[victorzamora]

I'm pretty sure my PSU is in dire need of replacing, but I'm afraid I'm missing something. This is a 10-month old CS450M powering a 260X and an FX4100 as well as 5xHDDs (4x2TB Greens and a 2.5" laptop drive). The computer will "crash" but the files are still mostly accessible via Kodi but physical access, teamviewer, and RDP dont work.

 

[TwoCables]

For the future, please "Insert" screenshots; don't "attach" them. It's far less convenient when they are attached because I first have to click the image and then I have to open it.

Anyway, software is completely unreliable for reading PSU voltages; you need a digital multimeter for that. Also, if your +12V were really at 9V, then the computer wouldn't even be functioning. It wouldn't even be on.

 

[victorzamora]

Good call, I thought I was "Inserting" and not "attaching" but that's what I get for posting while half-asleep. It should now be "inserted" and easier to see. I'll check the PSU tonight with a multimeter, but as I can't load it while checking the voltages what should I expect to see? I'm guessing I just short Pins15&16 (or whatever numbers the usual ones are) and then the negative probe goes to any black and I just read off all of the "power" values and reference them with a 24-pin template? But what should my multimeter read for the +12V, for example? Also, is testing just the 24-pin enough or should I check all of the cables?

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorzamora

Good call, I thought I was "Inserting" and not "attaching" but that's what I get for posting while half-asleep. It should now be "inserted" and easier to see. I'll check the PSU tonight with a multimeter, but as I can't load it while checking the voltages what should I expect to see? I'm guessing I just short Pins15&16 (or whatever numbers the usual ones are) and then the negative probe goes to any black and I just read off all of the "power" values and reference them with a 24-pin template? But what should my multimeter read for the +12V, for example? Also, is testing just the 24-pin enough or should I check all of the cables?

I confess that I don't know how to use a multimeter. Here are the maximum tolerances for ATX spec though:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#Power_connection_to_the_motherboard (scroll up until you see the chart - they don't have an anchor link to it)

 

[mmonnin]

Thats a single rail 12V PSU so any molex connector will work for testing the 5V and 12V rails. Black lead from MM in one of the end pins on a molex connector and the red lead from the MM into the 5V (red)or 12V hole (yellow) in the molex connector. Just make sure its on DC voltage which is usually indicated with a flat bar above the V vs a ~ above the V for AC. It can be tested while the PC is running.

 

[victorzamora]

Okay, so my voltages are: 3.34, 5.11, 12.13, and -12.62 on my Fluke. However, this isn't under load and I certainly can't measure anything fancy like ripple. It seems that all of them are well within spec. I don't know if there's a vdroop with significant load, but we'll see. Seeing that, I pulled out one of the RAM sticks (randomly) and put the remaining one in another slot (2x4GB kit, 4 DIMM slots). We'll see what happens.

 

[TELVM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorzamora

Okay, so my voltages are: 3.34, 5.11, 12.13, and -12.62 on my Fluke...

^ Sounds good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorzamora

... this isn't under load ... ... I don't know if there's a vdroop with significant load ....

With PC case side panel open and taking great care you can read +12V and +5V from any free Molex connector while comp is running and under load.

 

[TwoCables]

Yeah, we don't need a fried Victor.

 

[TELVM]

What may result from careless probing with a MM inside a running PC is a fried comp.

Voltages outside PSU case (+12V max) can't harm Victor to the point of having to RMA him.

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TELVM

What may result from careless probing with a MM inside a running PC is a fried comp.

Voltages outside PSU case (+12V max) can't harm Victor to the point of having to RMA him.

lol!

Ok, all kidding aside, I'd like to change my response to "we don't need a fried Victor's computer". hehe

 

[victorzamora]

Well I decided to leave the computer together for the weekend and monitor for failures. It's been crash-free **knocks on wood** for over 24 hours now, which it used to not do. I'll stick some multimeter probes in the PSU if I see another failure.....but I'm now thinking the DIMM is the most likely culprit. I appreciate the help, though...thanks!

And yeah, frying the computer would require RMA'ing the Victor as it's the wifey's gaming rig/our media server. The SWMBO would do some pretty permanent damage....she's fond of her computer.

 

[TwoCables]

Ooo... yeah, a happy wife is a happy life.