Checking Power Supply Usage

[LordRaiden]

Anyone know how to check to see how much total wattage your PSU is using? My little HD problem returned again and someone told me at one time that it was related to a power deficiency in the PSU. So my question is this. How do I see how much actual load my PSU is drawing? Am I anywhere near its maximum potential? I'm also wondering if the PSU might be having issues with the amount of gear I have in my box, cause I got a LOT of stuff, and I'm still adding periodically.

 

[neo4s]

Being an electronics engineer I would wire an ampmeter or wattmeter between the power cord and the wall outlet, take some readings and make some calculations. A basic computer should have at least a 350 watt psu, if you have lots of stuff in there you probably need a 400 - 450 watt psu. According to Tom's Hardware Guide not all psu's are created equal - in fact some suck pretty bad. toms psu reviews

 

[OulOat]

If you are afraid that your PSU is causing the problem, why don't you check the voltage on each rails. The easiest and free method is using mbm, which is accurate most of the time. The best and most reliable way is to get a multimeter and measure the voltage through that. What you would be looking for is any large drops whenever the system is under load.

 

[Lizardman]

raiden what brand and size psu do you have.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: OulOat
If you are afraid that your PSU is causing the problem, why don't you check the voltage on each rails. The easiest and free method is using mbm, which is accurate most of the time. The best and most reliable way is to get a multimeter and measure the voltage through that. What you would be looking for is any large drops whenever the system is under load.

I have mbm 5.0.2, it reads that my 3.3v rail is at 1.5v. it's always been that way, but I don't have any problems. What's the deal?

 

[LordRaiden]

Uh, it's a generic PSU. They didn't put a brand on it as it came with my case which is also generically branded. Why it's branded that way, I have no idea. All I know is a tank couldn't faize that ah heck. Yup, it's that strong. hehe.

But seriously, I don't know the brand of PSU in there.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: godmare

Originally posted by: OulOat
If you are afraid that your PSU is causing the problem, why don't you check the voltage on each rails. The easiest and free method is using mbm, which is accurate most of the time. The best and most reliable way is to get a multimeter and measure the voltage through that. What you would be looking for is any large drops whenever the system is under load.

I have mbm 5.0.2, it reads that my 3.3v rail is at 1.5v. it's always been that way, but I don't have any problems. What's the deal?

Probably just misreading the sensor. That is why a multimeter is the most reliable way. You can try upgrading mbm, 5.2.1 is out.