HWinfo64 shows abnormal readings for PSU +12V rail

[RJARRRPCGP]

Here's my experience.

Way back in like 2009 I bought a PSU from a local store. It was a Hiper HPU-5K880 880W PSU. Big mistake.

The PSU eventually blew up while inside my rig. Before it did so I did notice abnormal 12V readings in HW Monitor.

12V readings usually hovered around 11.3-11.7V as per the screenshots I have saved.

Replace immediately.

I suspect bad PSU caps in that 2009-or-closer-to-that case.

 

[The N]

Yes of course you can. Set the multi-meter to DC and probe positive negative on the CPU EPS connector which is easier than probing the 24pin motherboard connector. If it's a single rail PSU, it won't matter where you probe.

Okay, Will try that on this weekend. Thanks for insights.

 

[SPDIF]

However, I am tired of hearing that PSUs are expensive when so much work and time is required for their development, with some brands like Corsair taking the extra step and developing their platforms. At the same time, other PC parts like graphics cards have sky-rocketed prices, and still, people buy them. We should mainly complain about the increased GPU, CPU, and mainboard prices since these parts are way more expensive than PSUs, and we typically change them much sooner! Remember, a good PSU is an investment!

 

[The N]

However, I am tired of hearing that PSUs are expensive when so much work and time is required for their development, with some brands like Corsair taking the extra step and developing their platforms. At the same time, other PC parts like graphics cards have sky-rocketed prices, and still, people buy them. We should mainly complain about the increased GPU, CPU, and mainboard prices since these parts are way more expensive than PSUs, and we typically change them much sooner! Remember, a good PSU is an investment!

Agreed. A good PSU is indeed an investment especially for long run scenarios. Corsair PSU's evolutionized with examplery developments in their AXi and latest RMx 2024 series lineup. These days availability is becoming an issue in our region. I am waiting for their latest RMx 2024, once it is available I'll definitely buy it, If not, then Superflower leadex VII.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I have noticed that PSU (SilverStone Strider SST 650W) readings in HWinfo64 has been abnormal lately. Today, while playing game (Ghost of Tsushima) HWinfo is showing reading for +12V at 12.048V (max) and 11.328V (min) as seen in the picture, later it further dipped to 11.148V (min) after an hour of gaming, which is super abnormal.

I understand that software readings, specifically, PSU related are not entirely accurate. And in my case, readings are way off which compelling me to buy a new PSU; I have a few options in mind to get from. However, I am not sure if PSU is faulty, or HWinfo is way off on PSU's voltage segment as I can play any game on max settings (that my GPU allowed me to), or stress PSU by using CPU/GPU load testing programs with no sign of failure/crash/shutdown whatsoever. At the time of writing, I am playing Ghost of Tsushima.

Need opinions/guide on subject matter, please.

My PC Specs:
12600K at stock boost
Noctua NH-U14S
MSI Z690 Edge
DDR4 32GB RAM
Asus Strix RTX 3060Ti 8GB
2x SSD
2x HDD
SilverStone Strider SST 650W (ST65F-PT) PSU In Question
MSI Optix MAG Series 27" 1440p Monitor

View attachment 366375

Well.. that's because HWInfo isn't getting any info from the PSU.

This is like using one of those clock radios that tell you the temperature, but it's telling you the temperature from inside of the house and not outside.

Unless your PSU has a data output to the motherboard that is read by HWINFO, all of the power reading are made at the motherboard. Not the PSU. So they're pretty much garbage.

 

[The N]

Well.. that's because HWInfo isn't getting any info from the PSU.

This is like using one of those clock radios that tell you the temperature, but it's telling you the temperature from inside of the house and not outside.

Unless your PSU has a data output to the motherboard that is read by HWINFO, all of the power reading are made at the motherboard. Not the PSU. So they're pretty much garbage.

Thanks for looking at my thread and sharing your input.

Indeed, I agreed. Softwares never been an optimal platform for observing PSU's voltage behavior and/or health. Since I am not experiencing stuttering/power failure/crashes during my routine workload/gaming, I stopped worrying with current PSU.

However, in future, I would be replacing 3060Ti with 4070(Ti) or 4080 GPU, So a PSU upgrade would be necessary. Currently, I am looking at Corsair's latest released Corsair RM850x (2024) PSU. So, I asked around local peeps; the retailers and distributors, yet no one have a clue regarding its availability, specifically, in Pakistan (Asia-Pacific) region. And I am not sure if Corsair has any plan for this region.