My PC restarts every time I run a game

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sdouxey

Honorable
Mar 10, 2015
4
0
10,510
I have done so much research about this but I have never really found a solution about this problem. Basically, my PC restarts every time I play any games (Battlefield 4, H1Z1, GTAV). So I decided to stress test my CPU (Prime95) and GPU (FurMark) and check out the temperatures. For my CPU, I get around 25-30 degrees on idle and 35-40 on maximum load. And as for the GPU I get around 50 degrees on idle and 70 on load which is quite good so it surely has nothing to do with temperatures. (Note: for some reason, my GPU usage flickers between 100% and 64% during stress testing and I don't really know why). So, after many hours of research and looking into forums I tried many things to solving my restarting issue:

> Updating my BIOS
> Changing power outlets in different rooms
> Switching my PSU orientation (from fan facing upwards to fan facing downwards)
> Swapping my RAM sticks to different slots on my motherboard
> Checking if my drivers are up to date (they are)
> Changing operating system (from windows 7 to 8.1)
> Re-installing the games

But none of these have worked. My PC keeps restarting when playing games and sometimes it restarts when I stress test my GPU. The restarts do not give me a warning or error message just a restart and when the PC restarts, I am told that the PC did not shut down properly.

My specs:

> CPU: AMD FX-8350
> CPU Cooler: Cooler Master: Hyper 212 Evo
> GPU: Radeon R9 270x
> PSU: EVGA 500W 80 Plus Power Supply
> RAM: 8GB (2x4GB) Crucial Ballistix Sport 1600MHz CL9 DDR3
> MOBO: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P AMD Socket AM3+ Motherboard
> HDD: 1TB Seagate Barracuda

My temps and voltages: (I don't know a lot about this stuff so I just screenshotted it)

Part 1: here
Part 2: here
Part 3: here

Its also worth pointing out, that my friend has the exact same specs as me except for CPU and CPU cooler and does not experience this issue at all. He has the FX-6300 and a stock cooler. Any help what-so-ever would be very much appreciated. I am willing to do any further tests if needed. Thank you so much. Sorry about the lengthy post.


 
Solution
tiny voices
That PSU is particular is not very good quality and they are known to fail. It doesn't matter if it is being pushed beyond its 500w labeled power limit as most non-grade-A PSUs will have issue before getting to their limit. A system hard restarting with the GPU under load (uses the most power of any component) is a very good sign of the PSU being the issue. Replace it with a proper unit. 550w is plenty as long as the PSU is quality. An XFX550 would be fine here.
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revolutionblue

Reputable
May 20, 2015
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4,520
good job on going through all that testing!

If you're primary goal is to use this computer for gaming as opposed to other stuff, this is what i would do:

1) backup any personal data and serials etc on a 2+ media, thumb plus something else
2) buy a 256mb SSD (a decently fast one) to install the OS and the games. make sure that the SSD is in SATA port 0 (Not 1 or 2).
3) insert win boot disk and reinstall OS on that SSD. Load into windows. reformat your 1TB SG drive (ensure it's in SATA 1).
4) pull down your favorite driver updater (i use IOBit). UPdate drivers. don't bother installing games. Let that driver updater run and see if it causes any conflicts first. Pull down updates for your gfx card.
5) if you can afford (add another 8gb of memory) / not essential right now / but good idea.
6) 256gb should give you plenty of space to install any apps on the SSD vs the HDD. Use the SSD for cache config as well for speed.
7) install ONE GAME at a time. Try to push the machine to replicate the same error. If you don't get a restart, good for you! INstall each additional game, and then run that one game.
8) you're goal here is to try to replicate the error from a completely fresh install with no other potential conflicts.

if you get a restart right out of the gate with nothing else on the machine (no apple, no google, no office, no adobe, no nothing else installed) / try a different graphics card / check that you're not overpowering your 500W. Pair it down to minimum and build up from there.

good luck.
 
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revolutionblue

Reputable
May 20, 2015
8
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4,520
On PSU / We have 5+ of those very models with no issues running a range of apps under pressure with similar builds. It wouldn't seem that the power demand from the componentry would push beyond the 500w capabilities / but perhaps some other issue / good call / swap out the PSU before doing anything else. Go up to 600 or higher not a bad idea anyway.
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

Titan
Sep 6, 2012
34,175
5
99,965
That PSU is particular is not very good quality and they are known to fail. It doesn't matter if it is being pushed beyond its 500w labeled power limit as most non-grade-A PSUs will have issue before getting to their limit. A system hard restarting with the GPU under load (uses the most power of any component) is a very good sign of the PSU being the issue. Replace it with a proper unit. 550w is plenty as long as the PSU is quality. An XFX550 would be fine here.
 
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