Strong odor near my PC—could be the CPU or cooler getting a little too cozy.
Strong odor near my PC—could be the CPU or cooler getting a little too cozy.
Recently my PC experienced unusual malware, causing the CPU to overwork and heat up. Initially, I blamed the thermal paste and replaced it, but that didn’t help. I then restored the system thinking it was a virus and everything functioned normally. The temperature readings from Core Temp look normal in the screenshots I took (screenshot 1 and 2). Now I’m puzzled about the new issue: a strange odor when running the PC, similar to burned soda. It also makes the room feel humid and warm, like a sauna, but not burnt. The desktop appears intact, and Core Temp shows no problems. My question is: what might be causing this? How can I resolve it?
The temps seem to be fine, is your pc watercooled, if yes it could be a leak, often coolants smell like death, you can really notice a leak.
The temperatures seem acceptable, but the heavy CPU usage might have increased stress on your power supply unit, possibly causing gradual failure. Could you share your PSU model? It would help to locate the source of any odor and check the vent area first.
Task manager shows CPU usage is generally low, peaking at 25% for about 40 seconds. It returns to around 18% and then drops to 7% when only Firefox, Discord, and Spotify are running. The issue appears when the PC powers on, disappears when turned off briefly, and reappears again. From the PSU specs you shared, it matches the listed details.
This confirmed my concern that you likely have a ready-made PC. Delta is a trustworthy brand, so it’s unlikely you’re dealing with a low-quality PSU that fails quickly. What I was saying was that the extra strain from malware might have harmed it, not your usual usage. PSU wattage is generally picked for about 80% system use, which is reasonable because computers don’t always run at full capacity. If malware led to overheating, it’s probable your machine was drawing maximum power for extended periods, risking PSU damage. The peak rating shown on the label reflects short-term spikes, not steady demand. You might test by swapping a PSU with a friend to check if this is the issue. However, a prebuilt PC adds complexity since it could use unconventional connectors. Make sure your motherboard’s power connectors match ATX standards—specifically a 24-pin and 8/2x4/4 pin CPU connector (search online for guidance). If they fit, any compatible ATX PSU should work for testing.
If the power supply unit is faulty, avoid using it at all. It's the sole protection stopping parts meant for 3-12Vdc from receiving excessive voltage. In a critical failure, it can bring the entire system down along with it. 2) A struggling cooler merely indicates heat buildup. It won't break by itself if overheating occurs; ensure you test your PC with another PSU and confirm no unusual odor.