Crazy Voltages Help

[Matrix21]

Hey guys this is my first post in anandtec
I Just Built a new P4 System for a freind LGA775.(I'm a Amd boy). Because he was on a tight bugget I Got a £10 Ebuyer 500w Psu (Bad Idear I Know) . All Seemed well intill I Saw The +5v rail Flucuating between 3.3v-5v in Speedfan. The +12v and +3.3 rails are bang on within 3%-+. The System Seems Very Stable. Do you think it could be that far off and still be Stable? or is speedfan Wrong? Another wierd thing the bios hardware Monitor dosen't report the +5v rail , just the +12v +3.3v and V-core. Is this Normal on a GA-8IPE775-G Mobo?
Please Help!! Thanks

 

[rise]

you need to get a dmm for any kind of accuracy, software monitoring is useless.

edit--and welcome!

 

[drwngflies]

The SpeedFan program is just that, a Program, it has to deal with alot of different types of MB's and CPU's etc.
Don't trust SpeedFAn to give accurate results. Trust your BIOS, or a voltmeter.
Same with SiSoft Sandra too.

 

[EULA]

I'd trust only your voltmeter... I've found bios reporting is often incorrect as well...

 

[imported_Kensai]

Get a multimeter.

 

[Matrix21]

Thanks For the addvice. I have an analogue Multimeter Should I test the 4 pin molex connecter when the computer is on?Red and black or Yellow and Black? Am assuming its AC? Sorry I'm a Bit Dense

 

[rise]

no problem
black ground of course

yellow 12v
red 5v
orange 3.3v which you may be able to get of a sata power connector, otherwise you need to use the 20/24 pin connector. the other come right off an empty molex while the comp is running.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

ANALOG meter is worthless. You need a DIGITAL Multimeter. A pocket one is cheap at Radio Shack. 5 volt rail should be within 5% of rated voltage (between 4.75 and 5.25 volts).

 

[Matrix21]

Tested it with the Multimeter Which reports Stable Voltages on all rails, idle and under load
Thanks so much for the Help
Ps Can my Analog meter be trusted??

 

[A Scream]

It's DC... you tested it in DC mode? or since it's analog can you switch it?

I recomend getting a digital multimeter...

Smart Gaurdian I have found to be pretty accurate with voltage measurement. It's a program, not nearly as good as using a voltmeter, but, the program is free...

 

[rise]

my smart guardian reads ~.3 low on the 12v, the others are close to the dmm.

OP, you should invest in a dmm, they're cheap enough.

 

[Matrix21]

Yes I Tested it in DC Mode Thanks. I Just went out and got a Digital one which also conferms what the analog one Said(Well within 5%). So all is well Thanks again Everone.

 

[montag451]

One problem in testing it this way - is it tells you that on average - over maybe .5 seconds - that the voltage is correct.
If your psu dips for milliseconds, this is enough to stop a computer, but not enough to show up on a multimeter.

 

[Matrix21]

The dips Shown in Speedfan last for more than .5 seconds,about up to 20 seconds. And the computer has been 100% Stable under various stress tests. Do you think the £10 Ebuer psu is incapable of being reasonably Reliable?

 

[montag451]

Jeez -

Get a proper psu. Very important part in your system.

Look at spending about £60 or more.
I got a TAGAN 480 - comes packaged like a christmas present. - lots of extras. Quiet. MMMmmmmm
Worth the cash.

 

[Matrix21]

Btw I Also have a Tagan TG480-U01 in my Amd 64 rig, Which is the loudest part of my system. There Known to devlope clicking sounds, and the +12v rail drops to 11.4v I'm Thinking of geting a SilenX 520w 14dba Psu to replace it . The whole point was to make it Cheaply . Do you think its likely to Expload or something in a Month. I think i might put the tagon in the new System.

 

[montag451]

If it develops a ticking sound, then Tagan are known to replace them.

Re- cheap psu's - Really - don't bother with them - its a false economy. They are also there to help buffer the system against small spikes/surges etc. If you get a cheapie, then a spike you wouldn't have noticed with a quality psu can take out your mobo if you have a cheapie installed