Psu

Hello

I have a Dell XPS 8300.

A group of people said my PSU readings are so low they are surprised it boots. I have no idea how I change a new PSU for this machine as Dell is so mavericky. I am near a Micro center so I will call but I do not see Dell on the web there.

Could you check my readings if I show you Speecy and confirm. And then if it is necessary to replace perhaps someone could help me find the right part.

Thanks a lot

Peter

 

a quick answer to problem is go here http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-8300/manuals and run the system diagnostics. I haven't any Dell computers so I don't know what it can tell you...

Dumb_Question
28.March.2016

 

These Dell users reckon that this PSU is a standard one 'easily swapped' for another. http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19364573

The reference I gave in my last post will also enable you to down load the service manual which has a section on removing the PSU and replacing it (though doubtless only with the Dell standard one but others should fit check dimensions).

I don't know if this PSU has peripheral connectors (Molex type 4 pin), but I'd check the output of these while the computer is running with a DVM, the black wires are 0V the red +5V the yellow +12V as I'm not a great believer in what software is telling you.

You might also remove the PSU and test it with a PSU tester (e.g., http://www.amazon.com/4-pin-Power-Supply-Tester-Connectors/dp/B001MKCALY/ref=sr_1_24?)s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1459162481&sr=1-24&keywords=psu+tester ) either bought or borrowed.

By all means, post the speccy report (remove the o/s key before posting) if it tells you the voltages

Dumb_Qustion
28.March.2016

 

I appreciate all your help and will keep you advised.
Peter

 

peterr - also I don't know about your particular Dell but many pc's have a section in BIOS to show power measurements.
On this machine it's under the /Advanced/PC Health tabs. Example on this one shows 5v as being 5.03 volts. Temperature
monitoring and shutdown for protection is in this same tab.

 

Imandy - I wish I had that feature but don't.
I'd like to ask you a question; when I am in the BIOS, I can maneuver well but I use the esc key to go beck to a tab like adv in order to move to security. It only works 50% of the time and I have to reboot. Is there a better key to use to get out of one mode?

 

Imandy, does the feature described just read the same data/sensors that the other software does ? (does it only give 'live' readings in BIOS, which would make it u/s for or reading the data when up & running ? Personally I have never come across this feature, but by chance I've used HPs).

Dumb_Quesiion
29.March.2016

 

I checked the two machines here online now. 1 an AMD 64 with'7, the other an Intel 64 with 8.1. Both have a computer health or pc health under ADVANCED. Both have American MegaTrends bios's. Maybe I just got lucky. The AMD fluctuates in bios and speccy. The Intel stays steady in speccy and bios. With the readings I get in speccy I don't believe the chips inside would even work. The bios is probably reading under a lesser load but even under load I think the regulation would keep the level closer than what I see in the 'program'. I have a dvmm -Greenlee- but I haven't read a spare connector while running. Maybe I should.

peterr - I have always used the esc key, never thought of something different, maybe out of habit. I also have always used a wired keyboard.

 

Just looking , trying to see where these reading are gathered from. Ran into this article. A little on the circuits.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/ever...ut-the-motherboard-voltage-regulator-circuit/

 

many software programs [that I use] like Speedfan and sometimes MBM5 use the outputs of the Winbond chip (which must of course get them from somewhere, probably direct from the relevant m/b component). Maybe newer m/bs don't have this chip. What is certain is that all the raw data is the same, it may be processed differently. There is an Intel utility for determining temps of CPU (maybe it or another gives voltages) and I think that must get the data direct from the diode sensor (and then convert it to digital form). I don't know where the BIOS gets them from or even their validity accuracy and precision. I know that accurate and precise measurement gets costly, and that the fluctuations even in a regulated psu will depend on the averaging and sampling window (which in some programs is, to a degree, adjustable).

Dumb_Question
30.March.3016