The PC stopped working abruptly during play, then shut down completely, and the CPU indicator has turned red?
The PC stopped working abruptly during play, then shut down completely, and the CPU indicator has turned red?
I understand this is not a typical problem, but when I started Forza 4 it froze, the graphics became distorted, then the screen shut down completely and the CPU light lit up. I attempted to restart by pressing the power and restart buttons, but they seem to work. The fans and LEDs remain active. Based on what I've learned, it appears to be a power supply issue. I recently replaced the motherboard and CPU about two months ago and have never experienced any problems. This is the first time this has occurred.
Specs:
PSU: Thermaltake Smart bx1 750w 80 plus bronze
Mobo: MSI MGP Z690 Edge WiFi
CPU: i5-13600kf
GPU: EVGA RX 3070
CPU cooler: Master Liquid ML240 V2 RGB
RAM: 2 x 8gb Corsair 3200 DDR4 & 2 x 8gb OLI 2400 DDR4
I suspect the PSU is the cause, as my model isn’t known for reliability and I’m not sure if the motherboard or CPU are the culprits. I recently purchased these components about a month ago for around $500. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Right now, I’m planning to keep the PC running since the power button isn’t responding and I don’t want to shut down the PSU.
Welcome to the Epic Cat forum. You'll need to shut down the PC eventually. It seems like the power supply failed. I’m hoping it didn’t also take the motherboard.
The LED light suggests a motherboard issue, though it might just lack power to run normally.
Replace the PSU right away. There’s no point keeping that unit. It wasn’t safe or reliable even when it wasn’t old or faulty. Also, your new i5 requires more power, which means less was available for the GPU.
CPUs are quite resilient, so your new i5 should be okay. The issue was likely due to the PSU not delivering the advertised 750w, especially under heavy load like when Forza pushed the 3070.
A poor PSU can fail in just a split second.
Could you also share the specifications of your old CPU and motherboard? Not crucial, but helpful for comparing what changed.
Take a look at these PSUs:
https://www.phanteks.com/Revolt.html
PQ850M - DeepCool
Introducing a new generation of power reliability, the DeepCool PQ-M Series 80 PLUS Gold Modular Power Supply delivers high efficiency and stability for performance PC systems needing ultra-quiet operation with silent fan modes. - DeepCool was founded with the mission of providing professional...
www.deepcool.com
Ion+ 2 Platinum 860W
The Ion+ 2 Platinum is a high-performance fully modular PSU with whisper-quiet operation, enhanced cable flexibility and superior output quality.
www.fractal-design.com
The Phanteks is overkill for your PC, you won't need it's ATX 3.0 or PCIe 5 features. It does have 12 year warranty, and the Phanteks or Seasonic range is reliable.
Whichever brand you choose, aim for ~850w and no less than 7 years of warranty.
Yeah, that's a solid point. Corsair produces decent PSUs and Thermaltake offers quality ones. It's not just about choosing a brand; they provide various options. Entry-level or budget PSUs tend to lack reliability, while very cheap models are best avoided. Consider the Fractal Design PSUs—beyond the Ion series, they also offer Anode models. These are more affordable but not as reliable. They come with at least a 5-year warranty, though they aren't ideal for high-end or enthusiast setups. Regarding the power switch versus rail strip debate, I'm not sure if it really matters much. However, using a faulty PSU is definitely not recommended.
Thank you for the details. I purchased the Corsair 850w on Amazon and installed it the same day. This upgrade gave me a more efficient power supply (80 plus bronze to gold), a modular PSU for better cable organization, and a safer PSU that should avoid this problem in the future. I was really struggling when my PC wouldn’t shut down or boot properly, with the CPU light blinking on, and feared my new expensive components were damaged. After connecting everything, it worked perfectly. Your support means a lot—you’re truly an unsung hero in tech.