12V & 5V on Antec TP 550W < on Enermax 350W !!! HELP

[Fred Koser]

Just got an Antec TruePower 550W PSU from NewEgg to replace my Enermax 350W. Took out the Enermax and put in the Antec. Booted into the BIOS to check the voltages and, to my suprise, the 12V and 5V lines were at 11.50V and 4.84V,. . .LOWER THAN WITH MY 350W PSU!!! I get the same voltages in SiSoft Sandra and Hardware Doctor. I know the voltages, as read by the MoBo can't really be trusted, but I would expect them to at least be consistant. (i.e.- the Enermax shouldn't read higher.)
Can anyone tell my why this is, or how I can fix it?

System:

AthlonXP 1600+ @ 1713 (180*9.5 1.8V)
SLK-800 w/ 50cfm Sunon
Abit Kx7-333 rev. 1.1
Corsair XMS3200c2 2-2-2 1T
Visiontek GF3ti200 @ 215/460
80Gb WDse / 20Gb IBM60gxp
Asus 52x / Teac 40x12x48 / TBSC
Hauppague WinTV Go! / Linksys NIC / 3Com 56K modem
2 blue cold cathodes / Lian-Li PC-70 w/ PC-75 side panel
Antec TruePower 550W / 2 80mm intake 4 80mm exhaust

[HeXenViRii]

I know certian power supplies have little "POTs" (usually a blue holder with a grey wheel on the top about 7mm wide) inside them that let u adjust the juice to the lines . If you take the cover off the PSU , WHILE ITS OFF , and find one , turn it a quarter turn and plug your devices back in boot it up and observe. Keep testing , turning it off , and turning it by quarters till you get it where u want it , then close it back up , throw it back in you case , and you should be good.

[rogerdugans]

First off: Welcome to the Forums!

Opening a power supply is dangerous, and will void any warranty.

Before doing anything else, check the voltage at one of the molex connectors: if it is close to what it should be there, the power supply is NOT the trouble.

Some power supplies (like my Enermax) have very long ATX cables- that does not help voltages (increased resistance = lower volts.) A loose ATX connector itself also will lower the voltages.

Make certain that the problem lies with the psu, especially since you've had the problem with two units.

It is possible that the voltage regulation circuit on the mobo is causing problems as well.....

But the first thing to do is checking a molex with a multimeter.

[stereo555]

** NOTE ** The TruePower line of Antec PSU , DO NOT HAVE THE POTS ! I have "verified" this with AntecRep . :eh?: Geez , I just purchased a Antec TP550 , but have yet to install it ; this report of lower than usual voltages is not sounding good (and I'll be using 4 drives in RAID0 config ) . Been thinking of the Vantec 520 ; looks like it may still be on my list (or a PCPWRCOOL) !!! :confused:

[HeXenViRii]

Originally posted by rogerdugans
Opening a power supply is dangerous, and will void any warranty.

Before doing anything else, check the voltage at one of the molex connectors: if it is close to what it should be there, the power supply is NOT the trouble.

Some power supplies (like my Enermax) have very long ATX cables- that does not help voltages (increased resistance = lower volts.) A loose ATX connector itself also will lower the voltages.

Make certain that the problem lies with the psu, especially since you've had the problem with two units.

It is possible that the voltage regulation circuit on the mobo is causing problems as well.....

But the first thing to do is checking a molex with a multimeter. [/B]

Oh ya , that too :D

[HeXenViRii]

Originally posted by stereo555
** NOTE ** The TruePower line of Antec PSU , DO NOT HAVE THE POTS ! I have already "verified" this with AntecRep . :eh?:


Thats why i said "certian" .... i guess no adjusting for you then ....

[Fred Koser]

Yeah -

I'm not nuts about having to tweak a $140 PSU and void the warranty (if ther were pots.) Sounds like the problem isnt' the PSU, but maybe the voltage regulation on my MoBo.
The whole thing stems from my dissapointment with my O.C.
I'm at 1713, and sometimes 1800, but I can't get any higher. If I go higher than 180fsb or 10x my system won't boot. I'd watched the Core voltage in Hardware Dr. (Abit's monitoring software) while running Prime and it dips to 1.74 at times. This seems like it wouldn't be HUGE deal, but I decided to replace my 350W Enermax anyways (can't hurt, right?) Now, I've blown $140 on a new PSU and my O.C. is still just "okay" considering my hardware. I was really hoping to hit 1900mhz. My temps are great (IMO) at 35C idle 39C load. Any other suggestions?

