How
To: Test PSU Voltages Posted
by Mike @ 9:43
P.M. on 11/02/02
Background
The hardcore PC user or overclocker
requires a top-notch power supply to keep everything sufficiently
powered. Today we'll be showing you all an easy way to test
your power supply's voltages. It's the exact same thing that
we do whenever we're testing out a power supply. The process
is easy and it will give you the true voltages that your power
supply is supplying to your components, instead of the readings
that your favorite program gives you, which may be incorrect.
Only one tool is required to
test your voltages, a multimeter. We currently use a Radio-Shack
digital multimeter, which can be found here.
Thirty dollars does seem like a lot just to test some voltages,
but if you look around the internet I'm sure you'll find a multimeter
for much cheaper. Be advised, you will probably want a digital,
which will display the voltages on a LCD screen instead of you
trying to read what a needle is pointing to. I'd also reccomend
a multimeter that has an Auto-Ranging feature. Auto-ranging
does just what it sounds like, it automatically selects a range
when you are measureing voltages (ie: 1.000V, 10.00V, 100.0V,
1000V).
Before we get started, I'd like
to remind everyone who is going to try this to be careful. Electricity
isn't something that should be played with, and precautions
should be taken to avoid being shocked or electricuted. To be
safe, remove any rings or watches from your hands and use a
wrist grounding wire.
