penfold007 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 this system is not overclocked in any way. Over the last couple of months I've been having a problem with voltage drops on the 3.3v line. The normal is 3.312, but this gradually drops over a period of a few weeks. It goes to 3.296, 3.280, 3.264, 3.248 and so on? On a couple of occasions I've cleaned out the system, including blowing out the PSU with compressed gas and the voltage goes back up again, but not for long?? It got as low as 3.232 the last time I cleaned it out (It wasnt even dusty inside when this was done). This has happened 3 times now, I know that this drop is only around 3% BUT, this is a lot in the space of around 3 weeks??? If I let it continue, the 10% margin would be reached very quickly. By the way the PSU is only around 6months old, and still under warranty. I thought it might have bee the memory, so bought new memory last week, and the voltages have started to drop again, only down to 3.296 at the moment, but that is in only 5 days?? has anyone any ideas as to what is causing this very slow drop in the 3.3v line????? :confused: Sorry meant to add that the 12v line has dropped a notch as well now?????? dropped to 11.985 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 As long as thePSU voltages are within 5% it should be fine. A pSU will degrade somewhat over time , given it's only been 6 months. Where are you reading your voltages from? If it is anything other than the BIOS or from reading from a multi-meter, i would not trust it. Software has a tendency to be wrong quite a bit. As long as it is not causing any problems so far i dont think it can be RMA'd yet since it technically has not failed. I would just keep an eye on it for now and see if it continues to degrade. FWIW, My 3.3v runs at 3v alot and has for a year now. Same goes for the 12v which sits at around 11.75-11.9v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penfold007 Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 these readings are from the bios, I just thought it really weird that the voltages drop by a set amount of 0.016v every time?????. If I let it carry on it wont be long before the 5% limit has been met??:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Are you measuring this voltage with a meter or are you relying on software monitoring? Software monitoring is not reliable. If your system is stable, you are OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penfold007 Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 the readings are taken from the bios. Also the 12v rail has started to drop also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Software monitoring is not reliable. If your system is stable, you are OK. If you are not having crashes or instability, you are probably fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penfold007 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 just an update to the thread, my voltages on the 3,3v line are now down to 3.188. I might add also these voltage drops are with the machine at idle. Anyone ANY ideas as to what is causing these voltage drops? its taken a couple of months to drop to this voltage, AND its only happening on the 3.3v line? AND its gradual, like a drop of .016 volts per week or so, culminating in 3.18v, at Idle... very frustrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 penfold, are you having problems with your PC? Other than the voltage being reported in your BIOS? You cant trust BIOS readings 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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