Looking for input.

[Gana]

Hi there.

I'm looking for suggestions to a solution to the following problem.

PC has started crashing when playing games, to be specific non demanding GPU/CPU games like Diablo 3, World of Warcraft. It runs games like FM 2014 without problems, I can run Fumark for long times without any problem.

The game will crash within 2 minutes of starting them, often faster. By crashing I mean the computer turns itself off entirely - black screen and all and reboots itself.

My spec is I5 2500K.
8 GB Kingston DDR3 Dual Channel Ram.
Gigabyte R280x.
Asrock Z68Extreme4 Gen3
PSU Enermax 720 W
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1

No overclock.

Running it on a Samsung UEF7005 TV at 1920 x1080.

CPU temps can go to high 70ies when running Prime95 for extended period of time. GPU to low 80ies with Fumark. No crashing whatsover there.

I am a bit at a loss because the crashes happen only when playing some games. And when PC crashes it's within the first 2 minutes of the game, sometimes even first 10 seconds so I doubt it can be heat related.

Could it be a lack of power from the PSU? Or could it be a faulty memory stick that only shows itself when running certain games and not anywhere else?

Please fire away Sirs 8)

Gana

 

[deano-5]

Is your cpu cool enough?

 

[Gana]

It sits idle at around 43 but goes to high 70ies when running Primetest95 for some time.

 

[deano-5]

When did you last change your thermal paste? You could change it although I don't think its the issue here.

 

[Gana]

Yes - I was thinking to redo the cooler paste and put on a new aftermarket CPU cooler just for good measure.

However as you say, I doubt it is a heat issue since it does not crash when stresstesting.

Firing up Diablo 3 for 10 seconds couldn't put the temps from lowtemp idle to something that would make the PC turn off that fast.

It might be a power issue but why does it not show under Primetest or Fumark then I wonder.

 

[si_mats]

Plenty of PSU there so that shouldn't be an issue. Have you tried updating DirectX, reinstalling drivers or system restore?

 

[Efour]

Ram or PSU... Got spares to try ?

 

[Gana]

I've done a fresh Windows and driver install 2 times within the last month, shouldn't be that.

Efour.

No spare PSU or Ram to test atm - one of the reasons that I threw the question out here, it's not a problem for me to buy new whatever - but I would like to see if I could narrow it down a bit so I replace that which is actually causing the problem.

I recently upgraded with a new SSD and GFX, the PSU is about 5 years old - the Ram about 3ish years.