Can Anyone Recommend A Good Psu Tester?

[Dizzytaz00]

Sry to be a Noob ?
I was looking for Power supply tester.

Just want test my psu before upgrading next month.

[holto243]

I was going to ask a similar question but went ahead and ordered an antec psu tester this arvo. If no-one else replies I'll post a brief review next weekend if that helps you.

[karz]

If no-one else replies I'll post a brief review next weekend if that helps you

I may also find that interesting.

[DeadOfKnight]

A multimeter and oscope ought to do the trick.

[JohnC]

Get a good quality multimeter (doesn't have to be a Fluke brand - Extech also makes a good and inexpensive multimeters). You can test any PSU with it (regardless of what type of connector it has or will have in future) and you can also use it for many other purposes around the house. Much, much better investment than those junky "Power Supply Testers" with tiny LCD screens and with unknown accuracy, all of which will be outdated and useless as soon as there will be new connector standard in future PSU's

[Geo2160]

There's no such thing as a PSU Tester, not a proper one anyway. You need a multimeter, load tester and most importantly an oscilloscope and some good knowledge in electronics/signals to properly test a PSU for the things that really matter (voltage regulation, ripple, temperatures, how well it behaves when overloaded). If you don't have these, you're better off searching for reviews on the internet.

[Captain Ned]

There's no such thing as a PSU Tester, not a proper one anyway.

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/12543

[Geo2160]

There's no such thing as a PSU Tester, not a proper one anyway.

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/12543

You may have caught me because I hadn't heard about TR at the time of that post. What is that machine?

[Captain Ned]

There's no such thing as a PSU Tester, not a proper one anyway.

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/12543

You may have caught me because I hadn't heard about TR at the time of that post. What is that machine?

The Beast. Lives with Dissonance.

[cynan]

If you just want a cheap device to make sure the PSU "works" (powers on and all the voltage rails get more or less proper power) then all you need is something like this.

If you want to test how well the PSU works (voltage drop on load, etc) you need to use multimeter while loading the power supply. An oscilloscope is useful for testing voltage ripple - basically how "clean" the AC/DC conversion is and maybe other parameters, but is not really necessary unless you're doing PSU reviews. I assume the Beast allows for specific types of loading situations - does it have any built-in diagnositc equipment?

[Dizzytaz00]

1st off Thanks to everyone the replied!!

2nd I'm not good or knowledgeable with multimeter

I was going to ask a similar question but went ahead and ordered an antec psu tester this arvo. If no-one else replies I'll post a brief review next weekend if that helps you.

If no-one else replies I'll post a brief review next weekend if that helps you

I may also find that interesting.

I agree with Holto & Karz a review would be a good insight to what I'm asking.

Is this it? --> http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Digital-Pow ... ply+tester

That what I was looking at just test the power supply if it still good enough being 4 years old now Ocz modstream 700w

[JohnC]

2nd I'm not good or knowledgeable with multimeter

It's never too late to learn, and learning it is free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3OyQ3HwfU

I agree with Holto & Karz a review would be a good insight to what I'm asking.

There's nothing really to review - you connect it to the PSU's 20 or 24-pin socket, turn PSU on, and this cheap junky dongle either displays some randomly generated (it is unknown how accurate it is) numbers on tiny LCD screen or it doesn't (in case if PSU is dead). It can also randomly beep if it decides that some voltage is too low (or what is more likely - if this dongle was improperly calibrated at factory)

[Dizzytaz00]

2nd I'm not good or knowledgeable with multimeter

It's never too late to learn, and learning it is free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3OyQ3HwfU

Thanks JohnC learning is knowledge

edit : grammar

[PenGun]

http://www.jonnyguru.com/

is a very useful place. Some reading here would be helpful.

[Welch]

As you've been linked to and for anyone else asking this question. Unfortunately to test a PSU (For real) the supply in question needs to be under some real world load, which isn't possible with the "Plug it in and test it" types. Some of the really large custom made devices that some tech websites (including TR) have made, will stress the PSU for real while logging results.

[Dizzytaz00]

1st: Bare with me my mind can't type & think @ the same time. & not a blond
Ok I've seen the picutres of the The Beast scary!! , but cool!!

Lets put this way. Why would an average joe ,like me want something like to build something like that?
A) To test (real wattage of a power supply)
B) Yes it be cool to build
C) Hey honey look I've got Don King's hair. ( bad joke i know)

O OK!!! I'll admit it I'm a noob at somethings, but I realize that a simple question & go duh!!
The reality is the there away just to test power supply buy spending $10-60 on a simple power supply tester?
I know that multimeter will work. I just want to keep simple. I'm willing to learn.

Sry I sound grumpy it's been along day

[holto243]

Oh noes!
I too just wanted a quick and easy way to test if a psu was causing problems without switching in another one.
Every odd day I learn something new about troubleshooting hardware and software and every even day I learn that the local guys who do it for their living know even less.
I guess if this thing I ordered (yes that one on amazon) doesn't do what it says it will then I'll just get a refund but otherwise, simplicity is good.
Not much point me posting a review though as a quick google does the job.
Hope something works out for you Dizzy

[Dizzytaz00]

Thanks to every that answer.

Yes today I've learn something new that are many ways of testing power supplies.

The reason I ask is the the ups been taking under, over & boost voltages lately, & want to make sure that the power supply was good. & I'm about replace the motherboard from an AM2+ To AM3+

[Welch]

Again... If you want to test your PSU for fluctuations and other anomalies that your noticing, chances are you won't get any indication that the power supply is bad by using any of those cheaper $10-$20 testers. They are designed to warn you of MAJOR flaws like miswiring, not being wired, and seriously off voltages for different rails. Those little devices WILL NOT show you faults in a PSU if those faults are only triggered by a certain amount of draw on the supply or other scenarios that won't be re-creatable by just plugging the psu into the tester.

Believe me, I asked this question long ago on here as I constantly come across old systems that are flaky and I'm always seeking the truth behind whats making them flake. If you think anything is bad with the PSU, you'd be surprised how many appear to still be working and have blown capacitors. Peak into the fan/grill of the supply and try to spot as many capacitor tops as possible. Its not a 100% full proof way of determining a bad psu, but its a first step because if you spot a bad cap then toss the supply. Unless your handy with a soldering iron and REALLY know what your doing as you can kill yourself opening and touching the wrong part of a PSU (especially if you don't discharge it the correct way).

Don't get me wrong, you can buy one of those $10-$20 devices if it makes you feel better.. but it will be a waste of cash.