Help pc switching itself off

DinAlt

DinAlt

DinAlt

Associate
Joined
11 Dec 2005
Posts
282
Hi All,

My 3 year old OCUK built pc has recently started switching itself off (just like someone has switched the mains off).

I've tried narrowing down the fault (nothing is shown in the event log other than interruption of power to the kernels) but not convinced I've found the answer.

System is a Q6600 (2.4) overclocked to 3.1GHz
4 gig of G Skill RAM
5770 graphics card (replaced an 8800 which which overheated and died in the summer)

I swapped the graphics card out for a brand new 5770 and the cut offs kept happening and started getting worse (originally it tended to happen after a random length of time gaming - oddly at night it would often not crash at all but might switch off in as little as 5 to 10 minutes in the day).

The problem has gotten worse and now the system will switch off immidiately a 3D application starts and will also switch off during low impact activities such as web browsing

Since i've eliminated the graphics card - I'm guessing it might be a psu or motherboard issue (the system was preoverclocked by OCUK and I'm wondering if it's on it's last legs).

Unfortuntely I haven't got a spare psu rated high enough to check (my other desktop is a cheap machine I bought for my daughter).

Basically do i take a risk and order a new psu and hope it cures the problem or do I scrap the box, salvage the bits with any value and order a new system (I was planning on a new graphics card in January once the prices settled down anyway - preferably a 570)

PS I swapped my daughters graphics card with mine (its fanless Nvidea 8500 GT and I'm able to play 3 d games but eventually the system will still switch off ..


Any help or advice much appreciated.

DinAlt
 
Hi,

Sorry i guess I shold have added those details - just got the box of manual etc that came with the system out of storage (cause the psu isnt labelled)

The motherboard is An Abit IP35 Pro
According to the manaul in the box the PSU is a Stealth Xstream from OCZ
no power rating or model no but the manual says 600,700W if that helps.

As for running the sytem unclocked several times after the power tripped out it reset the bios and the cut offs continued.

Thanks again,

DinAlt
 
The power supply is a likely candidate.

A machine of that spec doesn't need a 600-700 Watt power supply.

For testing you'd probably be able to get away with a 300-350 Watt power supply, which may prove to be easier to borrow.

If the power supply is at fault it may still be under warranty.
 
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have a look at occt it does some good tests just make sure you have temp monitors on all the time

also try turning your overclock off

check inside your pc make sure fans ect are spining and heasink isnt cloged up as heat could be an issue here
 
DinAlt said:
(nothing is shown in the event log other than interruption of power to the kernels)
Click to expand...

Sorry.. a true lol moment there :D

I'd suggest either power supply or something overheating. Download realtemp to monitor temps. Also if you have any motherboard monitoring software for your board, try it out and check voltages (as wrong as software monitoring is, it might give some indication).
 
Hi again,

Ran the OCCT psu stress test for an hour with no problems

Temperature in the sytem seem fine acording to Abit's software and all fans are working.

Oddly last night the system switched itself off after 30 minutes 3D usage with the low powered graphics card in it ..

Starting to wonder if i might just be best to scrap the lot and start again..

DinAlt
 
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