Can a split-second power outage harm my PC?

[tankiyo]

For context, a few days prior to this one, while I've been playing Valorant, my PC, which is only a few days old, suddenly shut off (the other appliances in our homes are okay, though, so I've also assumed that it also may be a fluctuation. Then, again, it's raining quite hard that day so). I've surmised that perhaps it's a super short power outage. I've turned it on immediately afterward, and there seems to be no problem at all seeing as it's working just as well as the first time I've purchased it. No problems nor issues whatsoever But, my mind can't stop pestering me about it, how there may be damaged internal components and that I just haven't noticed it. Do take note that I don't have a surge protector at that time.

 

Thank you, in advance, for the responses.

[bellabichon]

If it's still working fine, it's safe to assume there's no internal damage. Modern PCs are designed to handle random shutdowns like that, but if you live somewhere with frequent power surges or brown/blackouts, it's worth investing in a surge protector or UPS (battery backup) system. 

[VioDuskar]

i've seen a lot of RAM die early to frequent power surges/outages/blips 

 

if this happens often(more than once a month) you should buy a UPS and put your machine on a that UPS so you can shut it down gracefully when the power dies.  

[TetraSky]

Brown outs are bad for electronics.

A good power supply with big capacitors will comes a long way to protect you from them.
Otherwise, if they happen frequently, do invest in a UPS. In most cases, for a PC, 500 to 600VA is plenty.

[Moonzy]

If other appliances (especially lights) didn't even flicker, it may just be your PC and it may be a sign of something is failing

 

But, assuming that it is a brownout, and your PC lost enough power to shut itself down suddenly, SSDs can be damaged by sudden power loss, I lost one of my SSD like that

 

Get a UPS

[ouroesa]

Short answer - yes but extremely unlikely, like less than 1% likely. 

In your case  - No (sounds like just a random occurrence and it working fine now, so don't worry)

 

ALWAYS plug your PC into a surge protector and if you can, a UPS (seems like it might do your mental health good to get one)

[wONKEyeYEs]

44 minutes ago, tankiyo said:

super short power outage

If you do get a UPS get a pure sine wave, not simulated.

Choose your UPS by your system draw.

PCPartpicker, for instance, will give you an approximate system wattage when you build a system there.

600VA is not plenty for a higher end machine, that's only about 360W

850VA is about 500W

1500VA is about 900W

Check the rating on the UPS you intend to buy.

Your UPS should have a higher wattage rating than your PC draws.

 

[MarcWolfe]

Not if parts aren't shit.

[Sarra]

On 7/27/2021 at 9:16 PM, Moonzy said:

Get a UPS

Just for emphasis. This, seriously, is the answer to this thread.

 

As far as your current issue, as long as the machine powers on and everything detects and works properly, then you should be fine.

[Mark Kaine]

This reminds me so much about the outage here a month or two ago… lights flickered, screen went black for a ~second , pc "kinda" shuts down, 1 second later screen turns on again and Im back in the game as if nothing happened… 

Also still wondering if that may have damaged something , or could have…

 

But this stuff happens really rarely here, maybe once every two years…

 

 

But this one was strange because it was really short, or maybe just in my room… because usually if theres an outage the clock in our oven will reset, it didnt do that this time… 

[wanderingfool2]

On 7/27/2021 at 9:31 PM, ouroesa said:

ALWAYS plug your PC into a surge protector and if you can, a UPS (seems like it might do your mental health good to get one)

The only issue I have about this advise if that you need to be very specific when you are talking about this.

 

Surge protectors eventually wear out, and you are unlikely to notice.  One is also more likely to plug in a bunch of stuff to it (and cause more inconsistent power delivery to the computer).

 

UPS's while okay, aren't always great.  One needs to factor in the cost, and quality of the UPS...it adds another phantom power draw, and needs to be replaced likely every 3-5 years...even if it doesn't get utilized the batteries can eventually fail.  Some of the UPSes out there actually cause the power to become more dirty (and don't handle it when at load as well). Some UPS's when they fail cause more issues in that they randomly cut out (and thus cause a power disruption).  I had it do that on a few different models "protecting" computers.

 

I'm always in favor of recommending pure sine wave UPS's, which should hopefully have better quality...but then again, it's about the cost vs risk.  I've only had 2 computers die from power surges/outages at my house (memory module, which was I suspect already failing) and one major surge that killed the power supply (back when I was younger and it was a pretty weak power supply).  In both cases the cost of using an UPS would have cost more than it did replacing the computer when it gets cooked.

 

At least from what I've quickly (and I mean quickly) looked online, the phantom power draw is 3 W - 10 W...so that is $3.67 - $12.26 per year of operating cost (14 cents per kWh assumed), plus another $150 for the initial purchase as well (so over the "5" year replacement time you are looking at roughly $33 - $42 a year in cost to protect).  It's all about risk/reward.

 

A good power supply though can go a long way in protecting equipment

[7heo]

On 7/28/2021 at 5:52 AM, tankiyo said:

Can a split-second power outage harm my PC?

Short answer, Yes.

 

Long answer: it really depends on your electrical installation, PSU, motherboard, etc. It always can damage something, but how likely it is that something gets damaged is a different story. An easy rule of thumb (but not always true) is: in general, the higher quality your hardware, the less chances it gets damaged by electrical events. Also, it's a good idea to put your expensive hardware behind a good UPS...

[NineEyeRon]

What you are experiencing is an anxiety attack. Look up CBT and see if you can identify any obsessive compulsive behaviours.

 

Treating anxiety attacks gets easier the more you know how to.

 

To put it simply your mind is making up realities and outcomes without evidence  to address a worry, you then start worrying about the things your mind made up and this becomes a cycle. Break that cycle and you are on the road to recovery!

[Amias]

You're assuming a power outage with no evidence.

 

From the symptoms you described, that could be a anything. A random crash (most likely). Overheating (likely, you mentioned it's new. Have you stressed tested it, checked your temps etc). Loose components/cords. 

 

Back to the power cut theory. Check your electrical provider for outages. Electric ovens/microwaves usually have an electric clock that gets reset after loss of power. Lights will flicker etc. Have any neighbors commented on it etc.