My new desktop keeps restarting for no reason...

Deralinoux

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Jul 8, 2014
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Hello everyone !

About a month ago, I put together a pretty powerful computer, here is the build...
Since I had issues between the DisplayPort 1.2 cable for my monitor and the Sapphire r9 290x cards, I had to use an HDMI 1.4 one for a while, which with my 4K monitor meant that I was stuck with 30Hz... 10 days ago I was able to use my computer for hours, playing Injustice or watching videos without any issues, albeit with a sub-par refresh rate...

So when I came back today from a holiday, I had received my new DisplayPort cable and when I plugged it in, everything finally ran silky smooth at 60Hz. However, as I was enjoying my now optimal gaming setup with Sniper Elite v.2, it shut down and restarted... As soon as I had logged in again and launched Diablo 3, it did the same, which was really weird because I had tried both of these games before with the HDMI 1.4 or even the previous DisplayPort cable and they had worked flawlessly on my machine... Still, I expected it to be a matter of overheating, but as I tried different solutions and even moved fans in my case, the issue persisted and even worsened, as it would sometimes chain restart as Windows 7 was booting, or on the desktop, and after a few trials, it would stay off, and I'd have to wait a while before I could fire it up again...

So, I really don't know where this might come from now, though I am fairly convinced it ought not to be overheating, even my dual GPUs never really were hot (especially on start-up obviously, and I know it shut down when they must have been at max 60C) and my main suspicion is now that it might come somehow from the new cable... I have turned it on after unplugging it and it hasn't restarted in over 15 minutes, whereas right before, when it was still connected to the monitor, it was doing those chain restarts in less than a minute I told you about. I will now try to plug it in, and also try with the HDMI cable, to see if there is indeed some kind of link with the issue, but I would really like to know where you guys think it might be coming from...

Thank you for your answers !

P.S.: You might have noticed that my PSU was barely under the right wattage for my whole system (which is estimated to consume 858W by PCPP), but I don't expect it to be the issue since it is an 80+ Gold, and it shut down many times when I was not using it to the max (and since I also used it for hours a few weeks ago, without any issue of the sort...)

EDIT: So I did try it with the HDMI 1.4 cable I had used before, and it shut down right when Windows was booting up, and I probably will have to wait a while again before being able to start my computer back up... So the only thing I can imagine left is that something in the hardware/software has been changed/altered/damaged in some way between last time I used on Friday the 8th, and today...
 
Solution
Try it with a single GPU in there. If it doesn't crash then try the other GPU in place of that one. If it still doesn't crash then its most likely your PSU.

You can also run furmark to make sure its not temps (preferably when they are both in there and in xfire so you get the max temps)
Try it with a single GPU in there. If it doesn't crash then try the other GPU in place of that one. If it still doesn't crash then its most likely your PSU.

You can also run furmark to make sure its not temps (preferably when they are both in there and in xfire so you get the max temps)
 
Solution

Deralinoux

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Jul 8, 2014
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Alright, so, I did lay my computer on its side, remove one GPU, and I had the longest session in a while. However, when I tried putting my tower in standing position again, is suddenly shut down, and again when restarting... So I just put it back on its side, and I was able to restart it without any issue... Then I also put the second GPU back, and I was able to use my computer without any issue for the whole evening... And today it's still laying on the side on my desk and not showing any sign of a possible restart... So, it does seem that the upright position was an issue to it, which obviously makes me think that the problem is a weak connection between some of the components ? I assume I should try to remove all the pieces carefully and then put them all back together in hope of solving whatever issue the upright position seemed to be causing...

Thanks for your answer, it did - indirectly - help my solve my problem so far :p
 

Deralinoux

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Jul 8, 2014
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Pretty much 100% positive I did, yup. I will try to remove and then put back both GPUs and then make my tower stand again, if it's not it I probably will have to do a full check... Or just leave my computer lying down haha :p