Antec ATX tester

[fan_83]

I was searching around the web for a cheap psu tester and i came across this

http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=77203

its an antec 12v atx tester.
does anyone own or have used this?
what are your thoughts useful or just a piece of trash.

I do not feel that its worth it investing in a multimeter.

 

[Erasmus354]

Your going to be spending 15-20$ + shipping on that which can do only one thing, test an ATX cable and light up some LEDs. If you spend 10-20$ more you can get a pretty decent multimeter which can tell you tons of things, hell the one I got for 40$ even measures temperature with an included temp probe.

 

[MetalX]

Your going to be spending 15-20$ + shipping on that which can do only one thing, test an ATX cable and light up some LEDs. If you spend 10-20$ more you can get a pretty decent multimeter which can tell you tons of things, hell the one I got for 40$ even measures temperature with an included temp probe.

^^^What he said. That tool looks like it would be good for someone who's intimidated by a multimeter. It simplifies the process, but it lacks overall in functionality.

If you want a cool new toy to play with:
http://www.seasonicusa.com/power_angel.htm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16899887001

 

[larrymoencurly]

I tried a couple of PSU testers, one a CompUSA brand, and it said that my PSU was fine, but the +12V rail was too low to let the HD spin.

IOW don't let a multimeter intimidate you. Slurge on a $3-20 one with at least 3.5-digit resolution and a bent paperclip (or an approximately 500 ohm resistor) to short the green wire to a black one. You may also need to load down the PSU with either an old HD or some 10W, 10 ohm resistors.

 

[drizzt81]

Most likely the antec thingy doesn't work in a live system, which means that you will never know if your load is drawing too much juice from your PSU, reducing the rail voltages. Get a DMM and be happy.

 

[Parmenides]

Don't the PSU tester's hold an accuracy over the multimeter in that they test EVERYTHING all at once? My psu passed on a multimeter test, but the psu failed on a psu tester. (Of course I'm new to this stuff and don't know any better about many things)