sudden shutdown while running GPU & CPU intensive programs

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Daishain

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Mar 3, 2016
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I have been having difficulties with the computer shutting down with no warning whatsoever, no BSOD, no fault logs, nothing. This has exclusively occurred while running resource heavy programs. Mostly games, but it also occurs with Solidworks (a 3d object design and modeling program)

The shutdown seems to sometimes occur in relation to actions that would incur a spike of activity, loading a save, alt+tabbing to another program, etc. In other cases, it does not react to such actions, but it shuts down anyways after an unpredictable period of time (could be minutes or hours)

I've been monitoring the temperature since this began. On no recorded occasion has any of the sensors reported more than 50C. I've installed new drivers for the GPU, and tried older releases. I've installed Window 7, then reinstalled 10. I've used Prime 95 and Furmark as stress testers, neither provoked a shutdown in spite of letting them run for over an hour each.

I can't think of anything else to try when it comes to pinpointing the problem short of buying new parts and trying them out (a not desirable risk given my current finances). I don't have a spare GPU that will fit the motherboard, and the only spare PSU I have can't muster the wattage needed for this system.

PC specs:
OS- Windows 10 Pro 64 bit (same failure occurred using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit)
MB- MSI X99S Gaming 7
CPU- Intel I7-5820k, 3.3ghz, 6 physical cores
GPU- Nvidea Geforce GTX 970
PSU- Thermaltake Toughpower 750 Watt
Ram-16 GB Corsair Vengeance
 
Solution
DonkeyOatie
Since you did not state otherwise, I assumed your PSU was a 750W Bronze or unrated and it is other than an XT model. This model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153036 It is one of the weaker Channel Well units.

If you can provide the exact model number, we can confirm things.

Here's the way of it. What could your problem be?

You have an excellent CPU on a great motherboard, with good RAM you have tested. You have good cooling.

That leaves PSU and GPU as choices. PSU weakness is shown by sudden, random shut down. GPU problems usually don't have the system just stop. It could be a problem with the wall socket and house circuit, it could be a power cable problem, it could be a PSU issue, and it could be...
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Daishain

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Asetek 590LX liquid cooling system paired with a 360mm radiator and 6 120mm fans in a push-pull configuration. So far as I can tell its performance has been rock solid thus far. During their respective stress tests the GPU neared 75C but the CPU stayed at about 50

As for the PSU, the wattage should have been sufficient, and I was led to believe the reliability was high. Was I misinformed on either point?

If it helps, the system has been online for about 9 months. These issues first began about 6 weeks ago. There were no changes at that time, and my demands on the system have not gone up.

Haven't tried memtest86 or similar as there didn't seem to be reason to suspect problems there. I'll get back to you on the results
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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It is a fairly reliable 'tractor' PSU, you have high-performance 'race car' system. A tractor engine may be good and produce 800Hp, but it is of little use in a race car.

Here's our thinking on PSU's http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html See where you PSU lies :(.

750W is plenty of power. The components in the PSU are unsuited for high-performance applications like gaming which put sudden, sustained, and intense stress on the PSU (just like motor racing)
 
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Daishain

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The specific unit doesn't seem to be listed there, and the series seems to be spread from T1 to T3. Where does it lie?

In any case, I had picked it based on Newegg's listing found here: https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx , which lists toughpower units of 600 watts and higher as tier 2, not the best of the best, but high quality and reliable.

Don't get me wrong, what you're saying makes sense as the source of the problem, but this is the first I've heard of this particular consideration.

In any case, memtest came back clean
 
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Daishain

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Mar 3, 2016
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Still no response. Can anyone confirm that DonkeyOatie's theory is the most likely solution? If so, any particular suggestions on PSU units that do meet system demands but won't waste funds?

After a bit of digging, I had my eye on a Seasonic platinum series unit, but I'd rather not make another mistake
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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Since you did not state otherwise, I assumed your PSU was a 750W Bronze or unrated and it is other than an XT model. This model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153036 It is one of the weaker Channel Well units.

If you can provide the exact model number, we can confirm things.

Here's the way of it. What could your problem be?

You have an excellent CPU on a great motherboard, with good RAM you have tested. You have good cooling.

That leaves PSU and GPU as choices. PSU weakness is shown by sudden, random shut down. GPU problems usually don't have the system just stop. It could be a problem with the wall socket and house circuit, it could be a power cable problem, it could be a PSU issue, and it could be several other things.

I'd try an borrow a PSU from a fiend. I'm probably miles away, but I keep a good EVGA 750W PSU I know works lying around just for this sort of thing in out builds at school.
 
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Solution
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Daishain

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Mar 3, 2016
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Gold rated, this is the one:
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-TOUGHPOWER-TPD-0750M-Modular-Active/dp/B00NMXUMDM/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1457132095&sr=1-9&keywords=thermaltake+toughpower+semi+modular

In any case, I'll ask around, but ironically the only people I know who mess with upper end desktops all live too far away for casual parts borrowing.

I'm already "window shopping" for a replacement, any particular recommendations?
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

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Sep 16, 2014
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OK. That's still a Channel Well unit and the lower end Gold design, the 550W, is the London, which is not the greatest unit out there.

Keep a log and monitor temperatures. It's impossible to be certain, all I can do is suggest possibilities.

According to this review http://wingphoenix.pixnet.net/blog/post/41135884-thermaltake-toughpower-650w-gold%E9%9B%BB%E6%BA%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%87%89%E5%99%A8%E8%A9%95%E6%B8%AC, so is the 650W unit, so I'm guessing the 750W is too.
 
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Daishain

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Mar 3, 2016
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All right then, thank you for the assistance. Could certainly have been worse.
 
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Daishain

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Mar 3, 2016
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All right, finally can declare this one solved. Popped the new PSU and cables in without too much hassle. (a Dark Power Pro 11 if it is of interest) Ran a program that had recently been causing a shutdown almost immediately, it ran beautifully without so much as a twitch.

Thank you for your time and patience DonkeyOatie
 
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