New PC: Instability and unexpected shutdowns when gaming.

[UnknownBreadd]

Description of Original Problem:

Instability whilst gaming since first building PC (2 weeks ago). Sometimes the game crashes and freezes and takes me back to the desktop, and other times it does an instant shutdown/power-off (like a power-trip). Most consistently shuts down or crashes with Overwatch 2 and can occur at any time (loading up the game itself, loading into or out matches, or mid-gameplay).

Doom Eternal has crashed a few times - but has only done an instant shutdown once. Red Dead Redemption 2 has shutdown randomly a few times too.

In Doom, Red Dead, and Cyberpunk; I have been able to play for a few hours at a time with no problems. Overwatch more consistently shutsdown (sometimes before I even fully start a match, sometimes straight after, sometimes in the middle of the match etc. but have also played 4 games in a row without problems).

Only BIOS setting I have changed is enabled EXPO.

Troubleshooting:

Hard reset CMOS, redownloaded Windows 11 to a freshly formatted USB, and did a complete fresh install.

Removed and reseated RAM and GPU. Visually inspected build (not to sound incredibly arrogant, but I am a civil aviation engine overhaul technician - my job is literally to follow instructions and build/fit components to spec. I was very careful about building the PC in the first place - so I just can't see human-error whilst building to be a highly likely cause - however I'm more than happy to be proven wrong if it fixes my issue).

Tried AMD's optional GPU driver update.

Ran brief (~10mins each) OCCT CPU, GPU, and power 'stress tests' and Cinebench R23 - but none caused any crashes. Temps all look good.

Restarted computer a bunch of times. Ran Windows performance monitor. Constantly viewed the logs in Windows Reliability tool and the System Event Viewer (whilst helplessly pretending to know what I'm looking for).

Ran Memtest for 2 passes without fault.

I don’t know what else I can do! My knowledge is basically 0 when it comes to computers so I don’t even know how to rule out whether it’s software or hardware to begin with - which is making this process of trial and elimination very hard!

System Specs:

Computer Type: Desktop

GPU: RX 7800XT Gigabyte Gaming OC 16GB

CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X

Motherboard: ASRock B850M-X wifi

BIOS Version: 3.2 (current latest on ASRock's support page)

RAM: Silicon Power DDR5 2x16GB 6000MT/s CL30 1.35v (PC5-48000).

PSU: Gigabyte UD750GM

Case: Antec Flux

Operating System & Version: Windows 11 Professional Edition Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3775

GPU Drivers: Adrenalin 25.3.2 (Optional) (and previously using Adrenalin 25.3.1 (WHQL Recommended)

Chipset Drivers: AMD's current latest chipset Driver 7.02.13.148

Background Applications: Literally none.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Description of Original Problem:

Instability whilst gaming since first building PC (2 weeks ago). Sometimes the game crashes and freezes and takes me back to the desktop, and other times it does an instant shutdown/power-off (like a power-trip). Most consistently shuts down or crashes with Overwatch 2 and can occur at any time (loading up the game itself, loading into or out matches, or mid-gameplay).

Doom Eternal has crashed a few times - but has only done an instant shutdown once. Red Dead Redemption 2 has shutdown randomly a few times too.

In Doom, Red Dead, and Cyberpunk; I have been able to play for a few hours at a time with no problems. Overwatch more consistently shutsdown (sometimes before I even fully start a match, sometimes straight after, sometimes in the middle of the match etc. but have also played 4 games in a row without problems).

Only BIOS setting I have changed is enabled EXPO.

Troubleshooting:

Hard reset CMOS, redownloaded Windows 11 to a freshly formatted USB, and did a complete fresh install.

Removed and reseated RAM and GPU. Visually inspected build (not to sound incredibly arrogant, but I am a civil aviation engine overhaul technician - my job is literally to follow instructions and build/fit components to spec. I was very careful about building the PC in the first place - so I just can't see human-error whilst building to be a highly likely cause - however I'm more than happy to be proven wrong if it fixes my issue).

Tried AMD's optional GPU driver update.

