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Question

Computer is completely powering off. NOT overheating.

by Jan 15, 2020 7:51AM PST

I have a really weird issue with my computer completely powering down. It's behavior is easy to replicate and is very bizarre.

My computer boots fine, and generally stays fine until I launch a game for the first time. The game will run for a few minutes and then the computer powers down with no blue screen or anything.

It will automatically start trying to power up (sometimes this takes a few 'clicks' to get going). If I immediately launch the game I can continue to play for as long as I please.

Once I exit the game, after a few minutes the computer will completely turn off again. To add on to this - if I return to a main menu after some graphically intense gaming and remain on the menu too long, it will turn off.

I am so confused. This has nothing to do with temps. The build is pretty new. It just seems so strange to me that the computer will run fine as long as I am either currently playing a game and have been for a while, or not playing anything at all. Anyone heard of this happening?

Build:
i9 9900K @ stock clocks
EVGA GTX 1070 SC @stock clocks (this part is the oldest, it was from my last build)
ASUS Maximus Hero XI
EVGA Supernova 1000 T2 PSU
16 GB Corsair Vengeance
Multiple SSDs.

I've tried fresh OS install, drivers etc.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Answer
It's a recurring story.
by Forum moderator Jan 15, 2020 9:05AM PST

The usual work list:
1. Current BIOS.
2. Try another PSU, be sure it's single rail or very beefy dual rails.
New PC builders forget or don't know about rails so a single rail avoids this issue.
3. Ask the motherboard maker if it needs swapped out.
4. General assembly errors. Too many mounting posts, heat buildup on chips that don't have temperature monitoring.

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A bit different
by philly393 Jan 15, 2020 1:05PM PST

I understand the process, but don't you find it quite strange that once this bootloop has gone through once, I can essentially game forever? Feel like that definitely rules out any sort of heat issues.

Once I quit the game then it will power off after some time. It's almost as if the process of ramping up or ramping down is what is causing the issue. I've never seen this before.

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Have to write no.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 15, 2020 1:18PM PST

Seen too much over the years. This does remind me of motherboard and PSU issues though. What gets most techs down is the story doesn't tell you which part it is. So your best move is to ask the motherboard maker for a RMA over this and see if they go for it. If they roll right over, they know there's an issue.

As to the "definitely" that's definitely not since not all chips report temperatures and some chips can work at specific temps and not all temps. This is something you learn over time.

Post was last edited on January 18, 2020 7:30 AM PST

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Thanks
by philly393 Jan 15, 2020 3:12PM PST

Understood, thanks for your insight. I'm going to do a tear-down and rebuild in case I messed something up. If that doesn't shake out I guess i'll try to find some spare parts for testing.

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When I have to go that far, this is how I build.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 15, 2020 4:02PM PST

NO CASE!
I use the motherboard box as it's temporary home and you can see this on YouTubes and more so it's a thing.

You mention a lot of drives. Curb your enthusiasm when you build your small build.

The PSU is single rail so unless it gives me any indication that it's to be suspect, I would not suspect that PSU.

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Answer
Unusual Suspect
by Jan 17, 2020 7:06PM PST

The advice you've received so far seems very helpful. I can add one more thing to check and that's the power switch on the front (or top) of the case. I had one new system with similar symptom to yours; the on/off button/switch was somehow faulty. The system would power up, run a while then shutdown spontaneously. Very unlikely, but worth checking if all else fails!

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Answer
Swap the power supply.
by Jan 20, 2020 8:46AM PST

I had a very similar problem on a new build, the computer would shut down for no apparent reason, sometimes rebooting. After way too much research I happened upon a page where a guy had gone the extra mile & checked the power supply as well. Basically he said most power supplies have to pass certain tests for the regulating bodies to import, but once tested they like to swap internal components for subsequent power supplies in that run for cheaper parts. a good power supply should weigh 4 lbs., if you can't find one that does, pick the one with the highest shipping weight, heavier parts mean better built units. Swap it out & see if the problem continues, and save yourself the three months it took me to figure it out.

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