PSU rails off??

[Spudd]

According to BIOS and Mother Board Manager 5, my +3.3 rail is showing up as +2.54, my +5 rail is at +4.95, and my +12 is at 11.73. Could this lead to overclocking problems and RAM errors like this

 

[Sunner]

4.95 on 5 and 11.73 on 12 isn't too bad, 2.54 on 3.3 is way too much off though.

 

[Spudd]

So you recommend I get a new PSU AND return the memory? I've got 1 week left before I can return the Corsair PC3200....unless you think my probs are directly related to the PSU and that's what is causing the memory errors?

 

[lenjack]

I don't think your computer would work with such a low 3.3. The 2.54 reading may be incorrect. The 12 and the 5 are fine...don't sweat them.

 

[allanon1965]

play it safe, return the ram and buy a new power supply.....

 

[Spudd]

What PSU would you recommend? I currently have Fortron 350W. I don't want to break my wallet on a PSU though...about $50. Any suggestions?

 

[allanon1965]

well i use fortrons and never had an issue, though i know everybody has a percentage of bad parts.....newegg has some nice fortron units for a good price, this one is 65.00 but its a 400watt unit http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-962&depa=1 take a lokk there are others they have for a little less....

 

[MichaelZ]

hmm, when i had a cheap 300W PSU overloaded with a P4 2.4B, ti4200, 512MB DDR400, 2 optical drives and 2 x 7200RPM HDDs, the 3.3V rail was reading @ 2.8V. funny thing is, playing games never resulted in any crashes.

 

[Spudd]

Ok, here's something weird: isn't the +3.3 V rail supposed to be the Vbat rail? If so, then according to my BIOS (instead of motherboad manager 5), the Vbat is at +3.12v. The only thing showing up as +2.54 according to my BIOS is the Vdimm. Is it possible that MBM5 just has the wrong rail being shown under +3.3 for me?

Also, and I think this is the culprit, I just ran memtest86 after WarCraft 3 crashed on me two more times with error memories. Ran test number 5 in Memtest....got 5 errors. DOH. Damn Corsair crap. I'm returning the memory. Any suggestions on my theory about the PSU? I've never had a Fortron or Sparkle Power (in my other rig) give out on me.

 

[pelikan]

I have a Fortron 350W. Its running my Barton at 2800 MHz and my 9800 pro at 487/370.

To make sure you didn't somehow get a lemon, you should test the rails with a multi meter. Even an el-cheapo $10. one will work. Run prime95 and stick the leads in a molex. For the 3.3V you can either stick the leads in the back of the ATX or read from that one wierd obsolete connector.

 

[Spudd]

But is Vbat the +3.3 rail? In my 8rda+ it has the +12, +5 and Vcore listed, but I don't see "+3.3" Instead, there is "Vdimm" which is running at 2.54, and "Vbat" which is running at 3.12.

 

[pelikan]

I replied in your other thread. I don't think you have a psu issue.

 

[ponyo]

Your PSU is fine. I've 8dra+ also and I've tried it w/ cheap 300w generic, Fortron 350W, and Antec 430w and all gives funny 3.3 rail. Mine currently shows 2.74 as 3.3 rail. I've also tried NF7-S board along with Via KT266A board and those display correct 3.3 rail.

 

[Spudd]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Your PSU is fine. I've 8dra+ also and I've tried it w/ cheap 300w generic, Fortron 350W, and Antec 430w and all gives funny 3.3 rail. Mine currently shows 2.74 as 3.3 rail. I've also tried NF7-S board along with Via KT266A board and those display correct 3.3 rail.

So the board is having a spaz attack or is flaky with MBM5 huh? Is there a place in the BIOS I can check the +3.3 voltage rating? I can't find anything there that says +3.3. Thanks for the help! :beer:

 

[DaNorthface]

Originally posted by: allanon1965
play it safe, return the ram and buy a new power supply.....

i bet ya there's nothing wrong with the ram..

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Spudd

Originally posted by: Naustica
Your PSU is fine. I've 8dra+ also and I've tried it w/ cheap 300w generic, Fortron 350W, and Antec 430w and all gives funny 3.3 rail. Mine currently shows 2.74 as 3.3 rail. I've also tried NF7-S board along with Via KT266A board and those display correct 3.3 rail.

So the board is having a spaz attack or is flaky with MBM5 huh? Is there a place in the BIOS I can check the +3.3 voltage rating? I can't find anything there that says +3.3. Thanks for the help! :beer:

Multimeter time, dude If you want real voltage readings, you cannot necessarily rely on the mobo, neither the BIOS nor MBM5.

 

[ericgl]

Originally posted by: pelikan
or read from that one wierd obsolete connector.

So that is why PSUs have that worthless appendage.