Random shutdown on a custom build

[sharpwitz]

I built a computer for a client 3 months ago and a few days ago, he has been having random shutdowns after 5-10 mins of use. He says that he tried the F8 key and booting up with last known good config. but still has the shutdown issue.

Also, he tried the F8 key and staying in the Safe Mode options screen in DOS mode and after 5 mins, it shutdowns.

So I am not sure what is going on? These are the only two things that I can think of :

1. Bad power supply
2. overheating chip

maybe not enough voltage to the memory? I don't overclock.

Motherboard : ASUS P7P55D Pro Socket 1156
Tower : HAF932 Full Tower (12 mm fans all over the place)
Memory : Corsair XMS3 4 gb DDR3-1600
PSU : Corsair TX 650 Watts ATX
Video : e-GeForce 9800 GT 512 mb
CPU: Core i7 860
DVD : Samsung DVD+-RW (two of them)
HD: Seagate Barracuda 500 gb SATA (2 of them)

Thank you for your help and advice on this. Happy Holidays.

 

[Alan22]

Initially, like you mentioned, it sounds like the processor may be overheating. You can install a program such as CoreTemp or RealTemp that will show the processor temps. It will be helpful to know the recommended operating temps for the processor beforehand.

 

[sharpwitz]

thermal paste

Hm, there may be a slight chance that I did not place thermal paste.
I could have sworn the directions said no thermal paste needed, and I don't think the chip and heatsink came with paste.

Anyone out there happen to recently put together an Core i7?

 

[Tweak]

Hm, there may be a slight chance that I did not place thermal paste.
I could have sworn the directions said no thermal paste needed, and I don't think the chip and heatsink came with paste.

Anyone out there happen to recently put together an Core i7?

The stock heatsink for the i7 does have pre-applied TIM but it is ideal to change to a higher quality TIM especially with a nicer chip like the i7, you seem to be focusing in the right place with voltages and such, address these problems and see where you get in doing so...you may already have the solution.

 

[sharpwitz]

GEIL vs Artic 5

So any considerations prior to opening up the box and removing the heat sink to apply paste? I assume that I will need rubbing alcohol? Qtip?

Also i have some GEIL paste that is 2 yo. Better to buy new ones?

GEIL vs Artic 5 ?

 

[Tweak]

I'd check the power supply and even view voltages via BIOS before opening it and AS5 is considered the best as a standard (for almost everyone).

 

[numnutz]

i would check the power supply, what is the minimum power supply recommended by the mother board and video card supplier. I had a 380watt ps in a machine that recommened minimum 400watt and with in a week it started shutting down swapped it out with a 420 and issue went away