Tolerance limits: 12V rail @ 12.36?

[Foxery]

Monitoring programs in Windows report my 12V rail as supplying current at 12.3-12.36 volts when the system is under load. This is only a 3% variation, but what is a reasonable range for a Core2-based system to be stable and the PSU considered to be operating correctly?

Bad currents caused one of my old systems a lot of grief. Now another is hard crashing/rebooting itself lately, and I'm trying to nail down which component is at fault. The PSU in question is an Antec EarthWatts. These have served me well in several systems, but usually maintain voltage closer to spec.

 

[HOOfan 1]

as is stated in this forum on nearly a daily basis, software monitoring it not to be trusted PERIOD

ATX specification calls for no more than a 5% variation on the 12V rail with a minimum Voltage of 11.4 Volts and a maximum of 12.6 Volts

 

[Foxery]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
as is stated in this forum on nearly a daily basis, software monitoring it not to be trusted PERIOD

I'm aware, but it's all I have to go by.

ATX specification calls for no more than a 5% variation on the 12V rail with a minimum Voltage of 11.4 Volts and a maximum of 12.6 Volts

Ah, that's what I'm after. This means I can *probably* rule out the power supply as the source of my problems.

Although, if I'm overvolting my CPU, RAM, and Northbridge, (as part of overclocking,) and the reference they're using is already too high, am I incurring any extra risk there?

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: Foxery
I'm aware, but it's all I have to go by.

That is like coming to the board and saying you read about Bigfoot and The Wolfman having a baby together in The National Enquirer, then when someone tells you that The National Enquirer fabricates stories and photoshops pictures, you say "well that is all I have to go buy".

I love analogies

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Foxery

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
as is stated in this forum on nearly a daily basis, software monitoring it not to be trusted PERIOD

I'm aware, but it's all I have to go by.

Then why even ask... besides that go pick op of these if you want real voltages