Your brand-new PC is crashing. Here's what to check first
A friend bought two new prebuilt PCs and started getting critical and kernel errors almost immediately. "Gaming PC" is marketing. The component list is the fine print, and it's worth reading before you check out, not after the crashes start.
Posted Sep 23, 2026
- 1
"i7" or "Ryzen 7" doesn't tell you what's actually inside
Those are broad product families, not one part. Get the exact CPU and GPU model listed (like "Core i7-13700F" or "RTX 4060"), not just the brand name on the box.
- 2
RAM, motherboard, and power supply matter just as much
A strong CPU and GPU paired with a weak or mismatched power supply, slow RAM, or a budget motherboard is a common way a "gaming PC" underdelivers or becomes unstable. Ask for the full spec sheet, not just the headline parts.
- 3
Read the return and exchange policy before you check out
How many days do you have. Is it a return or store credit only. Does it cover defects differently than "change of mind." Know this before you own the problem.
- 4
Test it heavily during the return window, not after it ends
Run it hard, run it long, run the software you actually plan to use, in the first days you have it. A problem that shows up on day 20 and a return window that closes on day 15 is the trap to avoid.
- 5
Screenshot every crash and error message
Error codes and crash screens are evidence, for a return, an exchange, or a warranty claim. Don't just restart and move on, capture what happened first.
- 6
Check Windows Event Viewer for unexpected shutdowns
It logs what happened right before a crash or shutdown, often more detail than the crash screen itself. It's a real diagnostic step, not just something IT people say to sound technical.
- 7
Know when to troubleshoot, and when to just return it
A repeat, unresolved crash on a machine you just bought is not automatically your problem to fix. If it's still within the return window and it's still unstable, that's what the return window is for.
"Gaming PC" is marketing. The component list is the fine print. Read it before you buy, and use your return window like it's there for a reason, because it is.
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