Why is the HWInfo's +12v sensor showing unstable readings around 11.884-11.980v?
Why is the HWInfo's +12v sensor showing unstable readings around 11.884-11.980v?
I've made a post previously about this and I'm more so confused than stressed now. my +12v rail is apparently always sitting at either 11.884 or 11.980v on my Phanteks Revolt Pro 1000w PSU, and in-game (sometimes on idle) it likes to fluctuate a lot between the two of them. here's an example:
https://imgur.com/a/Pvogf4Y
View: https://imgur.com/a/Pvogf4Y
the reading is the same in Bios (+5v is 4.980v and 3.3v is literally 3.32v or whatever); I use an Asus ROG Strix B550-F Motherboard so to my knowledge, even if I used a different PSU without switching the motherboard, these voltages could likely end up being the same.
software isn't really reliable for exact PSU voltage and even if 11.8-11.9v is correct and to be taken at face value, that's well within the ATX spec. but how harmful is it for the voltage to be fluctuating like that? let's assume we can take HWInfo at full, accurate value
as far as I can see, I have no instability, but is it dangerous for the PSU or an indicator of fault if the voltage is so up and down between these 2 values in such short gaps? I've seen someone said Seasonic PSUs have a "micro tolerance" of 0.5%, and taking 0.5% off 11.980 should leave you with around 11.92; mine is going down to 11.884. the difference between 11.980 and 11.884 is 0.096, I believe, which is pretty close to a 0.1v difference; how bad would this be for the PSU if we just assume this is accurate
(don't just say "use multimeter"; currently can't get one, and I'm too lazy to actively test it atm, that's the whole reason I've even looked at the +12v reading on HWInfo)
could this be typical to notice regular ~0.1v changes? I'm uncertain about the extent of the "0.5% tolerance," and my first search didn't reveal much. I'm not sure what meaning the 0.1v variation might hold if it signals an issue, but I prefer to be cautious rather than risk anything.
Yes, SeaSonic advertises their top-end PSUs as having that as their tolerance. That doesn't mean that it's the standard in which everything else is dangerous.
It's not a big deal. If it worries you, replace the PSU (there's just about zero chance that this is an RMA thing).
btw when you say “there’s a zero chance that this is an RMA thing”, do you mean that this is not something worth replacing the PSU over or that this is not something they would accept an RMA for
like I said, if this isn’t an indication of defective unit, I won’t replace but I would be surprised if I did try to RMA and it was accepted for this
It's specified. Everything is ready. The figures are typical, showing good quality power supplies. Keep in mind that wires and connection points may affect performance. Also, the variance from near-zero ohm burden resistors can significantly impact measurements.
the entire frequent ~0.1v variation between 11.884 and 11.980 looks fine then. that's a relief, it felt odd to see such ups and downs in those brief bursts. it's much smoother at 11.980 when idle, so even if the precise voltages aren't correct, I think the overall voltage behavior is consistent with these readings.