Recurring problem with recent builds.

[Jesster]

I've been building Computers for myself and family members for the past 15 years or so, but in the last few years, I've had the same problem crop up in several of the machines I've built. These machines seem to work well for a while (1-3 years), then they start just spontaneously shutting down in the middle of use (as if the power was cut off). This has happened on two of the three most recent machines I built for myself (my newest one is still stable after a couple years, so hopefully it won't have the same problem.) And the most recent one I built for my parents.

I've tried swapping memory sticks around, wiping/reinstalling the OS, looking for signs of overheating, etc. But haven't had much luck figuring out the source of this problem. With the first machine, I eventually chalked it up to just the motherboard crapping out on me, but now that I've seen it on two other machines, I'm wondering if its something specific I've been screwing up with these builds.

I typically use ASUS motherboards with intel processors and nvidia video cards. Other parts have come from various brands.

Is this a common problem? Anyone have any ideas/suggestions on things I could do to try and isolate the cause.

 

[Sn0_Man]

Sounds to me like you have some kind of power issue. First of all, what kind of PSU's have you been putting in these computers?

If you have been putting in quality PSU's, then the next place I would look is the quality of power you get from your wall. I don't exactly know how you would go about testing this, but I would recommend running your computers off of decent quality UPS's. Years of use with poor power from the wall could definitely cause the issues you are having.

Those are my thoughts.

 

[Dangman]

If the recurring problems are happening even with PCs that are not located in your home, that kinda rules out electrical issues and that it could very well be just you. With that said, there's a chance that all the homes that the PCs go to have poor electricals. So might want to check that out.

 

[Jeffman]

Unless you've been using the same crappy power supplies in every build.

As stated above, what power supplies are you using in them?

 

[Jesster]

Thank god for NewEgg order history.

This is the one I used for my parents' computer:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010

This is the one I used in my current computer. This one's still running fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

This is the one I used in my previous system. This one lasted about 3-4 years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151025

Couldn't find a record of what I used for the first machine I had this problem with.

 

[peanuthead]

Could it be something simple where the processor needs to be TIMed again or they just need to be cleaned out/air blown through them?

 

[j.yonke]

Could it be something simple where the processor needs to be TIMed again or they just need to be cleaned out/air blown through them?

I 2nd this. Have you checked and verified all temps are in the normal range?

 

[Dangman]

Thank god for NewEgg order history.

This is the one I used for my parents' computer:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010

This is the one I used in my current computer. This one's still running fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

This is the one I used in my previous system. This one lasted about 3-4 years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151025

Couldn't find a record of what I used for the first machine I had this problem with.

Well the first PSU is definitely a piece of shit. But the other two are fine.