How to find the 5v line on a power supply?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doc
  • Start date Start date
Franc said:
The power supply monitors its own voltage rails and lowers the POK
signal if any are below spec.
Click to expand...

In theory, perhaps. In practice they're not that accurate and I wouldn't
count on POK as any kind of proof the voltages are in spec.
 
Franc said:
The power supply monitors its own voltage rails and lowers the POK
signal if any are below spec. When this happens, the motherboard
should normally reset/restart itself.
Click to expand...

That typically doesn't occur until a voltage drops at least 15% below
nominal value, or far below the normal 5% tolerance allowed for the
voltages, and it's done more to protect any switching regulators on the
motherboard, video card, or even disk drives, from reaching extreme
duty cyclea rather than to prevent unreliable operation of the computer.
 
David said:
In theory, perhaps. In practice they're not that accurate and I
wouldn't count on POK as any kind of proof the voltages are in
spec.
Click to expand...

I prefer to do rough checks of power supplies with a scope probe,
if available. That way you can see unusual ripple or other faults
invisible to a voltmeter.

--
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we." -- G. W. Bush.
"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the
leaders. All you have to do is tell them they are being
attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism
and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way
in any country." --Hermann Goering.
 
I'd guess its probably as good or better than most oem power supplies in any
name brand computer (they usually use the cheapest crap you can get). I
woudn't gurantee that it would deliver 400w but most computers don't need
that much current.

- Mike
 
Well it is AMD certified... I've found that most AMD certified psu's are of
acceptable quality.

I know OEM's (dell, hp, compaq) aren't using Antec or any other quality
psu's
 
I'd guess its probably as good or better than most oem power supplies in any
name brand computer (they usually use the cheapest crap you can get).
Click to expand...

False. OEM supplies tend to be among the best, such as Delta, Lite-On,
Enhance, and high-end Channel Well, and I've never seen deficient ones
except in old e-Machines and some containing defective capacitors.
 
I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, considering one of
the abrupt replies, but it's not easy.

You say the power supply is "AMD certified" and the advertising says
"Intel Certified / AMD Recommended"

But after a tiny amount of research, I don't find any evidence that
it's AMD recommended or Intel certified. About 30 power supply
makers are listed on AMD's web site, but Rexus isn't one of them.
Searching for "Intel certified" and "Rexus" produces no meaningful
results.
 
Well it is AMD certified... I've found that most AMD certified psu's are of
acceptable quality.
Click to expand...

AMD and Intel certifications are very low standards, practically
meaningless, as shown by all the Deer and Powmax supplies approved by
them. Only Nvidia's SLI certification may be worth anything.
I know OEM's (dell, hp, compaq) aren't using Antec or any other quality psu's
Click to expand...

And why should they when Antec is but a marketer that produces nothing?
Large OEMs instead deal directly with the manufacturers, and at least
one of the OEMs
you listed has used a company that supplies Antec: Channel Well.
 
Fair enough, but it seems that I have had just as many oem supplies die on
me as I have had no name brands die... Just saying from my experince in
working on computers in the last 10 years. To be totally honest though I
can't remember that many systems with dead psu's. Most of the time if there
is a problem with the psu it was the fan or it was hit by lightning.

I guess my point is that just about any moderately priced psu will last as
long as your computer is not obsolete. I've had the 350w psu that came with
my $50 case for 3 years now on 24/7 with no problems except I had to change
the fan about 6 months ago.

- Mike
 
Michael said:
news:[email protected]...
Click to expand...
This one appears to be somewhat good,
http://www.pctekonline.com/pen4readatxp1.html
Click to expand...
Well it is AMD certified... I've found that most AMD certified psu's are of
acceptable quality.
Click to expand...

Three of these PSUs are AMD certified, two are not:

1. http://static.flickr.com/39/79711182_55eb38f55b.jpg
2. http://static.flickr.com/41/75125024_161da61ad7.jpg
3. http://static.flickr.com/38/75117436_1de7a3142d.jpg
4. http://static.flickr.com/28/67715167_9880b9e1c4.jpg
5. http://static.flickr.com/41/79709280_e68a4d0001.jpg

Which are AMD certified and which are not?
What is the power rating of each PSU?

