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Thermaltake PSU 12V issue

A

ajpgor

n00b
Joined
Jan 14, 2004
Messages
6
Hello All,

I have swapped over all my components into a new case, and I was checking my readings in MBM5, when I noticed that my -12V rail is at between -6 and -7 volts.

I don't know much about PSU's, but I don't think that this is good. My +12V reading is at 11.49, which I think is OK. It is a 480w Thermaltake butterfly.


If anyone can offer any advice/comments, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks, Adam.

EDIT: When I got home tonight, I had a look in MBM again- I am quite concerned. The -12V fluctuates wildly all over the place- from -3.14 to -10.71 and anywhere in-between. +12 stays around 11.49, +3.3 is fine, +5 is 3.31, -5 is 0 volts!

The PSU is hooked up to a fan controller that came with it- it also came with an 'x-blower' case fan. I don't have this installed. I haven't connected it to my mobo as 2 case fans are connected.

This PSU is real new- about a month old. I have the following in my system;

8KNXP rev 2
40G PATA HD
80G PATA HD
100Mb Zip
DVD-R
Audigy 2
GeForce 4 MX440
Floppy, modem, etc.

I am really worried about this- if anyone can tell me anything? Does it sound like PSU is faulty? I am even scared to use the pc in case I damage anything. If I need to, I'll contact the supplier tomorrow, but I thought I'd ask here first.
 
Sometimes the onboard voltage monitors report incorrect voltages and temps. That is what I suspect is happening in your case. If you want to be sure you can connect a volt meter between ground and the -12v line of your ATX power connector and that will tell you if the voltage is actually fluctuating or not
 
In regards to -12v: Modern systems no longer use -12v for logic circuits, and as a result there is no load on that rail. In switched mode power supplies, lines without load cannot regulate properly. So, don't worry about the -12v. However, as has been stated before, MBM and even the BIOS readings are notorious for being off... The only way to really check voltages is to get out the VOM or the multimeter, and measure it yourself. If you +5 was really at ~3.5, your system would not be running, especially since your motherboard probably powers the CPU off of the +5 rail.
 
Originally posted by Vertigo Acid
The only way to really check voltages is to get out the VOM or the multimeter, and measure it yourself.
Click to expand...
....yep. Believe nothing until you get a VOM in there and confirm what's really going on.

A $25.00 VOM is one of those things you'll use over and over for more stuff than you can imagine.......Something like this from Parts Express for $18.00 plus shipping might be the ticket for a decent meter on the cheap......

FWIW - B.B.S.
 
I ran the burn-in test on Sandra last night, as soon as I started, continuous short beeps came from system speaker. According to my mobo manual, this indicates a power problem. Once I quit Sandra, beeps went away.

I will try and get a voltmeter today.

I hopeyou guys are rigth.- And I really do appreciate the replies.

Thankyou.

Adam.
 
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