how do you identify a psu problem?

[Mad_Capr]

How do you know when you have a Power Supply issue?

Motherboard monitor tells me that my 5.0v fluctuates from 4.81 to 4.88v and the 12v fluctuates from 12.01 to 12.19v. The 5.0v drops to 4.81v under heavy load.

Are these voltages within normal ranges or does it sound like a problem? Everything functions fine until I try to overclock to 1.52ghz at 1.85v. The temps are under 50c at max load so I don't think its a heat problem. Since 1.47ghz is stable at 1.8v, I thought 1.52ghz should be easy at 1.85v. I can boot into Windows at 1.52ghz, but after a few minutes of max load it reboots.

I have 5 case fans, 4 expansion cards, and 3 ide devices.

[Mad_Capr]

oh yeah, and the power supply is a generic 300watt..

[Oneiron]

yeah... it sounds like you might be having a PSU problem. Try using another PSU together with the one you have now. Set it up to go with you're fans or something. Then try it out again. You'll be able to see if the problem continues.

[Subzer0]

yeah man you have my problem exactly, i still use the standard Aopen psu and i also get 4.88v for the +5v.
i ordered the enermax 550watt so i wont need to change again and hoping all my probs will be gone [forever man please,hehehehe] ill let you know how i go.
ive got 2 HDD's,3 120mm case fans.neon light,and a few of those ultra bright led's. my system has lag and especially when i added the 1.4 chip over the 1.2. i know its not much extra but it really did put more load on my system

[Placid]

Underclock the cpu to 900mhz and see if your voltages go up.

[YMAN]

why don't they make an overclocking Power supply?
Or do they?

[Wega!]

Originally posted by YMAN
why don't they make an overclocking Power supply?
Or do they?

I think Enermax's PSU's are mostly for overclockers, and people with a lot of stuff in their comp's.

[Subzer0]

just to update you here too that i got the enermax 550w [i nkow maybe a little over kill but hey i only wanna buy 1 power supply ]
and man it is powering along beautifully! my +5v stays @5.10 and the 12v is 12.66 all the time.so i can now say it is worth the money but you may only need to use the 430 watter! goodluck in solving your power issues

[wild_andy_c]

Most PSU's have potentiometers within them allowing you to upgrade the 5V rail...........