Troubleshooting GPU or PSU for Kernel Power Errors... Help!

Hi all, as the title says, I need help figuring out whether this specific problem is caused by my PSU or GPU. Here’s what I have in the PC:

  • Processor: Ryzen 5 3600xt (4 years old)
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte B550m ds3h rev 1.7 (new)
  • RAM: 4x 16GB Teamgroup 3200mhz (new)
  • GPU: Palit RTX 3070 Jetstream (4 years old)
  • PSU: Silverstone Strider Gold Series 650w ST65F-GS (4 years old)
  • CPU Cooler: AK400 Digital
  • Storage: 2x 1TB M.2, 1x 1TB 2.5" SSD, 2x 2TB 3.5" HDD
  • Fans: 6X 140mm LED fans

I’ve been getting a lot of system restarts happening at random times and activities. It doesn’t matter if I’m just browsing, playing a game, or if the PC is idle; it will restart and the event viewer shows event ID 41 kernel power error with no bug checks. This happens about 9-10 times a day.

Things I’ve already tried:

  • Replaced power cable
  • Updated BIOS
  • Updated all outdated drivers
  • Set power plan to balanced
  • Turned off XMP profile and set RAM to 2400
  • Tried replacing the motherboard
  • Tried new RAM

The latest thing I did was replace the GPU with an old RX580, and it’s been 3 days with no restarts. Now, I’m not sure if it’s my GPU or PSU that needs replacing.

A friend mentioned that the PSU might not be supplying enough power for the 3070, so it could be that I need to upgrade my PSU or that the 3070 is failing. I don’t have access to another PSU with a higher wattage or another PC to test the GPU. I want to avoid spending money on a new card if the current one is fine, so any tips or advice would be hugely appreciated!

It sounds like you’ve done a lot of troubleshooting already! Given that the RX580 has been stable, it might suggest that your RTX 3070 could be the culprit. Have you checked the power connections to the GPU? Sometimes a loose connection can cause issues.

I checked the connections, and they seem secure. It’s frustrating!

Since the PSU is 650W, it should be sufficient for the 3070 under normal circumstances. But if the PSU is aging or has developed issues, it might not provide consistent power. If possible, try borrowing a PSU from a friend for a test.

You could also try monitoring the GPU temps and usage when it was crashing. If it was overheating or under heavy load, that might indicate a problem.

I didn’t think of that! I’ll check the temps next time I have the RTX 3070 installed.

If you can’t get a higher wattage PSU to test, consider a PSU tester. It can help you check if the PSU is providing the right voltages without needing to swap it out.

Good luck! I hope you can get this sorted out without too much hassle. It’s such a pain when these things happen, especially when you rely on your PC!