Do not top post, dammit. ;)
 
I'd guess its probably as good or better than most oem power supplies in any
name brand computer (they usually use the cheapest crap you can get). I
woudn't gurantee that it would deliver 400w but most computers don't need
that much current.
Click to expand...


Not at all, the typical Dell, HP, Compaq, Gateway, etc, 300W
PSU is better than it.

OEMs tend to use accurately rated but no-frills units. It's
beside the point though, a normal ATX supply cannot replace
his proprietary supply.
 
Well it is AMD certified... I've found that most AMD certified psu's are of
acceptable quality.

I know OEM's (dell, hp, compaq) aren't using Antec or any other quality
psu's
Click to expand...

Completely untrue. Watt per watt, HP, Compaq, Dell and
Gateway all use equivalent quality to an Antec.

Antec isn't "high quality" though, merely upper mid-grade
that is marketed hence more popular.
 
Fair enough, but it seems that I have had just as many oem supplies die on
me as I have had no name brands die... Just saying from my experince in
working on computers in the last 10 years. To be totally honest though I
can't remember that many systems with dead psu's. Most of the time if there
is a problem with the psu it was the fan or it was hit by lightning.
Click to expand...


Surge resistance and fan longevity are both factors in PSU
quality. A dollar here for higher voltage rated parts, a
dollar there for a filter, another dollar for a better
fan... it all adds up, and all differentiates between them.
 
Yes I meant that 2, 3 and 4 are AMD certified..

Power rating... hmm well this is just a wild guess but I think that

1 is a 200W
2 is a 300W
3 is a 400W
4 is a 350W
5 is probably some cheap 550W

- Mike
 
Power rating... hmm well this is just a wild guess but I think that
Click to expand...
1 is a 200W [not AMD recommended]
Click to expand...

1. 350W, not AMD recommended.
Codegen. But your power estimate is probably much more realistic.
2 is a 300W [AMD recommended]
Click to expand...

2. 300W, AMD recommended.
Key Mouse/MaxPower/Soyo. It actually did put out 300W when I tested it
for ten minutes (I can't test longer -- my load resistors get too hot),
but I cheated and paralleled a second diode for the +5.0V rail (empty
space on the circuit board for it). Originally there was no EMI filter
(or AM radio reception), but at least this PSU and the case it came in
didn't cost me anything
3 is a 400W [AMD recommended]
Click to expand...

3. 300W, not AMD recommended.
Delta DPS-300BB from an Acer computer. It managed to put out 380W, the
limit of my test load resistance, so maybe by common standards it is a
400W, especially because its filter capacitors are larger than those in
any other 300W PSU I've seen, and the transformer is larger than normal
despite operating at 95 KHz rather than the more common 60 KHz.
$13-15. Kony can tell you more about this model PSU..
4 is a 350W [AMD recommended]
Click to expand...

4. 200W, not AMD recommended.
Delta 200W NPS200PB from a Dell. The only tipoffs that this is not a
350W are the small transformer (but this one runs at 100 KHz) and the
470uF high voltage filter capacitors (too small for such well-made PSU
rated for 350W).
5 is probably some cheap 550W [not AMD recommended]
Click to expand...

5. 550W (peak), AMD recommended.
Q-Tec. Like the 200W Delta/Dell, its high voltage filters are 470uF.
How did you know that this cheapo PSU was the one rated for 550W rather
than 200W?
 
5. 550W (peak), AMD recommended.
Q-Tec. Like the 200W Delta/Dell, its high voltage filters are 470uF.
How did you know that this cheapo PSU was the one rated for 550W rather
than 200W?
Click to expand...

The 2 fans and the gold plating.. They always blow the numbers out of
proportion on those for some reason.. I'd say its more like a 300W psu max..

That one is really amd certified? Wow..

- Mike
 
Back
Top