12V reading LOW - Do I need a better PS?

[BoboKatt]

Hey all,

System Specs:
e6600 dual core ? running at 3300 MHz 367 FSB
eVGA 680i mobo
4 X 1024 Crucial Ballistix PC6400 4-4-4-12 2.2 V Ram
eVGA 8800GTX
3 HD (500X2 SATA and 36GB Raptor SATA)
LG 16X DVDW IDE
Antec 900 series case (4 x 120mm fan and 1 x 200mm fan)
Tunic Tower 120
Using onboard audio
USB Dlink wireless card
USB mouse and keyboard.
Antec Neo 550 PSU

Ok well so with this system using Speedfan and another app it shows my 12V as 11.14. I specifically remember using this SAME power supply on my other system AMD x2-4800+ with an x1900XT and 1 HD and it shows 12.1 V. Both these apps show 11.14 and if run any apps or Orthos it drops even lower to 11.01. My system is magically not unstable but it?s almost impossible to OC now. I mean I could reach 3500 MHz easy before now 3300 is no longer stable and 3100 is good but I need a massive 1.49V to do so.

Now I might have screwed a few things up but honestly isn?t my Antec Neo 550 PS enough? It came with 2 PCI-E connectors so it was no problem to connect both to the 8800 GTX to feed the 2 power connector requirements. I figured it was enough and I am still not sure it isn?t.

Do we really NEED 850 Watt systems with 12V rails that handle up to 30 Amps or what? I never ever ever ever thought that a PS would hinder or affect my normal operation or OC?ing. It was always my last worry and I only cared to get a good quality and quiet one.

Thanks

 

[Pens1566]

Do not rely on software to check your PS rails. Always check with a multimeter.

 

[BoboKatt]

yes great idea -- I was going to do it but then just got lazy. It's not hard so tonight I will check to make sure. I will be shocked if those reading are actually that low.