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[SOLVED] Do I have a faulty PSU?

Feb 23, 2019
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Don't want to make this too long, but I built my PC in December 2018. Ever since I built it, I have never been able to play an intensive game without it crashing my PC (note that the crash happens after 2-10 minutes after launching the game). I have considered faulty parts as the reason, but I have no clue which one.

Recently, I have gotten so many freezes for no reason. Browsing the web, watching YouTube, chatting on Discord. I'm talking about 5-10 freezes per day. I cannot move my cursor, and I have to manually turn off my PC, and then turn it back on. I have dealt with this for months, but it is now getting to the point where it is getting annoying. I have tested my RAM and GPU for errors and they are not faulty. After reading about faulty PSUs, I think it might be the reason. Someone also told me that my PSU is not the best quality [EVGA 500BQ], but it is fairly recent and has no reason to be failing on me. If my PSU is faulty, I am considering replacing it with a Corsair CX650M.

If anyone could assist me on ideas of what is wrong with my PC, it would be much appreciated. I'm not much of an expert on PC building, so anything is helpful.

My specs:
Intel i5 8600k
NVIDIA ASUS GTX 1060 6GB Dual Fan OC Edition
Ballistix Sport 8GBx2 DDR4 2400 MT/s
EVGA 500BQ PSU
 
Solution
A crash that happens after some time smacks to me of a possible heat problem.
What are your temperatures at idle and under load before the crash?
HWmonitor will tell you.
Take the case covers off and direct a fan at the innards.
If this stops the crashes, look to case cooling solutions.

Have you overclocked your 8600K?
If so, back off a notch or two and see how you do.

The EVGABQ 500w unit is considered as tier 4 on this list:
Yes, it is possible for a psu to deteriorate over time.

Note that the CX650m is tier 4 also.

A GTX1060 generally will run just fine on quality 450w psu.

The only way to test the psu failure theory is to replce with a known good psu...
A crash that happens after some time smacks to me of a possible heat problem.
What are your temperatures at idle and under load before the crash?
HWmonitor will tell you.
Take the case covers off and direct a fan at the innards.
If this stops the crashes, look to case cooling solutions.

Have you overclocked your 8600K?
If so, back off a notch or two and see how you do.

The EVGABQ 500w unit is considered as tier 4 on this list:
Yes, it is possible for a psu to deteriorate over time.

Note that the CX650m is tier 4 also.

A GTX1060 generally will run just fine on quality 450w psu.

The only way to test the psu failure theory is to replce with a known good psu.
See if you can't borrow one to test with.

Failing that, buy a quality psu like the Seasonic focus 550w unit.
Here is a gold rated unit with a 7 year warranty for $75

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151203

If that does not fix the problem and you want to return the unit, expect to pay a 15% restocking fee.
 
Solution
@geofelt
I do not believe it is a heat problem.
At idle, my cores are at 30C - 35C average.
Before the crash, my cores were 32C - 35C average.

Not much of a temperature change, and my build is decently cooled. Guessing that it is a PSU problem, do you think the CX650M will do fine for my build as well? I don't want to spend too much money on a replacement PSU, even if it is the reason behind this freezing.
 
@geofelt
I do not believe it is a heat problem.
At idle, my cores are at 30C - 35C average.
Before the crash, my cores were 32C - 35C average.

Not much of a temperature change, and my build is decently cooled. Guessing that it is a PSU problem, do you think the CX650M will do fine for my build as well? I don't want to spend too much money on a replacement PSU, even if it is the reason behind this freezing.
I don't think you have a heat problem either.

If there is one component in a pc that you should spend more on it is the psu.
A bad psu can cause all sorts of inconsistent and mysterious problems.
Tier 2 units are not really that expensive. The EVGA G3 and the Seasonic I mentioned are tier 2.
You get a 7 year warranty with either.
You have a high end build, it makes no sense to use a mediocre psu.
I know we all have budgets, but find your cost cutting elsewhere if you can.