hello all,

last night i was upgrading my computer's graphics card (to a HD 7850), i connected the power supply as normal and closed the case. i booted up, but ten minutes in, there was a sudden 'popping' noise, almost like something had instantly fried inside the case. as you would imagine, i hurriedly pulled out the power plug and opened the case. when the cover came off, there was a huge smell of burning- (i found out later that my power supply was struggling to supply enough power to the card, which should'nt happen- 500W is enough to power it). i don't think it's completely totaled the computer, but my system is at least 2 years old and has quite outdated specs. i was wondering if i should just move on to a totally new, overpowered machine (my budget isn't really an object, i want a reasonably top-spec machine).

 

SYSTEM SPECS:

AMD quadcore FX41?? 4.0GHZ (i can't remember the exact number)

Radeon HD 6670 (definitely outdated)

1TB HDD

8GB DDR3 RAM

 

I haven't tested the PC since in case it spontaneously combusts when i turn it on lol :) but do you think i should just get a new comp?

 

 

Well you don't need to get a new computer because you have a handful of options. I've personally experience this popping sound which is accompanied by a very uneasy smell, something like fried electronics and batteries and things like that. Needless to say it was the power supply itself. If I were you I would just remove the graphics card, leaving empty lanes and plug the power cable into the power supply and try to power up. (after you inspect your hardware for any damage to traces, capacitors, etc) The fan should spin in the power supply, and other fans in your computer and various lights should be working. If none of it works you likely have a dead PSU. Since it is not that old, I would for sure check your warranties on the product. If it does work, then that is weird, and it might have been something on the graphics card.

 

As for a new computer; your current specs are on the low side for a heavy gamer but you should be good for a few years to come. If you need help figuring out your next system build, I'd love to help! I have some good recommendations.

hello all,

last night i was upgrading my computer's graphics card (to a HD 7850), i connected the power supply as normal and closed the case. i booted up, but ten minutes in, there was a sudden 'popping' noise, almost like something had instantly fried inside the case. as you would imagine, i hurriedly pulled out the power plug and opened the case. when the cover came off, there was a huge smell of burning- (i found out later that my power supply was struggling to supply enough power to the card, which should'nt happen- 500W is enough to power it). i don't think it's completely totaled the computer, but my system is at least 2 years old and has quite outdated specs. i was wondering if i should just move on to a totally new, overpowered machine (my budget isn't really an object, i want a reasonably top-spec machine).

 

SYSTEM SPECS:

AMD quadcore FX41?? 4.0GHZ (i can't remember the exact number)

Radeon HD 6670 (definitely outdated)

1TB HDD

8GB DDR3 RAM

 

I haven't tested the PC since in case it spontaneously combusts when i turn it on lol :) but do you think i should just get a new comp?

What is the brand of the power supply? If price isn't an object then I would upgrade your whole system, although you don't absolutely need to. 

I recently installed a Corsair modular 500W psu to replace an ATX-500 which had died on me, and i noticed that the cabling was a little weird on it- most of them were too short for my connectors, for one thing, so i had to arrange them in a very particular way to get the SATA cables for my hard drive etc. correct, so it could be an issue with the cabling i put in. i had originally planned on installing a new AMD-FX 8350 CPU and a different CPU fan, but if the system is in danger of shorting out now im not so sure. i have my eye on a new  custom built Core-i7 system from a guy my friend knows, so i may sell the parts that still work on Ebay and get that. 

If you have the money, go for a new system build but if not then get a new graphic card. 

Most likely you have a crap psu. What brand is it?

You can test your PSU by itself, not connected to anything else: http://www.overclock.net/t/96712/how-to-jump-start-a-power-supply-psu-test-a-power-supply-and-components