My PC been restarting randomly whenever I game. I tried running FurMark test and instant restart even when running at 720p. Any idea what's the problem? I'm guessing it should be either PSU or GPU right? The PC is slightly more than 6 months old only.

Specs:
CPU: i7-6700
GPU: Gigabyte Windforce gtx 970
Ram: 4 x 4gb DDR4
HDD: 1 x ssd, 1 x 5.4krpm hdd
PSU: Corsair VS 550

Thanks

This post has been edited by Candlenie: Jan 5 2017, 12:32 AM

Have to isolate the problem one by one. I suggest you test the CPU first with programs like OCCT or Prime95 as it can test the RAM at the same time. If everything look stable, then it could be either the display adapter or driver issue. PSU is usually the last thing you should consider unstable.

Most probably your PC is dusty. You should clean up the dusts in the fan of your desktop. I used tohave the same problem, but that was after a few minutes of gaming.. Lol. Once i cleaned the fans then no problem till this day.. But just to make sure, try cleaning it first, unless youre using a water cooler. The other option is to check the temps of your cpu and gpu. I dont think your psu would be causing the problem. Corsair PSUs are in good rating. im using a corsair one too. No problem whatsoever. haha.

intel auto restart when temperature too hot right?try change thermal paste

I've already tested with prime95. Ran at 100% load for like 5 min and no problem at all. CPU temp is around 70-75.

I've updated my GPU driver as well. I suspect PSU because I'm not really sure whether is 550W sufficient when GPU running full low.

Your PSU should be more than enough to support.. Lol. 970 is about 90W your i7 also maybe at most 125W. lol.

Dust cleaning seems like a good idea. I noticed it was a bit dusty few days back when I open the case. My GPU is factory oc-ed that's why I was wondering whether is it sufficient or not.


I'm using stock cooler + stock thermal paste. I dont think it's cpu temperature...since I was pushing it with prim95 and seems fine.

Thanks guy!

Have you check your GPU temperature? Furmark generates lots of heat and can be the source of problem.

Btw, 5 min of Prime95 is way too short to test a CPU.

Mine used to do that. I thought it was my PSU. After I changed my ageing PSU, it started happening again. Turns out the BIOS battery died (date kept resetting) and for some reason, the PC would just restart at random. After changing the battery, never had the issue again touch wood.

What's the recommended time? Furmark couldn't run at all. The moment I hit start it restart instantly.

Doubt it's CMOS battery. I thought if CMOS battery died it will reset system clock?

Run a 3D demo like Unigine Heaven and check the temperature with HWMonitor.

Prime95 requires at least 8 hours. OCCT is more sensitive but need at least 1 hour. But anyway, your problem doesn't look like a CPU problem.

Thanks! I'll try running Ugine Heaven after I clean the dust and see if it restarts.

some updates...when I run unigine heaven, and monitor with GPU-Z, seems like it'll instant restart when the load is heavy. 720p seems fine. So it all looks like PSU lack power to power GPU? VRAM usage is less than 1gb when it restarts.

try to eject the RAM from the slots and rearrange them...it works for me

It is possible that your PSU is faulty. Downclock your GTX970 or power limit it using MSI afterburner and see if it restart.

Last time my Silverstone ST56F (560W) has this problem, it restarts when I OC.

Cheapest issue to solve is Dusty PC. Please clean all the fans inside the PC (including CPU Cooler and GPU Cooler). Better if you can re-apply them with a new reliable thermal paste.

Big change it is a faulty PSU. In my personal experience, dust will not cause PC restart.

Run Prime95 and Furmark same time.

If CPU, GPU and PSU all no problem it won't breakdown.

You might want to try gaming this time but with only 1 stick of RAM, see if it happens.

Can I know what GPU u using at that time?

Cant run FurMark at all, click start instant reboot. Tried running unigine heaven and it ran high quality@720p for a couple of min then reboot. GPU power consumption was about 70% before it reboot.

I guess maybe really PSU problem. Already did dust cleaning and it's not really dusty. Gonna get new PSU and try. Which is better? seasonic vs super flower leadex.

Go Leadex la, good brand. Seasonic also good actually. All depends on model.

You ran Unigine Heaven 720p for a few minutes and it rebooted.

You ran Furmark confirm sure reboot.

From the above, I'd say it's GPU problem rather than PSU problem.

You see, i7 6700 on Prime95 would've loaded the PSU quite a fair bit. Running Furmark would load it a lot more (from GPU) - higher wattage drawn and if there's an issue here it might be because it draws more power than your PSU can supply (happens on old PSU)

but you said your system is new, so given the above that you run Unigine Heaven at 720P for a few minutes and it reboot, it could be the GPU having problem.