Question About Cooler Master PSU Smoked and Component Safety Concerns
Question About Cooler Master PSU Smoked and Component Safety Concerns
Purchased a used Cooler Master MWE 650 V2, still covered under warranty until December 2025, and a used ASUS RTX 2060 OC Edition. It was a good purchase, and I got the package yesterday. At first, I experienced some unusual issues—random blank screens a few times—but overall the system functioned properly, even during gaming sessions for a short time. I thought the 2060 might be the problem.
Later, things deteriorated—almost right after starting a game, the screen went blank multiple times. I tried using a different GPU, and everything worked normally, even with the Cooler Master PSU. Believing the 2060 was the culprit, I replaced it, but this time the system failed to boot completely. The fans spun briefly before stopping, and after several unsuccessful attempts, smoke began to escape from the PSU.
Right away I unplugged all devices from the wall. Then I tested the remaining components with a Corsair PSU, and everything appears to be operating correctly. However, I remain concerned that the damaged PSU could have caused undetected harm to my hardware.
How can I verify if any hidden damage occurred from the failing PSU? I want to ensure there are no underlying problems that aren’t immediately obvious.
If there are hidden collateral damages you might not realize about them until an incident occurs.
You might or might not receive some notice...
Stay alert to any upcoming system errors, warnings, or informational alerts.
Make sure all crucial information is saved in backups at least twice on separate devices away from the main computer.
Check that these backups can be restored and accessed properly.
Turn off the system, disconnect it, and open the case periodically for a short time.
Remove dust and any unwanted particles.
Employ a strong flashlight to inspect for damage indicators: melting, discoloration, swollen parts (capacitors), moisture traces, cracks, overheating, etc.
Assure yourself everything is in good condition and you’ll feel confident about it eventually.
Continue following the usual procedure, performing regular backups.
The backup you overlook will be the one just before you notice increased smoke... Mr. Murphy does something like that.