Gaming Computer is wierd

[Originality]

Ok, let's try and reason out this rather unique question. Firstly, the CPU is a flat lil chip with around 700-1400 pins underneath, depending on which model you have. Where in the world would you find a connection to transform your mains AC power into those pins? And furthermore, how would you get the computer to communicate with the rest of the computer if it's plugged into the mains?

Ok, so let's move onto the motherboard. The motherboard has the socket for the pins and the power phasing circuitry to keep steady voltages supplied to the CPU. Would you then try to plug that into the mains? Most motherboards have 2 power connectors - a long 20+4 pin 12V ATX power socket and a small 4/8 pin ATX power connector located right next to the VRMs on the motherboard (I forget if it's a 12V connector or less). There is no way you can directly plug 220V AC power into the motherboard without something blowing up, it needs 12V, not 220V.

Ok, so let's get the PSU back into the picture. It transforms your 220V AC power from the mains into much smaller direct currents across it's rails. 12V ATX power for the motherboard, 5V power for USB and lesser components, and another 12V for PCIe power if it's a modern power supply. It completes th system. It's necessary. And if you get the cheapest PSU possible, that's like getting the cheapest fuel possible for a car from an unlabelled canister from some shady guy down an alley. There's a very good chance of something blowing up.

Monitors are external to the PC, and require AC power from the mains just like a TV. Some PSUs feature an AC out port for you to plug a monitor in, or even some speakers. I've not seen any modern PSUs with that feature though. The only other parts that require power from the mains are external devices like printers, scanners, external drives and a certain expensive logitech keyboard, the G19. Everything inside the computer gets it's power from the PSU.

 

[moodswinger]

Ok, I wasn't specific enough. I think my CPU casing has a built-in transformer in it so that takes care of the voltage difference. My PSU that I'm currently using gives out a 220V that is connected to the power socket of the CPU casing.

 

[Originality]

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) doesn't have a power socket, it just has a lot of tiny pins. It doesn't have a case either - just a mounting bracket and a HSF (Heatsink Fan) on top of it. EDIT: To emphasise, the CPU is just a small square piece of silicon full of transistors, that uses between 10 and 150W depending on the model.
The case (or chassis) of the computer (if that's what you meant by the CPU) also does not have a power socket. Instead it's got a space, either at the top or bottom of the case, for the PSU to fit into (and be screwed in with 4 case screws).
The PSU is the only device inside a desktop that has a 220V (up to 240V, sometimes has a second socket for plugging in the monitor or certain speakers) power socket. The PSU is the very "transformer" that converts 220V AC to 5-12V DC (its power rating is measured in Watts).

Care to be a little more specific?

 

[moodswinger]

Hmmm, the power cord from the ATX case to the PSU, can I plug that in to a normal wall socket? Anyway, my friend answered my question... he said I could plug it directly, but it is prone to easily get broken because of electricity fluctuations.

 

[Originality]

I give up trying to understand. The case doesn't have a power socket/cord, it's just a metal box. The PSU has a power cable that connects to the wall, and on the other side it has a handful of smaller connections that connect to the motherboard, graphics card and drives. You can't plug the motherboard directly into the mains - it would just blow up.

The exception may be with micro-ATX cases (which resemble a gamecube, only bigger), which will integrate the PSU into the case in order to save space, but a full ATX case (also known as a desktop case or a tower) will always have a seperate PSU located in the top or bottom. FYI, ATX just refers to the size of the motherboard (micro-ATX, mini-ATX, ATX, ATX-E ... there other other variations, but they're not that common). All motherboards use a 20 pin ATX power connector, whilst the bigger ones (ATX and ATX-E) use 20+4 and often have an extra 4/6/8 pin connector near the CPU.

 

[CannonFoddr]

Between me and Originality, we're TRYING to help KirbyPink to solve HIS problem, but some1 (& I think we all know who) is taking the p*** 'pretending' (well I HOPE he is) to know NOTHING about PC's and the bits that go into it.....

May I suggest that that person start using Google & look up a few things about PC components & how to build one - he may find out the differences between a CPU and a PSU

If he IS pretending then maybe he can contribute some SENSIBLE suggestions to fixing KirbyPink

 

[Maz7006]

CPU overheating

used to happen all the time for me; the game shut down for no apparent reason thing

got a proper Heat Sink fan

then again in your case it MAY just very well be a simple dust out.

although im not really sure, but by the sounds of things this really well seems the problem if the PSU, GPU and RAM seem to have checked out well - i remember i went through the whole process of elimination

/ a quick test to test our hypothesis here, is run the games that don't shut off the PC and take note of bth GPU and CPU temps (EVGA Precision should help you here for the GPU and Speed Fan should cover the CPU stuff)

Then do the same to the games that do shut down your computer

if everything checks out the it leaves only some software issue, or possibly OS , or maybe even IF your running a bad copy of the game (although it's highly unlikely)

Bottom Line: your PC is shutting down by itself since it doesn't feel happy - if you are getting BSoD then Windows wouldn't be happy, but the fact is your PC is shutting down itself in order to save itself, so figure out what is wrong before you break it basically.

hope this helps.

 

[KirbyPink]

He he ,i know some stuff about computers.
I´m not that stupid...just kidding around a bit.
Ive checked for dust, and it doesn´t seem to be the issue there.

Ima take a read on what you´ve said so far.

Edit: Right decided to run Spiral Knights. It ran fine. Heck it ran for 5-7 hours or so.
Then it shut down. I checked the Temp and it said 100c.
First i got a bit alarmed, but then i went checking on google. It said it should be fine running it that high. At the time of writing it´s at 82c.
Ive read that apperently the fan will start automaticaly at a certain temprature.
Thus, not spin at all. Anyway to change this to always spin?

Edit: AMD Overdrive? Uh, i don´t need that. *unchecks*
Temp went down to 60c. Ive turned down basicaly every setting to low. I´m not a graphic nerd , heck i still play 8-bit and Minecraft.

 

[KirbyPink]

Well, it´s happended. The computer is busted. My friend started playing Rift on it, and each time he tried playing,the computer shutted down.
So, it´s the graphic card. We are sending it in for repairs for any other errors and replacing the card.

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[Originality]

Ironically enough, my friend called me last night with a similar situation, except it wouldn't shut down but would crash regularly when playing RIFT and, when I went to see for myself, it turned out the screen would be full of green artifacts at the time of crash. I ran a couple of tests and determined two things: firstly the comp was overheating (graphics at 65C on idle, 78C on a light benchmark, and crashed on heavy benchmark), and secondly the GPU was dying (almost certainly as a result of the heat).

He's now ordered new parts... originally planning for an upgrade but then deciding that an entirely new computer would be easier. He really wants to play RIFT.