[stereo555]

I do know that Antec PP412X (400watt) DO have the pots ; and mine has been "tweaked" abit with GREAT results for the past year . My.02 :D

[Matrix78]

just wondering... should i be concerned with my volts... I have an Antec 450W PSU

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~m0bush/mbm5.JPG

[chachmarach]

I read on another thread I think in this forum that some of the Antecs need some time for the 5V line to come up.I just installed my Truepower 430 tonight and my 5V is around 4.92 also. My 12V is around 11.70 so it is not too too bad but I would like to see it higher.If my voltages don't go up I may phone Antec and ask them what is going on. I found it , and it is titled "DISAPPOINTED with Antec TruePower PSU ". it says in there that some of them need 48Hrs for them to burn in. I think that persons did go up after the burn in time.Hope this helps.

[Gnufsh]

Yes, the volts on mine looked a little low. Then I checked with a DMM at the molex connectors. My crappy no-name 300W turns out to have 5v lines at 5.17 at no load. The Antec TP550 had 5.1 no-load and 5.1 full load. The 300 watt no-name drops percipitously. So basically, the Antec's voltages are closer to spec then other PSU's (3% regulation on some lines). I would bet that the other PSU puts out higher voltages. But the TP550W will not drop as load increases (at least, not that I could see.) I would like to see a mod to increase voltage though. I'd like to run 5.2 at the molex connector. My mobo saya I'm running at 4.94, but I know the PSU's putting out 5.1.

[Fred Koser]

Yikes.
Just did some more extensive "looking around" and found an awful lot of people complaining about the TruePowers. Every thread mentions the "burn-in" period, but no-one seems to have had their problems fixed by letting the new PSU burn it.
Another upsetting point made by Mr Steveo here:

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=117331&highlight=antec+truepower

I have the same concern as Mr Steveo about the whole "winbond chips don't read the voltages correctly" thing. I've been told to check with a multimeter, which seems like a great idea, but when I start to think about it - it doesn't make sense.
My Enermax (as reported in BIOS, Sandra, MBM, etc.) was slightly over on the 3.3V and 5V lines and just barely under on the 12V (like 11.9V) If the MoBo's sensors are reporting the voltages too low, then that would mean the Enermax was WAY over spec on the 3.3V and 5V rails.
It's just like reading your temps from the MoBo's sensors. People seem to take it whatever way they want. If there temps look good, then they believe them. If the suck, they chalk it up to bad sensors.

I don't mind having problems on my path to Overclocking Bliss, but it bugs me when I can't seem to find any real answers.
Gah! NOT a good night for OverClocker Dan. :(

[stereo555]

Just did some testing on my (slightly pot tweaked) PP412X under a HEAVY load (CD-burning , defraging w/Diskeeper-light , Prime95 , Seti , few more programs running , with 4 drives in RAID0 and fans ; ALL this the same time) !!! *** SPECS @ Idle : +3.3=3.28 , +5=5.22 , +12=12.23 *** now under load ... +3.3=3.26 , +5=5.22 , +12=12.17-12.05 . All this with using only Winbond HWDr (for a quick check only) . Further testing tommorow (w/multimeter) . The PP412X did get warmer , but never hot . For now , it seems I have alot more going for me than I thought , and maybe much better off without my uninstalled True550 ( still sitting in unopened box) . A Vantec-520 or 475-watt PCPCooling still sound possible . My.02 ;)

[chachmarach]

I just got off of the phone with Antec.I asked the tech what the voltages should be on the True Power Power supplies.He advised me that they should not be much under 5V or 12V.Mine is showing 11.68V and 4.89V and he advised me to return it for another one or to get my money back.He didn't seem to positive about their products. I thought he would have a little more to say but that was it basically, return it.He advised me to get it from a large retailer because the smaller ones may have them on the shelf for longer and that this may effect them??Who knows.:(

[Fred Koser]

I'm going to make a call to Antec today and if I don't get some kind of positive feedback I'm probably going to return it to NewEgg. Not going to settle for a $130 PSU that has less going for it than my 350W Enermax! I'll either just keep the Enermax, or maybe get a 425W PCP&C. Probably what I should've done in the first place,. . .