Ran brief (~10mins each) OCCT CPU, GPU, and power 'stress tests' and Cinebench R23 - but none caused any crashes. Temps all look good.

Restarted computer a bunch of times. Ran Windows performance monitor. Constantly viewed the logs in Windows Reliability tool and the System Event Viewer (whilst helplessly pretending to know what I'm looking for).

Ran Memtest for 2 passes without fault.

I don’t know what else I can do! My knowledge is basically 0 when it comes to computers so I don’t even know how to rule out whether it’s software or hardware to begin with - which is making this process of trial and elimination very hard!

System Specs:

Computer Type: Desktop

GPU: RX 7800XT Gigabyte Gaming OC 16GB

CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X

Motherboard: ASRock B850M-X wifi

BIOS Version: 3.2 (current latest on ASRock's support page)

RAM: Silicon Power DDR5 2x16GB 6000MT/s CL30 1.35v (PC5-48000).

PSU: Gigabyte UD750GM

Case: Antec Flux

Operating System & Version: Windows 11 Professional Edition Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3775

GPU Drivers: Adrenalin 25.3.2 (Optional) (and previously using Adrenalin 25.3.1 (WHQL Recommended)

Chipset Drivers: AMD's current latest chipset Driver 7.02.13.148

Background Applications: Literally none.

These are some of the most difficult type of symptoms to diagnose and repair.

As a fellow technician (not aviation though), I am leaning on the wording you've used to describe the symptom.

(like a power-trip).

I would try a different power supply. Doesn't mean I'm correct, but it's starting somewhere.

 

[UnknownBreadd]

These are some of the most difficult type of symptoms to diagnose and repair.

As a fellow technician (not aviation though), I am leaning on the wording you've used to describe the symptom.

(like a power-trip).

I would try a different power supply. Doesn't mean I'm correct, but it's starting somewhere.

Sometimes the games just crash and take me to the desktop though. MAYBE a PSU problem could cause GPU problems like that through weird power supply though?

I feel like it has to be PSU or GPU though, right?

 

[Princess Garnet]

Are these full on power offs... or a brief Black screen before a restart? The difference helps narrow it down.

If it's a sudden off, I'd be leaning on the side of a power issue. Especially if the PSU needs power cycled to start back up. That might suggest some power protection is being tripped.

If it's not sudden (or if it's a restart as opposed to a shutdown), it gets far more complicated because there's far more causes.

Been there a year and a half ago, also with a then-new 7800 XT. Ended up doing an RMA on the video card and it resolved it. Sometimes it's simply faulty new hardware, and since yours has been doing it since the start, it might suggest that. But if yours are shutdowns, I'd be looking in the direction of the PSU first.

First things first, EXPO off if it's enabled. And MemTest86. Let's rule out the the possibility that the RAM/IMC isn't stable at stock. Also, ensure those two sticks of memory are in the correct RAM slots (typically the "every other slot, starting furthest from the CPU first", not nearest). DDR5 is notorious for being harder to stabilize so this matters more for it.

Also, check the following directories...

Windows/LiveKernelReports/WHEA
Windows/LiveKernelReports/WATCHDOG

Any dump files in either directory, especially ones corresponding to the times of the issue?

 

[Macro Device]

If your PSU is in perfect condition you should have absolutely no power related issues, even worst case scenario spikes wouldn't trigger it. And the fact you're getting this problem in Overwatch 2 makes me think it's a faulty GPU. If you have something with a comparable or higher appetite than your 7800 XT (doesn't matter how much performance it gives) go ahead and test a different GPU. Won't hurt to slot an overkill PSU anyway.
Less probable reasons:
• Messy motherboard. Might be caused either by physical defects or by funky BIOS. Update your BIOS and see if it helps.
• Daisy chain. Some users use two heads of the same PCI-e power cable for their video cards and get away with it. Some don't get away. Make sure you use two separate cables and not two heads of the same one.
• Faulty outlet and/or other electricity delivery device such as UPS, plug extension sockets etc.
• You never mentioned if you're using SATA drives but if you do, replace the cables.
• Magnetic and electro-magnetic sources. Make sure you don't have any interference.
• Overheat.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Sometimes the games just crash and take me to the desktop though. MAYBE a PSU problem could cause GPU problems like that through weird power supply though?

