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Best way to check voltages?

J

jschuk

Senior member
I searched the forums and everything says my voltage are within limits, but I get different voltages depeding on my method of checking. BIOS indicates 3.24 4.86 12.03-.09. Voltmeter on the P4 "molex" connectors indicates 3.35-.37 5.06 12.36-.38. Setting the system to default speed makes very little difference. Which reading is more accurate? Would these reading also indicate that my CPU is probably getting 1.75 instead of the 1.69 it indicates?

Thanks.
 
Nah, I'd agree. I've always used those Antec P/S Testers and voltmeters(a la multimeter) to test my leads...

And I'd agree with both readings, they look to be within limits...
 
The joke is I have an Antec (not a truepower) PS in one computer and reads almost identical to what you are getting off your motherboard BIOS. MSI KT3. I was a little worried the 3.3 an 5v were a little low but so far so good.
 
Thank you for the replies. Would anyone here disagree that the voltages measured by my voltmeter are the same as what is flowing through my motherboard? Forgot to mention it earlier, but it is a Antec Smartpower 350W, model SL350.
 
Originally posted by: jschuk
Thank you for the replies. Would anyone here disagree that the voltages measured by my voltmeter are the same as what is flowing through my motherboard? Forgot to mention it earlier, but it is a Antec Smartpower 350W, model SL350.
Click to expand...


First of all use a true RMS mutilmeter like a Fluke ,not a cheap $5 china jobber. Second if you want to know what the voltages are at the motherboard then you need to check them at the motherboard ...also use the same ground as well.
The odds are they will be the same but if you want to be certain then that is what you have to do. Your motherboard owners manual will have the schematics you need.


 
If you have a P4 and are checking at the connector then that should be good enough , I was thinking that maybe you had an AMD system.

 
The voltage measured by the Voltmeter at the Molex Plug, is an indication of the actual output of the Power Supply.

What is actually at different spots on the motherboard, depends on the design, component tolerance, temperature etc. At times, a designer can deliberately change the standard Voltage.

If you want to know what your CPU really gets, you have to log to Intel find the pin description of the chip, trace it on the Mobo and measure with an accurate Voltmeter. Any other reading is just an estimated representation of the real Voltage.
 
Checked my 5V at one of the USB headers, 4.98-.99 and 12V from the fan header at 12.33-.34. Checking the molex connectors seemed to get me a pretty close readout. Thanks all for your suggestions and input.
 
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