I custom built my PC on Christmas and im hearing strange popping noises from my tower. They are at random times but it only pops when I'm playing BF3 (or other graphic intensive games). I believe it to be my thermal paste from possible thermal paste under my CPU but im not sure because I made sure to put it on good. I asked my dad and he says its fine, its just getting hot and a piece of plastic is shifting when it heats up, I'm just posting to make sure it isn't hurting my machine. I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else? how do I fix this? and is this hurting my computer at all?
PS. The popping noise sounds kind of like when you pop bubble wrap, just a little louder though.
If popping open the side of the case and sniff, do you smell anything like metal/plastic/etc.? Try smelling the exhaust of the PSU/case.
Turn the computer off, unplug the AC power cord, then hit the power on button to discharge any electricity. Look at the capacitors (the long black things) on the motherboard and GPU, are any leaking/bulging?
What brand power supply do you have?
Not to be a **** but it sounds like your dad has no idea wtf he is talking about because that makes no sense.
If popping open the side of the case and sniff, do you smell anything like metal/plastic/etc.? Try smelling the exhaust of the PSU/case.
Turn the computer off, unplug the AC power cord, then hit the power on button to discharge any electricity. Look at the capacitors (the long black things) on the motherboard and GPU, are any leaking/bulging?
What brand power supply do you have?
Not to be a **** but it sounds like your dad has no idea wtf he is talking about because that makes no sense.
Is your CPU overclocked?
This:
This is the first thing I thought. Check this then get back to us.
If popping open the side of the case and sniff, do you smell anything like metal/plastic/etc.? Try smelling the exhaust of the PSU/case.
Turn the computer off, unplug the AC power cord, then hit the power on button to discharge any electricity. Look at the capacitors (the long black things) on the motherboard and GPU, are any leaking/bulging?
What brand power supply do you have?
Not to be a **** but it sounds like your dad has no idea wtf he is talking about because that makes no sense.
Is your CPU overclocked?
The computer will start and play, just when I'm playing BF3 it pops. I opened it and checked all the capacitors and all seem to be fine, no leaking or dirty-ness. Any other suggestions that you would recommend checking out?
EDIT: I checked for a metal/plastic smell and there seems to be no stench what so ever.
EDIT 2: I have gold capped capacitors so I checked the bottom for leaking as well.
EDIT 3: I have a 850WATT corsair HX psu running with a gtx 580 and an i5-2500k (Not oc'ed)
The computer will start and play, just when I'm playing BF3 it pops. I opened it and checked all the capacitors and all seem to be fine, no leaking or dirty-ness. Any other suggestions that you would recommend checking out?
EDIT: I checked for a metal/plastic smell and there seems to be no stench what so ever.
This is still extremely concerning since popping noises are NOT normal. Not by a long shot, ESPECIALLY if you don't have a HDD.
I would find a local tech shop (not best buy/staples/etc.) and bring it in/have them come to your house to look at it.
It could just be the fan catching on a wire or something, or it could be your power supply about to explode like or like .
Are the fans catching on any wires? Also what brand is your PSU? How many watts is it as well?
EDIT 2: I have gold capped capacitors so I checked the bottom for leaking as well.
I highly doubt it's the mobo then, since it seems to be of high quality.
PS. The popping noise sounds kind of like when you pop bubble wrap, just a little louder though.
Isn't that a clicking sound?
It's possible though.
Do you have a CD drive installed?
Yes, but it doesn't run while im playing games so I dont think it would be that.
I checked and they seem to be running at good temps
Please list them.
All CPU Core temps are running at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit max
GTX 580 is running at 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit max
( Keep in mind, this is about after 1-3hrs of BF3 )
Popping, or ticking?
If popping open the side of the case and sniff, do you smell anything like metal/plastic/etc.? Try smelling the exhaust of the PSU/case.
Turn the computer off, unplug the AC power cord, then hit the power on button to discharge any electricity. Look at the capacitors (the long black things) on the motherboard and GPU, are any leaking/bulging?
What brand power supply do you have?
Not to be a **** but it sounds like your dad has no idea wtf he is talking about because that makes no sense.
Is your CPU overclocked?
This:
This is the first thing I thought. Check this then get back to us.
You could very well have a damaged mobo, PSU or GPU which can cause a fire, or heavy electrical discharge/explosion in the PSU's case.
By the way the picture is from a Dell Dimension 2400, right?
Randomly googled it but I don't think so, the mobo looks older than that. More than likely for a computer older than that.
Looked familiar, I have fixed like 20 of the 2400s, so I snapped too it. It does look a lot older now that I think about it.
The computer will start and play, just when I'm playing BF3 it pops. I opened it and checked all the capacitors and all seem to be fine, no leaking or dirty-ness. Any other suggestions that you would recommend checking out?
EDIT: I checked for a metal/plastic smell and there seems to be no stench what so ever.
EDIT 2: I have gold capped capacitors so I checked the bottom for leaking as well.
EDIT 3: I have a 850WATT corsair HX psu running with a gtx 580 and an i5-2500k (Not oc'ed)
This is still extremely concerning since popping noises are NOT normal. Not by a long shot, ESPECIALLY if you don't have a HDD.
I would find a local tech shop (not best buy/staples/etc.) and bring it in/have them come to your house to look at it.
It could just be the fan catching on a wire or something, or it could be your power supply about to explode like or like .
Are the fans catching on any wires? Also what brand is your PSU? How many watts is it as well?
I highly doubt it's the mobo then, since it seems to be of high quality.
Do the GPU capacitors look fine?
Is the CPU overclocked?
I cannot see the GPU capacitors, its enclosed in a case since its a gtx 580
No, it just pops... I'm actually kind of scared now that he shown me that psu blowing up >_> that could be my face...
Do you have an after market cooler?