psu

[imported_Truenofan]

alright, i got a enermax 420w psu thats getting a little old, duing gaming it just reset on its own, i had my headphones on and it hissed for a second, and then reset, im assuming the psu may be going on this thing. whats a good telltale sign that its starting to go. currently i look at my voltates through the asus probe, 12v rale is 12.3, 5v rail is 5.2, 3.3v rail is 3.36(only one close enough), and the cpu should be running at 1.4 but my mobo wont let me bring it down to that and it runs at 1.52(im running a 90nm winchester 3500). im just looking for answers to this. im currently looking at a 500w seasonic psu for a change, im just waiting for my next check to buy it, even though i currently have enough for purchase it from newegg.

 

[feelthaflo]

here's what you do: go to a bestbuy and get a new PSU (just to test). Plug it in just like the one you have now and make sure it works fine (game for a couple hours or something). If all goes well, pack it back up, take it back to best buy, and they should return it with no problems. Then go buy the one you really want. I only say bestbuy because I know they have a very liberal return policy inside 30 days, but you could use any retailer, the important thing is to test your system under the same conditions with a different power supply. Good luck.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

id love to do that, except im in the middle of nowhere, and there are no major computer retail stores, there's only a radio shack, and they dont do jack for me.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
id love to do that, except im in the middle of nowhere, and there are no major computer retail stores, there's only a radio shack, and they dont do jack for me.

You really need to test your current psu with a Digital multi-meter BEFORE you go buy another . If you don't have a DMM pick up a <$30 unit from Radio Shack. In addition please read this thread.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
alright, i got a enermax 420w psu thats getting a little old, duing gaming it just reset on its own, i had my headphones on and it hissed for a second, and then reset, im assuming the psu may be going on this thing. whats a good telltale sign that its starting to go. currently i look at my voltates through the asus probe, 12v rale is 12.3, 5v rail is 5.2, 3.3v rail is 3.36(only one close enough), and the cpu should be running at 1.4 but my mobo wont let me bring it down to that and it runs at 1.52(im running a 90nm winchester 3500). im just looking for answers to this. im currently looking at a 500w seasonic psu for a change, im just waiting for my next check to buy it, even though i currently have enough for purchase it from newegg.

Actually, ATX specifications allow for +/- 10% on the 12V Rail and +/- 5% on the others so you are well within specifications and that's not the problem. Doesn't mean the power supply isn't bad though. I have a 530W Enermax that has been trucking along awesomely for a good long time now.

What kind of sound card do you have? It could be causing this type of problem, especially if it's one of those wonderful Creative cards and their worthless drivers.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: OdiN
Actually, ATX specifications allow for +/- 10% on the 12V Rail and +/- 5% on the others so you are well within specifications and that's not the problem. Doesn't mean the power supply isn't bad though. I have a 530W Enermax that has been trucking along awesomely for a good long time now.

What kind of sound card do you have? It could be causing this type of problem, especially if it's one of those wonderful Creative cards and their worthless drivers.

Please keep in mind that the 10% value is for the the +12v(1) on a dual rail psu (peak load only) and the -12v. All single rail psu's should be within 5%, and IMHO optimal is <2%.

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf

Truenofan is also relying on software to read the voltage rails, so there's no telling how "accurate" his figures are.

 

[OdiN]

Ahh...still 5% is 12.6-11.4V so he is still fine there.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

ah, ok i just wasnt sure, yeah it is a software based reading. i just though it might be goin bad, i used to have an enermax that started making a high pitched noise when the comp was on, and when under load it would get louder, i coiuld tell it was starting to go in that case. but whats a good sign(besides that) that the psu is diein.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: OdiN
What kind of sound card do you have? It could be causing this type of problem, especially if it's one of those wonderful Creative cards and their worthless drivers.