System failure occurs and restarts only after PSU reset
System failure occurs and restarts only after PSU reset
Hello everyone! I just assembled my first PC using some friends' used components. After setting it up and running a few games, I noticed a frustrating issue: the machine crashes when I try to play moderately demanding titles. It doesn’t happen with less demanding games. Once it crashes, restarting is nearly impossible—just need to flip the PSU switch on and off repeatedly.
I’ve tried following all the advice online: tweaking BIOS settings, reverting GPU drivers, double-checking temperatures, looking for shorts, ensuring everything is securely connected, and adjusting power plans. Still nothing works.
I’ve heard that a failing PSU could be the culprit, especially since the unit makes an unusually loud whining noise whenever I use it, regardless of load. That sounds concerning. Could it be the PSU itself? Or is there another issue at play?
The power supply I have is a 500W "Lepa" brand—something I’ve never heard of before, which makes me think it might be low quality. Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Swap that power supply unit. It seems it's a rebranded or refurbished Enermax model from around 2011. A picture of the PSU would help confirm if it's an older unit. I noticed a review of a 500W LePANPOWER model in 2011, and its instability during intense gaming suggests a failing PSU. Could you provide the complete technical specifications?
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600x GPU Asus Strix GTX 970 Mobo: ROG STRIX B450-f Gaming RAM: 32GB 2400Mhz T-Force (2x16) I opened up the power supply and noticed it looks worn out. A lot of dust and a bit of extra capacitors caught my attention. It seems the PSU is the main problem. Thanks for your help! Any suggestions for a trustworthy PSU brand would be great?
No worries at all. That power supply isn't great and it seems damaged. Avoid handling anything inside it because a faulty PSU could be dangerous or even fatal. Even if the problem lies elsewhere (it probably does), replacing it is a good idea. When discussing PSUs, we usually refer to the model rather than the brand. Most trusted manufacturers offer reliable PSUs, though some may not. Corsair, Seasonic and Be Quiet are among the more dependable options with quality models. Here’s a link to a PSU tier list so you can check if there’s a suitable unit under your budget that isn’t an F or E tier. For budget builds, we’ve long recommended the MSI ABN or AGL series as solid choices without breaking the bank. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...1973454078 For more details, look at the 'about' or 'tiering criteria' sections in the document. If you spot any models, feel free to message me and I’ll share my thoughts.
Everyone agreed the PSU should be upgraded, but considering your current configuration I’d choose a 650w or 750w model to avoid tight space constraints.