3.3v out of threshold, replace power supply?

faust · Post by **faust** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 6:21 pm

I am using an Antec TruePower 430 and every time I run Asus probe it reports that my 3.3v is out of threshold with a reading of ~2.9. Recently I have been having periodic lockups (10-20 seconds, sometimes longer) when playing any video game and am interested to know if my power supply needs to be replaced or if another component in my computer could be causing the problem. If I do have to replace the power supply, I was thinking about the Enermax Noisetaker 470, is this a good choice? I plan on getting a new video card in the future so I need a power supply 430 or higher.

I have:

Antec SLK3700BQE
Athlon XP 2400+
Asus A7V8X mobo
512 PC3200 and 512 PC2700 (my comp seems to have no problems with this)
Geforce Ti4600 w/ 128 @ 4x
1 WD 120 gig drive
1 WD 80 gig drive
Soundblaster Live 5.1
Sony DVD rom
MSI cd burner

dukla2000 · Post by **dukla2000** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:59 pm

I would first try check the voltages with a real voltmeter. Voltages (and temps) calculated & reported by software based on some hardware circuits that include an environment monitor chip may not, or may, bear some resemblence to reality!

If indeed the +3.3V is further than 5% from 3.3 then yes, I would replace the PSU. The 3.3V is used for memory power as well as (IIRC) AGP power so could easily explain your symptoms. Check the recommended PSU section here.

silvervarg · Post by **silvervarg** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:36 am

From the specs of that computer you should be fine with any high quality 300W PSU. So the power of your current PSU should not be a problem. It seems much more likely that there is a problem with your RAM.
Measuring the 3.3V seems like a good idea.
I recommend that you run Prime95 or similar program to test your RAM a lot. If you find any problems it might be possible to fixed it by changing your RAM times settings. If nothing else works I suggest that you try to run one RAM chip at a time to determine if one of the RAM chips is what causes the problems.

Zyzzyx · Post by **Zyzzyx** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:59 am

Measuring the 5v or the 12v is easy with a multimeter, just right on the 4 connector molex plugs. But where would you physically check the 3.3v line? My cheap-arse PSU on one of my systems is also reporting at 2.93v, but I haven't had any problem with it.

Laurent · Post by **Laurent** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:43 am

You could probe the ATX connector. It's the orange wires if I believe http://xtronics.com/reference/atx_pinout.htm

Otherwise, you can probe any PCI connector (see http://www.techfest.com/hardware/bus/pci.htm#6.0 for the pinout). Don't go inside the connector, the risk of short is too high. Usually, with a good pointy voltmeter probe, you should be able to probe from the small holes in the connector.

Laurent

dukla2000 · Post by **dukla2000** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:10 pm

Most PSUs have that daft 'Server' 6-pin inline connector with 2* 3.3V and 1* 5V in it.. Else as Laurent says, a paperclip extension out the back of the ATX connector will do.

vortex222 · Post by **vortex222** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:48 pm

if ram timings are the problem, and both sticks are fine, then put both sticks of ram on the same bank rather then using twin channel mode

faust · Post by **faust** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:14 am

I messed with the RAM timings and it seemed to help a little bit, at least I am not getting out of threshold warnings from asus probe. It now reads a little over 3 for the voltage but I am not getting any video problems. When I feel a little braver I'll probe the ATX connector but for the moment I'm happy that I do not have to do anything drastic. Thanks for all the advice.