PC complety shutting down (as if the power was switched off) when gaming/watching streams or videos on youtube.

Matto100 · Feb 8, 2016

Hello, this problem has cropped back up from a while ago now when I thought it was a cpu overheating issue but now I have my doubts. When playing games/watching streams or videos sometimes my PC will randomly switch off and may fail to start back up once or twice before I can get back to the login screen. Windows startup repair tried to diagnose the issue but couldn't find the root cause.

I have ran windows diagnostic tool to see if there is any issue with the RAM modules but it resulted in no errors being detected. At the moment though, I don't want to rule this out as a potential issue and intend to run memtest86 soon.

I have monitored cpu temps using Coretemp while idle and under heavy load. The maximum temps when gaming are about 70 degrees which personally, I don't think is too extreme to cause these shutdowns.

One issue could be my power supply but as of yet I don't know how to test this.

I would really appreciate help in solving this problem as its a real pain

Cheers Matt

the_crippler · Feb 8, 2016

Check this site for a rough estimate of your PSU:
http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator

Also remember that PSU lose their output as they age - so if you were borderline when you bought it, and it's been awhile, it might have aged out.

How are the temps on your graphics card looking? Had that been getting too hot?

Anarkie13 · Feb 8, 2016

Sounds like a PSU or GPU issue. Either your system is drawing more power than the PSU can handle or the GPU is overheating when it's taxed at all.

For the PSU, no hope but to replace it. For the GPU, there are aftermarket coolers or maybe you just need to re-apply thermal paste to the HSF assy.

Matto100 · Feb 8, 2016

the_crippler :

At the moment AMD catalyst control center is reading my graphics temp at 60 degrees

the_crippler · Feb 8, 2016

Matto100 :

Check the calculator and see where you are in relation to your PSU's rating and how much you're drawing. Remember, that's really only going to give you an estimate - if you're pulling more on a heavy load for long periods of time, you might exceed that amount. (I usually add 20% to whatever it says when I'm buying.) And, again, if your PSU is older, it might just be on the way out.

Anarkie13 · Feb 8, 2016

Then it's most likely your PSU. However, re-seating the cooler on your GPU can't hurt either. It's cheap, easy and can only end in temp control gains if done right.

I'd replace the PSU. Find something from tier 1 or 2 here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Matto100 · Feb 8, 2016

the_crippler :

Here are the results: http://outervision.com/b/UfnLsI
Not really sure what it all means.

My psu is a corsair CX600

the_crippler · Feb 8, 2016

Well, it says you should be running at least a 600W PSU (594W recommended.). Are you?

Matto100 · Feb 8, 2016

the_crippler :

Yeah the CX600 is a 600 watt psu

the_crippler · Feb 8, 2016

You still haven't told us how old it is.

Regardless,you're right on the line - so I would not be surprised if you're pulling too much power for that unit.

Matto100 · Feb 8, 2016

the_crippler :

I would have to say its about 4 years old now. Is there any way to test if its definitely the PSU? From what you guys have told me it seems likely but I want to be sure before a fork out a lot of cash to get a new PSU.

the_crippler · Feb 9, 2016

There are PSU testers out there for around $25. Also, if you're handy with a multimeter, you can do something like this:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

...although, that won't tell you if the PSU is sputtering once it gets heated up and pulling a full draw.

With the fact that it's a few years old (not super old, but aging) and the fact that your components are pushing it right to the edge of its capability, I'd bank on that being the issue. Do you have a friend with a bigger PSU? See if you can buy them a pizza or something and try it for a night in your rig.

Matto100 · Feb 11, 2016

the_crippler :

There are PSU testers out there for around $25. Also, if you're handy with a multimeter, you can do something like this:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

...although, that won't tell you if the PSU is sputtering once it gets heated up and pulling a full draw.

With the fact that it's a few years old (not super old, but aging) and the fact that your components are pushing it right to the edge of its capability, I'd bank on that being the issue. Do you have a friend with a bigger PSU? See if you can buy them a pizza or something and try it for a night in your rig.

Thinking about getting this PSU as a replacement, a bit of a downgrade but should do the job. Will it be compatible with my system specifications?

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0
GPU: AMD XFX R7850
Processor: AMD FX-4100

Cheers Matt

the_crippler · Feb 11, 2016

Your post seems to be missing what PSU you're getting. In what way will it be a downgrade?

Matto100 · Feb 11, 2016

the_crippler :

opps sorry, here ya go

http://www.ebuyer.com/716703-evga-600w-white-80-power-supply-100-w1-0600-k3

the_crippler · Feb 11, 2016

Matto100 :

I get that we're not positive its the PSU, and money is a factor... But that's still only 600W, and the issue seems to be not enough power.

Matto100 · Feb 12, 2016

the_crippler :

Matto100 :

I get that we're not positive its the PSU, and money is a factor... But that's still only 600W, and the issue seems to be not enough power.

In that regards, do you think 650 watts will be satisfactory? May end up getting this one instead

the_crippler · Feb 12, 2016

Yeah...that at least gives you some buffer over what you have in there.

Matto100 · Feb 13, 2016

I went to one of my local pc shops today, they tested the psu with a multi-meter and the voltages were all fine. I know this doesn't mean that the PSU is fine as it wasn't put under heavy load (I would need to book for that rather than just walk in) but my system has shut down when only watching streams/videos which I presume really don't require much power. One of the guys in the shop told me to check out event viewer to check out my crash logs, maybe you guys can decipher anything from them other than it being a

Matto100 · Feb 13, 2016

PSU failure. Here they are: http://i.imgur.com/zXtSe6M.jpg?1

PC complety shutting down (as if the power was switched off) when gaming/watching streams or videos on youtube.

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