Determine why my desktop shuts off

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robsteak

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Jan 5, 2014
6
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10,520
Hi, I've had this running issue for a couple of weeks now, out of nowhere. If I leave my pc idle for more than a couple of minutes, it will randomly power off. If I'm doing anything, various things will cause it to shut off.
I can browse the internet with no issues. I have issues with some games, but not others. I can play WoW for hours with no issues, but Age of Empires 3 will turn off the pc within 10 minutes. Other games will give me similar confusing results.
High spec games run fine and low power games crash, or vice versa. There seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I thought it might be heat, and I am planning on adding a fan and applying fresh thermal compound to the processor. I use CPUID to check the temps, and it does appear that I run rather hot. CPU is about 50C right now, and it's been jumping around between 45C-60C.


Specs are:
CPU: AMD FX 4170 Quad-core 4.2 GHz 64 bit
Memory: 8 GB
Video: GeForce GTX 550 Ti
MoBo: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3
Windows 8.1

Thanks anyone for any help!
 
Solution
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I am planning on getting some thermal compound this weekend. Should the NB and SB heat sinks be easily removable? They appear to have plastic pushpins holding them in, but when I look at the other side, the push pins are flared out just on the other side of the holes on the motherboard. I don't want to accidentally crack the motherboard trying to remove them.
Now, on another note, is there a way for me to plug in more fans to the board if I'm already using the 3 assigned fan plugs? If I can increase airflow with a few more fans pointing in and out, hopefully that may help.
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robsteak

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
6
0
10,520
It is the stock heat sink. The wires for the fan on the heat sink do go in front of the fan, but don't really block the flow, as they are pretty thin. I did go ahead and get them positioned so they are out of the way, though, so I'll see if that helps at all. I've also had the case open all day today, and it will still shut off after a few minutes of idling.
 
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robsteak

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
6
0
10,520
I'm pretty sure it's not dual bios, but if it is, I don't know how to check. The gpu is an x16, so will it work in an x4? Also, I think I've narrowed down the overheating to the northbridge. On HWMonitor, the TMPIN2 listing on the motherboard is the one that always gets the hottest, and when I touch the northbridge, it is hot enough to burn. Idle heat for TPMIN2 is usually around 50-60C.
 
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swifty_morgan

Illustrious
Feb 10, 2006
13,566
1
42,960
i used to find a way to mount 40mm fans on them......... see what you can do to get air directly on these heat sinks. it's tough sometimes to find after market heat sinks with fans because the holes are oddly placed on many of them. also, don't discount the SB. lots of data travels though that.
 
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R

robsteak

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
6
0
10,520
I am planning on getting some thermal compound this weekend. Should the NB and SB heat sinks be easily removable? They appear to have plastic pushpins holding them in, but when I look at the other side, the push pins are flared out just on the other side of the holes on the motherboard. I don't want to accidentally crack the motherboard trying to remove them.
Now, on another note, is there a way for me to plug in more fans to the board if I'm already using the 3 assigned fan plugs? If I can increase airflow with a few more fans pointing in and out, hopefully that may help.
 
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Solution
S

swifty_morgan

Illustrious
Feb 10, 2006
13,566
1
42,960
try a computer shop in your area. they will have the molex to 3 or 4pin fan adapters you need. ........ pull plug from wall. push power button to drain............. there may be some really hard compound that smooshed out around the chips. your call on removing that. careful not to touch surrounding components. might short something. would still look for replacements with fans or mount 40mm on them (if it clears cards on sb).... thermal paste won't do it all or do very much.
 
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