PC restarts when playing games

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

Hello, I need your help.

I've had this computer for about 2 years and this problem started a few months ago.

Specs:
i3-2100 CPU @ 3.10 Ghz
GeForce GTX 560
3,61 GB RAM

PC shuts down/restarts (no BSOD) only while playing games and it often happens at particular points in the game. For insance, when the scenery is changing. If someone is familiar with Heroes of Might and Magic, it regularly happens when attacking neutrals and the game tries to load the battle map. Same thing with Blackguards.

Could it be something with the RAM? Or is it the overheating CPU?

What I did:

I downloaded HWMonitor and the temps for the CPU are pretty high. Core #0 fluctuates at about 35-42 C and core #1 40-45 C, while I'm using Internet for example. When playing games they go to 55+ I believe.
GPU is always below 50, most of the time around 40.

I used a gas duster to clean the CPU, but the problem persists.
I have 4 empty slots for computer fans, 2 on the top of the box and 2 on the side. I wonder if getting a fan would fix this, but I doubt it.

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

my money is on the psu

what make?

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

CHIEFTEC A-80, 500W

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

that is your problem. that psu is not suitable for a gaming rig. maybe a cheap office computer.

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

You believe that's what causing my PC to restart? In almost 2 years of playing games on this PC I had no such problems, with the same PSU.

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

Ok, so I was watching a film while doing a virus scan and the temp on core #1 reached 64 C (max value). The upper limit is 69 for my CPU.

Is there a way to test it's actually the PSU and not the overheating CPU or faulty RAM, without switching hardware?

coolcole01 · Apr 16, 2014

No the only way is to just go get a psu and try it i think he is right sounds like psu. Those temps are not crazy enough to do that but you never know.

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

sandybridge can handle more than 69 degrees. they throttle in the 80s or 90s

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

The "Maximum operating temperature" for this CPU is 69,1.
After this temperature is reached, the computer automatically shuts down to protect itself from damage. In my previous example it was only 5 C short of reaching it and I wasn't even playing a game.

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

no, it isnt

hardcorebluesct · Apr 16, 2014

Did you play with OC or Ram Speeds? That might be a problem. Happened to me when manually selected ram clock. Was not stable. I was playing BF4 and just shut down on me when game was loading.
Hows your airflow in case? CPU cooler?

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

That's odd... That you know better than the manufacturer, I mean.

So you're saying they aren't programmed to automatically shut down when 69,1 C is reached?

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

hardcorebluesct :

No, I haven't. Where do I check RAM speeds?

Standard cooler that comes with the CPU.

hardcorebluesct · Apr 16, 2014

Speed you can check on bios or UEFI ( new bios ). It might be your cooler........stock ones are good to the point.....and they are loud. If you have few minutes and some cash to spend try Cooler Master EVO or thermalTake NiC f4 ( around $40). your temps will drop instantly. I hope this helps.

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

paromlin :

first of all, cpus dont shut down when they reach their max temp. 2nd of all, it isnt 69.1 degrees.

i know better than you

paromlin · Apr 16, 2014

hardcorebluesct :

I was thinking of buying another fan.
I was playing a game now and the GPU temp spiked to 64 C (not below 50 like I stated previously), but that's completely fine I suppose. CPU temp is what worries me, as it has a lower temp tolerance.

I hope it helps too, thanks.

So it could be:

-CPU overheating
-faulty RAM
-or even bad PSU

neon neophyte · Apr 16, 2014

it's the psu.

paromlin · Apr 17, 2014

UPDATE:

Things got weirder. The PC doesn't shut down/restart anymore. Now it just *freezes*.

When it happens:
-happened when playing games, but at random times, not at particular points (e.g. when transitioning to a battle map) like previously
-I can still hear the music and move the mouse
-I have to restart the PC
-I have to restart it several times as Windows won't start, and when it does start it takes 10-15 min. to load and unfreeze. After that it works normally

-it also happens (sporadically) when doing other stuff, but I can usually wait for the PC to unfreeze itself (cca 5 min.)

This is really frustrating. The only thing I did the day before yesterday was a bit of cleaning with the gas duster.

paromlin · Apr 17, 2014

Ok, the PC shut down/restarted again, this time immediately when starting a game. There wasn't a freeze period and Windows started normally.

coolcole01 · Apr 17, 2014

try getting a new psu

neon neophyte · Apr 17, 2014

apparently he doesnt want solutions. apparently he just wants to hop into this thread and complain each time the problem occurs.

paromlin · Apr 17, 2014

neon neophyte :

And you obviously don't understand that what you say is just an opinion, one opinion. There are other people, more knowledgeable than you, and I'd like to hear their opinion as well.

neon neophyte · Apr 17, 2014

no see, the problem here is that you think you know something when you don't. you want someone to agree with you but it isnt going to happen. the problem is not your cpu temperature. you are ignorant about the matter. your tjmax is not 60 some degrees. its 90 some. go learn something before you blow up your computer.

paromlin · Apr 18, 2014

This is my CPU:
http://ark.intel.com/products/53422/Intel-Core-i3-2100-Processor-3M-Cache-3_10-GHz

TCASE: 69.1°C

The Tcase temperature is shown by HWMonitor in the "Package" line, I believe. Below Core 0 and 1.
Currently, the Max registered spike is 63 C (haven't played games), which is higher than the currently shown Max for the cores. On other occasions, I'm certain the Package temperature was even higher.

PC restarts when playing games

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