Graphics Card Potentially Causing Frequent and Sudden Shut Downs

jschloetter · Dec 14, 2016

Hey everyone,

I'm really stuck. I've had a recurring problem over the past few months. I have a build that's about 1 year old. Its been shutting off immediately, no BSOD, seemingly randomly. It can run fine sometimes for hours or even days, other times only minutes. It has never shut down while gaming. My temps and voltages are fine, fans all run. I have run tests on my ram and HDD with no problems. All drivers are current, BIOS has been flashed to most current version as well.

I unplugged my graphics card yesterday to see if it is the problem and the computer has been running fine, although it has run cleanly for a couple days at a time before. So my question is: could it be my graphics card? Again, its never crashed under load when gaming. Any other ideas?

Thanks a lot for your help. I've thought about replacing parts, but nothing definitively has been the problem. I'd hate to spend money on new parts when only to find the crashes continue.

Specs are below.

CPU - Intel i5-4460
MOBO - ASRock H97 Anniversary
GPU - Radeon R9 380
PS - EVGA 500B
RAM - 2x4 DDR3

BadActor · Dec 14, 2016

A good quality 550 watt PSU is recommended for the R9 380. The EVGA B series aren't the best quality and would be the first thing I suspect. Test your system with another PSU and see if this solves your problem.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

jschloetter · Dec 14, 2016

BadActor :

Hey, thanks for your response. I've suspected the power supply. I haven't replaced it because the rails are within tolerance when I've looked in the BIOS. Perhaps it hasn't been providing steady power when the PC is out of the BIOS. I'll borrow a friend's and see if I still get crashes before I buy a nicer one.

Thanks

kittle · Dec 14, 2016

its less about the rails providing steady power vs ENOUGH power. If (for example) your PC needs 520 watts and your PSU can only provide 500 max (or less if the PSU is wearing out), then the extra draw will cause the kind of problems you are seeing.

jschloetter · Dec 14, 2016

kittle :

I've tried calculating my wattage needs and I should be well below the 500W threshold. I would be surprised if the PSU has worn out after little more than a year, especially with the good reviews for the unit. But I could certainly be underestimating my watts or have received a bad unit. I'll be ordering a good quality 550W, likely a Corsair. Sounds like it is my PSU.

Thanks for the help!

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Graphics Card Potentially Causing Frequent and Sudden Shut Downs

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