PC crashing, need help to know what is possibly causing it

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teplous15

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Dec 2, 2015
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Alright, so this has only been a recent occurrence, but when I play semi-intensive games (Dota, CS:GO, Witcher, etc.), my entire PC will crash, with my monitor displaying barred lines all over. Sometimes my PC will instantly restart and it's not really a big deal, but sometimes it can take hours to successfully restart. After looking at other threads with some saying it's a PSU issue, I went and checked the "PSU Tier List" and have found out my PSU is a Tier 4.

Is my low-tier PSU likely the cause for my PC crashes? I've had this PC for roughly 20 months and has only occurred for the last 2-3. The only thing that doesn't lead me to think it's a PSU issue the idea that barred lines appear on my screen, but I'm able to hear in-game audio.

I don't really want to go and replace hardware if it isn't going to 100% fix my issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My PC specs are below:
FSP Raider (500 Watt from memory)
Intel i-5 4670 @ 3.40 GHz
8gb RAM (2x4)
Windows 8 64 bit
R9 270x GPU
 
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teplous15

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Dec 2, 2015
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My GPU is up to date, and when I use RealTemp on Dota 2, my Temperature is at 70°C, but this is maybe 30 minutes into the game, and not instantly.
 
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Poprin

Poprin

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Dec 13, 2012
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When diagnosing PC issues, start with the easy stuff and then move on.

Run memtest86+ and do one sweep of your RAM. Doesn't take long, if it passes one test it likely has no glaring issues. This also tests your CPU cache and the memory interface on your mobo so then you can rule that out.

Then run a HDD diagnostic if you have one (i.e. not an SSD). You can download from your HDD manufacturers website.

If all these pass, try using a piece of software called OCCT. It is capable of testing the power delivery from your PSU. It's not amazingly easy to use but it's your best bet.

9 times out of ten, if the machine just turns off and it only happens when the machine is under load then this is a classic PSU fault. You get a voltage fluctuation and then BAM everything dies.
 
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Poprin

Poprin

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Also... an easy check....

Go into your BIOS and check for a setting that says something along the lines of 'on power loss reboot' and change this to 'stay off' or equivalent setting. Then when it crashes and goes off, if it does not turn back on then the motherboard believes it lost power. If it turns off and resets due to a software error and auto reboot it will power back on because the motherboard will not have detected a power loss.

You can then check your event log, if the event log has the error EventID 41 Kernel-Power then Windows has also detected power loss... again would suggest PSU failure.
 
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teplous15

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Alright, I just ran all of the diagnostics for my HDD, and i'll now go on and run memtest. I'll post the results if I can get it work

 
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teplous15

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How long am I meant to run the OCCT test?
 
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teplous15

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Alright. I ran the power supply test. It only lasted for 16 minutes before it was closed and I was given the message "Core #1 over maximum value! Value Reached: 86, Max Value: 85.

Also, the average for the entire duration was 80 degrees celsius.
 
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Poprin

Poprin

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OK, so first port of call then is to sort your CPU temp. First just check that your CPU cooler is properly pushed down and making contact with the CPU correctly, then check for dust inside your machine, make sure it's clear. Best to use an air duster but I also use a paintbrush (make sure the power is off of course). If it looks quite clean in there, look to your case air flow. Fans all running correctly and not obstructed. Then if none of that makes the difference you need to bite the bullet and remove your CPU cooler. Clean it and re-mount it using fresh thermal paste.

Once you've fixed that overheating problem you can re-test and check for stability.
 
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teplous15

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CPU cooler is mounted fine and I had cleaned my PC maybe 3 days ago. I'm not going to be able to remount my CPU cooler for quite some time, however all fans in my PC were working. From memory, I have 2 fans + the CPU fan.

 
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