New Rig for Newb Computer Owner

[UltimaBoB]

I just had the following "rig" put together:

*Specs*

-E6700
-P5W DH Deluxe
-2 x HIS ATI x1950XTX Crossfire GPU
-Creative X-Fi
-2GB Hynix DDR2-800 Ram
-150 GB W/D S-ATA HDD "Raptor"
-2005 manu. HP-P1230 22" Diamontron CRT
-Logitech G5 Mouse
-Logitch G15 Keyboard
-Enermax 620 Watt "Liberty" PSU
-Antec P-180 Case
-Creative Inspire 5.1 Channel Speakers
-LG DVD Read/Write Drive
-3.5" Floppy


I am not overclocking anything at all. However, I have not added a single thing in terms of extra cooling. I have no extra fans, no thermal glue-type stuff, no water cooling - nada.

The utility they installed on my PC says I generally run 40 C - but when I 3D game and the crossfire starts firing I have hit 52 C and at one point hard crashed. It only happened once so far and could be unrelated, but when it did happen that was when my CPU temp was 52 C and that is the highets I have seen (it was after running a game on max settings for a few hours with crossfire whirling).

So, do I need to get a tech in to add cooling to my machine you think? The shop didn't think I would need any given that I have 1950XTX and not 1900XTXs - and that I promised to not OC anything hehe.

 

[Ayah]

The stock cooling is decent enough. I would personally use a Thermalright U-120 on the proc but that's just about it.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

bah, a P5W and no OC'ing?? Waste of money IMO

Anywhoo, cheapest option to beat the stock cooling is the AC Freezer 7 Pro at about $22 shipped from provantage. Other more exotic options inlcude the Scythe Ninja, Infinity (heavy sucker), ThermalRight Ultra 120 (Tall Heatsink), Zalman CNPS 9500, etc. I would definitely get the stock HSF out the way and possibly aftermarket coolers for the ATI's too, preferably with Direct Heat Exchaust System so the heat of the cards go out the case without raising the temps inside the case too much which should also help keep the CPU cooler, just getting such DHES coolers for the cards may help in keeping the CPU cooler with the stock HSF.

 

[UltimaBoB]

I kinda suck with computers so adding even a small part is a big deal requiring me to A) learn a bunch of stuff and gamble on my first open-box surgery or B) call in a computer savvy Korean (I teach English in Korea) and pay him.

So I'd prefer to do absolutely nothing for now and then maybe a bunch of little things together at the same time in a bit if I decide to since I can order them together and call in a computer guy etc...

So in your opinion will my computer overheat and damage itself as is?

OTH if I did do some mild OCing what would be a nice little modest package of things I could do:

*extra heatsink
*extra fan
*OC CPU how much
*what programs etc...

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: UltimaBoB
I'd prefer to do absolutely nothing for now and then maybe a bunch of little things together at the same time in a bit if I decide to since I can order them together and call in a computer guy etc...

Sounds like the prudent course to me!

You know, it's funny... but as ppl get older, they get more cautious. This is often mistaken for wisdom, but that's okay! It all comes out in the wash...

Your rig is NOT in risk of overheating -- especially now that we're heading into winter!

If you'll pardon the pun, when you warm up to the idea of adding extra cooling -- do it!

My experience is... this usually takes place in summer, when the surrounding environment gets warmer. That's when ppl start worrying about global warming, and the heat flowing out of their computers.

Put another way, hold off until next summer! You'll probably be ready to make your move then...

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: UltimaBoB
I'd prefer to do absolutely nothing for now and then maybe a bunch of little things together at the same time in a bit if I decide to since I can order them together and call in a computer guy etc...

Sounds like the prudent course to me!

You know, it's funny... but as ppl get older, they get more cautious. This is often mistaken for wisdom, but that's okay! It all comes out in the wash...

Your rig is NOT in risk of overheating -- especially now that we're heading into winter!

If you'll pardon the pun, when you warm up to the idea of adding extra cooling -- do it!

My experience is... this usually takes place in summer, when the surrounding environment gets warmer. That's when ppl start worrying about global warming, and the heat flowing out of their computers.

Put another way, hold off until next summer! You'll probably be ready to make your move then...

Did you read the part where he said he's in Korea?

Personally I cant stand most of the stock video cooler especially ATI's, too loud for me, dont know about the 1950 though. I would first and foremost get those changed, your stock cooler should handle a mild OC, if you think things are getting a bit hot, you can also get the CPU cooler changed. If you want it all done in one shot that would be even better since you will most definitely cool you system a bit more, also how is your case ventillation? Exhaust fans? Size of fans?, etc...

 

[natethegreat]

Looks like those HIS cards already have DHES cooling straight from the factory. You shouldn't have to worry about them.

One raptor should be easy to cool - just stick it in the lower chamber and remember to tape off all the little holes that surround the edges of the psu exhaust area.

You will probably want to install a AC Freezer 7 Pro when you get comfortable with your rig and want to overclock, and possibly some better fans but neither of these things would be very difficult at all.

Just pay some attention to where you run your cabling and temps should be fine.

Shameless promotion of my P180: Pic

 

[ForumMaster]

52C is not that hot. my sister's CPU get to 60 easily. (she won't let me put her a better hsf) and nothing happens. granted her CPU is an ancient AMD Athlon XP 1700 but still. i would get Arctic Silver 5 and a better HSF just to be safe. also, a really nice program i use is CpuIdle. it constantly gives the CPU a HLT instruction which although will cause Task manager to show 100% CPU usage all the time, will actually turn the CPU off when unneeded helping it stay cool.

 

[natethegreat]

Just re-read your post and have a question for you, What setting are you running the stock fans at?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
52C is not that hot...

Exactly right!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: gamefreakgcb
Did you read the part where he said he's in Korea?

Yes... same hemisphere, right?

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Originally posted by: natethegreat
Looks like those HIS cards already have DHES cooling straight from the factory. You shouldn't have to worry about them.

One raptor should be easy to cool - just stick it in the lower chamber and remember to tape off all the little holes that surround the edges of the psu exhaust area.

You will probably want to install a AC Freezer 7 Pro when you get comfortable with your rig and want to overclock, and possibly some better fans but neither of these things would be very difficult at all.

Just pay some attention to where you run your cabling and temps should be fine.

Shameless promotion of my P180: Pic

**** Thats a nice rig.