I just built a new PC and installed an Intel i5 14400F with a new motherboard, using the stock cooler. At first, everything seemed fine, but now there's a strange smell coming from it – like a mix of burning plastic and something foul. The temperatures are rising too, reaching about 80 degrees in the BIOS. I've even removed the plastic cover from the cooler, so I'm not sure what's going on.
3 Answers
Also, double-check if you took off the plastic sticker from the CPU cooler before installing it. If it’s still on there, that can definitely cause overheating and odors! If you've done that and the temps are still high, make sure all your connections are secure.
One more thing to check is if you have an Nvidia GPU; sometimes the 12V-2X6 connector can melt if it’s overloaded, which can also lead to funky smells. Just a thought!
It sounds like you might need a better cooler than the stock one. The stock coolers can struggle with higher performance CPUs like the i5, especially if you're seeing temps that high. Try looking into an aftermarket cooler to see if that helps keep the temps down.

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