My 12v rail is showing as 9.59v...

Stonedofmoo · 30 Aug 2010 at 15:29

Hi guys

I've just been tweaking my PC overclocking wise when I've noticed my 12v rail is showing 9.59v in windows utils like HWMonitor and OCCT

Could these be misreading, or has my PSU bitten the dust?
My GFX card stopped working on Friday night also. I wonder if the lack of 12v power could be the issue..

Stonedofmoo · 30 Aug 2010 at 15:36

I just checked my BIOS. It reads 12.11v so I'm guessing it's being misread in Windows.
Too bad I don't have a spare PSU to try it

olivier renault · 30 Aug 2010 at 15:50

Dunno. Is a GFX card drawing anything at all in the BIOS? Try a read in safe mode maybe.

Tealc · 30 Aug 2010 at 15:54

Mine shows 1.41v in OCCT for the 12v reading.

Just goes to show that the only reliable way to measure voltage is to get a multimeter and read the voltage directly off motherboard or peripheral connector.

RJC · 30 Aug 2010 at 16:06

Only way is to test with a multimeter, according to HW Monitor my 12v line is reading 4.86v.

Stonedofmoo · 30 Aug 2010 at 16:07

That's a good idea. I have a multimeter somewhere.

Time to go looking for the answer

Edit, presumably if I test a molex plug from the PSU that ought to be a good enough test?

RJC · 30 Aug 2010 at 16:09

Yep, thats what I did when testing mine.

Crowort · 30 Aug 2010 at 16:48

I'm pretty sure if it was that low it wouldn't even boot.

Philtor · 30 Aug 2010 at 16:57

RJC said:
Only way is to test with a multimeter, according to HW Monitor my 12v line is reading 4.86v.

This. Software is not the best way to check voltages and is guess work at best.

Stonedofmoo · 31 Aug 2010 at 13:42

I got a friend round with a Fluke multimeter. It read 12.11v, exactly the same as the BIOS

Just goes to show, you can't trust the windows readings!

Admiral Huddy · 31 Aug 2010 at 15:16

RJC said:
Only way is to test with a multimeter,

This is true and with high end motherboards now providing voltage test pads, it appears this only quantifies the fact that you can't beat traditional methods.