CPU = Central Processing Unit. Another term used is Microprocessor, or simply Processor for short. That is one chipset inside the computer, and does not designate a personal computer.A) Is the computer dirty inside, to include the Power Supply? I know it's a year old, but dust/dirt/hair/lint, you name it...accumulates fast.Why?Because air is used to cool the hardware components inside the computer.Block the air flow with 'Gunk', and the hardware components will overheat. The Processor, and graphics chipset heat up the most.If the Processor surpasses it's thermal limit, it turns off. (BIOS turns it off)This is a built-in fail safe feature to keep the Processor from burning up.B) Power Supply: (Long read)The Power Supply inside your desktop computer is an SMPS.Switched-Mode Power Supply,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched-mode_power_supplyThe cooling components are Heatsink's, and an internal fan.Looking at a general example of an SMPS, opened up, and in the photo at the top right, look in-between the letters B and C.(You can click on the photo to enlarge)There you will see what look to be silvery rectangles, stacked on a long metal bar.Looking at the top rectangle you can start to make out fins.Same with in-between the letters C and D.The rectangular shapes are a group of thin fins, spaced apart.Heat is absorbed by the thin fins, then radiated away.The small internal fan helps carry heat away from the thin fins.If dust/dirt/etc., is coating the fins, and in-between the fins, the cooling capacity drops tremendously.Same with the fan if it's blades, center hub, and surrounding shroud are coated.Cooling capacity drops, the Power Supply's internal components heat up.Heat = Wasted Energy.The Power Supply tries to keep up with the call for power, but eventually cannot as components inside start to fail.The weakest link are the Electrolytic Capacitors. They usually go first. These are seen on the left side with the 'blue rings' on them (2), and all of the ones around the letters D and E. (Plus one above C)They fail because the Electrolytic Paste inside develops a gas. Hydrogen Gas. The gas expands, and pushes paste out.So much paste loss, and the capacitor/s can operate at a weakened state.TOO much paste loss, and the capacitor/s fail.This is NOT an invite to open your Power Supply, and 'see if you can fix things'.See the capacitors (Blue ring) with the letter B on one of them?They are Filters, and used in the Input Stage. These can be rated to hold UP TO 100 Volts.Unplugged from power these 'caps' can hold a charge for a week, month, sometimes over a year.If your fingers touch the terminals on the bottom of one of them, the charge can be released to YOU!If your fingers complete a circuit, that one or more capacitors are in, the charge can be released to YOU!Just want to make sure we're clear about that.You CAN test the voltage coming out, however.Your power supply converts the high AC voltage coming from your home, or business, into three main LOW DC Voltages.A) 3.3 Volts (DC)B) 5 Volts (DC)C) 12 Volts (DC)In comparison two D cell flashlight batteries store 3 Volts DC.You need a multimeter, or a power supply tester.An economical, yet good enough for this test multimeter, can be purchased for as little as $5 to $12. Available in a multitude of stores. An auto parts store is but one example.Example of a power supply tester,
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=PS-124C) Electrolytic Capacitors on the motherboard,
http://www.capacitorlab.com/visible-failures/index.htmPost back in a Comment.Regards,joecoolvette
