Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get some help because I'm feeling a bit lost with my PC issues. Recently, I noticed that while gaming and using Discord (specifically in games like Arena Breakout, Fortnite, and Enshrouded), my PC completely shuts off after around 30 minutes. Just before it shuts down, I experience some significant lag spikes and stuttering.
My PC was custom-built by PC Specialist in August 2024, so I didn't expect to run into hardware failure so soon, unfortunately, my warranty on parts has expired. I checked Windows Event Viewer after the crashes, but it just logs an unexpected shutdown with no clear cause. I ran OCCT stress tests for the CPU and GPU, and they didn't result in shutdowns. I also monitored the temperatures with MSI Afterburner and didn't see any overheating right before the crashes.
The issue seems inconsistent; sometimes I can't reproduce it, while other times it occurs regularly. I even did a fresh install of Windows and updated all drivers, but that didn't help.
I suspected the GPU or PSU because I have a second PC with a GTX 1660 Super, and I swapped that GPU into my main PC. After several hours of Fortnite, it didn't shut down, which makes me think the problem could be with my main GPU or the PSU. My second PC has a 550W PSU; I'm not sure if it's safe or even a good idea to test my current GPU with that.
I'd really appreciate any ideas, suggestions on what to test next, or common reasons for this type of shutdown in non-techy terms!
1 Answer
Based on your description, it sounds like the power supply (PSU) might be the culprit here. It can often lead to unexpected shutdowns when under load. You may want to monitor the voltages while gaming to see if they drop below spec.
Yeah, definitely observe the PSU voltages! Also, if you decide to test with the 550W unit, make sure to use the cables that come with that PSU to avoid any issues.