Dell d610 shuts down while playing games

Some games require more processor use, some less.

If the games that cause your computer to shut down feature high resolution graphics or fast 3D rendering, then the problem could be insufficient processor cooling. Once the processor gets overheated, it goes into thermal shut down.

If, while you play, the computer runs hot before it shuts down (check the cooling fan outlet), then these are some of the possible reasons:

-cooling fan blades could be obstructed by dust - cooling fan needs to be cleaned or replaced

-heatsink radiator and / or air outlet could be obstructed by dust - also need(s) to be cleaned

-thermally conductive grease on the microprocessor heatsink could be
partially or entirely dried up - old grease needs to be carefully removed and new grease applied (caution - do not use any kind of thermal grease that contains metallic particles like silver or aluminium - you might short out the processor - only use the kinds which are electrically nonconductive)

of course the problem could be elsewhere, but the above mentioned problems turn out to be a common issue with many laptop computers after a few years use, regardless of manufacturer brand and model, also it could be any of or the combination of any or all of the above problems (obstructed air outlet leads to more dust being deposited on the fan blades, more dust on the fan and outlet leads to processor overheating which leads to thermal grease drying which leads to even more overheating and so on...)

hope this helps somewhat

regards
triarcuate