Has the bad odor coming from your PC led to discomfort?
Has the bad odor coming from your PC led to discomfort?
I recently purchased a custom-built PC, and immediately upon entering the room, I noticed an unpleasant odor of burnt plastic that worsened with temperature. It was so strong it caused my throat to itch, and I would cough slightly whenever the machine was running. My lungs felt uncomfortable or heavy, though I couldn't clearly identify the source. Living with others, they too detected the smell. I attempted to trace it using my nose, suspecting the graphic card was responsible because the scent was stronger there and triggered coughing and lung discomfort after close proximity.
I returned the PC to the store for inspection, but they found no evidence of a problem and, since the machine was functioning normally, they sent it back. Now the smell has largely disappeared, though my throat remains slightly irritated. I still cough occasionally when entering the room while the PC is on and sometimes feel uneasy in my lungs, even after leaving. To use the PC comfortably, I must wear a surgical mask and keep the door and window open. Even after powering it down, I need to leave them open for some time or else I can't stay or sleep comfortably.
I've tried using an electric air duster on the fans multiple times, running it idle or conducting extended OCCT tests with both PC doors and my room door wide open, but results have been minimal. Anyone have suggestions on how to resolve this issue so I can use the machine normally?
Side note: for privacy, the PC is in my bedroom, so I can't relocate it or use longer cables. I haven't experienced this problem with any other PCs before, and I also can't return it.
It might be related to the wall outlet wiring or socket, or possibly a cable—once you mention it’s gone, it could be something inside your case. If that’s the case, you’d need to inspect the system at eye level and use a torch aimed at one spot in the case to spot any smoke trails.
I think you went too far with the setup, especially with the 2.2KW PSU and secondary GPU. For whatever load the system handles, the RTX 5090 alone would suffice, needing only a 1.2KW unit instead of double that.
You might also consider adding a fume extractor for soldering purposes, running it to pull air from your case’s exhausts and capture any harmful fumes. It’s not a definitive fix but could help.
Moved the discussion about components to the Systems section.
Could the power supply have come into contact with any substance (such as dust) that might emit heat or particles? I would remove the 3050 and inspect the PSU to eliminate that possibility.
5090 with 1080p display. Haha
It's completely squandered there.
It might be anything from components emitting an odor because they are new, or even issues like improper fitting (which stores wouldn't mention but could change) or simply excessive heat affecting the system.
The issue is that following that initial experience, your mind links your PC with a smell that you felt in your lungs and caused you to cough.
It could have been something burning off. I’d ask a friend to check again now.
The odor comes from the damage to the ozone layer above your roof
🤣
Let’s skip the jokes and focus on the basics—remove the video cards first and see if the smell persists with just the built-in graphics. That could be a good starting point.
Also, ensure all plastic components are removed from the motherboard, GPUs, SSDs, etc.
Many motherboards (including ASUS models, especially HERO and ROG STRIX) have heat spreaders for SSDs, and these often require plastic parts to be taken off before reassembling.
Some prebuilt systems with numerous small heat spreaders and plastic pieces also need that coating stripped away before adding hardware—this is easy to overlook.
Sometimes it’s just a blue peel sticker, but the real heat spreader can be sticky.
Even custom builds can be overlooked if you don’t check thoroughly.