Computer turns off (then turns back on) when playing games

[ddawg426]

Computer turns off (then turns back on) when playing games

Hello Tom's Hardware!

I've had this problem where my computer turns off when playing games, or under heavy GPU load. In mid-March, I bought installed some new parts, and since then I've been having these problems. This leads me to believe that one of my new parts is to blame, but I can't for the life of me figure out which one. Here's what I had just bought/upgraded to when the problem started:

• 
  Fractal Design Core 500
  Noctua NT-H1
  SanDisk Ultra II 480GB SSD
  EVGA Supernova 650GS PSU

...which brings me to my current setup's specs, which are as follows:

• 
  CPU: Intel i7-4790K @ 4.0GHz (stock)
  CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61
  GPU: XFX RX 480 Black Edition (1328MHz factory-OC'd)
  RAM: HyperX Fury 16GB 1866Mhz (8GBx2)
  Mobo: ASUS Maximus VII Impact
  SSD: SanDisk Ultra II 480GB
  HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 3TB
  HDD2: Western Digital Red 3TB
  HDD3: 2.5" Laptop HDD (I don't know the make/model off the top of my head)
  PSU: EVGA 650GS PSU (650W, Eco mode enabled)
  Case: Fractal Design Core 500
  OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit, latest version

For reference, here's the rig I came from. Instead of listing all the same parts again, I've written what has since changed:

• 
  NZXT Kraken X41 -> NZXT Kraken X61
  OCZ Arc 100 128GB -> SanDisk Ultra II 480GB
  Corsair CS450M -> EVGA Supernova GS650
  Thermaltake Core V1 -> Fractal Design Core 500
  GIGABYTE GTX 970 mITX OC -> XFX RX 480 Black Edition
  And a few new fans for exhaust and the bigger rad

I've tried everything under the sun to find out why my computer shuts off in-game. I feared that the PSU might've been faulty, so I got a replacement unit after RMA'ing it. The new unit does the same. Here's what else I've tried:

• 
  Replacing thermal paste
  Undoing software OC's (AISuite III)
  Reinstalling Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
  Running MemTest
  Reseating RAM
  Flashing the latest BIOS
  Resetting the CMOS
  Upgrading Kraken X41 to X61 after RMA'ing (NZXT sent me the X61 b/c the X41 was out of stock)
  Plugging the PSU directly into the wall
  Buying a new power strip for the setup
  Plugging the computer into different outlets in different rooms
  Playing games with the integrated graphics
  Selling the GTX 970 and buying an RX 480
  Setting i7 voltage to 1.2V to prevent voltage spikes (it worked in the downstairs outlet but doesn't work upstairs 🙁)

I can confirm that I don't experience any crashes when the GPU's not installed, so I'm leaning toward that being the problem. I RMA'd my GTX 970 once after observing abnormal clocks, and ended up upgrading (sidegrading?) to the RX 480. I noticed some sag on the mobo under the PCIe slot, thought it might be shorting itself, and put some rubber grippy material underneath to prop it up. I put some washers underneath the GPU on the outside to keep the card straight when I screwed it in. I think 650W is more than enough for what I'm running, especially when 450W worked for such a long time (and I know I was pushing it with that one 😱!)

I've monitored my temps with HWMonitor to see if temps or voltages cause the shutdown, but I don't see anything abnormal. Here's a picture of HWM a split second before my system turned off (2 minutes into GTAV benchmark):

I apologize for this long post, but this has been bugging me for a very long time. I'd just like my system to work again like old times. I appreciate you guys taking the time to read this, and I look forward to any suggestions you have!

 

[ddawg426]

I was so busy trying to blame my new parts that I didn't think about the fact I might've been the problem. After taking the entire build apart and then putting it back together, I'm no longer having this issue.

I think it may have been loose screws on the mobo, but I can't say for sure. If you're having this same problem, I'd recommend setting aside an afternoon to do the same!

Can a moderator please mark this as solved? I'm not sure how to do so myself 😱.