mcguire867

Okay, so here are my system specs for my newly rebuilt computer:

AMD Athlon 6400+ Dual Core Black Edition CPU
2 GB of RAM
aBit AN52 Motherboard
EVGA nVidia Geforce 8800 GTX GPU
Antec 550 Watt Power Supply

Now, once I started up my computer, everything was fine, until I installed the aBit Equalizer which was telling me that the ATX12V rail was getting 0.31V when it should be getting 10.80V - 13.20V. I suspected it was the power supply, as I did the research and my system actually requires more than 550 Watts.

So I went out to Fry's today and bought an Antec 850 Watt power supply and installed it. I started up my computer and the equalizer told me the same thing.

This doesn't make any sense to me, and it has me worried about my computer, especially since the upgrade was a Christmas present, and I've already spent hundreds of dollars on top of that.

Can someone please make sense of this?

I've included a picture of the equalizer as well. What's the deal?

Attached Images

Power.JPG (101.3 KB, 11 views)

dai

your 12v rail should be between 11.4-12.6v
if the computer is running with no problems,the software is just not reading the sensors correctly which is not unusual
see what these give you
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownloa...oad-29890.html
http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php

mcguire867

Thanks, it's giving me a better readout...

...except my 12v rail is 10.60v. Is that something I should be worried about?

dai

the software readersare only a guide and not that reliable,if you want to put your mind at ease check it with a multi meter,if it dropped to below 11.7 you would be getting problems it is unlikely it would be running at all at 10.6
http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f77/ho...-rails-130666/

mcguire867

So your basically saying that regardless of what the software says, my hardware wouldn't be running if it weren't getting enough voltage?

My only worry is that my GPU said it was going to adjust itself because it wasn't getting supplemental power from my power supply, even though it's plugged in, but it has only done this once and didn't do it even when I had a 550 Watt power supply.

But regardless, you're saying that there really isn't anything to worry about, right? I mean, I've played Crysis and Call of Duty 4 and they run smoothly on High graphical settings.

I just don't want my money on the new power supply to be ill-spent.

Thanks for all the help though. *Laughs* You've kind of calmed me down.

speedster123

What Dai is saying that some computers/boards dont let the utility software report accurate voltages, and that a voltmeter would be the telling tool to use.
I wouldnt worry about it, it sounds as if your system runs stable, from what you post.
What does your bios read?

mcguire867

My BIOS reads 0.31v on the 12v rail, but I haven't updated the BIOS since I got the board, and the website says they are now on the fifth version of my motherboard's BIOS.

dai

do any of the updated bios listed,list a fix for the problem

mcguire867

Nope. I updated the BIOS last night and it still thinks it's only getting 0.31v on the 12v rail.

Maybe I should just ignore it?

I mean, I found a post on this forum that breaks down the different kind of power supplies needed for different computers, and I fall perfectly into the "High-End Gaming Computer", which is described as having a dual-core processor, an 8800 GTX, and an 850 watt power supply, which is exactly what my computer is.

dai

if the computers running with no problems you can ignore it or rma the board because of sensor problems

mcguire867

What do you mean by "rma"?

1 g0t 0wn3d

Return it for a new one from the conpany you bought it from.

dai

rma= return to manufacturer authority
you need an authorisation number to make a warranty claim they usually obtainable from their website

mcguire867

But really there isn't anything to worry about is there?

I mean, if I'd never installed the equalizer I never would have even known about the 12v rail, etc. and the computer works fine.

I'm lazy and don't want to have to not have a computer for a while, plus having to plug everything back in again.

dai

it's up to you,but with an inaccurate sensor you will not be able to pick up future problems

mcguire867

Speaking of future problems, now my graphics card is locking up and crashing whenever I try to play The Battle for Middle-Earth II, because it "isn't receiving enough power". I have an 850 watt power supply with the supplemental power plugged in.

Is it possible the motherboard isn't giving my graphics card enough power?

1 g0t 0wn3d

What is the brand of the power supply? you have 2 pci express in if its a 8800 gtx or ultra right?

dai

antec 850w