PSU Rails

[kayson]

I have an OCZ Powerstream 520w.
Right now:
3.3v at 3.392
5v at 5.222
12v at 12.355

12v is at default setting. I raised the 3.3 because it would droop down to 3.28, and 5 because apparantly that alleviates some droopage on the p5ad2-e premium. Are those acceptable voltages? The two leds on the psu are red, but is that horribly bad?

[crimedog]

are you using mbm5 or equivalent to measure voltages or a multimeter?

[kayson]

I'm using the bios monitor.

[crimedog]

buy a multimeter or don't adjust your rails

[kayson]

Alright. I set them back to what the bios showed them to be before I changed it. What's a good multimeter to buy?

[meionm]

buy a digital montor, any will do as long it can measure voltage,

[SolidxSnake]

I just got one from Micro Center today. $10, works like a charm.

[blackhawk397]

I'm all new at this. What are you talking about?

[-_{MoW}_-Assasi]

So am i, and i also wish to buy a voltomerter. Can u post a pic of wat one is so i cant go buy one, and i reakon i wouldnt spend more than $30 AUD on one

[johan851]

I (heart) google.

http://images.google.com/images?q=multimeter&hl=en

[3DFlyer]

If you want one a little better with good accuracy Radio Shack has some what I call "PG" ones. I give a PG rating for "Pretty Good". They are around 30 dollars US. They read into the hundredths and are accurate to a couple hundredths plus or minus. They will test amperage up to 10 amps. Anything higher and you'll need an ammeter or a more expensive Fluke meter that has the amperage handling capability.

If you want the very best, and do lots of electronic work like I do, there is none better than a Fluke Meter. That is a brand name. Some people call multi-meters "Fluke Meters", but a Fluke Meter is not any ole multi-meter, it is by far the best money can buy. They are extremely accurate, and read into the thousandths. Electronic Engineers and Electrical Engineers the world over use them.

I would recommend the Radio Shack meters for most folks though. If all you are doing is the stuff normally assocated with computers, they are accurate enough. They are more accurate than the tolerances of the electronics on the motherboard, so they'll work just fine.

If you are into designing, and doing beta testing, the fluke meter may be a better choice as extreme accuracy is needed in that application. I mess with alot of different electrical and electronic devices including Lithium battery testing, so I use the Fluke myself because I need it.

You really don't need accuracy into the thousandths unless you are doing testing where you need very tightly controlled conditions.