+12V Reading Very Low, PSU Dying?

[JMelsom]

So my +12V is reading 4.48V in every hardware monitor I can find (apparently it always has now that I checked) and unfortunately I don't have and can't buy a multimeter. Thing is for such a low voltage I'm still on the computer and I can run games but if my settings are too high the computer shuts off completely with no warning (with that said this has happened with Starcraft 2, MSI Kombustor, and OCCT). My CPU & GPU temperatures are fine I've always monitored them closely with my CPU being 40C-55C and my GPU being 50C-65C. This has just begun happening recently. ALSO my BIOS shows NO Voltage information except for DIMM & BUS Voltage. Here are my specs (I forgot to turn something off int he background so they might be a lil off).

Coolmax VL-600B Power Supply - 600-Watt
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
512MB nVidia GeForce 9800GT (EVGA)
6GB RAM
Windows 7 64-Bit

HWMonitor

PCWizard

SpeedFan

 

[hunter315]

Its a software glitch, it would seem they cannot figure out how to read from your motherboard's monitoring chip properly. I know that reading is wrong because every motor in your system uses the 12 V source to run, and if it were at less than 7 volts i doubt your hard drive motor could even have started.


If you want to see what it is really at, reboot and check it in BIOS, that is one of the more accurate techniques to check voltage.

 

[InvalidError]

When in doubt, DSO and DMM are your best friends if you have either one on-hand.

 

[bigcyco1]

Coolmax PSU Tier 5 - WORST OF THE WORST.NOT RECOMMENDED. Replace ASAP if you have one. http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

 

[djscribbles]

I would agree with bigcyco1, it's likely that voltage levels are reading incorrectly, but your PSU is not a good one, and is likely the reason your computer shuts down suddenly under stress. Get rid of it before it causes permanent damage.

 

[JMelsom]

It's been running perfectly fine for 2 years and I'm not sure what DSO or DMM is. I also don't have a lot of money for a new PSU. $70-$80 max.

 

[djscribbles]

This: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
Would be a pretty good value PSU.
If you can afford a bit more this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 is a higher quality one though.

My gut says that your PSU is causing the random shutdowns under load. It is possible it's something else, but I would be surprised.

 

[bigcyco1]

I would recommend this one reason why The XFX has a stronger +12 Volt rail. It is also 80 PLUS BRONZE certified and was built by seasonic.

JonnyGURU awarded it a Recommended. XFX ATX 550 Power Supply - P1550SXXB9 Price: $63.58 http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CF4QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FXFX-ATX-550-Power-Supply%2Fdp%2FB004RJ8EKI&ei=3D8gUJnGKIL3igKdooCQAw&usg=AFQjCNHXLzpgBxwWql76TK2RF4iILUvUGQ&sig2=wTAswH_cqcSs1HPa7zKD9A

 

[JMelsom]

Would be nice except it only ships within US and I'm in Canada.

 

[InvalidError]

I'm not sure what DSO or DMM is.

DSO = Digital Storage Oscilloscope, the most common type nowadays but still not something even a typically geek would own. PC-based options start around $200, "real" ones start around $3000.
DMM = Digital Multi-Meter, a much more common piece of equipment for anyone who deals with electricity/electronics troubleshooting/testing on a regular basis. Cheap ones can be had for as little as $20, good ones start around $80.

 

[bigcyco1]

Here you go mate i found a place you can order it from XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze
$10.00 Mail In Rebate! In Stock $69.99 $59.99 After mail in rebate
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX

 

[JMelsom]

Thanks very much bigcyco1. I've had a couple of people tell me it could be the video card but it doesn't have any other video card related symptoms.

 

[bigcyco1]

Your welcome!And.,i honestly don't think it's the video card although i could be wrong.

 

[djscribbles]

Your welcome!And.,i honestly don't think it's the video card although i could be wrong.

I would agree, my opinion is that the video card would be a distant second possible cause. IF for some reason the PSU doesn't fix it, I wouldn't count the purchase as wasted, as replacing your current PSU may still avert some future catastrophe. If you'd like some interesting worst case scenario cheap PSU stories, check out this article http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html it's a bit of an extreme example of the things that can happen, but it really makes you think about the danger in skimping on the PSU (or inadvertently buying a crummy brand, not all of them give you what you pay for)

 

[JMelsom]

Ok hopefully I don't jynx this but I underclocked my Video card to true stock (my 9800gt is the EVGA factory OC one and I went to what it is for the not OC one) and took out my PSU and blew it out and got dust out of it....now it hasn't shut off, and all my temps are fine also. I'm still going to replace it but it is odd O.O