- Mar 26, 2013
- 16
- 0
- 10,510
I built a new computer over christmas break this last winter, about 6 months ago. Ever since I started using it, it will shut down randomly. This will happen when I open a new program, play a game, open a web page, watch a video, or just when it's sitting there not running anything. It will then turn itself back on, with no clues as to why it shut down. Here's the build:
Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Intel BOXDX79TO LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2x Crucial 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory
Raidmax 730W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 02G-P4-3651-KR Video Card
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Thermaltake Commander Series VN40006W2N White / Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Initially I thought it the system could be overheating. However I've checked the temperatures right before the computer unexpectedly shuts down and it's not that high anywhere, around 55°C at most.
Next I thought it could be the power supply malfunctioning or not be providing sufficient power, but I have posted on here before and a few people assured me that power supply was a good make and more than what was needed for the system. I also tried using a friend's power supply and the system would still shut down randomly.
I then thought it could be the RAM, so I ran memtest86 with both sticks of RAM in and then with each stick in by itself, and no errors came up. I'm not sure if the RAM is underpowered and this is causing the system to shut down, but everything is compatible as far as I know so it shouldn't do that.
I'd also like to add that from older posts on some forums and reviews (about a year old from what I've found), the CPU / MOBO pair I have can have some compatibility issues. From what I've read, this is due to the BIOS version that the MOBO comes with, and I think they've since fixed this issue. I checked on the Intel website and it says that they are compatible with BIOS version 0460, which is what I have.
One other strange thing that happens when I reseat the RAM sometimes is that the system will turn on for a second, then turn back off and not turn back on until it is unplugged. I've tried removing the CMOS battery and letting it sit for a few minutes, and sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn't. I've also tried changing the PSU setting to the European voltage, 220V (which is probably a bad idea but I was out of good ideas), and it turns on but won't boot. When I try to turn it on after doing that and switching the PSU back to US voltage (130V) it will boot fine.
I've read a lot of threads with similar problems but I have yet to find a good solution. I appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks!
Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Intel BOXDX79TO LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2x Crucial 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory
Raidmax 730W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 02G-P4-3651-KR Video Card
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Thermaltake Commander Series VN40006W2N White / Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Initially I thought it the system could be overheating. However I've checked the temperatures right before the computer unexpectedly shuts down and it's not that high anywhere, around 55°C at most.
Next I thought it could be the power supply malfunctioning or not be providing sufficient power, but I have posted on here before and a few people assured me that power supply was a good make and more than what was needed for the system. I also tried using a friend's power supply and the system would still shut down randomly.
I then thought it could be the RAM, so I ran memtest86 with both sticks of RAM in and then with each stick in by itself, and no errors came up. I'm not sure if the RAM is underpowered and this is causing the system to shut down, but everything is compatible as far as I know so it shouldn't do that.
I'd also like to add that from older posts on some forums and reviews (about a year old from what I've found), the CPU / MOBO pair I have can have some compatibility issues. From what I've read, this is due to the BIOS version that the MOBO comes with, and I think they've since fixed this issue. I checked on the Intel website and it says that they are compatible with BIOS version 0460, which is what I have.
One other strange thing that happens when I reseat the RAM sometimes is that the system will turn on for a second, then turn back off and not turn back on until it is unplugged. I've tried removing the CMOS battery and letting it sit for a few minutes, and sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn't. I've also tried changing the PSU setting to the European voltage, 220V (which is probably a bad idea but I was out of good ideas), and it turns on but won't boot. When I try to turn it on after doing that and switching the PSU back to US voltage (130V) it will boot fine.
I've read a lot of threads with similar problems but I have yet to find a good solution. I appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram