How reliable is HWMonitor and CPU-z software ?

[Doclife]

I just finished building a SB 2500K system with the following specs:

CPU : i5-2500K
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3
Memory : Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333MHz 1.5V
PSU: Antec HCG-400 400W
HDD : WD Caviar Blue 500GB, 7200RPM
DVD Burner: Asus
OS: W7 home premium 64bit

The system powered up fine. However, CPUID HWMonitor (Version 1.17.0) software showed that my +12V, -12V, -5V are out of whack. It showed the following:

For +12V --> 0.62V
For -12V --> -3.84V
For -5V --> -6.14V
For +5V VCCH --> +2.82V
CPU --> 0.98V
VCORE --> 1.06V

CPU-Z (Version 1.57.1) also showed that Vcore voltage is 1.056V even though I set the Vcore voltage to 1.2V in the BIOS menu. In addition, Vcore voltage also remain at 1.056V even after I set the Vcore voltage to 1.3V in the BIOS menu.

Are these normal ? I would expect Vcore voltage to be closed to what I set in the BIOS menu and the +12V, -12V and -5V lines to be in their specified range. I did not overclock and the BIOS settings were pretty much in the default state.

How reliable is CPUID hardware monitor and CPU-Z ? Or is there something wrong with my system ? Thanks for your help.

 

[gevorg]

Not reliable until they update their software to support latest chipsets/CPUs.

I had the same problem when I build my SB rig earlier this year. The voltages you're seeing are obviously wrong since the system would not even run if they were remotely close to what you're seeing. Try this instead:

http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

As far as the Vcore, that is because the chip auto-reduces voltage when idle. I've seen Sandies go as low .83v at ldle. CPU-z is fairly accurate for cpu voltage and 99.9% accurate for cpu speed.

As far as HW monitor I don't know, but the only real way to test your PSU rails is to use a multimeter and crack at em!

 

[MrTransistorm]

Not reliable until they update their software to support latest chipsets/CPUs.

I had the same problem when I build my SB rig earlier this year. The voltages you're seeing are obviously wrong since the system would not even run if they were remotely close to what you're seeing. Try this instead:

http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html

+1

HWiNFO32 has been updated several times this year. AFAIK, HWMonitor hasn't been updated since last December. Fortunately CPUz has been updated, so 1.57.1 concurs with HWiNFO32 on the Vcore reading now.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

No software is accurate for voltage readings coming from the PSU. Even if it has full support for your chipset, the readings software gives and what you'll see from a multimeter will vary, and it can be a significant difference(I've seen the +12v reading being off by more than 10% when comparing HWMonitor and Everest to a multimeter).

For the CPU voltage reading, I've never used a multimeter to test it so I don't know if CPU-Z and HWMonitor have accurate readings.

 

[tweakboy]

Aida
speedfan
core temp


there u go, dont worry about what BIOS says,, just do it and leave it alone. gl

 

[Ultralight]

No software is accurate for voltage readings coming from the PSU. Even if it has full support for your chipset, the readings software gives and what you'll see from a multimeter will vary, and it can be a significant difference.

True. I installed the latest HWiNFO32 version two days ago and it reads my 3.3V as 1.56 and yet my digital multimeter shows it almost exactly at 3.3.

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

my digital multimeter shows it almost exactly at 3.3.

Then there is no problem, be happy!

 

[Nemesis 1]

No software is accurate for voltage readings coming from the PSU. Even if it has full support for your chipset, the readings software gives and what you'll see from a multimeter will vary, and it can be a significant difference(I've seen the +12v reading being off by more than 10% when comparing HWMonitor and Everest to a multimeter).

For the CPU voltage reading, I've never used a multimeter to test it so I don't know if CPU-Z and HWMonitor have accurate readings.

You do know if you buy the right M/Bs that have the Check points you can actually use digital guages on your PC and you know what all the test points are at all times as far as voltages going to them are . Its not that expensive to do.

 

[lopri]

Not very reliable. Only way to know for sure is using a digital multimeter and physically measuring.

 

[tweakboy]

Do it in the BIOS.

diff apps show diff things.

 

[aigomorla]

Not very reliable. Only way to know for sure is using a digital multimeter and physically measuring.

+1

which is why as u go into higher tier boards, they come like this:

so u can take a meter straight to the board.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

You do know if you buy the right M/Bs that have the Check points you can actually use digital guages on your PC and you know what all the test points are at all times as far as voltages going to them are . Its not that expensive to do.

I'm confused as to why you brought this up and quoted me. I never said you couldn't check the CPU/Chipset/memory voltage with a multimeter, only that I haven't since I haven't needed to.

 

[Soundmanred]

Aida
speedfan
core temp


there u go, dont worry about what BIOS says,, just do it and leave it alone. gl

Do it in the BIOS.

diff apps show diff things.

Self-contradiction LOL