I feel like it has to be PSU or GPU though, right?

I would gather a GPU wattage spike could cause these types of issues. That or temps. You say temps are good. So I just believed that and gave my 2 pennies based on the shut down.

Games closing, could be a game thing. I know overwatch 2 was known for crashing PCs, but that was like years ago now. Not sure it still applies.

 

[Lost_Troll]

It sounds like it might be heat related too me. I would download HWinfo and run it in logging mode, once the PC reboots or your game crashes, you can see what the temps were with the CPU and video card and the voltages on the power rails as well.

Also, I would make sure that your CPU heatsink is mounted correctly and the video card, RAM, are fully seated.

BTW..HWinfo is free.

 

[eidairaman1]

Instant power off sounds like a psu, make sure you have the motherboard correctly seated in the io shield (no tabs in the ports) and only correct amount of stand offs are used (no additional or incorrect positioned ones). Pull your motherboard and recheck, also ga psus are garbage. Check system temps while in game and also you might consider disabling c states

 

[Dyno]

Try running DDU in Windows Safe Mode and try installing an older driver than the ones you've used already.

 

[UnknownBreadd]

Try running DDU in Windows Safe Mode and try installing an older driver than the ones you've used already.

I have. For the last 3 driver versions.

 

[UnknownBreadd]

Instant power off sounds like a psu, make sure you have the motherboard correctly seated in the io shield (no tabs in the ports) and only correct amount of stand offs are used (no additional or incorrect positioned ones). Pull your motherboard and recheck, also ga psus are garbage. Check system temps while in game and also you might consider disabling c states

It has a B+ rating on Zachs Tech Turf PSU list with a “good overall performance” comment.

 

[UnknownBreadd]

It sounds like it might be heat related too me. I would download HWinfo and run it in logging mode, once the PC reboots or your game crashes, you can see what the temps were with the CPU and video card and the voltages on the power rails as well.

Also, I would make sure that your CPU heatsink is mounted correctly and the video card, RAM, are fully seated.

BTW..HWinfo is free.

Yes I have Hwinfo, Here are some temp screenshots.

The CPU never gets anywhere near that hot when gaming though and I have the issue even when its set to a lower Tjmax anyway.

 

[UnknownBreadd]

If your PSU is in perfect condition you should have absolutely no power related issues, even worst case scenario spikes wouldn't trigger it. And the fact you're getting this problem in Overwatch 2 makes me think it's a faulty GPU. If you have something with a comparable or higher appetite than your 7800 XT (doesn't matter how much performance it gives) go ahead and test a different GPU. Won't hurt to slot an overkill PSU anyway.
Less probable reasons:
• Messy motherboard. Might be caused either by physical defects or by funky BIOS. Update your BIOS and see if it helps.
• Daisy chain. Some users use two heads of the same PCI-e power cable for their video cards and get away with it. Some don't get away. Make sure you use two separate cables and not two heads of the same one.
• Faulty outlet and/or other electricity delivery device such as UPS, plug extension sockets etc.
• You never mentioned if you're using SATA drives but if you do, replace the cables.
• Magnetic and electro-magnetic sources. Make sure you don't have any interference.
• Overheat.

I don’t know any other PC gamers and this is my first PC so I don’t have any other GPU lying around to test.

It’s 2 PCIE cables.

Bios and chipset updated to latest versions.

No sata drives or magnetic interferences.

 

[eidairaman1]

It has a B+ rating on Zachs Tech Turf PSU list with a “good overall performance” comment.

And you're having power off issues, do the things suggested in my last reply.

 

[Marcus L]

It has a B+ rating on Zachs Tech Turf PSU list with a “good overall performance” comment.

Doesn't mean it's not a bad unit, you can have the best tier quality PSU and a small % of them will still fail, also GB's QC is questionable when it comes to PSU's, I personally would not buy one even if it was only a few certain models and those issues have been worked out, once bitten twice shy!

