How to FIX the voltages being too low on a PC

[samanthacolligan28]

Hello, as a way of troubleshooting a problem with some games I have been having recently I saw someone was advising on using AIDA64 Extreme to do a a system stability test and monitor theire voltages (The person who did it in that topic got too high of a voltage going into his PC) I did this to see what my results would be and from what I can see each of the voltage points (3.3, 5, 12) are all slightly lower than that. (I am having a problem with my PC shutting down instantly when playing graphic intensive games, this is why I came across this)

Here is a screenshot of the problem I am facing;

Specs - https://pastebin.com/WGsgzW3k

 

[samanthacolligan28]

I am trying to update my BIOS, I have seen I am on Version 1903 while the most recent version is 2603. I will update everyone afterwards.

 

[adamalcock10]

What are your system specs? I'm no expert but your power supply may not be sufficient to run your system with the gpu you have installed, it might just be enough to not outright crash at normal operation but when the gpu really starts using power especially after its run for awhile and heated up the power supply could be shutting down to prevent causing damage to your other components.

 

[samanthacolligan28]

I am almost certain its not a matter of the ammount of wattage the power supply is providing, 500W is fine for my set-up. http://www.coolermaster.com/power-supply-calculator/
After doing some looking around I can see that its simply not giving enough voltage to me components, I was just wondering if there is anyway to increace this within the BIOS or maybe even MSI afterburner?

 

[4745454b]

No, you can't adjust the voltages up. Your 5V rail is fine, your 3.3V rail is barely ok, and your 12V rail is barely in spec. You can't do anything to increase the values. I'm not sure how AIDA64 Extreme works, did you run a test that stresses the GPU as well as the CPU?

I too question the PSU. You said 500W, but we don't even know which PSU you have and if it's really a 500W PSU. (If you bought this PSU for $20, it's not a 500W PSU.) It could be undersized, or it could just be a garbage PSU. The lowest value for the 12V rail is 11.4, which yours can barely do. To be honest, you probably need a new PSU.

 

[samanthacolligan28]

Well some things I gotta say, I ran a System Stability test in general so not sure, it is really a 500W PSU, pretty sure its just a garbage one and I have said I needed a new PSU.

 

[4745454b]

If it's a garbage one, it's not a 500W PSU. Let's pick on one to show you what I mean.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817190036

Here is a nice "500W" PSU right? Look at that first pic, do you see that little red switch? That tells me right off the bat it's not 80+ certified, and it's based on a super old design. Looking at the load out pic it says it has 32A on the 12V rail. Everywhere else on the page says it's 28A. Lets assume the pic is right, 32A * 12V = 384W. Nearly everything runs off the 12V rail now. To handle this they developed DC to DC PSUs. This means the minor rails (3.3 and 5V) are actually generated at the same time and way as the 12V rail, and then bumped down. New PSUs can output 99% of the total output on the 12V rail if need be. While not totally correct, you could think of this PSU as a 384W PSU.

I'm not trying to pick on you. I don't know your tech knowledge so I'm just checking to make sure that you know just because 500 is in the model name doesn't mean it's really a 500W PSU. Here is a real 550W. (I looked, I couldn't find a 99% 500W PSU.)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151136

45A*12V= 540W. Not bad for a 550W PSU.