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Question

Help! Computer freezes and Buzzes

Jul 27, 2017 6:43AM PDT

Hi Guys,
I built my pc a year or two ago and every so often when playing games or the pc has been on for a while i get a crash with a buzzing sound (sound seems to depend on what it is processing at the time). The fans and cooler seem to be extremely loud and the speeds are always fluctuating. Im trying to determine what the cause of all this is, as i am looking to upgrade a few components specs are as follows.
CPU: i5-6600k @3.5GHZ
PSU: Thermaltech 450watt, it is really old approximately 5+ years
Cooler: Corsair 110i GT
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4GB
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C15Q-16GRR 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4
MOBO: MSI Z170A-Gaming Pro Motherboard
Thank you in advanced Grin

Discussion is locked

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Answer
That old PSU is of course suspect.
Jul 27, 2017 6:49AM PDT
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/25.html points to a peak measured 213 Watt pull and that's easily over half the capacity of the PSU at 5+ years old.

When I look at PSUs I like to put the total Watts at double the entire system for long life. Here you have a GPU that all on its' own is close to half the PSU's new capacity.

Try this PC without the GPU as a test.

You can try to free up a few Watts by unplugging say the optical drive.
You can sniff out if it's a cooling issue by leaving the case cover off.

I'm not writing the PSU is the cause but it is highly suspect.
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The PSU is worse than I thought.
Jul 27, 2017 7:44AM PDT
http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001755 shows a +12V with two rails. That GPU with a peak of 213W would overwhelm either rail.

13A x 12V = 156 Watts.
12A x 12V = 144 Watts.

So while it might boot and run, the PSU is just wrong for this PC and other parts. Not to mention the 5 year aging issue.

I also debate if it's a 450 Watt PSU at all as the spec calls out.
"The +3.3V & +5V & +12V1 & +12V2 combined output power shall not exceed 385W"

That to me reads they fibbed on the marketing spec.
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The PSU is worse than I thought.
Jul 28, 2017 2:10AM PDT

Thanks for the responses guys. I made a mistake with the PSU it is this one http://www.thermaltake.com.au/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001786.

I am wondering what is the best method to investigate the cooling further.
The plan is to put everything in a new case with a new PSU. I am just worried it may not fix my issue, so i wanna work out what it is.

Just monitoring temps while playing a game for 15mins.
CPU was at a high 41 degrees
GPU was at a high of 68 degrees
Nothing is overclocked but i am planning on doing some overclocking.

Thanks for the help guys.

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Link
Jul 28, 2017 8:10AM PDT

Your link is a slide show for a case.

Post a link for the psu you have.

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Not a PSU there.
Jul 28, 2017 8:30AM PDT

But you can easily do the math. Look at the PSU +12V rails. Use the lower amperage rating, multiply times 12 to get the maximum Watts. Now halve that. Is it larger than 213?

Why halve the Watts? Age plus headroom and other devices tap that rail.

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PSU
Jul 28, 2017 6:19PM PDT
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While 2 more amps on the rail.
Jul 28, 2017 6:32PM PDT

It's a poor PSU and not expected to hold up under stress after this many years.

The PSU is highly suspect.

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Thankyou
Jul 29, 2017 12:05AM PDT

Thanks for the help, just wondering if there is any tests is should do to eliminate other parts like gpu, or if i run a gpu benchmark and the fault reoccurs could it still be the psu...

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The only way
Jul 29, 2017 7:05AM PDT

Would be to use another good PC to test parts in. Since the PSU is highly suspect and most folk don't want to build/buy/use another PC to test parts in, they usually work the problem from most likely to least likely. A few new to PC repair want to know what will absolutely fix a cranky PC. The answer often upsets them (it's a new PC.)

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My car analogy.
Jul 29, 2017 7:45AM PDT

Sometimes you can't fix a car all in one go. If you have a car that won't get out of first gear you have to fix that before you discover the wheels are out of balance and pulls to the right.

In your case the PSU is just not up to the task and could be the source of all the trouble but you won't know till you replace it with a proper model.

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Psu
Jul 29, 2017 7:08AM PDT

The psu you have is not designed for that machine.

Replace it.

Even if it's not your problem today it will be tomorrow.

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New PSU Choice
Jul 29, 2017 8:27AM PDT
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Why are you overpaying?
Jul 29, 2017 8:46AM PDT
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Answer
Try this
Jul 27, 2017 7:37AM PDT