 

[_roman_]

Did you have any motivation to get that particular psu brand?
PSU: Gigabyte UD750GM

I had random issues with the fabulous CORSAIR RM750 PSU. (one crash at least per week randomly)

My hardware Ryzen 7600X / ASUS Prime x670-P Mainboard / 2x32Gib DRAM / Powerdcolor 7800XT hellhound / Enermax Revolution D.F. 750W / windows 11 pro 24h2 and gnu gentoo linux / KC3000 2TB / very old SATA HDD. / Fans -- I only game in windows 11 pro. - Many hours Control game recently which is very demanding

You have similar hardware. I do not like gigabyte. I suspect the psu honestly as gigabyte has Quality issues in the past. it seems to be also a 750W psu.

I highly recommend to get a proper psu from a proper brand = seasonic ... and crossstest for another two week or until the box crashes again.

I bought myself enermax because it was one of the best at that time. I just wired the new cables outside to all components and problems are gone.
I will not judge your graphic card choice gigabyte or the mainboard choice. Personally I would also avoid gigabyte graphic cards after watching those graphic card repair channels.

edit: run the DRAM with 4800mt/s = stock settings // mainboard wiht stock // graphic card at stock settings in windows.
stupid settings for DRAM also crashes my gnu gentoo linux, although the hardware is in working condition = overclock issues

 

[UnknownBreadd]

Are these full on power offs... or a brief Black screen before a restart? The difference helps narrow it down.

If it's a sudden off, I'd be leaning on the side of a power issue. Especially if the PSU needs power cycled to start back up. That might suggest some power protection is being tripped.

If it's not sudden (or if it's a restart as opposed to a shutdown), it gets far more complicated because there's far more causes.

Been there a year and a half ago, also with a then-new 7800 XT. Ended up doing an RMA on the video card and it resolved it. Sometimes it's simply faulty new hardware, and since yours has been doing it since the start, it might suggest that. But if yours are shutdowns, I'd be looking in the direction of the PSU first.

First things first, EXPO off if it's enabled. And MemTest86. Let's rule out the the possibility that the RAM/IMC isn't stable at stock. Also, ensure those two sticks of memory are in the correct RAM slots (typically the "every other slot, starting furthest from the CPU first", not nearest). DDR5 is notorious for being harder to stabilize so this matters more for it.

Also, check the following directories...

Windows/LiveKernelReports/WHEA
Windows/LiveKernelReports/WATCHDOG

Any dump files in either directory, especially ones corresponding to the times of the issue?

Brief black screen and restart. But not always - sometimes Overwatch will freeze and then an error message will pop up saying 'graphics error in the driver'. Sometimes games just close and return me to the desktop with no message or anything. And sometimes its the restarts.

Ran Memtest86 the other night for 4 passes and no errors - EXPO was still on though (only BIOS setting I have changed). My mobo only has 2 RAM slots anyway btw so can't be in wrong positions. Those directories don't exist for me - but I can share my mini dump files - which you will find here.

Thanks for your time.

 

[blinnbanir]

I am willing to bet that the OP's problems are all due to not enough Thermal Paste on the GPU die of that 7800XT. It is a a common occurrence.

 

[zenlessyank]

Test RAM, sfc, reseat peripherals, system restore point, start swapping parts with known good parts if possible. Also make a live Linux thumbdrive and see how it functions.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Gigabyte UD750GM 750 W Review - No Lightning This Time

The Gigabyte UD750GM uses a better version of the platform used in the P750GM, with vastly improved protection features. Overall performance is also higher, but still needs more work to be competitive. A lower price might help since the Corsair RM750x—the king of this category—only costs $10 more.

www.techpowerup.com

Very poor quality power supply, it's basically the fixed version of the P750GM (known for being... explosive). It should be around 3 years old, and with those ridiculously poor quality components, I'd look at replacing it.

 

[K7SEM]

Pick GPU drivers from year 2023 to 2024 and try one stick of RAM