[chachmarach]

I am returning mine and having another one crosshipped to me. If this one isn't any better, I won't be buying any more Antec that's for sure. Especially when they don't seem to be to positive about their own products. I guess I should have listened to LARVA and got another Sparkle.

[equalizr]

i did the exact same thing...bought the Antec true 550...it had really low voltages...took it back and got the Enermax 431W and no probs no whatso ever

[aftermath]

i have an enermax 550w and the voltages are a bit above normal when read with the dmm but they are low when the board reads them. They dont flutuate much at all and i have a lot running.

[Arghuin]

Mine is showing 11.68V and 4.89V

Exact same voltages I'm getting from my original 300W Antec PSU (non-truepower obviously)

Can't really say that I've had any probs with it so far (running axp 1600+, kx7, hdd, dvd, gf4 ti4200, audigy, ethernet, 2x antec case fans, thermaltake smart fan just fine), but kind of makes me wonder/worry (delete as appropriate) about how much more (if any) my system can take....

Funny thing is, the theoretical max of 3.3 plus 5 output is rated at 180w for this PSU (almost at a 350w levels.....) but still...

Any suggestions? :confused:

[Vfrjim1]

I had a similar situation on my setup, my 12v went to 11.13v on the MB sensor but when checking it with a multimeter, it was actually 11.9 to 12V. I tried 3 different PSU's, an 550w enermax, 300 watt antec, and a 300 watt enlight with similar results on each, something on the motherboard was consuming voltage and would not allow me to overclock, whenever I tried to push the system when voltages were reading 11.13v in the bios, the system would just shut down by itself, as it seems as a safety measure eventhough at the molex connectors it was reading 11.9 to 12v. I solved my problem by finding a PP412X and tweaking the 12v pot so it read 12.7v at the molex with a multimeter. When I fired up the system, my 5v read 5.1, 3.3 reads 3.4 and my 12v reads 11.92v when I am pushing my system hard, sometimes it isn't the PSU but is the motherboard's fault.

Jim

[AntecRep]

Here's a pic of a short test we ran here,

http://www.antec-inc.com/mobo_voltage_test.html#

AntecRep

[mariux]

I have two Antec PSUs: TP430 & TP480.

The +12 rail voltages according to BIOS, MBM5, Winbond doctor reports:

TP430: 11.73-11.95

TP480: 11.73-11.86

I often have cold boot problem, particularly if the puter is oced.

To be fair, the good things are: quite & fan-only connectors.

I tried using my old & cheaper Enermax EG465-VPE, the voltage varies between 11.96-12.05. I don't have the same cold boot problem with this PSU!

No more Antec PSU for me!

Cheers -- mrX

[Johnny Knoxville]

I'm getting my Antec 430 true power on monday i will report my findings :eh?:

[Exec]

I hope you people have used multimeter to check the voltages, especially Abit boards have awful voltage loss, and therefore they report the voltages lower.

My True Power gives 4.97V and 11.80V according to mainboard, but when I checked with multimeter they were 5.05V and 12.03V.

[SRB442]

I just built a new pc for a server and used a antec 1080 plus case which uses a 430 tp power supply and bios reports 12.03 and 4.97 volts. I have yet to check at one of the moldex connectors. Steve

[rogerdugans]

Just a note on the part about checking voltages at a molex:

The voltage reported by bios or a utility will normally be different due to loss in the atx connector (and long wires if your connector has them.)
What you are looking for is how BIG a difference, and to make sure that the psu is sufficient.

If a molex shows 4.9v then it is NOT good enough, IMO.
If the molex shows 5.1v and bios/MBM show 4.8v then the trouble does not lie with the psu- it could be the atx connector or motherboard.

