I believe the power supply got too hot. What should I do?
I believe the power supply got too hot. What should I do?
I was gaming Marvel Rivals when a popping sound occurred and everything stopped working. After unplugging all components and opening the case, I found the PSU was very hot with a burning smell. I think the overheating happened because of the PSU. This is my first time experiencing something like this before, and despite installing a new SSD (Samsung 870 EVO), everything else remained normal. Could replacing the PSU help? Should I consider upgrading fans or improving ventilation? Please share your advice.
complete system specifications available. brand and model of the power supply included.
Operating System:
Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version: 10.0.19045 Build 19045
CPU:
Model: Intel Core i7-9700F CPU
Base Clock Speed: 3.00 GHz
Cores/Threads: 8 Cores / 8 Threads
GPU
Model: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Dedicated VRAM: 6 GB
RAM:
Installed RAM: 16 GB (DDR4)
Available Physical Memory: ~10.2 GB
Storage:
Primary Drive (C: 264GB SSD)
Secondary Drive (D: 1TB HDD)
New Drive(A: 1TB SSD
Motherboard:
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
Model: TUF B365M-PLUS GAMING
BIOS Version/Date: 1002, 5/24/2019
System Type:
Architecture: x64-based PC
Platform: Desktop
Power Supply:
Brand: Channel Well Technology
Model: GPT500S-A
Very outdated BIOS, four revisions in back. You need to upgrade. Refer to the link provided.
It seems you're generally fine with a 500 watt power supply for the current setup. I’d start by searching for a video on conducting a paper clip test on a power supply. You’ll also need a volt meter to confirm the output is present and ensure the fan spins when using a paper clip. These advanced supplies usually only spin briefly before stopping once they heat up. Ideally, the power supply should remain inactive even with a paper clip, as this suggests the motherboard might be faulty.
Your main concern is whether you’ve caused more damage than the power supply itself. If replacing other components like the motherboard becomes necessary, it’s important to consider whether it’s worth rebuilding with newer parts. Purchasing an old 500 watt unit and later needing a 750 watt one can be costly.
It would be helpful if the specifications on a power supply indicated the quality of its internal components. Most people tend to buy well-known brands, hoping for better parts, but even reputable manufacturers produce low-cost alternatives that require caution.
A reliable power supply should not harm the motherboard when it fails. Higher-quality models often include protection circuits that automatically reset after being unplugged.
Not all options are suitable. For a somewhat older PSU C Tier or better, you can begin here using the list at https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/. Alternatively, consider a modern ATX3.x PSU from this chart: https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-at...e-busters/