10% too much to ask?

[Cavalier]

Is 10% tolerance too much to ask from a power supply? I just replaced my 300 watt atx power supply (generic) with a 420 watt atx (I think the brand is TigerPro). I have my hardware monitoring software set to alarm if the level is more than 10% off. I have been getting alarms like that for several days... that's why I replaced the original supply. Now, while I'm typing this, my +12v just dropped down to about 8.4 volts. It looks like this supply is going back the day after Christmas. Then I will be ordering an Antec.:|

I had planned to detail the system specs, but accidentally submitted what was already there... anyway:

1 gig Athlon @ 1 gig
512 Crucial DDR
16x TDK burner
16x Pioneer DVD
7200 rpm WD 40 gig
2 case fans

 

[neuralfx]

man 8.4volts ... before you turn that one back in .. try using a real voltmeter/multimeter , i question the validity of those software reports .. and if it dropped to 8.4v you would probably see some problems in any case, do a *real* test on it .. good luck ..
-neural

 

[Lalakai]

I second the use of dedicated testing equipment before trashing your current ps. Another consideration is the "purity" of the power coming into the power supply. Even though you may have a battery backup on your system (or just be running from a surge protector), you won't be protected from fades and mild spikes. The only way to truly isolate your power supply is either by testing it with proper equipment or using a voltage stabilizer to plug into. There are a couple back up systems that continuously feed into the batteries then convert from dc to ac before routing to your system, and those are the very best units that will give you an extremely consistant power supply. So also consider whether your power grid in the house/apartment/ect. is providing stabile juice to the power supply in your 'puter.

ummmmm, might help to also detail what components you have that are feeding off the ps in your unit?

 

[neuralfx]

ya the power coming into the system could very well be the culprit, a good ups should be able to solve this, if this is the case, but of course i'd give my power company a call also .. if the testing still shows problems ..
-neural

 

[Bovinicus]

A 430W PSU should have no problem powering the equipment you are talking about. My 300W powers my system, which is pretty similar to yours. I have no problems, and the voltage hasn't dropped below 5% of the rated wattages on any of the rails so far. It probably is a problem due to power spikes. This is something a good UPS could solve.

 

[Wind]

420W & these probs ?...where u take ur reading from ?

 

[neuralfx]

wind, he is using hardware monitoring software, it's already been suggested that he use a voltmeter/multimeter to do a more accurate check ..
-neural

 

[Cavalier]

I'm really hoping there might be a good UPS under the tree from Santa wife... I've been wanting/needing one for quite a while now. I hope that takes care of the problem. If I can find my multimeter, I'll test the actual voltages. Just FYI, the software I'm using to monitor everything came with my asus board (Asusprobe)... are there any known issues with this little jewel?:disgust:

 

[jshrieve]

Motherboard voltage reports are notoriously inaccurate.
You should use a real multimeter, because that's the only way to really know. My motherboard monitoring software says 1V for the -12V line, but my -12V really runs at -11.87V, which is fine.

Some of the voltages, like 5V are right on, while others like 12V are wrong by ~0.2V.

Use a multimeter. Compare what the monitoring software says simultaneously with the multimeter. See what the difference is. See if the difference is consistent across varying loads. If so, mentally adjust the software reported voltages in your head, or have the software do it automatically if it supports that.

 

[tweakmm]

Ok, i just did a quick search on pricewatch. I found a tigerpro PS for $40 dollars. This is way too little to pay for a power supply. I'm sorry to tell you, but those people who are talking about the power going into your PS could be the culprit are most likely wrong. In terms of Power suplies, you get what you pay for. You do not want to pay $40 dollars for a PS. Please spend $20 more bucks and get a decent PS. Newegg has a nice selection of PSes. I personaly have an enermax PS. I spend around $100 for it. You might not want to spend that much(understandable). I have heard good things about sparkle, enermax and antec. I would recomend returning the one you have and picking up one of the above mentioned. A 300 watt PS(of the above brands) should be more than enough to power your system.