Board Voltages Low??

dsgreen30 · 11-29-2003, 09:33 AM

Howdy all,

Question:

I've noticed that my board voltages appear to be low, but then again, I'm not 100% familiar with the voltages...
Here is what I have:
12V is running low around 11.73V
5V is running fine around 5.07V
3V is running low around 2.94 - 3.04V

Anything I need to be concerned about?
I am running a 3.2GHz P4 800FSB on a ASUS PC4800 Deluxe MB.

Thanks,
Dave

Volt-Schwibe · 11-29-2003, 04:49 PM

it is technically a tiny bit low, but im not sure that it's something to be alarmed by, unless the machine is acting funny.

someone else might know the real answer though. :P

~BoB~

Mental_Myopia · 11-30-2003, 01:38 AM

It looks fairly okay to me.
What power supply unit are you using?

Blair · 11-30-2003, 08:20 AM

I think they look okay. :sealy: You 3 and 5 volt rails are most important for a stable system. They should stay close to spec and steady (at idle and under load).

johnwill · 11-30-2003, 09:22 AM

The voltages look fine. Remember, you have 5% on the tightest specification, and the cheap measurement channels on most motherboards aren't exactly 100% accurate. Mine are:

+5 = 4.95
+12 = 11.62
+3.3 = 3.22

I've measured these with a real voltmeter at the MB connector, and they're actually all a bit higher than this, I chalk it up to measurement tolerance. If you see your +5 at 4.2 one day, then you worry! :D I set my alarms at 8% off of the nominal, if it gets that bad, I want to know. :)

dsgreen30 · 11-30-2003, 10:24 AM

I did have my 3.3V set for a 10% variance (using ASUS Probe), and the alarm has gone of twice (at the 2.94V reading). That was with the CPU at 100% load. However, I seem to never run near 3.3V (the average is 3.04V with a light load)...so would a 10% drop from 3.04V be more to worry about, instead of the current measurement based on 3.3V?

Though all this I haven't noticed anything funky with my system, yet. Still ok you think?

Thanks
Dave

johnwill · 11-30-2003, 01:02 PM

Hmm... you might want to consider a new P/S with a better rating, if the 3.3 drops 10%, I would be somewhat concerned. Of course, first I'd actually measure the 3.3 and see if it's an issue with the reading of the voltage, or a real problem with the P/S.

dsgreen30 · 11-30-2003, 08:32 PM

Well....my P/S is a 420W, and pretty new...sure hate to have to replace it...but will if I need to.

I guess since my variance is only actually between 3.04V and 2.94V (I never get 3.3V as an actual reading), I will just keep an eye on it for awhile.

I'll pray it isn't actually a problem, but if I see it flutuating even more, I'll go pick up an new P/S. Or is there a possibility it could do damage to my proc?

Dave

Mental_Myopia · 12-01-2003, 02:10 AM

Too low or too high of power can damage components. What is the processor reference voltage showing? Make sure all power cables are securely attached.

Set for a 12% variance, and if it trips it, I'd consider getting a new PSU. Make sure to invest the extra money to get a high-quality brand and model. The PSU is capable of damaging valuable components, so spending the extra money for the highest quality possible not only is an investment, but is also insurance.

johnwill · 12-01-2003, 06:57 AM

Like I said, before actually spending your money, measure the P/S voltages with a real voltmeter and see if it's the MB monitoring circuits or a real P/S problem that's the issue...

dsgreen30 · 12-01-2003, 02:59 PM

Forgive the ignorance here, but where exactly should I look for the reference voltage? BIOS? I had assumed that was 3.3V...

I would measure the actual voltage with a meter, but don't have one. :no:
How much do they usually run?

Dave

Volt-Schwibe · 12-01-2003, 05:42 PM

well, they range all the way up to 1500 bucks for the best ones...

but a good simple cheap one can be found at a Fred Meyer, or other local retail hardware store for about 10-15 bucks, sometimes as cheap as 5$

and it is always a good thing to have, just never leave it in the rain, or you killed it.

(i've lost about 300 bucks worth of them in the rain, and i have never spent more than 40 bucks on one, so that tells you about how many ive killed that way. that's what happens when you walk away from a car while working on it and dont come back to it for a week.)

~BoB~

johnwill · 12-02-2003, 06:52 AM

Bob, if you've killed that many voltmeters working on cars, what condition did you leave the cars in? :no: :D

Volt-Schwibe · 12-02-2003, 07:11 AM

half fixed, but only for a week or so, and a car can handle that, but a voltmeter sitting on to fender won't.

so the cars had a 100% survival rate, and the Voltmeters had a 100% fatality rate.

and alot of them died overnight, laying on the ground by the wheel, and i didnt see them when i went in, and found them wet in the morning.

them needle driven ones dont like being wet, they dry out and stick, and are useless.

