🌐
PassMark
passmark.com › products › inline-psu-tester › index.php
PassMark Software - Inline PSU Tester
The PassMark PSU Tester is designed to quickly and comprehensively test a PC power supply.
Discussions

A proper power supply tester is a tool that basically everyone in this hobby should have.
I didn't know testers were so inexpensive. Thanks for the link. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/buildapc
267
2284
May 8, 2019
Good way to test a PSU before using?
Only the absolute worst quality power supplies will do that. I am talking about models with no 80+ rating, no output filtering, designed in a shed kind of stuff. Even the worst products from a reputable brand won't do that. You can technically buy a PSU tester, which will check that all the voltages on each rail are present and correct. That will confirm the PSU works, but not tell you anything about quality. For that, you need proper reviews done with a load tester. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/buildapc
10
2
August 7, 2023
How to test if PSU is the issue?

It does really sound like a PSU issue. What PSU model and wattage do you have?

You can lower the power consumption of the CPU and GPU and repeat your tests.

  • Set the power limit in MSI Afterburner to 70%.

  • Use Ryzen Master to set the power limit (PPT) to 100W.

  • Repeat your tests where it crashed before.

If it doesn't fail anymore, it is likely a PSU issue.
If it still fails, try undervolting the GPU with the frequency curve instead of just lowering the power limit. Set it so that it runs at about 200W. Repeat your test again (while the CPU is still limited to 100W).

Ryzen Master resets itself after a restart. With MSI Afterburner you can hit the reset button after you're done testing.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/buildapc
9
4
October 25, 2022
People also ask

If I'm testing a power supply, which plug do I test?
You should test all of them. So check the SATA plug, the molex plug, the A TX plug, the video power card, and whatever other plugs you have on your power supply. All of those plugs should be working if your power supply is functional.
🌐
wikihow.com
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › maintenance and repair › how to check a power supply: psu tester, paperclip, & more
How to Check a Power Supply: PSU Tester, Paperclip, & More
How can you tell if a power supply is bad?
The only way to know for sure is to use a power supply tester. You can make some solid guesses based on how your computer is behaving, but there's no way to know for sure without a power supply tester.
🌐
wikihow.com
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › maintenance and repair › how to check a power supply: psu tester, paperclip, & more
How to Check a Power Supply: PSU Tester, Paperclip, & More
Can a power supply still work if one of the pathways is bad?
Yes, theoretically, a power supply should still be able to function if only one of the pathways is bad. It can depend on which pathway it is, but it's certainly possible.
🌐
wikihow.com
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › maintenance and repair › how to check a power supply: psu tester, paperclip, & more
How to Check a Power Supply: PSU Tester, Paperclip, & More
🌐
Corsair
corsair.com › explorer › diy builder › power supply units › how to test a psu (power supply unit)
How to Test a PSU (Power Supply Unit) | CORSAIR
May 20, 2024 - Shut off your PSU. Disconnect all modular cables, if applicable. Plug in the 24-pin cable along with the 8-pin (4+4) CPU cable into the tester and to the PSU.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › a proper power supply tester is a tool that basically everyone in this hobby should have.
r/buildapc on Reddit: A proper power supply tester is a tool that basically everyone in this hobby should have.
May 8, 2019 -

Last weekend a friend of mine brought his computer to me. He was at the end of his rope with his machine and why it wouldn't complete POST. He had replaced the memory, he had replaced the CPU, and was getting ready to order a motherboard, since his was out of warranty.

He would not have done ANY of this, if he had talked to me first. When he brought his machine over, I had asked what he had done, and my first reaction was to say, "sounds like a dead power supply". His response is one that I see a lot in this sub, and it drives me CRAZY:

"It can't be the power supply - I did the paperclip test and it starts up! I know the power supply works!"

After I picked myself up from the mild stroke I had, I went out to my garage, grabbed my tech kit, and grabbed one of my favorite tools: my power supply tester. 10 seconds later, I confirmed what I basically already knew: the 5V rail and the CPU's 12V rail was dead. This despite the power supply running.

A power supply tester is only about $15, folks. It's a tool that, IMO everyone who gets inside their machine should have, even if they don't have a problem. It's like a plunger - better to have BEFORE you need one. If for no other reason than you can check yours or loan it to friends.

The paperclip test means JACK as far as knowing your power supply is functioning. Literally all it proves is that the power supply will startup. But that's like saying a car that is up on blocks can drive to the store because the engine starts up.

Edit: because a lot of folks have brought them up, I'll go ahead and address multimeters. They are absolutely a good substitute if you don't have a power supply tester similar to the one I linked. My only complaint with them is that, I don't know about everyone else here, but I don't have the pin-out diagram of power supply connectors memorized (hell - I still have to lookup a patch cable diagram when I make a CAT6 cable as I have it largely memorized but I want to be 100% certain). So I'd have to follow a diagram and ensure that I'm connecting the proper connector pins in sequence and verify that they are putting out the correct voltages. Then consider that a modern power supply can have upwards of 50 pins or more to test (24-pin ATX, 4-8-pin CPU1, 4-8-pin CPU2, 6/8-pin PCIE1, 6/8-pin PCIE2, etc). I still recommend a tester over a multimeter simply for the sake of speed. If you have the time and patience, however, to do a multimeter test, then you're actually probably better off as this tool definitely would fall under Alton Brown's unitasker rule.

