Motherboard Voltage Variations

[Jay]

I shall be glad to know if there are any tolerable voltage variations for
motherboard power supplies.

On one system with Windows XP Pro, the Intel Active Monitor utility reports
the CPU voltage at 1.694, average, instead of the 1.75 required. The 3.3V
and 5V do show about a hundred millivolts or two above their respective
figures. The 2.5V memory voltage is dead on. There are, of course, minute
fluctions all the time.

Can the slightly lower voltage at the CPU make a system feel sluggish to
start up and run?

We are trying to check into this system which used to run very fast before,
even though it is based on the older Intel D850 Garibaldi motherboard. The
power supply aspect was thought of because some time ago we had to try and
recover a near-crashed system due to a PS failure. And we wondered if it is
a factor in this case too.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

Regards.

Jay

 

[Malke]

I shall be glad to know if there are any tolerable voltage variations
for motherboard power supplies.

(snip)

See my answer to your first post. If you can't find it, search for your
name/date posted in Google Groups Advanced Search.

Malke

 

[Jay]

That was exactly what I was looking for in the other post! Thanks very much!

Regards.

Jay

 

[Guest]

Jay,
Look here to see if you have the latest versions, may make a difference..
http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/active.htm
http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/sb/CS-007623.htm
Post any new findings..
j;-j

 

[Jay]

Thanks again - from the link you provided I found this handy calculator:

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/Power_Supply_Calculator.php?cmd=INTEL

I am sure grateful you pointed me on the right track.

Now, if only I could find if the slightly lower CPU voltage on this one
system is leading to its sluggish performance!

Regards.

Jay

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the input - very much appreciated.

Actually, the latest applicable versions of the Intel Active Monitor and the
CPU ID Utility are already installed on this machine. They are not the
current utilities though as they do not apply to this older system with a P4
1.7GHz CPU!

The Intel Frequency ID Utility cannot be installed for this motherboard for
this CPU.

Regards.

Jay

 

[Guest]

I had issues with the Intel active monitor on my system and now use MBM5,
it's a nice alternative..
MBM5 is freeware (only works with mobos with temp monitoring)...
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
j;-j

 

[Mika Takala]

I had issues with the Intel active monitor on my system and now use MBM5,
it's a nice alternative..
MBM5 is freeware (only works with mobos with temp monitoring)...
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
j;-j
"Jay" wrote:

MBM5 development was stopped more than a year ago, so it would be unwise to
use it on any new hardware.

Speedfan is currently updated nice free alternative to monitor system
voltages and temperature.
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

 

[Guest]

With the old hardware, I assume an old PSU too.. It could be finally showing
it's age, needing replacement later on down the road. Is the computer OEM or
built by you? If experienced, for $20 or so you could get a simple digital
multimeter from Radio Shack and test the output directly, set the multimeter
to auto or DC, use a molex connection to a HD. Put the black probe in the
molex port with the black wire (ground wire) and put the red probe in the
yellow wire's port to measure 12v power.
Motherboard monitors are not totally reliable anyway and are inherently
shaky at best..Also, you don't want to use a double or Y molex connector to
run HD's or video cards together from the same trunk, ie... use a single
trunk for pure 12v..

Also, have you ever changed the CMOS battery?
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
May be time to rebuild the system ie.. Newer mobo, CPU, PSU, etc..
Be careful with any PSU, they can hold a charge and be dangerous...
j;-j

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the input.

The system drives each are connected to a Molex connector - no power
splitters. The CMOS battery was in fact checked just very recently and
showed perfectly okay.

I already have built a newer system. This one is one particular one that I
still retain for certain sentiments associated with it! I was just a bit
concerned about the power supply because another PC's PS got fried recently
due to a power surge/spike/fluctuation.. that the protector somehow could
not guard against in time.

Anyhow I am borrowing a spare PSU to check into it and will replace the unit
if necessary. I will invest in a quality one - like Enermax - like four
years earlier.

Regards and thanks again.

Jay

 

[Guest]

Yes, in with the new and out with the old, sad to see it fall by the wayside.
It does well on my system for now, still has a large following a year later,
a testimonial in itself.. I guess until MBM5 totally fouls up, I'll just keep
it, old habits you know, sometimes die hard. It's nice to know there's
another choice out there, Thanks..
j;-j

 

[Guest]

Wasn't really talking about a power splitter, per say, that you might buy
separately.. The double molex connector trunk (of wires) leads directly to
the PSU, I use mine for lighted case fans and for cold cathode tube lights
(low wattage) only..Sorry if I have misunderstood you.. Your lucky the power
surge or whatever it was that effectively did in the PSU, didn't affect or
fry your mobo and CPU, not to mention any other connected devices.
Good luck..
j;-j