Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
An upgraded computer may shut down because the existing power supply isn't strong enough. Here's why.
•
Sounds like you've upgraded your machine quite nicely. I'm guessing it runs much faster, and much smoother.
Until it dies, of course.
There's one component you didn't upgrade that I suspect as being the likely cause of your problem.
•
Most people consider the CPU to be the heart of the computer. I don't look at it that way. The brains, maybe, but not the heart.
Your power supply is the true heart of your PC. Quietly, or not so quietly, pumping out electricity at the various voltages required by the various components of your computer, the power supply is an often over looked, and under appreciated component. I mean, when was the last time you saw anyone get excited about a power supply?
With the changes you've made, it's likely that your new computer is drawing more power than your old one, and it's quite possible that your power supply isn't keeping up. It could easily be overheating and shutting down after you use it for a while.
You mention that it's the "old casing with one fan". Chances are that one fan is on a small box and that small box is your old, probably tired, power supply. That would be my first guess, and the very first thing I would replace. It's probably rated for some number of watts - I'd now get one at double that rating.
The other thing that your new components are probably doing is also generating more heat. It's possible that your power supply is ok, but that one fan isn't enough to keep the motherboard and other components from overheating. This is relatively easy to test ... keep the cover off of your computer, and get a table-top fan to blow air at it. If it stays running, then one way or another, you're probably overheating when the box is closed.
The solution may well be the same. That more powerful power supply I mentioned above may well include a more powerful fan capable of moving more air. Alternately, you might see if you can mount a second fan in your case to help move air through.
There's also a small chance that the problem is only the CPU overheating. If it doesn't already have a fan mounted directly on or over it, you might look into adding that as well.
Your new motherboard probably has thermometers in various places to help measure the state of various components. Check out Motherboard Monitor, a free tool that will report your CPU's temperature among other things. It's a tad geeky, but there's good information.
Article C2474 - November 28, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
June 28, 2009 11:57 AM
My pc shuts down to a black screen at random intervals, some times i hear the click when like when you hit the reset button im starting to think its the case, i just replaced the power supply about 5 months ago with a 850w, im runing a Q6700 just replaced on friday and the temperature is not a factor when the restart happens, Core temp has shown in the logs that it happens when my cores are at 45* or 55*, i just replaced the memmory friday too along with another dvd drive, the only thing left is the case????? I'm thinking maybe my cable to the reset button is bad or has a short some where but i have moved my case around and it doesn't restart???? maybe its cursed, the motherboard is new and so is the video card there about 4 months old and 8 months old.
January 30, 2010 6:41 AM
After a complete reinstall using the factory recovery disc, my computer repeatedly cycles on and off automatically by itself. This is after completing the prompts on the recovery disc and it is through. What do I do?
March 25, 2010 8:49 AM
had same thing happen to me i replaced the fans cleaned them all that. ask a friend of mine what to do and he said right away "change your thermo-compound" that is between your prosessor and heatsink i did that and haven't had a problem since. i bought the 10$ stuff instead of the 5$ stuff there is a video on YOUTUBE [incorrect link removed] on how to change it hope this helps
November 27, 2010 3:07 AM
help me,my system is rebooting ever time .please slove problem
December 27, 2010 10:16 AM
My recently custom built computer has a hard time starting. Specs are as follows:
Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300,
GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2, PCIe
Cooler Master CM690 Nvidia Ed. ATX Case
DiabloTek 650-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA
Windows 7 premium 64bit
Corsair CWCH50-1 Hydro H50 CPU Liquid Cooler - 120mm Fan
2- Corsair RAM - 2GB, DDR3, 1333MHz
Intel H55HC Motherboard
intel i5- 661 with 3.33ghz
The computer keeps turning off and restarting on its own after a few seconds, that is, after i pushed the power button once. I noticed that the computer would restart less on warmer days, and would not restart at all on hot days. Since november, i decided to buy a small heater (face it towards the computer for about 5 or so minutes before turning the computer on). At first i thought it was a power supply problem, but after reading a few of these articles, im guessing its not. Though now im comlpletely clueless. How can i solve this problem, please help?