about the exact smell, but it might be best to just return it and get a replacement. Microcenter should help you out with that.
Thanks for the advice! If the odor persists after using it for a while, I'll definitely consider returning it. But if it fades, I might just keep it since returning can be a hassle.
It doesn't smell like it's burning at all since I haven't even powered it on yet! Just wanted to make sure there wasn't something leaking inside. Did yours have a strong odor when you got it?