12V rail

milehile · 12-12-2006, 08:25 PM

I'm running SpeedFan and it shows my 12V rail reading at only 8.55V. Is it supposed to be at full 12V? Just kinda worried.

Also; I'm looking into adding a second stick of ram in the future. My question is, will aged ram have a conflict with brand new ram. Same exact ram, just differant age.

**Kalim** · 12-13-2006, 12:29 AM

Thats way too low! I'm suspecting this is while under standard load i.e. normal daily operations, right? I wouldn't run a computer with that reading unless you want more damage doing, because that PSU is naft.

To be sure, you can check in your BIOS and/or use Sis Sandra Lite, Everest or even Sensors View for the readings.

If the spec if your sig is whats running off that PSU, I'd take it all apart ASAP.

If you RAM is the same make/model and is in healthy condition with no errors in memtest86, then there won't be a conflict/problem.

milehile · 12-13-2006, 01:58 AM

YIPES. Thanks. As of the RAM, it's in good condition. The test came back as good. So, I should be fine there. Thank you for the input.

**Doby** · 12-13-2006, 02:34 PM

I would definatly double check that reading in bios, if the 12v was that low the computer would not work, it maybe a bad software read and the psu is ok.

Is the computer stable? Please explain any problems!

milehile · 12-13-2006, 07:16 PM

The computer runs, and it's stable for a little while. I play World of Warcraft and Battlefield 2. After playing any of those for a little while the computer would lock up, loop the last 1/4 of a second audio, blue screen, and then restart. When I read the forum on power supplies on this website, it said that the problems I am facing are most likely the power supply's 12V rail not supplying enough power but enough to keep the comp running. I'm going to be getting a new power supply to see if that fixes the problem but want some advice before I do so.

**Kalim** · 12-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Run the checkups in my last post to make sure what the 12Vrail reading is. If they concur then you'll need to get rid of the PSU.

**Doby** · 12-13-2006, 07:44 PM

Do what Kalim has suggested and compare readings but now that you have mentioned a reboot that changes things for the worse.

What psu do you have? If its generic or below 500w I would just go ahead and replace it

Get a psu that is recommended in the guide

milehile · 12-13-2006, 08:02 PM

I have already looked into a new power supply. I have to wait until I have the funds for it though. The one that I am planning on getting is as follows:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194010

Any suggestions as to a power supply that is maybe 20-40 bucks less is deffinately appreciated.

As for the SensorsView. I took a screenshot. It is attached.

**Doby** · 12-13-2006, 08:08 PM

I would not get anything less then the enermax you listed it is a good quality supply that will work good with your system.

milehile · 12-13-2006, 08:26 PM

I know it is. It was one of the most highly recommended makes and models. I was just hoping there might be a power supply of that quality but ~$30 cheaper. I wish my budget was higher but on an Arby's salary it's just not going to happen.

milehile · 12-14-2006, 08:21 PM

I recently had an idea and grabbed my dads voltmeter and connected it to one of the 4pin Molex connectors to see if it was really putting out 8.55 volts and it came up as 12.2 volts. Is this a true reading and if so, then why are the two programs I have used both only showing that i'm running at 8.55? Is there something wrong with my motherboard that is only pulling 8.55v?

**Doby** · 12-14-2006, 08:35 PM

Good idea on checking that with a volt meter and its as I suggested earlier a bad software readout or bad sensor on the board. This is why I asked what the bios reported the voltage at, if the bios reports it in the 12v range then its a bad software read if the bios report 8v or something then its the sensor. I suspected this because a motherboard won't even power up if its only getting 8v.

This does not mean the board is bad it will work fine just report the voltages wrong, possibly there is a bios update to fix this.

With all of that said please understand that there is still a problem we need to address, that being the random reboots you are seeing, this could be a weak or underpowerd psu so please tell us what psu you have, make and model number.

Also on the side of your psu it lists the amps of the +12v,+3.3v and +5v, please post these as well.

milehile · 12-14-2006, 09:00 PM

I'm sorry for any missunderstanding. I looked at BIOS and all it says is that the 3V and 12V are "OK", if that means anything. I took a picture of the label so you can look at it yourself and see what you think. It's a cheap'o I bought at a local computer store and the technition that sold it to me only had positive things to say about it.

**Doby** · 12-14-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

I'm sorry for any missunderstanding. I looked at BIOS and all it says is that the 3V and 12V are "OK", if that means anything

No problem I must have missed that but I guess that means the 3v and 12v are producing the requirerd voltages, never seen that it usually gives numbers.

Good job of posting the pic thats exactly what we needed.

I don't think a 400w psu is good enough for your system especially with the video card, get the enermax as soon as you can

milehile · 12-14-2006, 09:48 PM

Well, unfortunately, I can't afford anything cause my financial situation is less than desired. So, I think i'm going to have to stick it out for a few weeks...unfortunately. Thanks for the help and I look forward to working with you again.

iLLEBOC-R · 01-26-2008, 07:31 PM

I was having the same problem with speedfan. the 12v sensor readout read 6.4v. After many reinstallations of windows and diagnostics tests which passed.

The bios voltage reading for 12v was 12.1v. within the 5% atx standard

I though it was the sensor chip or maybe a bios issue and have tried all the latest bios updates for the board with no success.

What i discovered only this evening was that the lamenation on the underside of the motherboard was incorrectly applied/finished. Theres pock marks all over the place and smears galore. Looks like it was in this case a bad motheboard.

I've just dismantled the machine ready for return tommorow, but will out of interest connect the psu (a hyper r-type 580) to a test bed, load the rails and take some voltage readings..

The last machine it was in acted up for a while also.

Have you replaced your psu yet? did it solve the problem readings?
edit. sorry just noticed the date you posted..doh. got refered from a google search. Did a new psu solve the problem?