LOL

~BoB~

11-29-2003, 09:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
dsgreen30 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26 OS: Windows XP	Board Voltages Low?? Howdy all, Question: I've noticed that my board voltages appear to be low, but then again, I'm not 100% familiar with the voltages... Here is what I have: 12V is running low around 11.73V 5V is running fine around 5.07V 3V is running low around 2.94 - 3.04V Anything I need to be concerned about? I am running a 3.2GHz P4 800FSB on a ASUS PC4800 Deluxe MB. Thanks, Dave

11-29-2003, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,323 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	it is technically a tiny bit low, but im not sure that it's something to be alarmed by, unless the machine is acting funny. someone else might know the real answer though. :P ~BoB~ __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

11-30-2003, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mental_Myopia Athlon Fan in Exile Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montana, USA Posts: 376 OS: Windows XP Home	It looks fairly okay to me. What power supply unit are you using? __________________ Wer nicht fragt, bleibt dumm... --------------------------------------- Intel Pentium4 2.8GHz, 800FSB, HyperThreading Asus P4C800-E Deluxe, BIOS v1013 Corsair TWINX1024-3200LLPT DDR400 2GB BFG Tech GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB, Detonator 52.16 - Unlocked Samsung SyncMaster 192N 19" TFT-LCD CyberAcoustics CA-4100 4.1 Surround Speakers Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 80GB SATA (pair in RAID 1 on ICH5R) Antec 430W ATX 12V TruePower Antec Plus1080AMG Case

11-30-2003, 09:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,789 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	The voltages look fine. Remember, you have 5% on the tightest specification, and the cheap measurement channels on most motherboards aren't exactly 100% accurate. Mine are: +5 = 4.95 +12 = 11.62 +3.3 = 3.22 I've measured these with a real voltmeter at the MB connector, and they're actually all a bit higher than this, I chalk it up to measurement tolerance. If you see your +5 at 4.2 one day, then you worry! :D I set my alarms at 8% off of the nominal, if it gets that bad, I want to know. :) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-30-2003, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,789 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Hmm... you might want to consider a new P/S with a better rating, if the 3.3 drops 10%, I would be somewhat concerned. Of course, first I'd actually measure the 3.3 and see if it's an issue with the reading of the voltage, or a real problem with the P/S. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-30-2003, 08:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Blair Visitor, Security Team Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Flatlander Posts: 25 OS: WindowsXP	I think they look okay. :sealy: You 3 and 5 volt rails are most important for a stable system. They should stay close to spec and steady (at idle and under load).

11-30-2003, 10:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
dsgreen30 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26 OS: Windows XP	I did have my 3.3V set for a 10% variance (using ASUS Probe), and the alarm has gone of twice (at the 2.94V reading). That was with the CPU at 100% load. However, I seem to never run near 3.3V (the average is 3.04V with a light load)...so would a 10% drop from 3.04V be more to worry about, instead of the current measurement based on 3.3V? Though all this I haven't noticed anything funky with my system, yet. Still ok you think? Thanks Dave

11-30-2003, 08:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
dsgreen30 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26 OS: Windows XP	Well....my P/S is a 420W, and pretty new...sure hate to have to replace it...but will if I need to. I guess since my variance is only actually between 3.04V and 2.94V (I never get 3.3V as an actual reading), I will just keep an eye on it for awhile. I'll pray it isn't actually a problem, but if I see it flutuating even more, I'll go pick up an new P/S. Or is there a possibility it could do damage to my proc? Dave

12-01-2003, 02:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mental_Myopia Athlon Fan in Exile Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montana, USA Posts: 376 OS: Windows XP Home	Too low or too high of power can damage components. What is the processor reference voltage showing? Make sure all power cables are securely attached. Set for a 12% variance, and if it trips it, I'd consider getting a new PSU. Make sure to invest the extra money to get a high-quality brand and model. The PSU is capable of damaging valuable components, so spending the extra money for the highest quality possible not only is an investment, but is also insurance. __________________ Wer nicht fragt, bleibt dumm... --------------------------------------- Intel Pentium4 2.8GHz, 800FSB, HyperThreading Asus P4C800-E Deluxe, BIOS v1013 Corsair TWINX1024-3200LLPT DDR400 2GB BFG Tech GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB, Detonator 52.16 - Unlocked Samsung SyncMaster 192N 19" TFT-LCD CyberAcoustics CA-4100 4.1 Surround Speakers Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 80GB SATA (pair in RAID 1 on ICH5R) Antec 430W ATX 12V TruePower Antec Plus1080AMG Case

12-01-2003, 06:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,789 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Like I said, before actually spending your money, measure the P/S voltages with a real voltmeter and see if it's the MB monitoring circuits or a real P/S problem that's the issue... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-01-2003, 02:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
dsgreen30 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 26 OS: Windows XP	Forgive the ignorance here, but where exactly should I look for the reference voltage? BIOS? I had assumed that was 3.3V... I would measure the actual voltage with a meter, but don't have one. :no: How much do they usually run? Dave

12-01-2003, 05:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,323 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	well, they range all the way up to 1500 bucks for the best ones... but a good simple cheap one can be found at a Fred Meyer, or other local retail hardware store for about 10-15 bucks, sometimes as cheap as 5$ and it is always a good thing to have, just never leave it in the rain, or you killed it. (i've lost about 300 bucks worth of them in the rain, and i have never spent more than 40 bucks on one, so that tells you about how many ive killed that way. that's what happens when you walk away from a car while working on it and dont come back to it for a week.) ~BoB~ __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

12-02-2003, 06:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 39,789 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Windows 7, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Bob, if you've killed that many voltmeters working on cars, what condition did you leave the cars in? :no: :D __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-02-2003, 07:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,323 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	half fixed, but only for a week or so, and a car can handle that, but a voltmeter sitting on to fender won't. so the cars had a 100% survival rate, and the Voltmeters had a 100% fatality rate. and alot of them died overnight, laying on the ground by the wheel, and i didnt see them when i went in, and found them wet in the morning. them needle driven ones dont like being wet, they dry out and stick, and are useless. LOL ~BoB~ __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>