Voltage Fluctuations

[govtcheez75]

Here is what I'm running:
A64 Newcastle 3200+ running 240X10 at 1.5x110% in bios (1.63V) Temps are 40degrees idle, 63degrees load
1GB 512MB X 2 PC4000 Geil Ultra
DFI UT Lanparty nf3-250gb
36GB Raptor + 80GB WE SE
520W OCZ PowerStream


...now I'm ROCK SOLID stable at this Core Voltage, and nothing less. If I try anythine less, it reboots, or errors out in Prime95, but at the current settings, I can run Prime95 Priority 10 Torture Test, 3DMarks, Memtest for 48+ hours with no problems.

...the problem that I have is the Core Voltage fluctuates from 1.63V idle, to 1.71V on load! Is this normal? I know that the OCZ PowerStream iis considered one of the most stable PSU's out there...but I can't remember if I had such fluctuations with my 350W Antec, or 450W TTGI/SuperFlower. Should I be worried? Do I need to RMA the PSU? Should I mess with the adjustable settings on the back of the PSU?

...I'm using CPU-Z, and SpeedFan to get the voltage readings (which gives me the same readings)...is there any other program that I should try?


Thanks.

 

[Duvie]

Whats the 12v rail doing??? Any fluctuation there???

I only see a .02v increase but I have virtually no (.01v) movement at idle....

 

[govtcheez75]

the +3.3, +5, and +12 are VERY steady at 3.25, 4.89, and 11.65 respectively. It fluctuates .01-.03v if anything on load. Nothing to wotty about there. I'm just worried about the Vcore fluctuating almost .08volts!

 

[Duvie]

11.65v on the +12v rail at idle is iffy...Most boards will pull the +12v down under load so .01-.03 seems iffy as well...

Maybe the monitoring program is not correct...Are you having instabilities???

 

[govtcheez75]

Originally posted by: Duvie
11.65v on the +12v rail at idle is iffy...Most boards will pull the +12v down under load so .01-.03 seems iffy as well...

Maybe the monitoring program is not correct...Are you having instabilities???

nope...completely solid, and stable at current settings. Are there any good free monitoring programs out there for download?

 

[Duvie]

Speedfan!!!

 

[govtcheez75]

ok...I just did some quick testing, and it seems that only the 3.3 volt rail moves slightly from 3.25 to 3.23 at load. The +12 doesn't move from the 11.65, except when I stop the torture test, when it goes up to 11.68 for a split second, before going back down to 11.65

 

[govtcheez75]

I'm using speedfan...


....is 11.65 low? Should I mess aroudn with the pot adjusters on the back of the PSU?

 

[Duvie]

I think it is low...The only time I have had PSU issues was with an antec psu that would show 11.64v and load down to 11.49v with an older p4...I replced it with a 430watt enermax and have never looked back...I don't see much past 11.94v under heavy load with idle like 12.12v

The fact is you are low on all the rails...

 

[Duvie]

Actually I could say it could be the mobo itself....I had some whacky moving voltages once until I flashed the bios....Since speedfan is reading the onboard sensors it could be a mobo reporting issue...check for latest bios updates

 

[govtcheez75]

Ok....I just read a thread about this on OCZ/bleedingEdge, and it turns out that you need to "tweak" the adjusters a little to get the correct voltage. I turned the dials up a bit, and am now at 3.28, 5.00, and 12.10. The +12 fluctuates to 12.07 on full load, and the other two stay very still.

...the Vcore is fluctuating a little less as well, from 1.65 to 1.69...so I guess it's much much better.

 

[govtcheez75]

Originally posted by: Duvie
11.94v under heavy load with idle like 12.12v

hehe...that's .2V! Mine only fluctuates .03 on the +12V rail!

 

[Duvie]

my vcore only fluctuates .02v max!!!! from idle to load....Unfortunately that is more a sign of a good board...

 

[Duvie]

I also have had my 430 enermax for 2 years now!! It has powered 6 different cpus from 1.6a@2.74 ghz to 2.4b@3.33ghz to 2.4c@3.5ghz to my current A64 3000+ 1.8ghz@2.7ghz.....

I am going to need a newer PSU coming up...but I dont think I will pay that much!!! i think I can have a sub 100 dollar one do the job. I dont need to adjust the pots cause they are alreday on!!!!

 

[govtcheez75]

yeah....I think my board is probably not the most stable. Tons of options for OC'ing, but the Vcore fluctuations can't be good. Oh well...as long as it doesn't crash, or error...I guess I can live with it.