How to test a PSU?

[Distraction]

Alright, I'm finally retiring my aging Athlon XP 1800+ after years of dedicated service. I'm fairly confident I can put a new motherboard and CPU in the case. But, there's one obstacle: The PSU.

I have one sitting next to me that I bought from a friend for $30. 400 Watt, not a beast but good for me. Should be more then enough for an Athlon 64 3000+. Oh, and it has a 24 pin connector. The only problem is, I don't know if it works or not.

You see, I ordered this for my friend when his CPU died and seeing as out of five customer reviews, none were bad. Unforunately, it (and a few other computer products, like a fan and DVD burner he had ordered) got delayed in shipping for about two weeks. He didn't want to wait that long without Command and Conquer: Generals (curse you EA games for closing Westwood Studios, curse you!!), so he just went out and bought one and I bought this one off of him for $30 (the same amount he had paid for it).

So, this thing has never been used. And, now that I check the website again, I see two new reviews. Both are 1 out of 5 stars . One, the person doesn't say why, the other the reviewer says the fan kept hitting a component and that's what killed it. I blew onto the fan on mine and it spun without hitting anything, for whatever that's worth...

So, is there some way to test this PSU? Thanks in advance.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Oh, and it has a 24 pin connector. The only problem is, I don't know if it works or not.

Enough said. It won't work with your system even if it is in perfect working order.

24 pin connectors are like the old 20 + 4 pins - except the four extra pins supply +5 volts to the CPU.

The seperate 4 pin connectors supply +12V to the CPU.

It won't work. Sorry. You need a PSU with 20 pins for the main connector and a seperate connector supplying +12V.

 

[The Person]

Well, 400W is enough for an Athlon 64 3000+, because that's what I have and it runs perfectly.

 

[Distraction]

Enough said. It won't work with your system even if it is in perfect working order.

24 pin connectors are like the old 20 + 4 pins - except the four extra pins supply +5 volts to the CPU.

The seperate 4 pin connectors supply +12V to the CPU.

It won't work. Sorry. You need a PSU with 20 pins for the main connector and a seperate connector supplying +12V.

Alright, here's where my PC knowledge starts to get fuzzy. This power supply has 24-pin connector that's really a 20-pin with a 4-pin extender thing that snaps on to it. And there's another 4-pin connector that doesn't snap onto it. Is that what you mean?

EDIT: oh, and by 'I don't know if it works or not", I meant I didn't know if the PSU was dead or not. Sorry If I didn't clarify on that.

 

[Speedo]

Enough said. It won't work with your system even if it is in perfect working order.

24 pin connectors are like the old 20 + 4 pins - except the four extra pins supply +5 volts to the CPU.

The seperate 4 pin connectors supply +12V to the CPU.

It won't work. Sorry. You need a PSU with 20 pins for the main connector and a seperate connector supplying +12V.

I think you read his post wrong. Looks to me like he's wanting to build a new PC with it, in which case he will want the 24 pin. Even so, you can buy a 24 to 20 pin adapter.

Alright, here's where my PC knowledge starts to get fuzzy. This power supply has 24-pin connector that's really a 20-pin with a 4-pin extender thing that snaps on to it. And there's another 4-pin connector that doesn't snap onto it. Is that what you mean?

It'll be fine. Some systems will need the 24 pin main connector, plus the additional 4 pin.

You can buy PSU testers, but the easiest way to test it is really just to plug it into another system

 

[Distraction]

Alright, thanks! I'll try it with my current comp.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Alright, here's where my PC knowledge starts to get fuzzy. This power supply has 24-pin connector that's really a 20-pin with a 4-pin extender thing that snaps on to it. And there's another 4-pin connector that doesn't snap onto it. Is that what you mean?

I mean the 24 pin all in one connector won't work on a motherboard which expects a seperate 4 pin connector and a 20 pin connector BECAUSE THE 4 PINS run at different voltages - 12 volts versus 5 volts.

 

[Speedo]

I mean the 24 pin all in one connector won't work on a motherboard which expects a seperate 4 pin connector and a 20 pin connector BECAUSE THE 4 PINS run at different voltages - 12 volts versus 5 volts.

AFAIK a PSU meeting the ATX v2.2 standards should have a 24 pin main connector and a seperate, additional 4 pin connector that you're referring to.
My unit does, at least.

 

[Distraction]

Well, I just plugged the PSU nto my current computer and it ran. So, it works. Now I juust need to wait for that motherboard to arrive...

Thanks for your help!

 

[CruddyLeper]

Don't thank me, thank Speedo. I completely misread your post, didn't know about 24 pin PSUs also having a 4 pin connector, and generally misled you (from ignorance rather than malice).

I'm sorry, OK?

 

[Speedo]

Don't thank me, thank Speedo. I completely misread your post, didn't know about 24 pin PSUs also having a 4 pin connector, and generally misled you (from ignorance rather than malice).

Happens to the best of us

Power requirements are far to confusing anyhow. Theres the older 20 pin main, the new 24 pin main, the 4 pin 12V, another newer 8 pin that I'm not sure what it is... Some boards require 20 pin, some 20+4, or 24, or 24+4, or 24+8.

Yeesh