My PC keeps restarting on its own?
My PC keeps restarting on its own?
Hi all.
I'm facing a few issues with my PC.
It won't boot properly—it jumps between powering on and then shutting off instantly. This keeps happening until I turn off the power supply on the back.
Occasionally, when I manage to get it to start up normally, I can play games or watch videos without trouble, but after shutting it down and trying again later, the problem comes back.
At the time it happened, I removed some USB devices, and the PC would power on again. Once I reconnected them, I could use the PC as usual.
I have four USB ports connected—keyboard, mouse, headset hub, and a mousepad.
I initially thought the issue was related to power demand, so I bought a separate USB hub with its own power source. It helped for a while but the problem returned.
I've also disassembled the PC, replaced the GPU, removed RAM, and changed the battery, but nothing resolved it.
I suspect the PSU might be failing, though I'm not sure.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
System specifications are available, including the PSU's make, model, or part number. The age of the PSU is provided as well. Additionally, it is noted whether the PSU was purchased new, used, or refurbished.
CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-10900 at 2.80GHz
GPU: NVidia GeForce RTX 3080
PSU: Cougar gex750 80+
Memory: ASUS Prime Z490-P with 2 NVme 1TB SSDs and 32 GB RAM
All components were purchased new
This PSU is of mediocre quality. With the need to support an RTX 3080 and significant power surges (twice or three times its TDP), it seems the unit struggles with wattage, durability, or both.
I’d consider alternatives: 2nd model, a reliable and high-quality PSU.
Options include 1000W models from Seasonic, Vertex, PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, or Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium. These can handle the spikes better.
For more details, see this guide: https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-at...-busters/2
I understand.
But what about never facing any issues while playing or running games on the PC when it's powered on? I've only encountered problems during startup. It's strange that my PSU seems to work fine under load but causes crashes when I boot up. I'm hoping upgrading the PSU will resolve these booting issues.
I don't know much about PSUs. Would you think a Corsair RM1000x would be suitable? I see it has a good discount in my country right now.
And could I simply replace the existing cables and just change the PSU instead of upgrading it?
Corsair RMx 1000W offers solid power supply performance. Comes with a 10-year warranty and fully-modular cables.
What counts as "ideal" depends on personal preference. For some, the best options are Seasonic PRIME TX-series or Corsair AXi/Super Flower Leadex Titanium. Others prioritize cost, but a quality PSU is essential because it powers all components and is crucial for PC stability.
Never leave power cables behind during PSU replacement! The pinout varies between models, and skipping the original cables can damage the PSU or entire system. Always use only the cables included with the PSU.
During startup, CPU, motherboard, RAM, and PSU must function flawlessly for a successful boot. If your GPU is integrated (like in the RTX 3080), consider removing it temporarily to test if boot issues resolve.
If they disappear, the problem likely lies with the GPU or PSU, especially since a weaker PSU increases the chance of failure.
The RTX 3080 is a 320W GPU. During short-term power surges, it can increase to around 600W or more. When combined with the rest of the system at about 200W, the total reaches roughly 800W, and a 1000W PSU would be adequate.