Actual voltages on +12 and +5

[DrObviousSo]

My computer decided to start rebooting at random recently. After chasing a few red hearings, I think I tracked the trouble down to my PSU. It's a relatively new Thermaltake X silentpower 560w like the one here (replaced a 450w).

Running SpeedFan, I'm seeing voltages in this range:
VCore1: 1.5V (steady)
VCore2: 2.54V (steady)
+3: 2.7V
+5: 3V, with occasional spikes over 4
+12: 5 to 7V range, mostly around 5
-12: -5 to -12V range, mostly around -12
-5: -5 (steady)
+5: 5 (steady)
VBat: Steady

I don't really know what actual voltage readings should look like here. Anyone with any pointers?

 

[Valtiel]

8O 8O 5V-7V on the +12V I hope those readings are incorrect!! I would recommend buying a new power supply right away!! Low voltages can and will damage/fry components! 8O

Can you list your full system specs and I'll help you out?

Edit: Try RMA'ing it because that is ridiculously out of spec and I noticed it's relatively new. Since it seems to be a lower end thermaltake it might not be a very good power supply.

 

[DrObviousSo]

From my old order form:

# AMD, Athlon 64 3700+, Socket 754
# ECS, 755-A2, SIS-755, RAID, DDR-400, 8X AGP, Audio, LAN, SATA, Retail
# DDR-333, DDR-333, Qty 2 x 512Mb PC2700 DDR, 333MHz, Non-ECC (1Gb Total)
# WESTERN DIGITAL, 250.0 Gb, 7200-RPM, ATA-100, 8MB Cache
!!!changed to a second Western Digital 160 GB HDD
# ATI, All-In-Wonder Radeon 9600-XT, 128MB, 8X AGP, DVI & TV-Out, Tuner, Capture, Retail
# SOUND, 6-Channel Audio Card (Integrated)
# MITSUMI, 1.44Mb 3.5 Black Floppy Drive
# SONY, DW-D22A, Black 16X DVD±RW/±R Writer, Double Layer
# RAIDMAX, Scorpio CP868-S, Black Tower Case, w/ Window, 420 Watt PS, Front USB
!!!Changed to this PSU
# COOLER MASTER, COOLER MASTER, Qty 2 x Case Fan, 2in. x 2in.
# PHOEBE MICRO, Lunar 56K V.92, Voice/Data/Fax, PCI, Retail
# NETWORK ADAPTER, 10/100 Network Card (Integrated)

I figured it was a problem, but I'm really not a hardware guy (have a degree in Software Engineering, but I don't crack open my case much ) I didn't know how bad this was.

Thanks much for the help.

 

[Crashman]

It sounds like whatever you're using to monitor voltage isn't doing the job, try a real voltmeter. You can get cheap digital multimeters for around $10.

 

[nobly]

Agree w/ Crashman. You should look at monitoring the voltages w/ an external voltmeter.

5-7V on thte 12V is pretty bad. If that were true, I'd be surprised that it can turn on.

 

[technology-sponge]

Dude, several things

the BIOS reading for voltage are very inaccurate, ie up to 0.4V differential

go to your local radioshack/tandy/dick smith/jaycar/altronics/whatever
you hav in your country, and pick up a digital multimeter. ther lyk 10 bucks for one in australia whihc wud b lyk 6.50 or so in us or 40$ in china. check out thre readings.

The voltage rails should be within 5% or 3% depending which ones your psu has specified. For 5%

(EDIT)
aargh shiite, shudda had brekkie first
corrections as folows:

12 - 11.4-12.6
5 - 4.75-5.25
3.3- 3.135 - 3.465
1.5 - 1.425 - 1.575

for the negative rails, do not worry if its off by 10% or so, this is normal.

if your real readigns are close to the aloowed max/minimums, change your psu.

TT's has had a mixed history with PSU's. There toughpowers (650W or higher) are very good, but there purepower, tr2 are dodgy. The case included oem 430W's are overrated, they are actually 250W. The silents stream r a mixed bag. It may work for you, but it may not last more than a year, or cud blow up if ran full load for a few houra

 

[Crashman]

For 5%

12 - 11.4-12.6
5 - 4.5-5.5
3- 2.7 - 3.3
1.5 - 1.35 - 1.65

Uh, d00d, there is no 3.0V line, it's a 3.3V line. Now redo you calculations.

 

[DrObviousSo]

Makes sense. I'll give it a try.

 

[Crashman]

Thanks for the edit, now which color are the 1.5V wires :?

 

[technology-sponge]

Erm, most (not all) psu's have a basic wiring schemtic on the sticker. Have a look ther or in the manual. Then again, most psu's dont have a 1.5V rail. Only weird custom oem type ones that i seem to have a colelction do

 

[Valtiel]

Erm, most (not all) psu's have a basic wiring schemtic on the sticker. Have a look ther or in the manual. Then again, most psu's dont have a 1.5V rail. Only weird custom oem type ones that i seem to have a colelction do

Um, I believe he was making a joke.

 

[technology-sponge]

Hmmm
no

read the posts

and yes, you can get 1.5V rails. Rare as flying pigs, but do exsist

 

[Valtiel]

Flying pigs don't exist

 

[technology-sponge]

lol
i seem to be owning myself 2day

sigh....
shud stop trying to eat lasagne, watch a dvd, post in 5 threads, and burn in a laptop at the same time

 

[Valtiel]

:lol:
We all have those days

 

[useruser]

Have you found the problem?

Like you, I have the ECS 755-A2 motherboard, and SpeedFan has always given me voltage readings similar to yours. Since my system has always run stably, I've just assumed that SpeedFan incorrectly reports voltages for this motherboard (or chipset).