PCA Forums

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU Core Voltage : 1.39V
Aux Voltage : 1.79V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.18V
+5V Voltage : 4.92V
+12V Voltage : 12.36V
-12V Voltage : -0.27V
-5V Voltage : -5.81V
+5V Standby Voltage : 5.00V
Battery Voltage : 3.25V

Are these readings in the range they should be? Its on a cheap 300w PS, dont know the brand.
and Can an older Enermax model E22OP-U be upgraded for P4 connections?

It's not just the voltage that matters (and the voltages fluctuate under varying loads - see what happens when you play a 3D game for instance).

Also, are you getting these voltages from Motherboard Monitor or soemthing similar? Those readings will be unreliable - use them only for comparisons.

The BIOS PC Health menu will be more accurate, but it won't show you voltages under load.

A Digital meter is the best way to check voltages. Only the +3.3, +5V and +12V are important anymore.

Your voltages should not be less or greater than 5% of the rated voltage of the bus.

Another issue is that cheap PSUs have poor voltage regulation.


Again, voltage is not the issue - WATTAGE is. Cheap PSUs have low wattage on some of the buses.

Do yourself a BIG favor (especially since you're goign to use this on a P4) and get a decent PSU. A cheap PSU could someday fry you mobo, or give you grief with BSODs or crashes that you'll never be sure is being caused by the PSU or something else.

You don't need to break the bank. Here's some reasonably priced PSUs (keep in mind that if you plan on overclocking you should spend more money on a premium PSU - I would only recommend these for a non-overclocked system. Also all these PSUs have only 1 fan, so be sure you have a decent heat-sink fan unit installed on your CPU):

http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.a ... =EG301P-VB

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.a ... tion=SL300



A little more money, but this is the minimum I'd put in my own rig (it'll also be quieter):
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.a ... on=true330

Fortron makes nice inexpensive power supplies. There are some at http://www.directron.com.
Also, there is a write up on power supplies at http://www.anandtech.com that could be helpful. Directron also sells a P4 adapter for 9 bucks if you need one.