Question Why is my computer shutting off randomly while gaming?

[MONKEYKINGS404]

Last year, I built a computer with the following specs:

• MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus MOBO
• AMD Ryzen 7 5800x 8-Core, 16-Thread CPU
• MSI MAG CORELIQUID 240R CPU Cooler
• PNY XLR8 16GB (2x8) 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM
• MSI AMD Radeon RX 6700XT 12GB GPU
• PNY XLR8 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
• MSI MPG 650W 80-PLUS Gold Certified PSU
• MSI MPG GUNGNIR 110R Case with (4) 120mm RGB case fans

For a few months, my computer was running normally. However, last month, my computer started shutting off randomly (like a light switch) while gaming. For some games, my computer runs normally. For other games, my computer shuts off randomly. For example, the worst offender is Squad. My computer shuts off randomly 2-3 times whenever I play it.

So, I took the following troubleshooting steps:

• I cleaned my computer and checked all my connections. No change.
• I checked the temps on my CPU and GPU. My CPU was idling between 30-35C, and gaming between 60-65C (about 30% UTIL) . My GPU was idling between 35-40C, and gaming between 65-70C (about 90% UTIL). Even though my CPU and GPU temps checked out, I uninstalled my CPU and GPU, applied new thermal paste, and then re-installed them. No change. I even installed my GPU on my MOBO's other PCI-E slot. Still no change.
• I checked my PSU. I uninstalled my PSU and installed a Thermaltake 750W 80-PLUS Gold Certified PSU with different modular cables. No change.
• I checked my RAM. I uninstalled my RAM and installed Thermaltake 16GB (2x8) 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM. No change. I even installed my RAM on my MOBO's other RAM slots. Still, no change.
• I checked my hardware for recall notices. MSI issued a recall notice for my CPU Cooler, so I requested an RMA, which was approved. I uninstalled my CPU Cooler and installed a Thermaltake Contac Silent 12 CPU Cooler during the RMA order process. No change. When the RMA order was complete, I installed my new CPU Cooler. Still, no change!
• I contemplated the reasons why I joined the PC Master Race. No change.
• I verified my drivers were up to date. No change.
• I verified my BIOS was up to update. No change. I even rest my BIOS to default settings. Still no change.
• I re-contemplated the reasons why I joined the PC Master Race. Still, no change.

So, I think I have the following troubleshooting steps left to take:

• Test a different CPU. I have a spare AMD Ryzen 5 1600X 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU, but I don't know if my newer MOBO will support it.
• Test a different GPU. I have a spare MSI AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB GPU, but I don't think my GPU is related to my problem.
• Test a different SSD. I have a spare Seagate BarraCuda 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, but I don't think my SSD is related to my problem.
• Test a different MOBO. I have a spare MSI X370 Gaming Plus MOBO, but I don't know if it will support my newer CPU.

What do you think? What am I missing here?

 

[Cyberat_88]

I would've said low power but do the usage calculation at max. then double that to determine the PSU power you need. The 750W should be marginally sufficient.
Any part can fail, but apart from PSU it can only be a defective out of box part, like CPU, GPU or MB.
To eliminate M.2 issues, for testing purposes, you might want to run with only 1 of them installed.
If only 1 game triggers shut down more than others, might be GPU drivers that are not the most compatible, last is not best, most compatible is what you seek.

 

[Koekieezz]

Last year, I built a computer with the following specs:

• MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus MOBO
• AMD Ryzen 7 5800x 8-Core, 16-Thread CPU
• MSI MAG CORELIQUID 240R CPU Cooler
• PNY XLR8 16GB (2x8) 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM
• MSI AMD Radeon RX 6700XT 12GB GPU
• PNY XLR8 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
• MSI MPG 650W 80-PLUS Gold Certified PSU
• MSI MPG GUNGNIR 110R Case with (4) 120mm RGB case fans

For a few months, my computer was running normally. However, last month, my computer started shutting off randomly (like a light switch) while gaming. For some games, my computer runs normally. For other games, my computer shuts off randomly. For example, the worst offender is Squad. My computer shuts off randomly 2-3 times whenever I play it.

So, I took the following troubleshooting steps:

• I cleaned my computer and checked all my connections. No change.
• I checked the temps on my CPU and GPU. My CPU was idling between 30-35C, and gaming between 60-65C (about 30% UTIL) . My GPU was idling between 35-40C, and gaming between 65-70C (about 90% UTIL). Even though my CPU and GPU temps checked out, I uninstalled my CPU and GPU, applied new thermal paste, and then re-installed them. No change. I even installed my GPU on my MOBO's other PCI-E slot. Still no change.
• I checked my PSU. I uninstalled my PSU and installed a Thermaltake 750W 80-PLUS Gold Certified PSU with different modular cables. No change.
• I checked my RAM. I uninstalled my RAM and installed Thermaltake 16GB (2x8) 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM. No change. I even installed my RAM on my MOBO's other RAM slots. Still, no change.
• I checked my hardware for recall notices. MSI issued a recall notice for my CPU Cooler, so I requested an RMA, which was approved. I uninstalled my CPU Cooler and installed a Thermaltake Contac Silent 12 CPU Cooler during the RMA order process. No change. When the RMA order was complete, I installed my new CPU Cooler. Still, no change!
• I contemplated the reasons why I joined the PC Master Race. No change.
• I verified my drivers were up to date. No change.
• I verified my BIOS was up to update. No change. I even rest my BIOS to default settings. Still no change.
• I re-contemplated the reasons why I joined the PC Master Race. Still, no change.

