PC Power Supply Voltages
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I have a motherboard monitoring program on my PC. Along with temperatures, it tells the measured voltages coming out of the power supply. Here's the question: For the -12v rail, it's hovering around -7 volts and goes as low as -3. For the -5v rail, it's reading -4 volts. Should I consider replacing the power supply? The machine seems to be running fine otherwise.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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I have a motherboard monitoring program on my PC. Along with temperatures, it tells the measured voltages coming out of the power supply. Here's the question: For the -12v rail, it's hovering around -7 volts and goes as low as -3. For the -5v rail, it's reading -4 volts. Should I consider replacing the power supply? The machine seems to be running fine otherwise.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
There are different types of sensor chips used on motherboards. It seems that your monitoring program detects a wrong type because your system is operating without problems. You may try another program or better measure the voltage using a multimeter.
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I have a motherboard monitoring program on my PC. Along with temperatures, it tells the measured voltages coming out of the power supply. Here's the question: For the -12v rail, it's hovering around -7 volts and goes as low as -3. For the -5v rail, it's reading -4 volts. Should I consider replacing the power supply? The machine seems to be running fine otherwise.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Those numbers are not correct. I'd verify the values on the 23-pin connector with a good multimeter before trusting that code. The correct voltages for an ATX 2.2 Power Supply are -5, -12, +3.3, +5 and +12, all with a tolerance of 5%. You can get the pinouts for the connectors just by Googling for "ATX Power Supply 12V pinout". Make sure you match the ATX version on the power supply label with the document you're looking at!
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Dave Kreskowiak -
Those numbers are not correct. I'd verify the values on the 23-pin connector with a good multimeter before trusting that code. The correct voltages for an ATX 2.2 Power Supply are -5, -12, +3.3, +5 and +12, all with a tolerance of 5%. You can get the pinouts for the connectors just by Googling for "ATX Power Supply 12V pinout". Make sure you match the ATX version on the power supply label with the document you're looking at!
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Dave KreskowiakThanks Dave, I think that's what I will do. I just have to find the motivation to get in there and unplug the motherboard connector.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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Thanks Dave, I think that's what I will do. I just have to find the motivation to get in there and unplug the motherboard connector.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
No no no. Do it while it's running. That makes the measurement at the time there is load on the power supply when the voltages will fluctuate the most. Also, if you pop the connector off the motherboard you have to short the PowerGood line to ground to get the power supply to start.
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Dave Kreskowiak -
No no no. Do it while it's running. That makes the measurement at the time there is load on the power supply when the voltages will fluctuate the most. Also, if you pop the connector off the motherboard you have to short the PowerGood line to ground to get the power supply to start.
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Dave KreskowiakOh! I was wondering about that. But how can I touch the contacts if the plug is plugged?
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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Oh! I was wondering about that. But how can I touch the contacts if the plug is plugged?
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
Through the back of the connector where the wires go in. Just be careful not to miss the connector entirely and touch the probes to the motherboard! :)
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Dave Kreskowiak -
Through the back of the connector where the wires go in. Just be careful not to miss the connector entirely and touch the probes to the motherboard! :)
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Dave KreskowiakOK I'll give it a try. Thanks. :)
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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OK I'll give it a try. Thanks. :)
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
no problem
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject
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Dave Kreskowiak -
Thanks Dave, I think that's what I will do. I just have to find the motivation to get in there and unplug the motherboard connector.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
FYI... if your power was that far off, you'd probably have major problems. Things would flicker on/off or alternatively smoke would start coming out of the power supply or associated regulators (if it was a short causing fluctuations).
