Computer crashing (not BSOD), can't find culprit

[magruder13]

Hey all,

I'm running an older rig and for the past two years or so the PC crashes under extended heavy load while playing video games, mostly HOTS. The crash is where the screen goes blank, I lose sound and the fans all spin up to max. I first thought it was a heat issue so I replaced all of my fans, filters and added a bigger CPU cooler. The case is perfectly clean inside due to my filters that I clean regularly.

I ruled out graphics card because I lose sound and connectivity (friends say I immediately drop off of Skype / game).

I ruled out CPU since I upgraded from an i3 to an i5 (previous to the cooler / fan upgrades).

I ruled out SSD since it's a full PC crash and not a BSOD, there are no other symptoms and it's only during heavy loads.

I haven't ruled our RAM but again it's only during heavy loads and this would cause it during all conditions... right?

I think it's my PSU... It's a 440W corsair, should be enough power to run the PC... Does this make sense?

My specs are as follows:
Core i5 - 750
Radeon HD6870
8GB RAM
SSD
ASUS H7P55

I was thinking of upgrading to a Ryzen 5 build but I really only play HOTS and I'd rather not spend the money....

Thoughts?

 

[ingtar33]

Hey all,

I'm running an older rig and for the past two years or so the PC crashes under extended heavy load while playing video games, mostly HOTS. The crash is where the screen goes blank, I lose sound and the fans all spin up to max. I first thought it was a heat issue so I replaced all of my fans, filters and added a bigger CPU cooler. The case is perfectly clean inside due to my filters that I clean regularly.

I ruled out graphics card because I lose sound and connectivity (friends say I immediately drop off of Skype / game).

I ruled out CPU since I upgraded from an i3 to an i5 (previous to the cooler / fan upgrades).

I ruled out SSD since it's a full PC crash and not a BSOD, there are no other symptoms and it's only during heavy loads.

I haven't ruled our RAM but again it's only during heavy loads and this would cause it during all conditions... right?

I think it's my PSU... It's a 440W corsair, should be enough power to run the PC... Does this make sense?

My specs are as follows:
Core i5 - 750
Radeon HD6870
8GB RAM
SSD
ASUS H7P55

I was thinking of upgrading to a Ryzen 5 build but I really only play HOTS and I'd rather not spend the money....

Thoughts?

your reason for ruling things out is... doubtful.

When the screen goes black does the pc reboot or just lock up?

 

[geofelt]

Your 6870 is an older power hungry card.
Normally, a 500w psu is recommended; particularly if the card os overclocked.
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

In time, a psu can lose capacity; it might be time to replace the psu or the graphics card.

In the mean time, underclock your graphics card and see if that helps.

Possibly graphics card heat is an issue. Take your case covers off and see if that helps.

To test ram, run memtest86. You should be able to complete a full pass with NO errors.

 

[magruder13]

@geofelt

I picked up a corsair 650w PSU since if I'm going to build a better PC I will need one anyway. When I was swapping PSU's I notice one of my sticks of RAM wasn't fully seated so I thought that was my issue but kept the new PSU anyway. It took a few weeks of playing but it did crash again.

I'm going to run memtest right now and let you know the results. If that's not it, then must be the GPU?