I recently built a PC with a 14900K CPU, 5070 graphics card overclocked to 16 GB of DDR5 CL32 6400, N7 Z790 motherboard, NZXT AIO 360 cooler, and a Corsair 1000W PSU. For about two years, it ran smoothly, but now I'm experiencing issues. The computer turns on and gets past the POST screen, but after logging in and while waiting for startup programs to launch, it shuts down unexpectedly. Any ideas on what could be causing this?
5 Answers
Check your CPU temperatures when you enter BIOS. If they're in the 90s or hitting 99°C, that's really high and could definitely cause shutdowns.
If you're using Windows, try booting into safe mode to see if your PC stays on. If it doesn't shut down, it might be a driver issue causing the instability.
It could be that the CPU has degraded a bit over time—this happens with the 14900K, especially if it was used a lot before any microcode updates. Have you checked if your BIOS is up to date? If you're running the RAM at XMP settings, try disabling that and testing it at 5600 MHz instead. It should still be under warranty, so maybe consider an RMA if needed.
I ran into a similar issue with one of my builds; I discovered that my AIO cooler was defective. If you haven’t done so recently, reapplying thermal paste could help. Make sure to spread it in an X pattern for even coverage.
If the shutdowns began right after you reapplied the thermal paste, it might be that there’s a bubble forming or uneven pressure. Also, keep in mind that the 14900K is designed to run hot. You might need a stronger cooler, like the Arctic Freezer 3 Pro 420mm AIO, to effectively manage the heat.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload