Computer shuts off when playing games

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

I used to use a GTX 650 and would play some older games (Fallout, Skyrim, FEAR) on lower detail/res. I didn't have any issues back then.
Now, I've upgraded to a GTX 770 4GB. I played Skyrim for about 10 minutes at full res and decided I would try out the new Battlefield 4. So I downloaded and installed.
While it was downloading, I was running 3 screens/monitors. 2 at 1080p and one at 1600x1050 (or something like that). Seemed to run fine for the few hours of download.

After installing BF4, I switched to only 1 monitor at 1080p with full resolution and about 5-10 minutes into the game, poof, computer shuts off. No BSOD, no hang, just like someone yanked the power cord.

I ran MSI AfterBurner to monitor power draw and temp. The temp was 75C one time when it shut off, and 79C another time. Not bad. The power draw was between 88 and 92 (I'm assuming thats Watts) the whole time I was playing. It didn't seem to spike, just kinda floated in that range.

I'm using a 3 year old OCZ StealthXStream 700SXS. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019)

Core i5 2500k
2x4GB DDR3 1333Mhz

One thing I noticed is my PSU notes for Output:
+3.3V@36A, +5V@30A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, +12V3@18A, +12V4@18A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3.0A

The GTX 770 says (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130945) System Requirements:
600 watt or greater power supply with a minimum of 42 amps on the +12 volt rail.

So, my question is two-fold:
1. Is my PSU the issue?
2. Does my 12v @18A (x4) combined (for a total of 72A available to my card) or is it only 18A per PCI-E connector?

I'm not very good with hardware, I'm trying to do some research but I'm at the point where I think I need some experts to point me in the right direction.

Sakkura · Nov 4, 2013

1. Possibly, the StealthXStream series isn't all that great.
2. Not exactly. They do combine for a lot more than 18A, but not a full 72A. This is normal procedure, it gives more flexibility (so if you draw 15A from one rail, you're not "wasting" the rest of that capacity). By its ratings, it's absolutely sufficient for your system. The question is how well it lives up to it in practice.

Edit: Just checked, the 12V rails combine for a maximum of 700W, which is about 58A.

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

Sakkura :

Thanks for the quick response. Any idea on my issue then? I want to try another PSU to see if that's it, but I also don't want to fork out $80 just to find out that my PSU was fine.

Skeefers · Nov 4, 2013

Just to make sure, do you have both the 6 and 8 pin power connectors plugged in? Leaving one or the other off would mean your card wouldn't be able to draw enough power to operate and could possibly cause the system to shutdown when it attempts to overdraw from the one connector that is attached.

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

Skeefers :

Yes, I have both the 6-pin and 8-pin connectors plugged in. They are native to the PSU (not Molex > 6/8-pin adapter).

I found this article noting the full stress power draw is around 304W. They note that a 550W PSU should suffice.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_770_review,5.html

I've also used a calculator to estimate my max power draw (with HDD's, BD-ROM, etc. included) and it said the max draw of all my components would be around 523W. So a 700W I assume should be sufficient for this. And if the rails on my PSU are combined as Sakkura noted, then I should be fine as the specs require 42A at 12V (which would be 2 and part of the 3rd 12v rail)

Sakkura · Nov 4, 2013

Yeah, like I said, going by the ratings it's perfectly sufficient. Bordering on overkill actually. But quality is important too, and that's where the StealthXStream may come up short. But it's difficult to just blame it on the PSU outright. Two of the most obvious reasons for shutdowns while gaming would be overheating (which does not seem to be the case here) and PSU problems. But that doesn't exactly prove the PSU guilty.

scout_03 · Nov 4, 2013

the high temp on this gpu should not be als there is a switch for the dual bios on the card did you try her and what kind of air flow this system have . the psu could be to low on the 12 volts line amp .

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

Sakkura :

Slightly off-topic, but, what would make the PSU I have inferior to other PSU's? When I bought it I just picked it based on reviews and the fact it had all the connectors I need plus enough Watt's for growth. Technically speaking, what is 'bad' about it? (any reason enough to upgrade regardless of my issue?)

I'm beginning to wonder if I should RMA my card. I've tried the latest drivers from NVidia. I'll try running the card tonight at medium graphics to see if that changes anything.

scout_03 · Nov 4, 2013

another thing you could do if your motherboard have a second pci-e slot try her .

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

scout_03 :

I have this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

It has 2x120mm fans (front and back). I've also got a super cooler heat sink with another 120mm fan on my CPU.

Honestly I've never paid attention to the direction of airflow in the box since the fans were already mounted out of the box. I guess I should make sure it's pulling air FROM the front TO the back?

I haven't looked at the BIOS on the card itself, only on my MOBO

scout_03 · Nov 4, 2013

for the gpu they talk about a switch on the back of the card for your case you could had a intake fan on the side panel and a outake on top see you link for details .

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

scout_03 :

I have this as my board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Says I can only use 1 of the 2 slots for PCI x16. The only cards I have installed is a very basic PCI sound card, and of course the GTX 770. I can try it in the other slot.

Skeefers · Nov 4, 2013

To answer your question about inferior PSUs, I suggest reading THIS ARTICLE for more information. Basically, sub-par components can make a PSU unable to provide enough power regardless of their stated specs, and can also cause damage to your system if the internal components fail in a spectacularly fiery fashion.

scout_03 · Nov 4, 2013

the second slot from the bottom is also a pci-e graphic slot .

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

I think I may have found my issue.
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/17-341-019-17.jpg

12V2 and 12V4 are the PCI-E connectors. The other 2 rails go to the MOBO accessories (hard drives etc) and the CPU. All that to say, 18A+18A = 36A which is just shy of the 42A required by my card. So I imagine while I'm surfing the net, it's not drawing much power. But when I get into playing BF4 at full graphics, then it starts pulling more than the PSU can give.

Does that sound right?

If that's the case, I'm thinking of getting this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Seem suitable?

Sakkura · Nov 4, 2013

No. 42A is what they recommend for a power supply that will power the graphics card as well as the rest of a system. The 42A is not for the graphics card alone. It's more likely that it may be going out of spec even though you're staying well within the limits of what it's rated for.

If you do decide to buy another power supply, that Corsair HX unit is great. But you can get a cheaper Antec HCG-620M instead, it's still very high quality and plenty for your system.

floydtheduck · Nov 4, 2013

Sakkura :

What do you mean by 'going out of spec'?

Sakkura · Nov 4, 2013

I mean either delivering power at the wrong voltages, with too much ripple (the voltage rapidly fluctuating too far up and down), or by shutting down due to protection circuitry sensing a problem.

Mirakledba · Nov 4, 2013

GPU must be hot...play a game, take off the side panel, touch the GPU and use GPU-z To see the temp... its that or the PSU is giving the GPU too much power CAUSING it to turn off...if your PSU is modular, try getting new PCIE power cables.

scout_03 · Nov 4, 2013

this psu is a good choice if you want to get a new one .

Computer shuts off when playing games

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