So, I think I have the following troubleshooting steps left to take:

• Test a different CPU. I have a spare AMD Ryzen 5 1600X 6-Core, 12-Thread CPU, but I don't know if my newer MOBO will support it.
• Test a different GPU. I have a spare MSI AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB GPU, but I don't think my GPU is related to my problem.
• Test a different SSD. I have a spare Seagate BarraCuda 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, but I don't think my SSD is related to my problem.
• Test a different MOBO. I have a spare MSI X370 Gaming Plus MOBO, but I don't know if it will support my newer CPU.

What do you think? What am I missing here?

could be one of your component caused the tripping.

i know this is PITA but you could try to test them all ontop of your motherboard box or cardboard. if it didn't trip any component at your usual heavy use then your case might have grounding issue

 

[MONKEYKINGS404]

I would've said low power but do the usage calculation at max. then double that to determine the PSU power you need. The 750W should be marginally sufficient.
Any part can fail, but apart from PSU it can only be a defective out of box part, like CPU, GPU or MB.
To eliminate M.2 issues, for testing purposes, you might want to run with only 1 of them installed.
If only 1 game triggers shut down more than others, might be GPU drivers that are not the most compatible, last is not best, most compatible is what you seek.

So, pcpartpicker.com's estimated wattage for my computer is 444W. If I double that calculation, I would need an 850W PSU (or more). However, the 750W (even my 650W) is marginally enough power, but my computer still shuts off randomly.

I also took the following troubleshooting steps:

• I installed two PCIe(6+2-Pin) Power Connecters to my GPU, not just the one with a split connector. No change.
• I only have one SSD installed.
• I uninstalled the GPU drivers and installed the recommended ones, not the optional ones. No change. I even factory reset the GPU drivers during the installation. Still no change.
• I reset Windows and updated the drivers. No change. I even installed a fresh copy of Windows on a new partition. Still, no change.

 

[MONKEYKINGS404]

could be one of your component caused the tripping.

i know this is PITA but you could try to test them all ontop of your motherboard box or cardboard. if it didn't trip any component at your usual heavy use then your case might have grounding issue

Yes, your suggestion is a pain in the ***. However, I will test my computer components outside my computer case. What do I look for if my computer case has a grounding issue?

 

[Koekieezz]

Yes, your suggestion is a pain in the ***. However, I will test my computer components outside my computer case. What do I look for if my computer case has a grounding issue?

Probably the standoff in the case? im no electrician sorry, but if i feel shock in the case even just a little tingle (could sense if electricity running at lower current and dont shock me but feel it continously) at any part of the case, then might need someone who understand electricity to find which caused the ground to not work/leak.

 

[MONKEYKINGS404]

Probably the standoff in the case? im no electrician sorry, but if i feel shock in the case even just a little tingle (could sense if electricity running at lower current and dont shock me but feel it continously) at any part of the case, then might need someone who understand electricity to find which caused the ground to not work/leak.

So, I uninstalled my computer components and tested them on my MOBO's box. No change.

Last night, I lowered the graphics settings on Squad and managed to play for 2-3 hours without my computer shutting off randomly. However, I don't know why that would make a difference. Did I just experience a fluke? Don't you normally just experience lower performance (like low fps) if your graphics card is over utilized? I didn't think over utilized graphics cards would make computers to shut off randomly. Before, my graphics card was gaming between 65-70C (about 90% UTIL) and I was getting over 70fps. Now, my graphics card is gaming between 55-60C (about 80% UTIL) and I am getting over 80fps.

 

[Koekieezz]

So, I uninstalled my computer components and tested them on my MOBO's box. No change.

Last night, I lowered the graphics settings on Squad and managed to play for 2-3 hours without my computer shutting off randomly. However, I don't know why that would make a difference. Did I just experience a fluke? Don't you normally just experience lower performance (like low fps) if your graphics card is over utilized? I didn't think over utilized graphics cards would make computers to shut off randomly. Before, my graphics card was gaming between 65-70C (about 90% UTIL) and I was getting over 70fps. Now, my graphics card is gaming between 55-60C (about 80% UTIL) and I am getting over 80fps.

It seems like one of your component does make the psu trip, i cant tell which but if you do have a lower gpu like a 1050 or 710, try those, anything lower than your gpu and stress test it using occt or just game as usual.

 

[MONKEYKINGS404]

It seems like one of your component does make the psu trip, i cant tell which but if you do have a lower gpu like a 1050 or 710, try those, anything lower than your gpu and stress test it using occt or just game as usual.

So, I opted for the sledgehammer approach and ordered a new CPU, GPU, SSD, and MOBO and then tested each component. I even ordered a new PSU and RAM and then tested them too. I learned the problem was my MOBO. So, after a week of online orders, tests, and returns, my faith in the PC Master Race is restored.