Hey guys,
According to CPUID Hardware monitor, my +12V is only giving out 8.01 V. What could be causing this? and how can I fix it? The 5V is a little low at 4.71 V but thats pretty close.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
You didn't do that (absolutely insane) 7 Volt fan mod trick in your machine did you? The one that's so popular on these hot dog modding forums?
I'm not trying to sound like a jerk here, I ask because that mod will often do that to your 12V rail when the PSU inevitably breaks down. (And that method of fan control is a seriously stupid way to achieve what a $7 Zalman fan controller will accomplish without totally risking your hardware.)
When you do check with a multi meter, make sure that you check the voltages when they are loaded. That means leave everything connected. Check the voltages at the motherboard connector and one of the available drive power Molex connectors (That one doesn't have to be connected to anything.)
If you have the same voltages as Hardware Monitor is showing you, shut down the PC and disconnect all power supply connections, and remeasure with no load on the PSU. If your voltages come back to what they should be, there are a few possibilities:
1. You're overtaxing your PSU and the voltages are drooping under the load. You need a bigger PSU.
2. Your PSU is going bad. Need a new one.
3. There is a problem in the power control circuitry in the motherboard, or there is a peripheral card or component that is failing/has failed.
4. If you did the fan mod, the PSU might be damaged completely. See #2 and count your blessings that the mod didn't put 12V on your 5V rails.