Whom gona trust more ? Multimeter @ 4pin-molex-connector or Voltage-readingprogram ?

[p4z1f1st]

so....my PSU is a Chieftec 420Watt

afaik it has some potis for 3.3V/5V/12V-rails inside

so, i though "wouldn't it be nice to overvolt a little bit..."

"but first, check the current voltages @ all rails"

first, i looked @ sisoft sandra, Aida32 and MBM5....all told me that:

3.3V @ 3.30-3.31

5V @ ~4.9-5.0

12V @ 12.03-12.16

so...then i though, i could check it on a 4pin-molex-connector with my multimeter.....but then i got a shock

my mutli measures following:

3.3V @ N/A (couldn't find a "open" connector to measure it)

5V @ 5.11-5.18

12V @ 12.19-12.34

i measured at 2 wires - one with NOTHING connected and one with my R9800Pro on it...

so, what to do ?


and another question: how to jumpstart a PSU ? has anybody a pic or tutorial for it ?

[craig588]

to jumpstart the PSU without a mobo connect the green wire to any ground.

I remember seeing some diagram on OCforums where they showed why the mobo always was a little lower in voltage than the molexes. IIRC it was because the mobo connector doesn't have the best connection to the mobo pins, but its like that to ensure the mobo connector won't be excessively difficult to attach or detach.

[p4z1f1st]

hm...so, u didn't answered on my question :D

u say, that some diagram-progs show lover voltages then the molex....so, the molex is the one whom i should trust ? :D

[lalPOOO]

Well you can always find the chip on your motherboard that is taking the voltage readings, and then measure off of it.

Your multimeter is probably right, but it probably wouldn't hurt to raise the rails a little if you can.

http://www.flecom.net/[H]OCP/faq/powersupply2.jpg
You can use a paperclip too.

[masterpain]

the only thing i trust in is my multimeter.

picture of the atx connector / 3.3v measuring point.

dont forget to connect something that brings your psu under load or it may not start, a few fans, old hdds will do perfect.

[masterpain]

forgot the pic

[slavik]

the problem with on-board voltage monitoring chip is that it has to be stepped down under 4V to read the voltage (in case of the winbond chip) ... so you have to introduce resistors, which aren't 0% (their resistance varies) which introduces jumps ...

using the winbond chip, my mobo reports a 3.2v vdimm, while it is actually 3.38v ... this is on my dfi ultra infinity ...

[p4z1f1st]

so, how i see, the most tell me, that i shall look more to my multimeter-display then to a monitoring-program, right ? ;)

[masterpain]

Originally posted by p4z1f1st
so, how i see, the most tell me, that i shall look more to my multimeter-display then to a monitoring-program, right ? ;)

right, for a fast check take the monitoring program and if you want to know the exact readings take ypour multimeter.

[reject]

but as long as you know the difference and it is calibrated correctly you can use the program and just do the maths in your head.