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I've had a long running issue with my computer randomly powering down. I have essentially rebuilt a new PC, with the only remaining parts from the original being the CPU cooler, SSD and PSU.

The issue can be read in full here: Computer shuts down randomly, not overheating, kernel-power 41 error

Over the last few days, it has been happening more and more frequently. So I figure it MUST be either my PSU or CPU cooler (a CoolerMaster water cooler). I've taken the side off my PC to have a look, and maybe put in a spare power supply I have lying around. However, I notice that the large block that sits on top of the processor is quite warm, and the radiator on the other end of the tubes is stone cold. This isn't right, is it? The computer had only been on for 20 minutes.

Also, after shutting down randomly, it now takes about 10 minutes until I am able to successfully boot it up again - otherwise it just switches on for a second, doesn't even get to BIOS bleep, then shuts off.

Is it more likely to be my power supply at fault, or the water cooler?

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  • I'd say it's more likely a power supply issue. I think it's unlikey your core is able to instantly heat up > 100 degrees celcius (approx. 200 F) So quickly to trigger a bios shutoff.
    – Bennett Yeo
    Commented Apr 16, 2017 at 13:56

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First check if your CPU is overheating. According to your description, it is possible that your watercooler is not functioning properly. As far as I know, an overheating CPU usually triggers a shutdown instead of a sudden "power-cut" to the computer as you have described in your linked question. But the watercooler having a great temperature difference like you have mentioned may be a problem. And if the computer shutdown is triggered by an overheating CPU, it may take some time for the CPU temperature to go below the threshold value which can make it take some time before you can boot it up like you have said. For you to be sure that it is not a problem with overheating, it's better to check it and cross it off the list.

What I would suggest is that you install a hardware monitor (HWMonitor by CPUID is a popular choice), or enter BIOS and monitor the CPU temperature.

If your PC shuts down when temperatures reach around 90°C+ (or the threshold specified in BIOS which some motherboards let you specify), then it's time to inspect the CPU cooler. Check whether the CPU cooler is mounted properly and that an adequate amount of thermal paste has been applied. If those are OK, remove the CPU cooler and check that. If it's a sealed unit which you cannot disassemble, try and check if you can hear or feel the water being pumped through the tubes. A faulty water pump can make the water block quite warm and radiator cold as you have stated. If none of them are at fault, then it's not a problem with the CPU overheating.

The second major component that I suspect is the PSU. Connect only the essential components of the Computer and boot it up. If the computer doesn't power down, connect the other devices one by one until it powers down. Then connect that last device which triggered the power down to a different cable from the PSU to identify if a particular connection from the PSU is at fault. Also try connecting a different device to that connection from the PSU to check if the device you connected is faulty. If you have a spare PSU, swap the PSUs and check if the computer powers down.

I saw that someone had suggested in your linked question that you change the RAM modules and check. How did that go?

Finally, can you tell us if your system is overclocked? If you have, bring the system back to its stock settings and check. An unstable overclock can result in the computer powering down.

When trying to diagnose a problem like this you may have to check different component and connection combinations. (ex. HDD with SATA power connector 1 or HDD with SATA power connector 2, RAM module in slot A, etc.) so that you can eliminate the suspects one by one. You may have to let each combination work for some time to make sure that it is not the faulty part.

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Update: it was the CPU cooler. I've had my PC on for a record of 6 hours straight with minimum heat levels on the CPU. Replaced water cooler with the stock cooler that came with the processor. No shutdowns since then.

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