Strong burning odor and discoloration on the GPU.
Strong burning odor and discoloration on the GPU.
Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. I was just relaxing with some videos while playing a game that isn't too demanding. Suddenly, I detected a burning odor coming from my PC. I removed the glass cover and found more of the smell inside. There were also noticeable stains on top of my GPU (MSI GTX 1660 Super) and on my motherboard, as shown in the attached photos. It hasn't been cleaned up for about two months, and there was nothing there before. I haven’t spilled anything, so it’s not from drinks. Anyone have any suggestions about what might be wrong? Is there a risk to my system, and how can I fix this? Thanks ahead!
It might be one of two possibilities: 1) oil leaking from a fan, or 2) a capacitor has failed despite the system still functioning. Check the motherboard closely for any odd signs.
I understand what @porina is saying. I was thinking of mentioning a leaking cap, but the almost splatter resembles a fan. Either way, I’d probably conduct a detailed visual check on the entire setup, then disassemble it for cleaning and testing before attempting to use it again.
I reviewed the situation again and noticed a small circular mark around 2cm at the bottom of the motherboard, also on the base of the PC case. No signs of leakage or burnt components were found among the capacitors. The fan area didn’t show any obvious issues. Since I’m not familiar with assembling computers, I haven’t cleaned this unit recently. Would it be wise to contact a local repair shop for assistance?
Unless external elements entered the case, the two ideas @porina are likely the only possibilities. That’s excessive if it comes from something... If you’re okay with it, consider getting a closer look. I’d rather not waste money unless a more detailed check reveals otherwise.
I’ve noticed many suggestions online about using 99% alcohol for cleaning. I might consider giving that a shot. After removing the stains, I’ll check if the smell improves when I turn it on.
Following a detailed inspection, a similar brownish sticky residue was found at the fan's edge. This could indicate a problem or simply requires cleaning. Appreciate the helpful guidance so far!
The area lacks electrolytic capacitors that could leak liquid. Current motherboards use solid or polymer capacitors without a liquid electrolyte. It might be oil from thermal pads between the VRM stages, MOSFETs, and heatsink, though it's unclear how much would fall onto the heatsink tops. Fan oil is also possible, but there seems to be a significant amount. Isopropyl alcohol should safely remove it. Acetone (nail polish remover) could also help, but be cautious with plastics as it may cloud them or wash away paint on surfaces.