PSU +12V showing +10.37v - PSU sick?

PhilipM · 3 May 2011 at 07:51

My PC has been experiencing occasional random lock up. So I thought I'd have a bit of a sniff round the PSU. I've installed CPUID Hardware Monitor. All the voltages are rock solid (+/- 0.02v), however the +12v is should as 10.37v with a min of 10.26v. Is this ok, or a sign that the PSU is on it's way out (or something else)?

Thanks

RJC · 3 May 2011 at 08:22

What PSU are you using, I would test with a multimeter mainly as I don't trust software readings for voltages.

Have you tried running mem test and Prime to check for stability.

pastymuncher · 3 May 2011 at 08:22

The only real way of testing a PSU's voltages is with a multimeter. Software is generally unreliable.

If you have a multimeter follow Admiral Huddys excellent psu testing guide.

PhilipM · 4 May 2011 at 05:58

It seems the software is unreliable. Since restarting the PC a few times, each time it gives a different reading!

I've used a multimeter on a connector and it shows a healthy 11.88v +/- 0.01v over a ten minute period.

So I'm not suspecting the PSU so much. I recently added extra RAM and an additional hard drive. When I did that, I ran memtest overnight in a room with no AC meaning an ambient of 30+C. It was rock solid then.