power supply 12v rail - what's acceptible?

[paendragon]

according to MBM I'm rating
+12.00
Current: 11.13
Low: 10.94
High 11.25

I'm seeing some momentary locks or freezes in Battlefield Vietnam with my new computer and I'm wondering if this raidmax 420W ps that came with my case (See my sig) is causing the problem by being insuffiecient. I know this ps isn't all that great, but before I go out and upgrade I want to verify that it's causing the problem.

What do you think about my ratings - is that good for the 12v rail...? need more info?

please help - thanks!!!
pd

 

[cubanx]

Does BF: V use Punkbuster?

I know there's an issue with Punkbuster and the NForce 3 chipset causing lockups. I was getting lockup's online with Joint operations with my NForce 3 rig.

But even then those PSU voltages are not very good.

 

[Shooters]

+-5% is typically considered acceptable, so that's anywhere between 11.4V and 12.6V. That being said, don't nail the PSU at the culprit just yet since swapping it out is a pain in the ass with all the wiring, and you're going to be pissed when you take all that time to do it only to discover that you still get lock ups.

First, the 6800 has the additional power connector right? Have you checked that the connection is tight? Also, what are your temps like? Do you have problems in other games?

Also, what do you mean by "momentary locks"? Does is just freeze for a short amount of time, or does it freeze enough to force you to reboot?

 

[zootroye]

According to the text "A+ Guide To Hardware" by Jean Andrews, the acceptable range for the +12V lead is +10.8 to +13.2V.

 

[paendragon]

Originally posted by: cubanx
Does BF: V use Punkbuster?

I know there's an issue with Punkbuster and the NForce 3 chipset causing lockups. I was getting lockup's online with Joint operations with my NForce 3 rig.

Interesting regarding PB and the NForce...any idea on whether there's a fix out there or on the way?

Originally posted by: Shooters
+-5% is typically considered acceptable, so that's anywhere between 11.4V and 12.6V. That being said, don't nail the PSU at the culprit just yet since swapping it out is a pain in the ass with all the wiring, and you're going to be pissed when you take all that time to do it only to discover that you still get lock ups.

First, the 6800 has the additional power connector right? Have you checked that the connection is tight? Also, what are your temps like? Do you have problems in other games?

Also, what do you mean by "momentary locks"? Does is just freeze for a short amount of time, or does it freeze enough to force you to reboot?

It freezes for a short amount of time - like 2 seconds - then it let's loose and I'm rolling again ingame...picture just freezes like a screenshot...no reboot necessary - but I'm often dead when I unfreeze

The 6800 does have a power connector and I will definitely check it's secureness...

So - those stats on my power supply are acceptible for the time being?

Thanks a bunch for the help!!
pd

 

[Shooters]

If it's just momentary freezes then I really don't think it's the PSU. I guess look into the issue that cubanx mentioned, and monitoring your temps is always a good idea.

 

[mechBgon]

If you happen to have a multimeter, either digital or analog, check those voltages for real where the ATX cable plugs into the mobo. What the mobo does with the voltages from there onwards isn't the PSU's problem Still, look at how sweet the rest of your rig is... you gonna use a so-so power supply after investing that much in the rest of your gear? Grab yourself an Antec, Enermax, Fortron, PC Power & Cooling, something you don't have nagging doubts about... that's my 2¢ worth

 

[paendragon]

yeah - I think I'm going to upgrade this power supply - the case is a cadillac...it's sweet!

I REALLY think it's a problem with the ps...if I turn my settings lower in BFV, it seems that I don't have this hang problem...I've had the same thing happen when I've pulled the case side panel off and put a box fan blowing in -- just to make sure I wasn't having an air-flow, vent problem...it acts like when I demand more from the vid card, it can't make it happen...

My voltage reading right now is steady at 11.10 on the 12v rail...on a rig such as mine in intense gaming, wouldn't it be much better to be pulling closer to 12.00 or over on the 12v rail ??

thanks!
pd