My first build

marz8181

I finally did it. After 6 months of saving and planning, I made my first computer! The only problem I see is that the CPU temp is 200F. Is that too hot?

Motherboard Asus P5K-E/WiFi $150
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $249
RAM GSkill 2x1GB F2-6400CL4D-2GBHK $ 35
GFX Zotac GeForce 8800GT 512MB $219
Case CoolerMaster RC-690-KKN1-GP $ 80
PSU APEVIA 500W $40
Seagate Barracuda 250GB $65
Optical Drive LITE-ON 20x DVD+R DVD burner with LightScribe $33
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit $100
Acer 22" widescreen LCD monitor $230
Speakers Ligitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System $23
Microsoft Comfort Curve Ergonomics Keyboard w/ Mouse $21

All together it comes out to $1245. I know there are lots of stuff I can upgrade, like adding more RAM and a heatsink. But I am surprised it turned out so well. This monitor is huge and the graphics are amazing.
M
P.S. What games do you guys recommend I test these graphics with, besides Crysis?

Tipstaff

Yes, that is 2 times what it sits at idle. Normal temps for that CPU are 30C, that's 86F. My advice would be to double check the heatsink to make sure it's properly installed. If you have to, remove the motherboard. The reason I say that is that it's easier to install it this way, and you can double check the backend of the board, and the sides of the heatsink to make sure the pins are locked in.

However, of note, it could also be a problem with the bios not detecting the CPU properly, so it'd be a good idea to update the motherboards bios as well.

cozumel

I would be very concerned if the cpu core temp was so hot. Are you sure the cooler is seated correctly and that fan is operating normally?

ChaosMinionX

First off.... that reading of 200F / 93C has to be wrong.

1) The chip would have throttled/shutdown by the time it hit ~80C (176F) or there about.

2) If the chip somehow malfunctioned, and did not throttle/shutdown at ~80C it probably would have already died on you from prolonged exposure to that kind of heat.

Download Core Temp and report back with your findings. When you do post back with your Idle/Load temperatures take into consideration that you bought a 45nm (E8400) and the Tjunction is 95C (203F) and not 105C (221F) as CoreTemp states for 45nm processors. The 105C Tjunction is that of a 65nm chip (E6600,Q6600).

Secondly, I hope your not using the stock HSF (HeatSinkFan) that came with the processor? For that money, I would strongly recommend investing in a better HSF, it will make your chip last longer, and keep the inside of your case cooler. Not to mention if you get a real nice cooler, you have the option to Overclock your rig later on, or now if you wish.

Just my thoughts

temeteus82

I had similar issue with my current rig and the reason was simple that the CPU cooler wasn't connected like it should. So me sure that it's connected and there are no caps between it and the CPU.

marz8181

Ok, according to core temp, my cores are running at 71C and 72C. I am using the stock HSF because I thought it would be too much work to take out the motherboard to get the base of a new heat sink in...but I guess the alternative, a dead CPU is even worse. I don't think the stock HSF is sitting well because it was a bich to get in so I left it with 2 pins off. I'll open it up and try to get all the pins in.

IEMC

Yah, stock Intel fans are pieces of crap. I think 1 pin out is pushing it (it's hard as hell to get even 3 in, I know) but 2 not in is just a bad idea.

That's your problem, so uhh, get that fixed.

Veridian3

If you want a good cooler that doesnt need you to remove the motherboard then buy an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro or OCZ Vendetta.

marz8181

Thanks Veridian3. I got the 4 clips on the stock cooler in place...I thought I was going to crack the MOBO. The core temps are now 47C and 49C when idle. The bad news is that when I tried to take the stock fan out...the one latch was stuck...it wouldn't budge one bit! So when I do get a nice cooler, I think I'm going to have a hell of a time getting this Intel stock fan out

marz8181

I bought the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro just now...don't ask me how I'm going to get the stock HSF out.

kris23

break the old heatsink off...... not like youll ever need it again.....

ChaosMinionX

In Coretemp... is it reporting Tjunction as 105C or 95C? Because if its 105C take 10C off your temps and your sitting around 60-65 idle. Which is still too high, I would also recommend manually setting your voltages.

marz8181

Tjunction is 105C and it's showing 49C as my core temps ChaosMinionX. So does that mean my real temps are 39C? How would I manually set my voltages?

ChaosMinionX

Yes 105C Tjunction is incorrect reading for 45nm chips.... your actual temps are 39C.

As for manually setting voltages, you can do that through your BIOS.

Heres a guide to go by

====================BIOS SETTINGS==============
AI Overclocking: Manual
CPU Ratio Control: Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Strap: AUTO
FSB Frequency: 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: (pick a DRAM frequency closest to your RAM IE- DDR2 800)
DRAM Command Rate: 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency: 4
RAS# to CAS# Delay: 4
RAS# Precharge: 4
RAS# Activate to Precharge: 12
TWR: Auto
TRFC: Auto
TWTR: Auto
TRRD: Auto
TRTP: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled

Transaction Booster: AUTO
Clock Over-Charging Mode: AUTO

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Voltage: 1.20v to 1.25v (may need to be higher, but stock is around 1.0v-1.35v) So any value within that is perfectly safe.
CPU Voltage Reference: .63x
CPU Voltage Damper: Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.5 (stock for 45nm is 1.5v)
DRAM Voltage: 2.0-2.1v
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.3v to 1.4v (dont go any higher)
North Bridge Voltage: 1.40-1.45v
North Bridge Voltage Reference: .65x
South Bridge Voltage: 1.075
============================


After settings these values I would recommend running OCCT Website english to ensure everything is stable. If you dont quite understand the interface, just post here and I will be glad to assist you

temeteus82

I had exactly the same problem. When I got it fixed, used screw driver to apply a bit more force, the temps went down to +40 Celsius.