Athlon voltage question - which PSU rail is used?

[grrl]

I've been reading about power supplies and calculating the power needs of a computer but I'm finding conflicting things about which voltage rail the Athlon uses. Some say the 12v line is used (Tom's and FiringSquad) like with the P4, but others say the Athlon uses the 3.3 and 5 volt rails (some Anandtech threads). What is the truth?

 

[beatle]

I called AMD about this because I always thought it was 3.3V. The AMD tech said 12v+ is now common for newer chips like the Barton, but he said it's ultimately up to the motherboard manufacturer.

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: beatle
I called AMD about this because I always thought it was 3.3V. The AMD tech said 12v+ is now common for newer chips like the Barton, but he said it's ultimately up to the motherboard manufacturer.

Interesting. So boards like the Abit NF7 and Epox EP-8RDA3+ probably use the 12v line because it has the P4 connector?

 

[grrl]

<bump> Anyone know anything else about this? What any of the nForce mobos use?

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: grrl
<bump> Anyone know anything else about this? What any of the nForce mobos use?

12v from what I know
+ from my personal experience: I moved from xp2000 to xp2400 and my 12v dropped so bad my hdds started acting up


D

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: ZL1

Originally posted by: grrl
<bump> Anyone know anything else about this? What any of the nForce mobos use?

12v from what I know
+ from my personal experience: I moved from xp2000 to xp2400 and my 12v dropped so bad my hdds started acting up

D

Hmmm. I'm thinking about getting the 2500 or 2600 Barton. What PS do you have?

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: grrl

Originally posted by: ZL1

Originally posted by: grrl
<bump> Anyone know anything else about this? What any of the nForce mobos use?

12v from what I know
+ from my personal experience: I moved from xp2000 to xp2400 and my 12v dropped so bad my hdds started acting up

D

Hmmm. I'm thinking about getting the 2500 or 2600 Barton. What PS do you have?

I have about 5 🙂

get an antec true 430 (it will even give you overhead for future upgrades or additions)
yes one of mines is a true 430 and I love it (gonna go 550 when I get some extra cash laying around)


D

 

[afzan]

how can you find out for sure?

this guy over at silentpcreview.com tested his A7N8X-DLX and found it using only 1A on the 12v rail..

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=8981

I had earlier asked what rail the A7N8X-X used for cpu regulation and everyone said it used the 12v rail.. so now i'm confused
( http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1200645&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE= )

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: afzan
how can you find out for sure?

this guy over at silentpcreview.com tested his A7N8X-DLX and found it using only 1A on the 12v rail..

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=8981

I had earlier asked what rail the A7N8X-X used for cpu regulation and everyone said it used the 12v rail.. so now i'm confused
( http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1200645&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE= )

1A where ? I dont see an 1A

he has load on the 5V and another guy says its mobo specific, could be true, but even if it is Im sure most mobos are 12V


D

 

[Mark R]

It depends on the motherboard.

Older Athlon motherboards used 5V. Many newer ones use 12V - those that do, usually include the 4-pin connector with additional contacts for 12V.

I'm pretty sure my Abit NF7 does use 12V - while I haven't verified this with a meter, I have followed the 12V supply tracks from the connector directly to the CPU voltage regulator.

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: Mark R
It depends on the motherboard.

Older Athlon motherboards used 5V. Many newer ones use 12V - those that do, usually include the 4-pin connector with additional contacts for 12V.

I'm pretty sure my Abit NF7 does use 12V - while I haven't verified this with a meter, I have followed the 12V supply tracks from the connector directly to the CPU voltage regulator.

not all boards using 12v have the additional connector, my gigabyte 7vac (kt333) didnt have it and it used 12v


D