How to check a PSU to see if it's good

[toronado97]

So my system has been having strange issues lately, and I'd like to double check the PSU and make sure that it's in stable working condition. I feel like I have a solid brand PSU, and it's barely more than a year old, so I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. Is there any way to check the PSU and make sure that it's operating correctly? If so, details to a noob would be useful. Thanks!

 

[iBPJohn]

Did you test your other components first such as your memory?

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: toronado97
So my system has been having strange issues lately, and I'd like to double check the PSU and make sure that it's in stable working condition. I feel like I have a solid brand PSU, and it's barely more than a year old, so I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. Is there any way to check the PSU and make sure that it's operating correctly? If so, details to a noob would be useful. Thanks!

...and what brand is that?

 

[toronado97]

It's an Ultra X-Finity 550 watt. It's no Silverstone but it's larger sibling fared decently with JohnnyGuru.

@iBPJohn: I don't think faulty memory will ruin a hard drive, but thanks for your concern.

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: toronado97
So my system has been having strange issues lately, and I'd like to double check the PSU and make sure that it's in stable working condition. I feel like I have a solid brand PSU, and it's barely more than a year old, so I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. Is there any way to check the PSU and make sure that it's operating correctly? If so, details to a noob would be useful. Thanks!

If you've good reasons to suspect your PSU causing problems, don't be doing any tests or play any stressful games/apps. That can kill your computer permanently.

First check your PSU for dirt and dust clogging the PSU, visually inspect all electrolytic caps for signs of degradation causing lost in capacitance.

A working PSU going bad first have the same symptoms as aging PSUs problem --> instability and large noisy output ripples.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2206918&enterthread=y

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: toronado97
It's an Ultra X-Finity 550 watt. It's no Silverstone but it's larger sibling fared decently with JohnnyGuru.

@iBPJohn: I don't think faulty memory will ruin a hard drive, but thanks for your concern.

If it's anything like any of the newer Ultra PSU's it probably is a problem but I wouldn't know how-to test it without a load tester. Now I suppose you could load up a few games and what not and if it just randomly turns off or something it would indicate a PSU problem. I'm sure there is more symptoms though.

 

[toronado97]

I'm able to play games just fine, the system itself is stable as far as rebooting goes etc. Before I reformatted and took out my older HD though it was blue screening and randomly rebooting trying to get into Windows etc. After switching to a new HD that problem has gone away however. Part of my concern is why a 1 year old HD randomly failed, and I'm still having weird disk access issues and FPS issues in games that I didn't have before I reformatted a month ago. I think my motherboard is probably bad and I am going to replace it, I'm just leery of doing so because I want to be sure my PSU didn't fry my current Mobo and the HD that died on me. I don't THINK it did, but I would like to be as sure as I can be before plopping 300+ down on new hardware and having it go to hell as well.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: toronado97
So my system has been having strange issues lately, and I'd like to double check the PSU and make sure that it's in stable working condition. I feel like I have a solid brand PSU, and it's barely more than a year old, so I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. Is there any way to check the PSU and make sure that it's operating correctly? If so, details to a noob would be useful. Thanks!

Originally posted by: beray
If you've good reasons to suspect your PSU causing problems, don't be doing any tests or play any stressful games/apps. That can kill your computer permanently.

First check your PSU for dirt and dust clogging the PSU, visually inspect all electrolytic caps for signs of degradation causing lost in capacitance.

A working PSU going bad first have the same symptoms as aging PSUs problem --> instability and large noisy output ripples.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2206918&enterthread=y

With Most PSU's This Is Not Possible, or Voids Warranty from Pulling The Upper Cover, not to mention the Shock Hazard.

Second.. Without Instrumentation... Output Ripple, and Noise is not detectable...

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: Mr Fox

With Most PSU's This Is Not Possible, or Voids Warranty from Pulling The Upper Cover, not to mention the Shock Hazard.

There is no reason for him to open his PSU at all.

Originally posted by: Mr Fox
Second.. Without Instrumentation... Output Ripple, and Noise is not detectable...

Obviously. He could borrow test equipments from some electricians, there are no lack for them in any places in the world.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: toronado97
I'm able to play games just fine, the system itself is stable as far as rebooting goes etc. Before I reformatted and took out my older HD though it was blue screening and randomly rebooting trying to get into Windows etc. After switching to a new HD that problem has gone away however. Part of my concern is why a 1 year old HD randomly failed, and I'm still having weird disk access issues and FPS issues in games that I didn't have before I reformatted a month ago. I think my motherboard is probably bad and I am going to replace it, I'm just leery of doing so because I want to be sure my PSU didn't fry my current Mobo and the HD that died on me. I don't THINK it did, but I would like to be as sure as I can be before plopping 300+ down on new hardware and having it go to hell as well.

I suppose you could purchase a digital multi-meter and see if the psu is putting out proper voltages. Although without loading it up there's really no way to tell if it's bad.

I'd just make sure you have the memory timings and voltages set to what they are supposed to be in your motherboard BIOS to make sure having it on Auto doesn't mess things up.

 

[toronado97]

I'll probably just replace the power supply to be on the safe side. Thanks for the replies all.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Originally posted by: toronado97
It's an Ultra X-Finity 550 watt. It's no Silverstone but it's larger sibling fared decently with JohnnyGuru.

@iBPJohn: I don't think faulty memory will ruin a hard drive, but thanks for your concern.

Actually bad memory will mess up a HDD. Faulty memory will send broken data back to the drive for storage currupting the drive. There are very few PSUs now days that will kill off part if it dies or is having trouble. If the PSu where having problmes other more sencitive items like the CPU and RAM would be affected first. With the problems you discribed about the HDD it deffinetly sounds like your RAM is going bad.

 

[nyker96]

read the reviews? JonnyGuru//SPCR. :]