Signs of overloaded/Hot PSU?

[MrGaSp]

Are there any signs of a PSU being overloaded(besides turning off) or overheated?  Like do voltages fluctuate when it gets hot? I cannot get the Watt usage from the wall right now.  

Its a 650w PSU, AMD Phenom 9600, AMD HD 6970 - Slight OC.  3HDD, and thats pretty much it.  The air from the PSU smells semi bad, and its really hot when mining (i know why), and i dont know if this is too much.

I am able to 100% load my CPU without it turning off, so i know its not that far into it's max.

What is worrying me is the card is a 2 slot and pulls air out of the case, and i know the air flow slows down at other exits because of it.  The PSU fan is trying hard too.  Just some advice as some warning signs of a hot PSU?


PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171023

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[Inaba]

What brand of PSU?  How old is it?  You shouldn't be overloading it with the equipment you describe, but depending on the brand and age, it might be getting close.

[MrGaSp]

Cooler Master, about 3 years old. Ill get a model in a second.

[Basiley]

3 years ago different ATX sub-version popular[less accent on 12V rail/bus]
also 3 years is long enough for PSU to start degrading[desktop PSU's still not use solid-state capacitors, because prices].
or in short: probably.
note: nowadays PSU's virtually disposable - lifeteimes is about 2 years :[

[MrGaSp]

3 years ago different ATX sub-version popular[less accent on 12V rail/bus]
also 3 years is long enough for PSU to start degrading[desktop PSU's still not use solid-state capacitors, because prices].
or in short: probably.
note: nowadays PSU's virtually disposable - lifeteimes is about 2 years :[

At least its only when mining... =/ If i make a dedicated mining rig, i wont take this PSU for sure.  Looking at it now, now that i know what i bought (i was a noobie then)... I made a really good choice =) Couldn't of been happier with the choice.

[Basiley]

"semi-bad smell" can be anything in fact. from smell of heated dust clouds to smell of overheated PSU PCB protective cover and/or oxyde/electrolytic capacitors.
at least, use you vacuum cleaner to COMPLETELY clean PSU from dust. and replace FAN[hardly its perform well 3 yrs after purchase, even if bb-type], before you buy replacement PSU.

[MrGaSp]

"semi-bad smell" can be anything in fact. from smell of heated dust clouds to smell of overheated PSU PCB protective cover and/or oxyde/electrolytic capacitors.
at least, use you vacuum cleaner to COMPLETELY clean PSU from dust. and replace FAN[hardly its perform well 3 yrs after purchase, even if bb-type], before you buy replacement PSU.

Speaking of which, it really hasn't been dusted in a little while, theres not visible dust on the intake or anything, and the fan seems great, no increased noise, great air flow.  After i clean out the PSU tomorrow, i'll turn the case fan under it off, maybe reduce the low pressure in the case (it has no inactive vents).  I know its not plastic smell though, idk how to describe it.  The lower pressure i can tell because that case fan, nearly stops pushing air out after the GPU fan turns up(GPU stays at about 70C).

Edit:
Thank you for the help, didn't know PSU's went out that soon, its been 3 1/2 years sense i got it, picture was timestamped(hehe).  Time will tell if i can get it to cool down, voltages still seem stable with HWMonitor, nothing has crashed, i just don't wanna have to buy a new PSU because of the increased heat.

[jak0b]

What is worrying me is the card is a 2 slot and pulls air out of the case, and i know the air flow slows down at other exits because of it.  The PSU fan is trying hard too

You should have at least 1 fan blowing air into the case, otherwise - where should the cooling air come from.!

[MrGaSp]

What is worrying me is the card is a 2 slot and pulls air out of the case, and i know the air flow slows down at other exits because of it.  The PSU fan is trying hard too

You should have at least 1 fan blowing air into the case, otherwise - where should the cooling air come from.!

Theres 2 120mm fans intake, 1 120mm fan out, the PSU is a 120mm, and the GPU is pushing most of the air out, far more than what comes in from the two intakes.

Its normally pretty balanced airflow without the GPU running at max... =/

Edit:
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144242

[jak0b]

then maybe you should try to turn the last fan to get more air into the case, and see if it can keep up with the extreme suction from the gfx cooler

[MrGaSp]

 After i clean out the PSU tomorrow, i'll turn the case fan under it off, maybe reduce the low pressure in the case (it has no inactive vents).  

^ 

[jak0b]

Turning it off, or turning it around isn't the same, but every little bit will get you in the right direction. 

[MrGaSp]

Turning it off, or turning it around isn't the same, but every little bit will get you in the right direction. 

Well, i don't quite wanna turn it around because all of the heat is in the back, and i kinda keep it from the side/front with a CD case.  I am not being stupid, it has an about 2 feet above it and 3 feet behind it, it keeps the air where the intakes are rather cool.  If that doesn't help the air that much, i might get a new intake for the front of the case.  These stock fans were very much sufficient for gaming, but mining is a whole new tier.

[Basiley]

sadly there is no way to check PSu health, except in few Gigabyte-made PSU's.
also NVidia stop develop/improve protocol for control/monitor/regulate PC health/manage environment.