Motherboard or PSU? Low 12v Voltages

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Devon Guinn

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Apr 13, 2014
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My newly built PC ran fine for about a month, when I started noticing a decline in FPS while gaming. Checked some temperatures and noticed the Northbridge was running at 60C. Upon research, I found out that the Northbridge will start to throttle at 60C. Now, I am unsure whether my PSU or Motherboard is bad. I checked voltages in HWMonitor, and the +12V is running under 5v. I will include a picture of the HWMonitor screen. It looks like the 3.3 volt is a little low as well.
I have tried switching the PSU out with another one, and the problem persists. So I am about 90% sure it is the motherboard's issue. But, I am coming here for confirmation. I have also searched through the forums for about an hour before posting and I couldn't find anybody with a similar problem so I am sorry if this is a duplicate post. Image linked below. Also, I have all BIOS settings at default, with no OC. http://imgur.com/gxrDbDU
gxrDbDU
 
Solution
nukemaster
Is the performance with the lower temperatures fine.

Normally top fans remove air, but I do not think it makes any difference with your setup since your hardware is not that heat generating.

If your case has room on the side panel for fans, I would try to move one or both of the top fans to the side. to force cooler air over those hot parts.

If you actually had a free fan(even a small 80mm), I would move it around to see if the chipset temperature drops when a fan is pointed at it, if not, try the VRM's and so on.

Normally this should not happen over time unless you had lots of dust buildup in the system.

Also note that your cpu temperatures seem strangely low, but if the game is not using all the resources(and your fan speed is...
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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Your system would NOT boot if the 12 volt rail was that low(and any half decent power supply should shut off before allowing this). Hard drives would not spin, fans would not run fast enough(your cpu fan is spinning the right speed for sure) and so on.

HWmonitor is bad for this type of thing.

Check out my awesome readings. This is a limit of supporting so much hardware
rk62.png


Try running with the side off to see if the temperatures go down. Can we see the rest of hwmon please?

Some AMD boards throttle if the socket or vrm temps get hot too.
 
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Devon Guinn

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Right, but I switched PSU's and had the same voltage reading.

 
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Devon Guinn

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Apr 13, 2014
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Here is the rest of HWMonitor. http://imgur.com/21IqKVF
Do you have any ideas as to what my problem might be? I have sent in RMA requests for both the MB and PSU, but I don't want to have to go through that trouble if it isn't the problem. Any advice is welcome. And I have been running the comp with case panel off, and a box fan blowing on it. This board had a review on newegg say that the VRM would run hot, but this issue just came up, it worked fine before which leads me to believe something happened.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Does this side off box fan help anything?

You should not RMA things until you are sure what needs replacing because if they get a part and it tests ok, they just send it back and you payed to ship it in many cases.

I would like you to run the system to play a game and then post HWmon because it will log MAX temps.

If the VRMs get too hot, it may also be a good idea to post an image of the inside of the case so we can see how things are setup as well as your cooling. Sometimes a well placed fan can make all the difference.

If you make HWmonitor smaller(similar to the image I posted) to take an image and use Control + Print Screen(will only capture the current window) it may be more easy for you to make your images(smaller and faster to upload without cropping things out). Just paste it in paint or similar and save to upload.
 
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Devon Guinn

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Apr 13, 2014
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The Box fan blowing directly on the MB seems to keep the chipset under 60C. I have noticed a review on newegg that said the VRM with this processor will get hot. I just don't understand why it all of a sudden started. Also, I included an imgur album containing a shot of the mobo and a closer-up shot of the area around the processor. Also, included HWMonitor after playing skyrim for 20 min. http://imgur.com/a/cuJy1 I have two 120mm fans on the top of the case blowing air into the case, also a fan on the front of the case blowing air in. I have them all set up to blow in because the side panel has mesh on it which allows the air to escape. the PSU fan also blows air out.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

Titan
Nov 23, 2004
19,626
6
74,965
Is the performance with the lower temperatures fine.

Normally top fans remove air, but I do not think it makes any difference with your setup since your hardware is not that heat generating.

If your case has room on the side panel for fans, I would try to move one or both of the top fans to the side. to force cooler air over those hot parts.

If you actually had a free fan(even a small 80mm), I would move it around to see if the chipset temperature drops when a fan is pointed at it, if not, try the VRM's and so on.

Normally this should not happen over time unless you had lots of dust buildup in the system.

Also note that your cpu temperatures seem strangely low, but if the game is not using all the resources(and your fan speed is high) this may be normal. AMD's built in sensors are not always accurate until they get to higher temperatures.
 
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Solution
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Devon Guinn

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Apr 13, 2014
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4,520


My CPU is barely used when gaming, usually around ~20%. And yes, at the lower temps performance is good. Thanks for your help! I guess my hardware is okay. The cheap MB probably wasn't designed for a 125-watt 8-core cpu. The VRM and NB get hot, then throttling occurs. It appears as long as i keep the temps under control it should be okay.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
19,626
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If you have another 60/70mm fan, you can mount it from the back of the case to blow right on the VRM section. I have done it on some AMD builds because the VRM's burned me. I had it off the rear fan, but you do not have that.

I will setup and show you what I mean in just a second.

Do not mind the test fans(the 120mm one works, the other has shot bearings in only 5 months of use), it is just to get an idea of what I mean. So you bolt a small fan on a degree metal strap and bolt it with the rear 120mm fan hold to keep it right near the VRM's(you may want to push or pull air depending on what works best.)
4ftsg4.jpg


The small fan is held on with a nut/bolt, you would do the same to hold it to the case(hardware store will have them cheap.).
 
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