System power-off triggers BIOS reinitialization
System power-off triggers BIOS reinitialization
Hey there! I’ve upgraded my stable setup and started running into issues. In Minecraft, I can finish a few rounds before the PC suddenly stops. When I power it on, it prompts for a BitLocker recovery key. I checked if the BIOS was reset—default settings had vTPM off, which BitLocker requires. After adjusting everything, it boots normally. But it crashes inside the game, then restarts the BIOS each time.
My system specs (old gear in parentheses) are: AMD 5900X (3700X), AMD 6950XT (RTX 3070), 4x16 DDR4 at 3200 MHz, Gigabyte x570 Aorus Elite WiFi, NZXT Kraken X63 280mm AIO, EVGA Gold 850 PSU, AMD Adrenaline drivers, latest AMD updates, Win11 Pro, Battlenet client, COD MW2 BIOS, XMP enabled, Smart Access Memory on, auto everything else disabled.
The GPU is overheating a lot—like jumping from 79 to 100 in-game. I’m not sure if that’s the cause or just normal behavior for the 6950XT. I haven’t seen a crash reset BIOS like this before. Windows interprets it as a hardware problem.
I’ve tried the latest drivers, ran an undervolt, turned off NZXT CAM, stress-tested CPU and GPU with Adrenaline. So far, it seems like the GPU or PSU might be the culprit. I’m not sure if my calculations are within safe limits for the 850W PSU, but I’m open to a fix that doesn’t require returning the card.
I’ll run a 3D Mark test to see if it can survive a few loops. Hopefully, it won’t end up like COD after a short time.
Which game are you playing? How many fans were added? Is this issue present in other titles or limited to Minecraft 2? Did you choose a minimal or driver-only installation when reinstalling the AMD drivers instead of the full package?
Case details include a Fractal Meshify C with open side, AIO front-mounted, Noctua high pressure fans. It has one rear exhaust and two top exhausts. I plan to download other games and verify compatibility. TimeSpy Extreme looped 20x without crashing, and the GPU stayed under 74°C. During COD MWII benchmark it reached 100°C instantly after reinstalling drivers, choosing "driver only" after cleaning with DDU and restarting the PC.
I planned to lift the side panel for better airflow. That shouldn't cause any issues. Interesting. The main difference between Time Spy and MWII lies in the core boosting features. I attempted to install Adrenalin 22.10.3, but it only provides optional WHQL driver support for MWII.
Ok so Crysis Remastered (max settings) also crashed after the intro. I hear a click when it powers off. It is not rebooting but full power off like switching the PSU switch would do. This is the only indication it might be PSU related but I've never dealt with a faulty or underpowered PSU before. Looking at max power draw numbers... 5900X = 399 watts 6950XT = 493 watts + 60 watts for AIO, fans, RAM, etc. Maybe I really am maxing out the PSU?
Which power supply are you considering? I thought a 400W maximum would suffice for the 6950XT, but higher wattage cards with updated BIOSes will demand more power.
I checked nearby stores and found several choices. The Corsair RM1000x looks like the best value, though it's a refurbished unit. I’m considering the Corsair HX1000 for its platinum finish and price, but I’m unsure about the refurb condition. The Ausus ROG STRIX 1000 is cheaper but gold-plated, while the EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 GT is also gold. I’m leaning toward the RM1000x if it fits my needs. I’ll also use the pull fans in the radiator to improve airflow, which should help with cooling.