My gifted PC shut down while I was playing The Witcher 3. I heard a loud pop and noticed an electrical-burning smell coming from the EVGA 850 GT power supply. After removing it, I can hear something rattling inside. The system has an RTX 3090, Ryzen 7 3800X, several terabytes of storage, and DDR5 memory. Should I replace the PSU with another 850W unit or move up to 1000W, and is there any chance the rest of the PC can still be used safely?
3 Answers
For an RTX 3090, a high-quality 850W unit can work, but a reputable 1000W model gives more room for the card’s power spikes and future upgrades. Choosing a higher-wattage PSU will not damage the PC—the system only draws the power it needs. Focus on build quality, appropriate protections, and using the replacement PSU’s original modular cables.
Look at established models from manufacturers such as Corsair, Seasonic, or similar well-reviewed brands. An 850W replacement is the minimum I’d consider for this setup; 1000W is the more comfortable choice with a 3090. After installing it, check for scorch marks or damaged connectors on the motherboard, graphics card, and power cables before turning the system on.
Replace the power supply and do not open or attempt to repair the old one. PSU capacitors can retain a dangerous charge even after it has been unplugged, and a rattling component plus a burning smell means it should not be reused. There is a chance other hardware survived, but only test the system with a known-good replacement PSU.
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