🌐
Micro Center
microcenter.com › site › mc-news › article › how-to-test-power-supply.aspx
How to Test Your Computer's Power Supply
September 15, 2023 - PSU testers simplify the whole process by allowing you to plug in the entire 24-pin ATX connector at once. Once it's plugged in, turn on the power to your PSU and then the power to the testing unit.
🌐
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › windows › how to test the power supply unit (psu) in your pc
How to Test the Power Supply Unit (PSU) in Your PC
February 6, 2023 - Testing your computer's power supply unit is fairly simple. You can test the PSU with a basic jumper test, multimeter, or power supply tester.
Find elsewhere
🌐
Thermaltake
thermaltakeusa.com › products › dr-power-iii-ac-069-oo1nan-a1
Dr. Power III – Thermaltake USA
Dr. Power III
Designed from the ground-up, it supports every ATX power supply available today up to ATX12V v3.1.
Price   $44.99
🌐
Enermax
enermaxusa.com › home › how to test a power supply unit
How to Test a Power Supply Unit
If your system is having issues turning on, you can check if your power supply unit (PSU) is functioning properly by performing a test. You will need a paper clip or a PSU jumper to perform this test. IMPORTANT: Make sure that you jump the correct ...
🌐
Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › maintenance and repair › how to check a power supply: psu tester, paperclip, & more
How to Check a Power Supply: PSU Tester, Paperclip, & More
February 19, 2026 - If you don't have a power supply tester, you can use a multimeter to check the voltage of your power supply. If your multimeter does not have an auto-range feature, set it to 10.00V.
🌐
Corsair
help.corsair.com › hc › en-us › articles › 360025085372-PSU-How-to-test-a-PSU-Power-Supply-Unit
PSU: How to test a PSU (Power Supply Unit) – Corsair
Shut off your PSU. Disconnect all modular cables, if applicable. Plug in the 24-pin cable along with the 8-pin (4+4) CPU cable into the tester and to the PSU.
🌐
Lifewire
lifewire.com › test-a-power-supply-using-a-power-supply-tester-2626160
How to Test Your Power Supply With a PSU Tester
December 23, 2022 - Press and hold ON/OFF button on tester. Check power supply voltage tolerances and other criteria. This article explains how to test the power supply unit (PSU) in your computer with a power supply tester.
🌐
Seasonic Knowledge Base
knowledge.seasonic.com › seasonic knowledge base › knowledge base › how to use the psu tester
How to use the PSU Tester - Seasonic Knowledge Base
January 5, 2021 - Some Seasonic Consumer power supplies ship with a simple Power Supply Tester included in the box to help users quickly check whether the power supply is working properly.
🌐
Newegg
newegg.com › p › pl
power supply tester | Newegg.com
Power III Pro offers techs, builders, and repair professionals a reliable tester equipped with a color display and high-precision voltage readout. ... This product is sold direct from the manufacturer. ... This product is sold direct from the manufacturer. ... Specifications: ATX PSU each output connectors check Tests 20-pin and 24-pin power supplies Tests SATA power Tests Pentium 4 power connector Tests PCI-Express power connectors Tests Xeon power connectors Tests Floppy drive connectors Tests standard 4-pin power supply connectors Accurate voltage indicator +/-V(+12V1/+5V/+3.3V/5VSB/+12V2/ -12V) ATX P.G value display.
🌐
Amazon
amazon.com › psu-tester › s
Amazon.com: Psu Tester
Discover reliable PSU testers featuring multiple connector support and automatic alarm functions for quick diagnosis.
🌐
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › hardware › how to test your computer's psu with a psu tester
How to Test Your Computer's PSU With a PSU Tester
October 1, 2022 - A PSU tester is purpose-built for the task and will give you both immediate feedback on whether or not the connections match the expected voltage and configuration or not as well as loudly alerting you if they do not.
🌐
DirectMacro
directmacro.com › home › choosing the best power supply tester in 2026
Choosing the Best Power Supply Tester in 2026
January 22, 2026 - It is an excellent option for tech enthusiasts looking for a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for their PSUs. It offers robust voltage testing and a clear indication via a green LED display. ... It is another popular power supply tester among tech enthusiasts, professionals, and everyday users seeking a cutting-edge and dependable diagnostic tool.
🌐
Coolermaster
legacy.coolermaster.com › en-us › power-supply-calculator
PSU Calculator | Cooler Master
PSU Calculator · Accurately determine the power supply requirements for your PC build. Input your components to get precise wattage recommendations, ensuring optimal performance and stability.
🌐
Central Computers
centralcomputer.com › all products › hardware › power supplies › power supply testers
Power Supply Testers
PC Power Supply Tester with LCD · PC Power Supply Tester with LCD · Model: ST8701PA · Item: IOC-ST8701PA · In Store (view) x · Stores inventory · San Francisco · 837 Howard Street, CA 94103 415-495-5888 · 16 · San Mateo · 2727 S. El Camino Real, CA 94403 650-345-5888 ·
🌐
Windows Report
windowsreport.com › software › utilities & tools › power supply test software
5 Best PSU Test Software for Your Computer’s Power Supply
July 22, 2025 - Sidebar Diagnostics – Customizable power supply software monitor and hardware tool · AIDA64 Extreme is an advanced system diagnostics utility that functions as an effective PSU test software.