New gaming PC keeps crashing? Start here before buying parts.

A game closing to the desktop, a Windows stop-code screen, and a computer losing power are different symptoms. Do not buy RAM because an error message mentions memory, or a power supply because the screen went black. A symptom narrows the investigation; it is not a confirmed part diagnosis.

Write down the game or task, how long the PC had been running, and whether it restarted or needed the power button. Photograph any stop code and note the date. If the problem began after an update, accessory, or configuration change, record that too.

1. Back up important personal files before recovery steps or repeated testing. If the PC smells burnt, sparks, or repeatedly cuts power, stop using it and contact the seller or a qualified repair provider.
2. Check your return deadline and open a support case early. A new computer should not consume its entire return window in troubleshooting.
3. Restart, install the applicable Windows updates, and use the PC or GPU manufacturer’s official driver source. Avoid tools promising to fix every driver or clean the registry.
4. If only one game fails, check that game’s official support guidance and file-verification option. Record any change you make and test again before moving to another change.
5. For repeated Windows stop errors, follow Microsoft’s troubleshooting path: recent hardware changes, Device Manager warnings, available storage, and Safe Mode when normal startup fails. Use recovery options only after understanding what they preserve or remove.

Send the exact system model, Windows version, error code, affected games, and a short timeline. Include whether the machine arrived this way or became unstable after a change. Report what you observed, not a part you suspect is defective.

For example: ‘The system restarts about ten minutes into two different games. It also happened before I installed any extra software. I have attached the stop-code photo and the dates.’ This is an example report, not a customer case or a test result from our site.

If the issue repeats during normal use, escalate to the seller while you still have your options. Avoid taking apart a new prebuilt or flashing its firmware without model-specific instructions and a clear reason. Do not open a power supply.

Our value judgment is simple: replacing parts at your expense should not be the default way to make a newly purchased PC usable. Once the fault is resolved, you can consider upgrades on their own merits. This guide is a triage checklist, not a remote diagnosis of your machine.

Sources checked September 27, 2026. Manufacturer statements are identified as claims. Our buying advice is editorial analysis, not a test score.

• Microsoft: unexpected restarts and stop codes
• Microsoft: blank-screen troubleshooting