Computer overheating in Game?

Hassy

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Hi,

My computer specs are:

Motherboard: Gigabyte 76LMT
RAM: 4GB DDR3
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.60GHZ
GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX 660
PSU: CiT 600 Watt PSU
Storage: KINGSTON SSD 60GB AND A 160GB Western Digital Hard drive.

Problem: I am trying to play Need For Speed Rivals 64 bit and the computer just restarts? The first time I played this game (Yestarday) I got past the Intro and the game loaded and I was driving and got the first race finished then got bored and quit the game. However Today I am trying to play the game and the computer restarts just after the introduction?

What can be overheating? I mean the CPU, GPU and RAM are enough to play the game right? Game runs on High settings.

Is it my PSU?

Thank You!
 

Thegamerguy

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Now, a few questions...
Is this a laptop or desktop pc?
Have you overclocked the PC in any way, shape, or form?
Have you removed dust from the PC lately?
 

hassy786

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It is a Desktop PC.
No I have not overclocked. The GPU is Super Clocked but that is by the EVGA Manufacturer.
Yes I have removed dust from the PC lately however there was not much to remove any way.

I have a feeling my PSU does not have enough power to run high games?
 

Thegamerguy

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Ok...so, is your PSU 80+ certified because if it isn't, that means that if you are doing intensive tasks such as games, the PSU will not give out 600w. (a bad example would be those cheap 500w PSU you can get for 15 pounds on Newegg :ouch: :pfff: :no: ) These will only give about 250-350 watts under load! That means if your PSU falls into that category, it would not be able to power the PC you have (e.g your CPU+GPU already use up to nearly 300 watts!) and nvidia say that the gtx 660 needs at least a good 80+ 450w PSU.

Hope this helps! :)
 

Hassy

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No it is not 80+ certified.. Here is the link to the PSU I have.... http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/cit-600w-atx-pc-power-supply-n64gr

I found this on Ebay brand new for £10 so thought why not? .. So the problem to why my computer restarts when playing games like most wanted 2012 and running heaven benchmark is because the PSU cannot handle the load? Hmmm looks like its time to invest in a new PSU.. Do you have any recommendations on which PSU to buy? Looking for something that costs around £50, Gives out some were near 500 - 600 watts and is modular? Any ideas?

Thank You.
 

Thegamerguy

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For 50 pounds, I don't think you'll get a fully modular psu, you will however, get a semi-modular which means that all the necessary cables will be directly connected to the PSU (e.g. the x24 pin connector, CPU power 4 pin etc.) The rest can be connected if you want. I can list a few:

http://www.corsair.com/en/cx-series-cx600m-modular-atx-power-supply-600-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-psu

http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/gaming-gm-series/g550m/

http://www.dabs.ie/products/corsair-550w-cs550m-csm-semi-modular-80--gold-certified-power-supply-93P9.html?refs=405790000&q=modular&src=16

There the three I would choose, A good 80+ certified fully modular PSU will start at around 80 pounds.
These are all 80+ certified. Actually the corsair 550 watt one is gold certified which means out of the 550 watts, it will ALWAYS give out at least 92% of the rating meaning 92% of 550= 502 watts which is plenty for your system. The 600w corsair will give out 85% of the rating meaning 85% of 600= 510 watts. So they're both close. Choose whichever you like! :)
 

Hassy

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Question.. The power supply's you mentioned do not have good reviews on them.. Apparently the Corsair CX series were all buggy and are terrible? This is on the internet, do have a look at that when you get some time. However I have found a reasonable PSU.. It is called the SeaSonic S12II-620 .. What are your opinions on that and should I purchase it?

Thank You.
 

Thegamerguy

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I'm very sorry for that! :( I picked those since the reviews were good on them on the sites which I buy my parts off of and I had a good experience with them myself! Really sorry for that, we all learn something new eh? :) Anyway I'll check out that one and get back to you.

Edit: Seems good to me. 80+ bronze, all the PC connectors you'll ever need and all from one of the best companies in the business! (Really...I mean it this time :D) Ask any Tom's hardware expert and they'll usually say the same. Go for it, after your troubles you need it and I hope this fixes the problem. Best of luck to ya! :)

(I can't say much, my PSU isn't good either, but it does the job! I'll need to get another good one soon.)

And remember how you bought that crappy PSU...well this is the end result (and probably the end of your PC too)

http://www.bristolwireless.net/support/ <-----only kidding but still...

:pfff::ouch::lol:

One last thing, when buying that PSU (if you do) try and buy some good thermal paste (if you haven't already) so you can be 100% sure that it's not that which is the issue)

Cheers! :)
 

lilcinw

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You have your efficiency calculation backwards. A PSU rated at 600 watts means the manufacturer guarantees that it can provide 600 watts to the computer. This is divided between the the 3.3, 5 and 12 volt rails. (Some cheap PSUs are known to boost their numbers by promising crazy amps on the 5 volt rail which will almost certainly not be needed but helps raise the 'rated output'.)

What a certain efficiency rating means is that the PSU will provide a certain percentage of the wattage drawn from the wall. In your example the 550 watt PSU rated at 92% will draw no more than 598 watts. The 80+ specs also allow variance for different load levels as most PSUs reach the highest efficiency around 50% load so the actual draw at full load will be different.

@OP SeaSonic is pretty much the gold standard for power supplies. I wouldn't hesitate if you find one that fits your needs for a good price.
 

Thegamerguy

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I apologize for that one! Got mixed up, I think I'll stay out of PSUs from now on. :) I pretty new to PSUs but where I'm good at is GPUs, overclocking, gaming and CPUs. I think I'll stay in my own territory from now on. :)
 

lilcinw

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No problem. We all start somewhere.

A while back I saw an article somewhere from a guy who likes to find a bunch of 'bargain' PSUs and stress test them. He did a really good break down of all the different parts and how the PSUs were built. Some of the PSUs he tested had faked UL certification, line ripple waaaay outside of ATX spec and could only supply half of their 'rated' output safely.

That is what convinced me to never go with a cheap PSU unless you want to gamble with the rest of your build.
 

Thegamerguy

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Do you know where that article is? I'd love a link to that. I might find it interesting and learn a thing or two.
 

lilcinw

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It took some searching but I found the one I was talking about:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=71

Here is one that Tom's did along the same vein:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

Below is a general power supply overview that they did a few years ago as well. It has some good information in it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-psu-review,2916.html

@OP I apologize for hijacking your thread. I think gamerguy had the diagnosis correct. A thermal shutdown would not restart immediately. There is a setting in your BIOS for power failure recovery however and it is typically set to reboot when power is restored.
 

Thegamerguy

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Thanks for the link! I shall read it over the weekend. :)