voltage problem...

If it doesn't crash, then the PSU is ok. a 5V line dropping to 3V would definitely be causing some issues I would think, so I'm not sure about how genuine those readings are.

CPU does sound a bit warm though. Make sure the HSF isn't choked with dust, and it might be worth removing the HSF, cleaning its base and the CPU, and then re-installing carefully (with new thermal paste of course). At least you know it's seated properly then.

How are your system temps? If the hot air isn't being removed from the case then your CPU temps will suffer too. Many case fans?

Excellent suggestion! :-)

I would suggest going a bit further and testing all connectors for voltage and see how much they deviate, being careful not to short anything.

They shouldn't be off by more than +-10%. If they are off by more than that then you can expect all kinds of problems.

Get one of these or the ANTEC equivalent:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] x=0&Go.y=0

OR

If you are handy with electronics and very brave go the URL below:

CAUTION :!: this may be dangerous :!:

Standard disclaimers apply! Do not try this at home kids.

If you are not familiar with electronics I'd suggest asking a knowledgeable friend, family member or certified electrician to help you.

http://xtronics.com/reference/atx_pinout.htm

[img]https://66.235.243.163/atx.gif[/img]

UNPLUG from power! Remove your PSU from the system.

Take a paper clip cut it in half take the top U shaped portion and plug it into pins 14 and 13 on the ATX connector. The black and green dots to the left of the plastic clip in the image.

Take the PSU power cord and plug it into a surge protector with an on/off rocker switch which can be quickly turned off with your foot if something goes wrong.

Carefully plug the other end of the power cord into the PSU.

The fan should start spinning.

Take a multimeter and check the ATX connector and molex connector pins for voltage following the diagram and being extremely careful not to short anything out.

Check the +?VDC pins against a GND pin.

Write down all the values you get.

Standard disclaimers apply! Do NOT try this at home kids.

Good luck!

Good, you have a perfectly stable computer that may have only bad reading from the probes... And you keep messing with it?? What do you want?? a problem? easy, wait some time so the HSF would be sticked to the CPU and removing it with get the CPU out of the socket. Don't pull straight.. twist it. This way you'll bend pins on your cpu, and if you careful to be not carefull to unbend them, you'll finally break something and have a problem to report. if it sound too easy, then use a voltmeter.. and make sure to slip and short something to ruin the board. try again and again until you blow up the PSU.. Hurray, I have power problem to report!

So.. what else can you do.. get a life maybe?

Sorry, but you are stupid to try to fix what's not yet broken ...

Problem is.. can you trust the reading. If it was really at 2.5, I think that it would not run stable. I you don't trust your PSU, try another one. But stop making too much post about your problems. You don't help yourself, you piss others that think that they are helping 4 different people, but then sees that it is the same one that posted in 4 different thread.