[larrymoencurly]

Don't power supplies include separate sense wires to compensate for voltage drops in the mobo cable, at least for the lower voltages? Even my cheap no-name PSU has a second orange wire in parallel with one of its +3.3V lines, and when I added a +5.0V sense wire to my 300W Antec SmartPower (made for it but not installed at the factory), this line went up a trifle.

Also can a 550W PSU put out low voltages because it's not being loaded enough? I saw one 500-550W speced at 5A minimum for the +5.0V.

[chachmarach]

I just got my second Antec 430 and the voltages are the exact same as the previous one(11.80 and 4.92). I guess that is just what they are set at. Any suggestions?Keep this one or try an Enermax 450W??

[badvector]

I also just purchased a True 430 last week and was getting a little worried as I read this thread. When I received my Power supply, I hooked everything up and booted it up. I immediately tested my 5v and 12v lines to get readings. Tested at the 3rd molex in line. Here is what I found.

12v Software reports 11.74/11.8 Multimeter reports 11.95/11.96

5v Software reports 4.8 Multimeter reports 5.1

This is with:
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ on high
6 case fans
1 North Bridge fan
1 Hard drive fan assembly (2 fans)
2 Hard Drives
1 CDRW
1 DVD
P 1.8 @ 2.4
GF3Ti200 220/510


I will test again tonight to see if anything changed with a weeks worth of burn in (runs F@H 24/7). I don't expect it too, but I'll see.

Edited for tonights results.

12v Software still reads 11.74-11.8 Multimeter reads 11.97 steady

5v Software reads 4.97 Multimeter reads 5.1

No major change noticed with burn-in. This is with all the above still running and with processor under load (F@H). All in all, I'm very satisfied with this supply. The major reason I went with Antec was that all the above used to run off of an Antec 300W power supply without a burp.

[chachmarach]

I also checked mine today with a multimeter and it shows 12.15 on the 12V and 5.13 on the 5V. The winbond hardware utility shows 11.80 on the 12V and 4.92 on the 5V. I have a little more faith now in these power supplies after testing with the multimeter as they did not seem to fluctuate at all and the voltages were a little above spec.

[Johnny Knoxville]

I just got an Antec truepower 430W
using siv program
5V-4.89V
12V-11.55V

[stereo555]

Originally posted by Johnny Knoxville
I just got an Antec truepower 430W
using siv program
5V-4.89V
12V-11.55V Hey Johnny Knoxville , have you tried m/meter testing yet on your TP-430 ? Better yet .... are you "happy" with your purchase and results thus far ? (I have yet to install my TP-550 and have been waiting for more positive results from other TruePower users) . Thanks .... ;) :D

[Exec]

Originally posted by stereo555
Hey Johnny Knoxville , have you tried m/meter testing yet on your TP-430 ? Better yet .... are you "happy" with your purchase and results thus far ? (I have yet to install my TP-550 and have been waiting for more positive results from other TruePower users) . Thanks .... ;) :D

For Gods sake, check the voltages with a multimeter NOT from the BIOS or MBM. If your voltages fluctuate or are very low regarding to multimeter, THEN your PSU is defective.

[Johnny Knoxville]

Originally posted by stereo555
Hey Johnny Knoxville , have you tried m/meter testing yet on your TP-430 ? Better yet .... are you "happy" with your purchase and results thus far ? (I have yet to install my TP-550 and have been waiting for more positive results from other TruePower users) . Thanks .... ;) :D

I don't have a multimeter, but i am happy with the power supply, the volt line is very stable.

[Randy]

I just purchased an Antec True Power 430 watt PSU today, I saw it at a local computer store for 79.95 It seemed like a fair price and I have been having some problems with my Enermax EG365P 350 watt PSU so I bought it . With the new PSU
VIA HWM shows the 12 V @ 11.89 and the 5V @ 4.81
same reading's in BIOS

At the Molex Conn.. with Multimeter 12 V @ 12.0 5 V @ 5.05:)

These voltages are at full load with no fluctuation to speak of something that could not be said of my Enermax.:(

I am very happy with this PSU and would recommend it to others.

Randy