My roughly 10-year-old PC suddenly stopped posting. Pressing the power button makes it start for about a second before shutting down, and it repeats this behavior without displaying anything. I tested it outside the case with only the CPU installed and got the same result. A paper-clip test makes the power supply fan run, but the system has occasionally started successfully, worked for several hours, and then returned to the shutdown loop the next morning. I suspect the motherboard or CPU, though I'm not sure the power supply has actually been ruled out. The PSU is around 12 years old. I'd like to reuse my recently purchased graphics card and possibly other parts, including 24 GB of DDR3 memory, if practical. I mainly play PUBG, Elite Dangerous, and less demanding games, and I'm hoping to stay near or below $1,000 while getting a reliable system that can last several years. I'm in the United States.
4 Answers
DDR3 cannot be carried over to current platforms, so keeping that memory would limit you to very old used hardware. You can probably reuse the newer graphics card, storage drives, case, and possibly the CPU cooler, but a sensible upgrade would usually require a new motherboard, CPU, and DDR4 or DDR5 memory. A used AM4 or LGA1700 system could offer good value, but check the condition and include a modern PSU in the budget.
A new, reputable 750 W Gold-rated PSU would be a sensible purchase and should be more than enough for the existing graphics card. It would also be suitable for a future build, assuming the replacement parts do not require unusual power connectors. If the computer still behaves the same way with the new PSU, the motherboard becomes the stronger suspect.
The paper-clip test only shows that the PSU can turn on with no load. It does not prove that the voltages are stable or that the unit can deliver power when the PC starts. Since the PSU is about 12 years old, it should be the first thing I replace or test with a known-good unit. Intermittent startup followed by an immediate shutdown is very consistent with a failing PSU. The CPU is one of the least likely components to be the problem.
Before buying a whole system, clear the CMOS and try one memory stick at a time in the recommended slot. Also check for loose power connectors, bent socket pins, a short from the case, and whether the CPU cooler is mounted correctly. If it powers off even outside the case with minimal hardware and a known-good PSU, the motherboard is likely defective.
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