Motherboard Voltage

[JonH]

Hi, I have a A7n8x-la motherboard with a AMD 3000+ cpu. I downloaded and
ran the Asus software "PC Probe". The probe monitors voltage among other
things.

The 12V test registers a value of 16.32V. The 5V value is 6.84 and the 3.3V
is 4.08V.

My question is...are those voltage numbers a problem? And if they are what
can be done to fix it?

 

[callsignviper]

Hi, I have a A7n8x-la motherboard with a AMD 3000+ cpu. I downloaded and
ran the Asus software "PC Probe". The probe monitors voltage among other
things.

The 12V test registers a value of 16.32V. The 5V value is 6.84 and the 3.3V
is 4.08V.

My question is...are those voltage numbers a problem? And if they are what
can be done to fix it?

If they're real then they are out-of-specification high.


Have you compared Probe's readings to what your BIOS shows?

You can also try MotherboardMonitor located here:
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/ to check your voltages.

If you have a multimeter you can check the +5 and +12 Vdc values.


If everything shows high readings I would suggest a new power supply ASAP
and to stop using the one you have.


--
callsignviper


The truth is out there. You just have to look in the right places and ask
the right questions.

 

[JonH]

I donwloaded the software and it doesn't appear that my motherboard has a
sensor for voltage. That seems strange. How do I see these figures from
the BIOS? The BIOS I have doesn't sow any voltage information that I am
aware of. I have an ASUS motherboard used in a compaq presario computer.
Maybe I need a BIOS upgrade to see that information.

 

[Ed]

I donwloaded the software and it doesn't appear that my motherboard has a
sensor for voltage. That seems strange. How do I see these figures from
the BIOS? The BIOS I have doesn't sow any voltage information that I am
aware of. I have an ASUS motherboard used in a compaq presario computer.
Maybe I need a BIOS upgrade to see that information.

Most of the store bought type systems I've seen use a board and BIOS
tailored just for that company that only includes a minimum of user
settings and features, it keeps costs down and stops users from using
unstable settings, less tech support calls, etc...

If you know what chipset the board has, checkout MBM mobo listing page
for what settings to use to make it work. If it still doesn't work then
Compaq probably left it out to save 25 cents per board. ;p

HTH,
Ed

 

[Arnie Berger]

I donwloaded the software and it doesn't appear that my motherboard has a
sensor for voltage. That seems strange. How do I see these figures from
the BIOS? The BIOS I have doesn't sow any voltage information that I am
aware of. I have an ASUS motherboard used in a compaq presario computer.
Maybe I need a BIOS upgrade to see that information.

The safest way to check the voltage is to use a multimeter and read
the +5 volt and +12 volt rails from a spare disk drive power
connecter. Most motherboard power is derived from the 3.3V supply.
This voltage may be more difficult to measure because it isn't obvious
where the voltage can be measured from. For example, there might be a
3.3V test point on the board, but you'll have to search for it. The
SDRAM memory will be 3.3V as well.

If your system is working then I suspect that the problem lies with
whatever software is being used to measure it, or the circuitry on the
board that does the analog to digital conversion for you. However, to
be safe, you should measure it independently.

arnie

 

[Ed]

The safest way to check the voltage is to use a multimeter and read
the +5 volt and +12 volt rails from a spare disk drive power
connecter. Most motherboard power is derived from the 3.3V supply.
This voltage may be more difficult to measure because it isn't obvious
where the voltage can be measured from. For example, there might be a
3.3V test point on the board, but you'll have to search for it. The
SDRAM memory will be 3.3V as well.

If your system is working then I suspect that the problem lies with
whatever software is being used to measure it, or the circuitry on the
board that does the analog to digital conversion for you. However, to
be safe, you should measure it independently.

arnie

You can also check the vcore and other voltages at the MOSFETs. I
checked 3 systems I have running here that way and the voltages I
measured are near identical to what the BIOS shows.

Ed

 

[JonH]

Thanks for all the help...Good news. I borrowed a voltage meeting and check
the power coming out of the power supply connector used to power the CD
drive. The 12 volt shows as 12.2 and the 5 volt showed a little over 5
which is much better then the software measured.

I assume the 12.2 is within tolerance as far as voltage is concerned.

 

[Armin Pfeffer]

....

The 12 volt shows as 12.2 and the 5 volt showed a little over 5
which is much better then the software measured.

I assume the 12.2 is within tolerance as far as voltage is concerned.

...
3.3V: ±5%
±5V/±12V: ±10%
will be okay
dunno for Vcore, but imho much tighter

so go ahead
Armin