Future ATX power specs?

[venm11]

Does anyone know what's coming down the road in terms of power supply specifications? It could be a minor and compatible revision like ATX 2.4, but if ATX 3.0 is around the corner, that is worth knowing. The problem is that I am making a major investment in a PSU tester ($25) which I'd like to have for awhile.

Are we going to see 28 pins? Or perhaps a Tesla-inspired wireless ATX power transmission?

 

[Nighted]

Waste of money. Get a decent multi-tester.

 

[Zero82z]

$25 is hardly a major investment, and what kind of PSU tester are you getting? One of the ones with a bunch of LEDs to tell you if your voltage is good or not? If so, then forget about it and just pick up a cheap digital multimeter instead.

 

[venm11]

I know, I'm kidding. I just want a reasonably priced tester that will be useful for a while. The device has certain connectors, and the standards may change every few years. The question is, anything soon, and if so what? Actually I'd like to know where the power standards are heading anyway.

I'm looking for a digital one that will show voltages, faults, a variety of connectors etc. I just need an easy, reliable way to check power supplies so I can chuck them if bad and not bother including it in a build just to find out that the PSU was screwy. If I really want precise measurements under a realistic load I'll run the thing with motherboard monitor or speedfan or something. I've tried that multimeter business and slipped and shorted it... that's just unsafe, and awkward.

 

[Zero82z]

The only way you can get accurate measurements is with a multimeter. Software especially is completely worthless.

 

[Dangman]

The only way you can get accurate measurements is with a multimeter. Software especially is completely worthless.

QFT.

Software voltage reading is as useful as peeing on the PSU to start it.

 

[venm11]

What would make software that reads the sensors be any less accurate than a multimeter? Why would a digital psu tester be any less accurate, either? (except for the fake load)

There's no good, easy way to use a multimeter with a PSU, anyway, unless they make some sort of adapter for it, which turns it into a digital power supply tester.

 

[Zero82z]

What would make software that reads the sensors be any less accurate than a multimeter?

Two main reasons. First of all, the power delivered by the PSU is already conditioned by the motherboard circuitry by the time it reaches the chip that does the voltage monitoring. Secondly, the monitor chip itself is simply not very good, and doesn't provide accurate readings in and of itself.

Why would a digital psu tester be any less accurate, either? (except for the fake load)

Because PSUs have different performance characteristics when they have no load applied, and that's how PSU testers work. You need to test the PSU when it is actually connected to a running computer and under load, which you cannot do with a tester.

There's no good, easy way to use a multimeter with a PSU, anyway, unless they make some sort of adapter for it, which turns it into a digital power supply tester.

It's quite easy to test with a multimeter. Just stick the negative probe into the ground pin of a molex connector, and the positive probe into whichever voltage lead you want to test.

 

[venm11]

Interesting stuff. There is no psu tester than can work with the computer running? At least for my purposes of chucking bad PSUs early, the psu tester should be worth it.

It's quite easy to test with a multimeter. Just stick the negative probe into the ground pin of a molex connector, and the positive probe into whichever voltage lead you want to test.

I've tried that, it wasn't quite that easy or terets-proof. And you can only do that on the molex connectors, you can't really test the ATX connector pins that way. It's dangerous on the SATA connectors, that's just nuts. These days with multiple 12v rails, it gets even more difficult.

What they really need is a digital power tester that daisy-chain on the ATX connector (or anything else) while the computer is running. Or at least something to let you use a multimeter more effectively, because it gives me flashbacks of bomb disarming (on tv).

 

[drescherjm]

ATX connectors should be testable (I have done this in the past) as long as you can get your probe in the right place. This may be difficult depending on the amount of space inside your case and the placement of the connector.

 

[Dangman]

I've tried that, it wasn't quite that easy or terets-proof. .

You really should read this FAQ on how to use a DMM with a PSU written by JonnyGURU:
http://www.bfgpower.com/troubleshooting.html#DMM

 

[venm11]

You really should read this FAQ on how to use a DMM with a PSU written by JonnyGURU:
http://www.bfgpower.com/troubleshooting.html#DMM

Done. Good link..

I think his angle here is to provide a correct means of diagnosing a bad PSU that is running. My objective is to quickly discard any PSU that clearly isn't working correctly, has a bad connector, etc.

I still think that it's a bit dangerous to be poking probes around a running computer with 60 amps on the 12v rail (which, ironically, I bought on jonnyguru's recommendation. damn you jonny!).

Sure it can be done, but not by an epileptic. On the other hand, seriously depressed folks may get fringe benefits.

 

[Zero82z]

Interesting stuff. There is no psu tester than can work with the computer running?

Not as far as I know.

I've tried that, it wasn't quite that easy or terets-proof. And you can only do that on the molex connectors, you can't really test the ATX connector pins that way. It's dangerous on the SATA connectors, that's just nuts. These days with multiple 12v rails, it gets even more difficult.

All you need to do is check one +5V wire, one +3.3V wire, and one +12V wire from each rail. You don't have to test every single lead.