PC switching itself off, no explanation!

[Ultimoz]

I had an issue about a month back where my PC wouldn't immediately turn on when I pressed the power button, but eventually the issue went a way so I just ignored it ever happened. But suddenly on saturday it got really bad and started switching itself off a few seconds after switching on. It started happening every 5 minutes or so, but is now taking up to a couple hours

I tried switching the PSU to an older one, the same issue happened
I tried laying out the pieces on cardboard and, using only a single stick of old ram + removing the GPU, the same issue happened. In this scenario though, it first lasted 2 hours, and then lasted about 20 hours before finally switching off, maybe this is notable

By this point, it has to either be the motherboard, cpu, or ssd that is causing the issue. I don't think it's likely to be the ssd, so does anybody have ANY idea?

Specs when it last shut off:
-ASRock Z77 Extreme 4
-i7-3770k
-CX600M
-250GB samsung SSD

I know my PSU is trash, but I'm not convinced the issue is PSU related since I tried an older one and it still happened.

 

[InvalidError]

Are you certain the old PSU was any good? Replacing a dying PSU with a bad/dying PSU wouldn't prove anything. You need a currently-known-good one, such as one borrowed from a working system with similar or higher specs.

 

[helpstar]

unplug the front panel power button and use the reset button as power on button

 

[Ultimoz]

Are you certain the old PSU was any good? Replacing a dying PSU with a bad/dying PSU wouldn't prove anything. You need a currently-known-good one, such as one borrowed from a working system with similar or higher specs.

It's not a very good one, it makes a pretty terrible noise which is why I ended up replacing it in the first place. I just thought it would be weird for two PSUs to give the exact same issue.

Should I just suck it up and buy a new one?

 

[helpstar]

which other power supply did you try? brand and model

 

[Ultimoz]

which other power supply did you try? brand and model

I believe it's this one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DQSURLU

 

[helpstar]

have a look at the capacitors of your motherboard, some cracked or blown, colored, or else?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Blown_capacitor_on_video_card.jpg/220px-Blown_capacitor_on_video_card.jpg

 

[Ultimoz]

have a look at the capacitors of your motherboard, some cracked or blown, colored, or else?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Blown_capacitor_on_video_card.jpg/220px-Blown_capacitor_on_video_card.jpg

Nothing looked out of the ordinary when i took it out the case, but i'm not an expert on them.

 

[helpstar]

you will have to plug in 8pins for the ATX12V/EPS CPU power, the old psu doesn´t provide 8pins, just 4pins

 

[Vic 40]

Why a new thread?
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3548157/switching-changing-psus-fix.html

 

[Ultimoz]

Why a new thread?
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3548157/switching-changing-psus-fix.html

Sorry, last one seemed to be dead

 

[Ultimoz]

you will have to plug in 8pins for the ATX12V/EPS CPU power, the old psu doesn´t provide 8pins, just 4pins

So I should buy a new PSU to test the problem?

 

[Vic 40]

None around you with a decent psu? A friend or local shop ....

 

[Ultimoz]

None around you with a decent psu? A friend or local shop ....

I can order a new one to arrive tomorrow. Any recommendations

 

[mjslakeridge]

I have the Seasonic G450 semi-modular PSU. Here is a review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-g-series-450w-power-supply,4256.html

Carefully look at all of the capacitors on your motherboard. They are the upright cylinders of varying sizes, with an "x" stamped into the metal at the top. The tops of the capacitors should be flat and not bulging or leaking. The "x" in the top is designed to break open in the event the capacitors fail, rather than have the whole thing explode.

 

[Ultimoz]

I have the Seasonic G450 semi-modular PSU. Here is a review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-g-series-450w-power-supply,4256.html

Carefully look at all of the capacitors on your motherboard. They are the upright cylinders of varying sizes, with an "x" stamped into the metal at the top. The tops of the capacitors should be flat and not bulging or leaking. The "x" in the top is designed to break open in the event the capacitors fail, rather than have the whole thing explode.

The capacitors all seem to look fine to me, none of the tops look different from one another. Could my motherboard still have issues causing my PC to shut down?

 

[helpstar]

yes, but would try a PSU which can work. The old one has just one 4pin atx12v plug, which would lead to shutdown as well

 

[Ultimoz]

yes, but would try a PSU which can work. The old one has just one 4pin atx12v plug, which would lead to shutdown as well

Only 4 pin would lead to the exact same issue? I didn't think that would be the case

 

[Vic 40]

I wouldn't trust testing with that Atrix psu when only having 312 watts on the +12V rail and being old as well.

 

[Ultimoz]

I wouldn't trust testing with that Atrix psu when only having 312 watts on the +12V rail and being old as well.

I suppose i'll look for one that's good quality and not very expensive

 

[helpstar]

ssd firmware is up to date? if possible update it in a stable system
check all usb ports for damages (broken plastic, pins bent)

 

[Vic 40]

I suppose i'll look for one that's good quality and not very expensive

The new Corsair CX(M) are of decent quality for the price.

 

[Ultimoz]

This morning the PC didnt even turn on. I tried the brand new PSU that arrived today and nothing happened. Before that, one attempt at turning it on resulted in the motherboard lighting up but nothing else turning on.

Is it my motherboard that is faulty at this point?

 

[helpstar]

at this point motherboard or more likely power supply

 

[Vic 40]

I tried the brand new PSU that arrived today and nothing happened.

Don't know which one,but it shouldn't be the problem. So motherboard seems likely to be the next to look at.

One other thing comes to mind and that is a heat issue. Is the cpu cooler still well attached to the motherboard? What cooler are you using? mIght be a stupid thought,but is easily checked.