random shutdowns lasting between 5 seconds and 9 hours? (overclocking caused a crash?)
random shutdowns lasting between 5 seconds and 9 hours? (overclocking caused a crash?)
Let's examine who might be able to figure this out.
About five days back, I attempted to boost my old ASUS DK Top 4870 GPU to default clocks of 750/900 using an MSI afterburner. I only adjusted the core clock slightly (about 25 increments over a span of five), and it remained stable. When I returned, my confidence wavered. I increased the core clock in steps without saving the change, which led to unexpected issues. Eventually, I saved the settings but noticed strange artifacts appearing at the bottom right corner, spreading upward to the top left. Within seconds, the system would blue-screen and restart, often after a Windows 10 update. Since then, my PC has been unresponsive whenever it powers off.
This situation occurred three days ago. I've since reverted all settings back to defaults, disabled overclocking, removed MSI Afterburner and related drivers, uninstalled Windows 10 video and GPU drivers using AMD Cleanup Utility to ensure a clean slate. I reinstalled the drivers and lowered the GPU voltage from the default 1.263 to 1.203, but the problem persisted. I also removed the CMOS battery and re-flashed the BIOS, yet the crashes continued even with fail-safe enabled. It seems to happen at random, without clear warning signs.
Two nights ago, I played two Counter-Strike games without any shutdowns. I put the PC into sleep mode and fell asleep, only to wake it up in the middle of the night when I tried to restart. Last night, after a nine-hour malware scan, the system remained active throughout. Recently, while writing this, it shut down twice—once during a 30-minute attempt to document the issue.
Despite thorough cleaning inside, applying thermal paste to both CPU and GPU, and keeping core temperatures below 38°C under load, the CPU never exceeded 38°C and the GPU stayed under 52°C. Previously, under heavy load, the GPU would reach 80°C without shutting down, indicating a potential PSU issue. My cleaning efforts were effective but didn’t resolve the problem.
In short, I’m considering reinstalling Windows 10 to rule out software causes. If that fails, could it be that this overclock incident damaged my PSU or GPU? I suspect it might be safe to assume a PSU failure, especially since the crash occurs before even loading Windows 10 occasionally. However, I still need a precise explanation of what might have failed from just one faulty overclock and why.
My previous PSU was rated around 650W, and this new unit replaced it in 2013 when it malfunctioned. This model is a Corsair TX750M. The issue seems more aligned with power delivery than the GPU itself. I don’t have spare GPUs or PSUs to test, and there’s no onboard GPU to verify stability for a few days.
Before adjusting settings, my computer had been functioning well for a long time, and I’m fairly tech-savvy. So, did my mistake damage either the GPU or the PSU? Or is there another software-related cause that a Windows 10 reinstall might resolve?
not a pest but any thoughts here? I refreshed some details and am looking for the most probable replacement part—PSU, GPU, then motherboard—in that sequence. I need it soon. Thanks again.
Additional details. I entered the system and removed three of my four RAM modules, but the computer still crashed. I tried another module but managed to boot with one stick connected, yet it still failed. These issues occurred for up to ten minutes; occasionally, I could pass three catalyst 3D stress tests without any trouble, while other times it wouldn't respond for about five seconds after pressing the desktop button. No consistent patterns were observed. I suspect my RAM is functioning properly. After reinstalling all four modules, I removed the ASUS DK 4870 and left it connected to nothing except a monitor. It has been running for roughly an hour now. As mentioned in my previous post, it successfully passed a nine-hour malware scan with all devices connected and maximum performance enabled.
My last PSU failed, causing the computer to completely shut down regardless of actions taken. It would attempt to power on, start up for a brief moment, then everything would cease abruptly. After replacing that PSU, this stable machine has operated for three years. If the PSU was indeed failing, wouldn't it exhibit similar symptoms as before—especially during extended 9-hour scans with all devices active? Would this indicate a different kind of PSU failure? If the system remains powered on for over twelve hours without connecting the GPU, it might point to a GPU issue, though its unpredictability remains. To add, it's possible the motherboard is also involved.
I've inspected the motherboard and video card for leaks, but found nothing unusual or damaged. I'm not confident enough to open the PSU myself. The fact that it struggles to boot at all suggests a hardware problem, possibly related to the motherboard.
Any suggestions?