Testing a power supply from eBay

[hcstnfrd]

So I'm going to purchase a power supply from ebay. I'm ordering other parts for a new build and the PSU will arrive before them. How could I test to make sure it's operational?

I was going to plug it up on a clean surface and just plug either a HDD or Optical drive to see if it's operational, would this suffice? Are there any other ways of testing a PSU before you have your Mobo and etc ready?

 

[beenthere]

You'll need the paperclip trick to power up the PSU. See the link below.

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/96712-how-jump-start-power-supply-psu.html

 

[hcstnfrd]

Seems viable! Thanks

 

[hcstnfrd]

Best answer selected by hcstnfrd.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

If you haven't bought it already, what psu is it and whats the rest of the system plan?
Moto

 

[hcstnfrd]

Seasonic X-750
Intel 2500k
ASRock Extreme 3 Gen 3 Z68
G Skill Sniper 8gb 1600mhz
560ti Twin Frozr 2 SLI
Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm 32mb cache

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Cool, just wanted to make sure your weren't buying a pos psu for it
I would've steered you in a better direction if that had been the case
Moto

 

[mightymaxio]

Could just try a power supply tester for 15$ at any computer store, they work great and let you know if it is overvoltaging/undervoltaging components. Its a lot better than the paperclip trick because that just shows that it turns on which is pointless if it is an overvoltaging power supply. Power supplys can fail in many ways than just not turning off, i would strongly advise buying one before you use it on your components because you may fry them without proper testing.

 

[beenthere]

Once you power it up you can measure the voltages with a multi-meter.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sintech-SATA-Power-Supply-Tester-PA9005/dp/B001OXV9LG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315033268&sr=8-7 if you wanted to, screen actually shows the volts coming through the wire
Moto