Author: parsec
Subject: PC Hard Restarts Z170 Extreme4
Posted: 11 Jan 2017 at 11:23pm
I agree with Xaltar that the PSU is suspect until proven otherwise.
Given your description, the PC shutting off during low load conditions, when temperatures are not an issue, I would try another PSU first, unless I had other hints about something else.
When Haswell processors were released (I know you don't have a Haswell...), which were so power efficient that they could cause very low loads on the 12V rail of the PSU, some PSUs would shut off because their protection circuits thought something was wrong. That could easily be worked around by having fans in the PC using 12V power. Your PSU is Haswell rated, but I did see a minimum spec of 0.6A of the 12V rail, which is 7.2 Watts.
It could simply be the PSU power connectors need reseating, that is a good suggestion and free to do.
Look closely at the top of the connector that goes into the board, each of the wires/pins. Do they all look like they are at the same depth within the connector? Meaning a pin is not inserted deep enough into the socket on the board. If there is a relatively high resistance connection for one of more pins, during low power loads the current flow could go below what is needed, and the board shuts off. When it starts again, it needs more power so works fine again.
The 12V 4/8 pin connector for the CPU on the board can be difficult to plug in when building a PC. If I recall my CM 690 case, it was very tight and difficult getting that cable connected.
Subject: PC Hard Restarts Z170 Extreme4
Posted: 11 Jan 2017 at 11:23pm
I agree with Xaltar that the PSU is suspect until proven otherwise.
Given your description, the PC shutting off during low load conditions, when temperatures are not an issue, I would try another PSU first, unless I had other hints about something else.
When Haswell processors were released (I know you don't have a Haswell...), which were so power efficient that they could cause very low loads on the 12V rail of the PSU, some PSUs would shut off because their protection circuits thought something was wrong. That could easily be worked around by having fans in the PC using 12V power. Your PSU is Haswell rated, but I did see a minimum spec of 0.6A of the 12V rail, which is 7.2 Watts.
It could simply be the PSU power connectors need reseating, that is a good suggestion and free to do.
Look closely at the top of the connector that goes into the board, each of the wires/pins. Do they all look like they are at the same depth within the connector? Meaning a pin is not inserted deep enough into the socket on the board. If there is a relatively high resistance connection for one of more pins, during low power loads the current flow could go below what is needed, and the board shuts off. When it starts again, it needs more power so works fine again.
The 12V 4/8 pin connector for the CPU on the board can be difficult to plug in when building a PC. If I recall my CM 690 case, it was very tight and difficult getting that cable connected.