Specs:
- CPU: Intel i9-9900K
- GPU: AMD RX 6700 XT (12GB)
- Mobo: ASRock Z390 Pro4
- RAM: 2x16GB DDR4 3200MHz
- PSU: Xilence XP700R6 Performance C (550W continuous, 700W peak) — 7 years old
- AIO cooler
- OS on SSD
Symptoms:
- PC completely freezes under GPU intensive games (Fortnite every single time, Rocket League once, Honkai Star Rail once)
- During freeze, audio stutters in a loop
- Freeze requires hard shutdown — either holding power button or flipping PSU switch
- After forced shutdown, motherboard gives 5 beeps on next boot, then boots normally
- Occasional micro-stutters during normal use (noticeable via audio stutter)
- Upper PCIe slot is dead — GPU doesn't POST in it at all, currently running in the lower slot with limited airflow
- Problem started recently, did not always do this
What I've already tried:
- Clean GPU driver reinstall using DDU in recovery mode (AMD driver 26.2.2)
- Checked all temperatures — CPU, GPU, everything normal
- Deep cleaned the entire PC
- Ran FurMark stress test — GPU stayed stable, no freeze
- Checked SSD health with CrystalDiskInfo
- Reseated both RAM sticks
- Ran MemTest86 from USB — no errors
Notes:
- Freezes happen in winter too so heat is not the factor
- FurMark being stable but games freezing suggests random power spikes are the issue rather than sustained load imo
- The PSU is a budget office-grade unit running a gaming system for 7 years — suspected main culprit
- Dead PCIe slot suggests possible mobo issues too
My current theory: Dying PSU can't handle power spikes under gaming load. Planning to replace with Be Quiet! System Power 11 650W.
Am I on the right track or could this be the motherboard? Any other tests I should run before spending money?
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TL;DR: 7 year old budget PSU (Xilence 550W continuous) on an i9-9900K + RX 6700 XT build. PC freezes every time under heavy gaming load, audio stutters, requires forced shutdown. Upper PCIe slot is dead. FurMark stable, MemTest86 clean, temps fine, DDU done. Suspecting dying PSU but dead PCIe slot has me worried about the mobo too. Planning to buy Be Quiet! System Power 11 650W — is that the right move?