{"id":27458,"date":"2011-10-23T20:33:56","date_gmt":"2011-10-23T19:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=27458"},"modified":"2011-10-24T18:24:23","modified_gmt":"2011-10-24T17:24:23","slug":"introducing-dr-power-ii-indespensible-for-quick-easy-psu-trouble-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/introducing-dr-power-ii-indespensible-for-quick-easy-psu-trouble-shooting\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Dr Power II &#8211; indespensible for quick &#038; easy PSU trouble-shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n      google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It isn&#8217;t often that we get hardware sent to ABT without us knowing first that it is coming.\u00a0 So it was a surprise when UPS delivered a package from our friends at Thermaltake to us on Friday.\u00a0\u00a0 Opening it, we saw a most welcome tool that had arrived with the best fortuitous timing possible!<\/p>\n<p>Here is Dr. Power II with one-button simplicity for testing any ATX PSU.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27465\" style=\"width: 257px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-1botton.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27465\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-27465 \" title=\"PD-1botton\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-1botton.jpg?resize=247%2C300\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-1botton.jpg?resize=247%2C300 247w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-1botton.jpg 571w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-27465\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What the doctor ordered for us<\/p><\/div>\n<p>We had been having issues with two motherboards, and although we have 3 PSUs, it is always nice to completely rule out power supply-related issues &#8211; especially if you are running Cross-Fire-X3 or X4 with overclocked HD 6990 and HD 6970s at 880\/1345MHz and also with and overclocked FX-8150 using multiple Power Supply Units (PSUs).\u00a0 Absolute stability is a must!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27464\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/CF-X3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27464\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-27464\" title=\"CF-X3\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/CF-X3.jpg?resize=300%2C290\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/CF-X3.jpg?resize=300%2C290 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/CF-X3-1024x989.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/CF-X3.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-27464\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">HD 6970-X3 TriFire<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Normally when there suspicions about possible issues with your PSU, out comes the multi-tester and you have to go through the ritual of turning on the PC and checking each rail by rail.\u00a0 However, this time you can test your PSU without having to install it at all.\u00a0 Just hook up the PSU connectors that you want tested to Dr. Power II&#8217;s plugs, and turn it on.\u00a0 The tests are completely automatic.<\/p>\n<p>Well, we were totally impressed with the one-button simplicity of this unit and we decided to try it out.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s see what we did and how long it took.<\/p>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Indroducing Dr Power II--><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Unboxing &#038; Testing Dr Power II--><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Unboxing and testing Dr. Power II<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The unit comes in a box designed to hang on a rack as for display in a retail store.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27466\" title=\"PD-pkg-1\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-1.jpg?resize=270%2C434\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-1.jpg?resize=270%2C434 500w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-1-186x300.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>The other side describes its uses and it displays the product specification chart.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-obv.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27467\" title=\"PD-pkg-obv\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-obv.jpg?resize=288%2C430\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-obv.jpg?resize=288%2C430 666w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-pkg-obv-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow.\u00a0 It is so simple to use, you can almost skip them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-inst1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-27475\" title=\"PD-inst1\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-inst1.jpg?resize=300%2C227\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-inst1.jpg?resize=300%2C227 300w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-inst1-1024x775.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-inst1.jpg 1902w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The ATX plug from the PSU inserts into Dr. Power&#8217;s socket on the bottom and the other plugs are inserted into the sockets on the top as shown on the package.\u00a0 It looks like this when plugged in and ready to test.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-connected1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-27468\" title=\"PD-connected1\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-connected1.jpg?resize=261%2C300\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-connected1.jpg?resize=261%2C300 261w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-connected1.jpg 758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>Next you turn on the PSU and check the display.\u00a0 As you can see, Dr. Power II tests all the voltage functions including the response time of your PSU and will give you a &#8220;Power Good&#8221; (PG) reading in micro-seconds also.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-OKfulldisp.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27469\" title=\"PD-OKfulldisp\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-OKfulldisp.jpg?resize=270%2C456\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-OKfulldisp.jpg?resize=270%2C456 500w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-OKfulldisp-177x300.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>There is also an automatic function where it will check each connection one by one &#8211; or you can advance the tests manually depending on if you hold down or just press Dr Power II&#8217;s one button.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-seq.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27470\" title=\"PD-seq\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-seq.jpg?resize=270%2C461\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-seq.jpg?resize=270%2C461 500w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-seq-175x300.jpg 175w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>And if there are any issues, the display changes color to orange and it beeps loudly to get your attention.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-error.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27471\" title=\"PD-error\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-error.jpg?resize=270%2C517\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-error.jpg?resize=270%2C517 500w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/PD-error-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>All of our PSUs passed the tests with flying colors.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s head over to our conclusion<\/p>\n<h2><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Conclusion--><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Here are the details:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs-phys.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27472\" title=\"specs-phys\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs-phys.jpg?resize=348%2C127\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs-phys.jpg?resize=348%2C127 348w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs-phys-300x109.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>And here are the technical specifications:<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27474\" title=\"specs\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs1.jpg?resize=360%2C212\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs1.jpg?resize=360%2C212 600w, http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/specs1-300x177.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>We love it!!\u00a0 That&#8217;s it! We tested all three of our PSUs in well under 5 minutes for each one and they all passed with flying colors.\u00a0 Of course, we realize that you may not want to run out and spend $40 if you only have one or two PSUs and rarely change them.\u00a0 But for the techie that may be troubleshooting issues for his friends or relatives, it is a wonderful timesaver and the last word on whether a PSU is good or not &#8211; the results are clearly displayed &#8211; pass or fail.\u00a0 And for professionals who service or troubleshoot PCs for a living &#8211; and for tech sites &#8211; it is a wonderful tool!<\/p>\n<p>Thank-you, Thermaltake!\u00a0 Your timing is incredible.\u00a0 We just had to stop our writing and benching and let everyone know about this great product. Highly recommended for anyone who has the need to test PSUs.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;d like to award it our Kick Ass award!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Kick-Ass.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27476\" title=\"Kick-Ass\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Kick-Ass.jpg?resize=150%2C251\" alt=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>Next up is the conclusion to our FX-8150 evaluation with CrossFire scaling.\u00a0 After that, you can expect CrossFire vs. SLI, Part Two and some more goodness from Thermaltake &#8211; a new mechanical gaming KB and our favorite case, the full-tower Chaser Mk I.\u00a0 Stay tuned!<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Please join us in our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/abt\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Forums<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Become a Fan on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142', 'Facebook']);\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Follow us on <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech', 'Twitter']);\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For the latest updates from ABT, please <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?feed=rss2\" target=\"_blank\">join our RSS News Feed<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Join our Distributed Computing teams<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Folding@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 164304<\/li>\n<li>SETI@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 138705<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1', 'World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech']);\" target=\"_blank\">World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=27458\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=top title=\"Author: Mark Poppin\" src=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Article-Image2.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":27499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2533,7814,4454,7],"tags":[4901,4900,1152,4902],"class_list":["post-27458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abt-news","category-articles","category-mini-reviews","category-technology","tag-automated-psu-tester","tag-dr-power-ii","tag-thermaltake","tag-universal-atx-psu-tester"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}