- Feb 17, 2002
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I just encountered a problem with a faulty PSU so I got to testing a couple of other PSU's in the same system to compare to the first one (which is defective). In the process, I really learned quite a bit about why you pay for those name brand PSU's, and what you get. Here are some results I found interesting, and should provide helpful if you're into overclocking (and need every bit of stability you can get).
I booted into the main BIOS screen and here's what I got (it would fluctuate a lot more under windows under heavy load btw):
These results are from a P4 2.4B and an ASUS P4PE motherboard.
(defective) Enermax EG365-VE (at 1.80 GHz, anything higer won't even POST):
Vcore: 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 2.83-3.34
+5V 4.99-5.26
+12V 11.13-12.90
My 1.5 year old trusty Enermax EG365-VE (at stock 2.4 GHz):
Vcore 1.55-1.56
+3.3 3.39-3.40
+5 5.13 constantly
+12 12.28 constantly
A new, Generic, 350W "P4 approved" PSU (at stock 2.4 GHz):
Vcore 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 3.26-3.28
+5V 5.18-5.21
+12V 11.45-11.52
New: Enermax EG-465VE 431W
Vcore 1.53-1.58
+3.3V 3.31-3.45
+5V 5.10-5.18
+12V 12.28-12.48
These results are interesting, because you can see that the generic 350W PSU (with very few components added) outputs lower and more variable voltages across the board than the name brand Enermax. The Enermax's power outputs stick like glue to nice, high numbers. Also note that the shaky (and low) voltages prevent the unstable defective PSU from even posting over 1.80 GHz. This is interesting because it shows how having a better PSU can sometimes allow you to POST at a higher frequency with the exact same CPU!
I have a bunch of other generic PSU's sitting around, mostly 300W, and could test this setup with them if anyone cares to ask, but otherwise I probably won't. If you have no idea what any of this means, that's fine... Go about your business as usual and ignore me .
Edit: they didn't have any more EG-365VE's to replace my defective one, so I had to get a EG-465VE and pay the difference :| . Anyways, this one doesn't seem that special; my 365VE has more constant ratings than it...
I booted into the main BIOS screen and here's what I got (it would fluctuate a lot more under windows under heavy load btw):
These results are from a P4 2.4B and an ASUS P4PE motherboard.
(defective) Enermax EG365-VE (at 1.80 GHz, anything higer won't even POST):
Vcore: 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 2.83-3.34
+5V 4.99-5.26
+12V 11.13-12.90
My 1.5 year old trusty Enermax EG365-VE (at stock 2.4 GHz):
Vcore 1.55-1.56
+3.3 3.39-3.40
+5 5.13 constantly
+12 12.28 constantly
A new, Generic, 350W "P4 approved" PSU (at stock 2.4 GHz):
Vcore 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 3.26-3.28
+5V 5.18-5.21
+12V 11.45-11.52
New: Enermax EG-465VE 431W
Vcore 1.53-1.58
+3.3V 3.31-3.45
+5V 5.10-5.18
+12V 12.28-12.48
These results are interesting, because you can see that the generic 350W PSU (with very few components added) outputs lower and more variable voltages across the board than the name brand Enermax. The Enermax's power outputs stick like glue to nice, high numbers. Also note that the shaky (and low) voltages prevent the unstable defective PSU from even posting over 1.80 GHz. This is interesting because it shows how having a better PSU can sometimes allow you to POST at a higher frequency with the exact same CPU!
I have a bunch of other generic PSU's sitting around, mostly 300W, and could test this setup with them if anyone cares to ask, but otherwise I probably won't. If you have no idea what any of this means, that's fine... Go about your business as usual and ignore me .
Edit: they didn't have any more EG-365VE's to replace my defective one, so I had to get a EG-465VE and pay the difference :| . Anyways, this one doesn't seem that special; my 365VE has more constant ratings than it...