voltage rail too low on fortron bluestorm?

[fluxquantum]

hi everyone,

i just built a new system. got it up and running last night (fresh install of windows xp 64). checked the BIOS for voltage settings and i noticed it was showing 11.7 and this was when the system was idle. i have the following specs:

case - cm stacker (using fans provided)
processor - amd 64 3200+ venice core (cooled with zalman cnps7000-cu)
motherboard - asus a8n-sli premium
ram - ocz 1 GB (2 x 512) gold series 2-2-2-5
drives - nec dvd burner and seagate barracuda 200 GB (7200.8)
video card - bfg 6800 GT OC
power supply - fortron bluestorm 500W

i am concerned about the 12 V rail being a little low especially when the system hasn't even been stressed. i am not overclocking yet either.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Those voltage settings you checked are probably wrong. You'll be fine.

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: Cheesetogo
Those voltage settings you checked are probably wrong. You'll be fine.

okay, maybe i can use another utility to verify a more valid voltage thanks for your response.

 

[Cheezeit]

I have the same PSU as you, and it also reads 11.77 although it has nothing to do with this matter.

Anyways, software readings are 99% of the time wrong. you will need special hardware if you really want to know the voltages.

As long as your rig is stable, you're fine

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: Cheezeit
I have the same PSU as you, and it also reads 11.77 although it has nothing to do with this matter.

Anyways, software readings are 99% of the time wrong. you will need special hardware if you really want to know the voltages.

As long as your rig is stable, you're fine

thanks for your reply. man, i feel a lot better now. i spent all night working on this thing. knowing that things are stable, i will eventually attempt to overclock

 

[Greenman]

A volt ohm meter is what you need.

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: Greenman
A volt ohm meter is what you need.

that is, if he wanted to know his exact voltages, which he dosent need to know

 

[fluxquantum]

Originally posted by: Greenman
A volt ohm meter is what you need.

actually i have thought about getting one of those. it may come in handy someday.

 

[furballi]

Use the multimeter to check for voltage. You can probe the voltage at the molex pin connector under full load. A very good PSU should not fall below 11.9VDC.

I have a similar system and my rail remains above 12.09VDC at full load. Idle is 12.24VDC. This is an Enermax Noisetaker 495 V2.0.

 

[Zepper]

the spec for +12 is 11.4 to 12.6V. Duuuh... And the software voltages are usually inaccurate anyhow. A basic DMM can be had for $10.

.bh.

 

[furballi]

Cheap DMM can be off by 2 to 3%. I have never come across a quality PSU with less than 11.85VDC at full load.

 

[KoolDrew]

The only way you should measure voltages is by using a DMM. Never trust your BIOS or any type of software.