Computer Shuts Down During Apparent High Loads

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 3, 2014

I recently completed my first PC build (specs below) for gaming & running Autodesk Maya. Everything had been going really well until I tried doing some test renders with Maya. Even with very simple scenes on decent rendering quality, the computer shuts down unexpectedly. Doesn't POST either.

This is the only way I've been able to recreate the problem as well. A friend suggested it might be either my PSU isn't strong enough or CPU overheating issue? I ran realTemp_370 and stressed the cpu to 100%. realTemp reported all cores were up to 100 degrees centigrade. But I still didn't get an unexpected shutdown.

I'm at a loss for what to do, any help would be appreciated.

Processor: Intel i7 4790K
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H
Graphics: EVGA GeForce GTX 760
PSU: Corsair CX500
RAM: GSKILL 8GB 2x
SSD: Crucial M500 240GB
Case: Fractal Design Define R4

hunter315 · Sep 3, 2014

Your cores went up to 100C??? You shouldn't be getting them above the low 70s or you will start harming for the long run. Start by fixing your cooling situation, get a couple different software temp monitors and see if they agree, try HW Monitor, CoreTemp, and SpeedFan.

Your power supply should be sufficient, the 760 is about 170W, the 4790k is about 95W, the CX500 should be able to do that easily, and since you say your CPU is getting so hot I would focus on solving the heat issue first and see if that solves the shutdown problem too.

swifty_morgan · Sep 3, 2014

reseat the heatsink and fan on the cpu/

Martell1977 · Sep 3, 2014

Try removing the cpu cooler and reset it, making sure it's snug and doesn't have too much thermal paste. Then check you temps with HWMonitor. You definitely have an overheating problem.

InvalidError · Sep 3, 2014

Your CPU should not be getting anywhere near 100C even with the stock HSF if it is properly installed so you very likely have a HSF mounting issue as hunter said.

The stock HSF is very easy to improperly install, is nearly impossible to confirm by touch and even visual inspection from the motherboard backside if your computer case has a motherboard tray cut-out to facilitate the process might not make the issue obvious. Intel's push-pin LGA775-LGA1150 retention system is notoriously bad at that. I wish they would go back to steel clips like S370 but with motherboard-mounted anchors instead of socket-molded ones or the S478-style "claw" with four motherboard anchor points... once those were set, you knew with pretty good degree of confidence.

bignastyid · Sep 3, 2014

If that system has been getting hot it will severely reduce that CXs life span. The cheap caps it uses hate heat. Mix a hot system with the high loads it has to pull and that could definitely be causing the system to shutdown. Are you using the stock intel heatsink?

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 3, 2014

To answer the questions:
Yes, I am using the stock heatsink/fan combo.

I removed the fan, checked the amount of thermal paste on the CPU and the heatsink; I'm unsure of what constitutes too much or too little at this point, but it was what was originally on the heatsink before attaching it.

I reseated the fan/heatsink and tried running applications with HWMonitor and CoreTemp open. All cores shot up from ~30°C to ~95°C in a few seconds and shortly after: shutdown. Tried running Crysis II. Ended up with temperatures anywhere from 55° to 70° at 20% load, if that's anything to go by.

Any suggestions? Should I just buy a new heatsink?

swifty_morgan · Sep 3, 2014

almost always a good idea to replace stock heatsinks and fan.................... also, the idea of pulling and replacing the original heatsink was to make sure it was seated correctly. very easy to NOT install Intel heatsinks because of the crappy hold down design and not be aware of it.

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 3, 2014

swifty_morgan :

Is there a heatsink/fan combo you would recommend?

And yes, I realized how easy it would be to not install this default heatsink correctly, but I've tried reseating it twice now with the same results

swifty_morgan · Sep 3, 2014

the best thing I've used is an H90 Corsair. quiet and works really well........... some guys like the inexpensive evo ( i think cooler master makes it ) you can get one for $34 ( usual price ) or $10 bucks cheaper on a good day.

InvalidError · Sep 4, 2014

TeaNBiskuts :

The paste under the stock Intel HSF has a clay-like consistency and you have only one shot at getting it right. Once the original application has been ruined, the stock HSF is close to worthless since aftermarket pastes are too thin to act as proper substitutes.

The CoolerMaster 212+/EVO/X is a pretty solid recommendation for people who want decent yet fairly affordable cooling performance. The mounting bracket might be somewhat of a PITA to install and its height can be too much for some cases.

swifty_morgan · Sep 4, 2014

this came up today.................. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103182

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 6, 2014

So I ended up buying the H90 corsair, at swifty_morgan's suggestion. Came in today, just got it installed. Seems to have fixed the problem; however, when all four cores are under 100% load I'm getting max temps of 81,80,81,71 for cores 0,1,2,3 respectively. Is this a problem?

InvalidError · Sep 6, 2014

TeaNBiskuts :

70-80C would have been expected with the stock HSF. It is suspiciously high for liquid cooling and stock clock - missing/unpowered fans?

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 6, 2014

Unless there is something wrong with my board, no. I have every fan plugged in; and now with the H90 actually have an additional 14" fan.. Would it matter where each fan was plugged in.

Actually now the temperatures have gotten higher. 88°,89°,89°,79°.

TeaNBiskuts · Sep 7, 2014

So. As it turns out my stock BIOS is automatically configuring how much voltage it's putting through my computer.. "within limits" I turned off that setting and now I'm getting max temps of 65,64,65,58.. but that still seems really high for water cooling?

InvalidError · Sep 7, 2014

As long as the fans are plugged in somewhere and are spinning fast enough to generate airflow that you can definitely feel, that should be good enough. You might want to double-check the directions your fans are blowing and how hot air is on either side of them - maybe something in the way you setup your fan is causing the same hot air to get re-circulated through the radiator.

You might want to check your radiator's temperature to see if you might have a pump or circulation issue while you are at it - if the CPU is at 80+C, the hot-side hose and the radiator should get fairly warm..

swifty_morgan · Sep 7, 2014

take the cpu fan header and stick it on a standard fan header. connecting it to the cpu header will not let it run at a faster constant speed. I run mine on a xeon. when all cores are at 89% it gets to 54c on the hottest core........... so yes, your cpu is hot. grant you the cpu has graphics installed............ wonder if you disabled the on board in the BIOS it would change the temps.
my fan pulls though the radiator........... inside to outside.......... none of this pull the air from outside in. it never works better........... so case/fan/radiator/////// radiator being on the inside. if you have an extra fan you could try push/pull................ also not using the corsair fan at this time. whatever came with my case is what I am using.

Computer Shuts Down During Apparent High Loads

Reputable

Champion

Illustrious

Splendid

Titan

Titan

Reputable

Illustrious

Reputable

Illustrious

Titan

Illustrious

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Illustrious

Share this page