Sudden PC Restarts While Gaming—Could It Be My GPU or PSU?
Asked by
TechSavant88
I've been experiencing frustrating issues with my PC suddenly restarting during gaming sessions. The problem isn't due to overheating, as my CPU hovers around 50°C and my GPU around 45°C. Many people suggest either the PSU or the GPU might be at fault. Typically, my PC crashes after anywhere from 2 to 80 minutes of gaming, and I lose signal with the graphics card until I manually restart. I built this PC just 8 months ago, and while it initially crashed infrequently, the frequency has increased significantly. I've tried various troubleshooting steps, like downgrading my drivers and testing the hardware, but the crashes remain. I suspect the PSU since it's often the culprit for such abrupt issues, but the lack of signal makes me uneasy about the GPU. Both parts are likely still under warranty, but I'm unsure which one to pursue for replacement.
Answers
It's possible that you could be dealing with a hardware issue, but keep in mind that Fallout 4 is notoriously buggy. Many players have experienced crashes on various builds, so some issues could just be game-related rather than hardware.
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In my experience, failing PSUs are often the cause of these sudden crashes. It might seem like it could handle your setup, but sometimes they fail under load. I'd get a cheap in-line tester just to check the PSU—it’s not too expensive, and it could save you a lot of hassle.
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To diagnose more precisely, go to your event viewer and check for errors under Windows Logs > System. Specifically, look for nvlddmkm errors. If you find them, it's likely the GPU that's the issue. For NVIDIA users, adjusting the power management settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel might help, as well as undervolting the GPU with tools like MSI Afterburner.
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First things first, I'd suggest borrowing a PSU from a friend or getting one from somewhere with an easy return policy—like Amazon. While you wait for that, run stability tests using programs like OCCT for memory and Furmark for your GPU, plus Cinebench for the CPU. Monitoring software like Hwinfo64 can really help you keep an eye on temperatures during these tests. With issues like yours, it's all about the process of elimination—if switching the PSU resolves the problem, then you'll know for sure, otherwise, your GPU could be the next suspect.
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You mentioned that your CPU has integrated graphics (iGPU), so you could try removing your current GPU and running the system without it. That way you can see if the problem persists. It’s a straightforward way to rule out potential GPU issues!
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I had a very similar experience, and I resolved it by lowering the maximum GPU clock speed through the AMD Adrenalin software. Give that a shot—sometimes it can make a significant difference!
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