1 g0t 0wn3d · 01-26-2008, 07:43 PM

this was 2 years ago can you please start your own thread

iLLEBOC-R · 01-26-2008, 08:08 PM

I was answering his question. Hadn't noticed the date till it was too late. as i said.. edit ..at the bottom of my post.

I'm still interested to know what it was that caused the incorrect reading on his machine.

If he/you still frequent this forum it would be good to know.

12-12-2006, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	12V rail I'm running SpeedFan and it shows my 12V rail reading at only 8.55V. Is it supposed to be at full 12V? Just kinda worried. Also; I'm looking into adding a second stick of ram in the future. My question is, will aged ram have a conflict with brand new ram. Same exact ram, just differant age. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

12-13-2006, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	YIPES. Thanks. As of the RAM, it's in good condition. The test came back as good. So, I should be fine there. Thank you for the input. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

12-13-2006, 02:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,150 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	I would definatly double check that reading in bios, if the 12v was that low the computer would not work, it maybe a bad software read and the psu is ok. Is the computer stable? Please explain any problems! __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

12-13-2006, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	The computer runs, and it's stable for a little while. I play World of Warcraft and Battlefield 2. After playing any of those for a little while the computer would lock up, loop the last 1/4 of a second audio, blue screen, and then restart. When I read the forum on power supplies on this website, it said that the problems I am facing are most likely the power supply's 12V rail not supplying enough power but enough to keep the comp running. I'm going to be getting a new power supply to see if that fixes the problem but want some advice before I do so. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

12-13-2006, 07:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,150 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Do what Kalim has suggested and compare readings but now that you have mentioned a reboot that changes things for the worse. What psu do you have? If its generic or below 500w I would just go ahead and replace it Get a psu that is recommended in the guide __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

12-13-2006, 12:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Thats way too low! I'm suspecting this is while under standard load i.e. normal daily operations, right? I wouldn't run a computer with that reading unless you want more damage doing, because that PSU is naft. To be sure, you can check in your BIOS and/or use Sis Sandra Lite, Everest or even Sensors View for the readings. If the spec if your sig is whats running off that PSU, I'd take it all apart ASAP. If you RAM is the same make/model and is in healthy condition with no errors in memtest86, then there won't be a conflict/problem.

12-13-2006, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Run the checkups in my last post to make sure what the 12Vrail reading is. If they concur then you'll need to get rid of the PSU.

12-13-2006, 08:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,150 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	I would not get anything less then the enermax you listed it is a good quality supply that will work good with your system. __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

12-13-2006, 08:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	I know it is. It was one of the most highly recommended makes and models. I was just hoping there might be a power supply of that quality but ~$30 cheaper. I wish my budget was higher but on an Arby's salary it's just not going to happen. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

12-14-2006, 08:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	I recently had an idea and grabbed my dads voltmeter and connected it to one of the 4pin Molex connectors to see if it was really putting out 8.55 volts and it came up as 12.2 volts. Is this a true reading and if so, then why are the two programs I have used both only showing that i'm running at 8.55? Is there something wrong with my motherboard that is only pulling 8.55v? __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

12-14-2006, 08:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 7,150 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Good idea on checking that with a volt meter and its as I suggested earlier a bad software readout or bad sensor on the board. This is why I asked what the bios reported the voltage at, if the bios reports it in the 12v range then its a bad software read if the bios report 8v or something then its the sensor. I suspected this because a motherboard won't even power up if its only getting 8v. This does not mean the board is bad it will work fine just report the voltages wrong, possibly there is a bios update to fix this. With all of that said please understand that there is still a problem we need to address, that being the random reboots you are seeing, this could be a weak or underpowerd psu so please tell us what psu you have, make and model number. Also on the side of your psu it lists the amps of the +12v,+3.3v and +5v, please post these as well. __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF Last edited by Doby : 12-14-2006 at 08:36 PM.

12-14-2006, 09:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 414 OS: windows xp My System	Well, unfortunately, I can't afford anything cause my financial situation is less than desired. So, I think i'm going to have to stick it out for a few weeks...unfortunately. Thanks for the help and I look forward to working with you again. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

01-26-2008, 07:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
iLLEBOC-R Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 6 OS: xp 64bit/vista/server 2003/os x	Re: 12V rail I was having the same problem with speedfan. the 12v sensor readout read 6.4v. After many reinstallations of windows and diagnostics tests which passed. The bios voltage reading for 12v was 12.1v. within the 5% atx standard I though it was the sensor chip or maybe a bios issue and have tried all the latest bios updates for the board with no success. What i discovered only this evening was that the lamenation on the underside of the motherboard was incorrectly applied/finished. Theres pock marks all over the place and smears galore. Looks like it was in this case a bad motheboard. I've just dismantled the machine ready for return tommorow, but will out of interest connect the psu (a hyper r-type 580) to a test bed, load the rails and take some voltage readings.. The last machine it was in acted up for a while also. Have you replaced your psu yet? did it solve the problem readings? edit. sorry just noticed the date you posted..doh. got refered from a google search. Did a new psu solve the problem? Last edited by iLLEBOC-R : 01-26-2008 at 07:32 PM.

01-26-2008, 07:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,276 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: 12V rail this was 2 years ago can you please start your own thread __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

01-26-2008, 08:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
iLLEBOC-R Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 6 OS: xp 64bit/vista/server 2003/os x	Re: 12V rail I was answering his question. Hadn't noticed the date till it was too late. as i said.. edit ..at the bottom of my post. I'm still interested to know what it was that caused the incorrect reading on his machine. If he/you still frequent this forum it would be good to know. Last edited by iLLEBOC-R : 01-26-2008 at 08:11 PM.