PC crashes unexpectedly during gameplay? Possible power-related issues.
PC crashes unexpectedly during gameplay? Possible power-related issues.
Hey there, I'm just getting started and facing a few issues with my PC. Recently, it would shut down completely while playing WoW, and it doesn't show any BSOD—just a power cutout. It happens unpredictably, sometimes a couple of times an hour, other times not at all for weeks. I've tried a lot to pinpoint the cause but haven't been able to fix it. Here are my specs: Windows 10, 64-bit OS, Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 GPU, RX6800XT graphics card, Gigabyte A520M DS3H, 32GB RAM (2x GSKILL 16GB at 3200MHz), Corsair RM850X PSU, Fractal Meshify case with front-mounted fans and AIO coolers, and an SSD with Kingston A2000 1TB drive. BIOS is F18C and all drivers are up to date. I haven't done any overclocking yet.
I've tried several fixes: swapped to a better PSU, updated BIOS, removed the GPU riser, reinstalled drivers, reinstalled the game, used some case fans to improve cooling, and ran Firmware & Cinebench for hours—temperatures stayed normal. I also checked my USB ports and power settings, replacing them because they were drawing too much power.
I'm considering an upgrade to the graphics card or maybe the VRMs, but I'm not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Good evening. I’m not sure if you have any RGB or RGB software installed, but it seems to be a limiting factor, particularly with older AMD systems. It’s worrying that you’re shutting down in Wow of all games, even though it runs fine on my Commodore64. There are likely several causes, usually tied to heat, power delivery, and sometimes a mix of these issues. For instance, even after upgrading your PSU, you might still suspect a problem with the power supply or its delivery to the motherboard. RAM could also be a factor—consider running diagnostics with tools like OCCT or another reliable memory tester. Swapping in a new RAM module might resolve the issue. Overall, replacing the motherboard and CPU with a more recent model could be a good option, costing around $400–500 at stores like Microcenter. I’ve faced similar problems with older AMD CPUs on GB boards, though results aren’t guaranteed. Start by checking the simplest fixes first, then move to more involved upgrades. It’s a cheap and straightforward way to avoid shutdowns, especially given the current prices for quality components. Good luck!