Random PC restarts or reboots without error messages.
Random PC restarts or reboots without error messages.
Hello! I own my computer for roughly four years now. The past couple of years I haven't used it much. I've started playing games again and everything seemed fine until it rebooted without any warning. Now shutdowns and restarts happen randomly, especially when I'm gaming. I mostly play Rust, which can run for up to 10 hours without the PC restarting, and CSGO sometimes lets me play 2-3 games without issues, though it can crash multiple times at first. I haven't tried stress tests to reproduce the problem. I've run Cinebench and Heaven Benchmark consistently without crashes, and my performance is solid. I've also used OCCT and all its tests ran smoothly. I've disconnected parts, reinstalled BIOS, updated drivers, and even tried an older OS version. I'm not sure if my PSU is the issue, but I need confirmation. My specs are: Cooler Master G750M, OCCT installed, latest Windows 10, all drivers up to date. Anyone here who's faced something similar? I don't have other components to test. It feels like my power supply might be the problem, but I'm not sure how to verify...
Thanks for your response! Your suggestion would be better if you shared a full list of your system details. I already posted my specs, but just clicked "MY SPECS." My setup doesn’t have any overclocking, and the BIOS is back to default. I’ve also tried running everything on just the memory stick, but it didn’t help. There are no thermal issues under load. I recently re-applied thermal paste to both GPU and CPU about a year ago. I’m leaning toward checking the PSU since I want to be sure the motherboard isn’t the problem. My RAM has been stress-tested heavily without any crashes. What I notice is the performance varies a lot—Rust, GPU, and CPU games run smoothly for hours, but CSGO sometimes shuts down after 10–20 minutes.
The specs were a bit off—underclocking or boosting could still be worth a try. The power spike issue is clear: Buddy could play for hours, but Total War 2 only lasted a few minutes at a time. Stress tests are fine, but did you run a Windows memory check like Memtest86?
When the computer restarts do you notice a "CLICK" sound perhaps? Unlikely but I'm just asking... I experienced something similar where certain games would force a system reboot. My solution was updating the BIOS; it wasn't a RAM problem, though it's worth trying a Memtest86. It will take time, but since you can't easily test other parts, double-check your temperatures (make sure they're normal). Could be the motherboard is shutting down because of overheating, even if your readings say otherwise. Did you clean your PC recently? You haven’t used it in about two weeks? Maybe your power supply unit is failing due to heat since you didn't use it much.
I haven't heard any click noise before. I've used an older BIOS and the latest one still doesn't fix the problem. Temperatures are normal, and stress testing the system works fine. It only happens when playing games. The build quality is great—good airflow, proper fans, and a solid chassis. I ran a PSU stress test with OCCT, but it didn’t cause a reboot, so I’m not sure what to do next.
I ran a Windows memory test and everything looked normal. I plan to use Memtest86 next. Underclocking isn’t necessary—just adjust the CPU’s clock speed to lower settings, not change the actual clock or voltage. No need to tweak hardware unless you’re comfortable with it.
Completed Memtest86 with no issues detected... Still facing challenges...
You haven’t reviewed all the possible situations. Still, test your power supply in traditional ways; sometimes software checks miss certain issues. Check if an automatic overclock has been applied in your BIOS. You might still adjust the voltage on your CPU. Also, reset the heatsink and thermal paste. For undervolting, research the overclocking section of forums. I generally avoid pushing the CPU beyond its limits since the benefits are small and the effort is high. But I did mention undervolting as a diagnostic step; in truth, it probably won’t reveal much. I’d consider it only if other tests don’t help. Perform specific CPU diagnostics—use the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool. During physical checks, examine the CPU, socket, and heatsink for damage or misalignment. Reapply thermal paste if needed. Look for signs of a short on the motherboard, such as bulging or leaking capacitors. If you have another CPU or board nearby, swap them in/out to identify the faulty component—likely it’s not the RAM, especially if memtest86 passes. My estimate points to a failing PSU, CPU, or MBD. I’m leaning toward the PSU. Test with a multimeter. When the system restarts, does the motherboard show any error codes? Or does it emit beep codes? Another option is disconnecting your GPU and connecting only the monitor via the motherboard’s integrated graphics. If the computer crashes, the issue isn’t the GPU. If it doesn’t crash, you’ve likely found the culprit. Besides underclocking, try these steps and share the outcomes. Your feedback will be valuable.