Bizarre Pc Crash, need help

thisisPyro · Sep 2, 2014

My three month old first build computer has started crashing for the past three weeks. Unfortunately I just started college so I don't have a ton of time to mess with it. So if anybody here can figure it out, it would be amazing. First my build.

CPU: i54670k(not overclocked)
Motherboard: gigabyte z97
Memory: 16gb generic
GPU: gtx770
PSU: corsair 600m

The crash happens the same way. Basically while playing games, the computer will black screen. Everything will shut down, audio, graphics, everything. However the first couple times if I hit the power button it would start rite back up, like nothing happened. Now when it crashes, and I hit power the fans spin and my the lights light up but my keyboard doesn't get light up and my monitor gets no signal.

I can normally remove the graphics card and get it working, but sometimes I do nothing and it will work again. I have tried different graphics card drivers, switching pci express slots, and moving the RAM. I have no idea what the crashes are being caused by.

I plan on doing a fresh install and if that doesn't work, I'm going to RMA my graphics card. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated.

tiny voices · Sep 2, 2014

That PSU is low quality.

Change to an Antec, XFX, Seasonic.

thisisPyro · Sep 2, 2014

@tinyvoices Why does the monitor/keyboard not get signal sometimes, but other times it runs fine?

tiny voices · Sep 2, 2014

Power problem most likely.

replace that PSU and we will move on from there.

thisisPyro · Sep 2, 2014

No way to test the PSU? I just have to buy a new one?

tiny voices · Sep 2, 2014

It might not be faulty at all. It is just not very good quality and the symptoms you are having can be caused by a low quality PSU. Long story short, you need to replace it no matter what really for the safety of the system.

Until we have a known quality PSU in there, we cannot rule out the PSU as the issue, which it well could be.

thisisPyro · Sep 2, 2014

Anything I can before I buy a new PSU?

tiny voices · Sep 2, 2014

Run memtest for 5 passes to test the RAM. No matter what I strongly recommend a new PSU, even if it is not the problem. the PSU is is the single most important part of the PC by FAR.

thisisPyro · Sep 2, 2014

What is a quality PSU?

tiny voices · Sep 2, 2014

Something from antec, XFX, Seasonic.

I recommend an XFX 5560 or 650 for your build.

thisisPyro · Sep 3, 2014

Can not afford a new PSU at the moment. If the corsair is at fault I will get a refund or a new one. Is there some software to test my motherboard for power problems. How about for my graphics card or my PSU? I want to determine which one it is(if it is) so that I can RMA it. I am planning on replugging everything and doing a fresh install of windows. If I crash after that I will remove my graphics card and see if I can get it to crash again. If it does than it has to be the PSU or the Motherboard. Any better way to find out what is going wrong?

tiny voices · Sep 3, 2014

No test for the PSU. the way it works is that your GPU is being used (uses the most power by alot) when gaming and sucking more power than the PSU can produce.

You need to replace it. Honestly I would not use the computer until you get a new PSU as a failing or bad quality PSU can actually fry the entire computer.

Don't RMA the PSU, you don't want a replacement. Just get a new better quality unit.

Remove the GPU and run some games on integrated graphics. If no crashes, then the PSU is 99% at fault here.

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

How can I rule out the motherboard?

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

You can't really. Just run the system with no GPU and see if it crashes. If it does not, then update the BIOS to the newest version and try the GPU again. If it still crashes with the GPU installed, then it is likely not the motherboard and the PSU.

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

Checked all my power connections and realized a motherboard standoff screw had fallen out. Probably unrelated to the crashes.

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

YEah,That has nothing to do with it.

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

After putting the motherboard screw back and checking the power connections, I downloaded graphics drivers. It crashed 1 hour into a game. This time however I can not get any fans to spin or LEDs to light up. Pretty sure the PSU is finished. Hope it didn't damage anything when it went. I am ordering a new one tonite. Probably a 750watt from one of the brands u recommended. Is there some way to get some reimbursement form corsair? The PSU is only 3 months old.

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

Yeah, hopefully the rest of the system is ok.

750w is more than you need. 650w is plenty.

Get an XFX650. It will be the best value for money.

Contact Corsair, they will probably not give a refund, just send another cx600. Forget that.

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

I can sell or keep the power supply if I RMA. How about the xfx750? If I am getting a new PSU, I might want to make some room for improvements later. Would 750watts be enough for another 770?

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

Yes 750w is enough for two 770s. The XFX is a VERY good PSU.

What motherboard do you have?

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

Gigabyte z97.

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

Which one? There are many Gigabyte Z97 chipset boards.

thisisPyro · Sep 4, 2014

tiny voices · Sep 4, 2014

That motherboard only runs the second PCI lane at x4 so you can't really SLI. Just get a 650w unit.

thisisPyro · Sep 6, 2014

New xfx PSU should be here on Thursday. Looks like I will be able to see then if the corsair damaged anything.

Bizarre Pc Crash, need help

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