PC suddenly shut down..

[Monyet]

I don't know why is this happen to my new built up PC lately...
This is my PC specification:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
2GB Corsair Value Select 667
Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
Pioneer DVD-RW 16x16
250GB Seagate 7200rpm HDD PATA
ATi Radeon X1600PRO PCI-E 512MB
Cooler Master Case with 380W PSU

I'm thinking the problem may come from the PSU? If that's the case, what PSU would you guys recommend for my budget... thx..

 

[mechBgon]

1) Did the PC suddenly shut down while Windows was running, or did it shut down before Windows started?

2) If you try to start the PC again after it shuts down, does it try to start, or does it stay off?

3) If you can start the computer again, hit the DEL key to see the BIOS, find the CPU temperature, and watch it for several minutes. Does it reach about 30-40°F and stabilize, or does it continue to get hotter?

 

[Monyet]

1) Did the PC suddenly shut down while Windows was running, or did it shut down before Windows started?
PC suddenly shut down while GAME was running, until now, I never met it shut down on Windows only.. :-/

2) If you try to start the PC again after it shuts down, does it try to start, or does it stay off?
It works well after it shut down, sometimes shut down again after a while on game called Company of Heroes, but it's not shutting down for the second time on Guild Wars.. :-/

3) If you can start the computer again, hit the DEL key to see the BIOS, find the CPU temperature, and watch it for several minutes. Does it reach about 30-40°F and stabilize, or does it continue to get hotter?
Last time, I saw it stay there and stable..

thanx for the help

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe the power supply is overheating when you game. Games increase the heat from the CPU and the video card, and that can heat up the power supply. The power supply will also make more heat to power the CPU and video card, too.

When the power supply gets too hot, it will turn off.

Test: open the computer's case. Blow cool air into the computer's case with a large fan. Now run some games and see if the computer stays on?

If that fixes the problem, then put the computer in an open space so it can get cool air, and install rear exhaust fans in the computer to keep the hot air moving out of the case.

 

[Monyet]

thanx soo much.. very appreciated!

 

[Monyet]

hey, I just realized that the PC ALWAYS shuts down after I'm playing music on Windows Media Player 10

What the heck is happening with my PC, however.. I just checked the CPU's temperature, it's all fine and stable... around 30

 

[parasitemite]

I'd recommend a new power supply. When I was testing my old PSU with a 350W Antec on an X2 4000+, X800GT PCI-E card, 2 GB ram, HD and DVD it would randomly shutdown when I opened up certain applications. I don't think 380W is enough for your system especially if your video card hooks up to a PCI-E connector (the X800 does not).

Go for at least a 550W, and you might as well get a nice 650W so you will be able to upgrade to a new vid card in the future w/o replacing your PSU.

EDIT:
Yea, I found a picture of your PSU, I'm guessing you have the centurion case:
380W Coolermaster

only 16A on 12v and only 330W real power.

Go for the Antec Trio 650W, I just purchased this on Newegg a week ago. $99 bucks after $25 MIR.