Why is my PC shutting down?
Why is my PC shutting down?
My computer tends to shut down and restart frequently, especially during gaming sessions. It also occurs while I watch videos using VLC. The most annoying part is that I can't consistently reproduce the problem.
I purchased my machine in 2020, and it was already happening at that time. I tried contacting the online store where I bought it, but since they're based in another country, a return was necessary, which was very inconvenient. I hoped it would resolve on its own, but it has continued even up to 2024.
This issue seems more frequent on my Ubuntu OS compared to Windows 10, especially when using dual boot. It tends to happen more during gameplay, particularly at higher settings and with modern titles like GTA 5, Hogwarts Legacy, Red Dead Redemption, and Dota 2. I believe the crashes are more common on Ubuntu than on Windows.
I’m not sure if the problem is related to hardware or software. If it’s a software issue, shouldn’t the game simply quit without causing a violent restart of the whole system?
My original hardware from 2020 includes:
- Case: PHANTEKS Enthoo Pro 2 Big-Tower with tempered glass and ARGB (black)
- Mainboard: MSI X470 Gaming Plus Max with AM4 socket
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 3.6 GHz (AM4)
- CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240mm water cooler
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 CL16, 64 GB Quad-Kit
- Graphics Card: Gigabyte Radeon RX 5700 XT Gaming OC 8G (8192 MB GDDR6)
- SSD: M.2 NVMe (1 TB)
- Additional Fan: EX Noiseblocker BlackSilent Pro 120mm PWM
- Power Supply: Kolink KL-850M (80 PLUS Bronze, modular, 850W)
- Lighting: BitFenix Alchemy 3.0 RGB LED strip kit (2x 40cm, 2x 20 LEDs)
I have tried various diagnostics such as hwinfo dump, crash samples, stress testing with OCCT for 5–10 minutes on GPU and CPU, and using OCBase downloads. I plan to purchase thermal gel and possibly open the CPU to check if it needs cooling.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer! Are you aware of the BIOS version on your motherboard? You might attempt to remove all GPU drivers (Intel, Nvidia, AMD) using DDU in Safe Mode, then manually reinstall them with the newest driver from AMD's support site via an elevated command. It could be helpful to reach out to a friend or neighbor who has a stable PSU with at least 650W available for the entire power supply. In Windows, do you notice any error codes displayed?
Not overclocked, I haven't tried safe mode. My BIOS could be outdated, so I'm considering an update. The GPU drivers I installed about a year ago should be updated automatically, but I didn't use Safe Mode during installation. I might try this approach. I'll ask a friend for a PSU or look for a good one. In Windows, I've seen the AMD error message/notification that reports a crash after restarting.
Following my recommendation, I upgraded OS from Windows 10 to 11, updated the BIOS version, used DDU to remove the graphics driver and installed new AMD drivers. I managed to uninstall the graphics driver in safe mode, but couldn’t install it there, so I tried again in normal mode. Next, I plan to try the PSU from a neighbor or friend.
Hey there,
The issue is the power supply unit. It's really bad. Get a high-quality one instead.
A decent Corsair TXM/RMx/RMi 650w will work just fine.
Your PSU has no reviews, comes from a company known for cutting corners and using low-quality parts. I definitely wouldn't choose it for a gaming setup.