Built computer - what to do now?

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 17:44

Hey, I have built a computer to the following specs

Intel i7 920
Radeon XT 4890
6GB ram etc
Windows 7

Are there any custom drivers or special drivers I shall download for the gpu to make it run at its best. Also how should I go about oc'ing the computer (AKASA NERO). Are there any diagnostic checks I should send you guys either? Thanks in advance

Grimley · 28 Jun 2009 at 17:51

I would say just download the ati drivers for now. admittedly those & the drivers for my TV card are the only 3rd party drivers I've used on my rig but its a Q6600 rig rather than i7. I would only use 3rd party drivers if win7 hasn't been able to find & install its own drivers or the system is unstable because of said drivers.

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 17:57

System seems fine with ati catalyst 9.6. Any diagnostic checks I should do to see if cpu is running at right temp?

Destination · 28 Jun 2009 at 18:04

Try running everest ultimate

What MoBo did you use, OCing is slightly different depending on the MoBo make, and what cooling are you using in which case?

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 18:37

Asus P6t
Asaka NERO cpu fan
2 x coolink swif 1201
antec 300 case

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 18:53

What test shall I run within everest?

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 19:54

siumatfung · 28 Jun 2009 at 20:02

hello u got any build pics

have u overclocked it?

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 20:59

Na, haven't overclocked it yet - need to know if temperatures are right for stock atm! Will post pictures in a bit, any diagnostics I can send you? What tests shall I do in everest ultimate?

RJC · 28 Jun 2009 at 21:02

Download Prime 95, Real Temp & Core temp to check for full load temps on the cpu, also download Vantage and check the gpu for temps.

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 21:32

Just got 70c on real temp at full load. Surely something is wrong seeing as this is running at normal clock rates :|

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 21:39

here's the inside of it

RJC · 28 Jun 2009 at 21:51

Blimey sort them cables out :eek:

Which way is the fan blowing, almost looks like the cooler should be turned around.

Mattus · 28 Jun 2009 at 21:56

RJC said:
Which way is the fan blowing, almost looks like the cooler should be turned around.

Yeah, you have a problem there. Your CPU fan is blowing air onto the heatsink (as it should be), which means it's fighting with the case fan which is sucking in the opposite direction. That's probably why your temps are bad - the fans are cancelling each other out. You need to rotate the heatsink 180 degrees.

BIGBC · 28 Jun 2009 at 22:27

Get those cables sorted out and rotate the heatsink 180 so that its working with the exhaust fan, then run Prime95 and see what temps you come out with.

froseph · 28 Jun 2009 at 22:38

Okay, thanks very much for that - yeah im awful with tidying cables!

froseph · 29 Jun 2009 at 18:50

Here is the updated case - I'm still getting temps of ~68 with the four case fans and the cpu cooler - starting to worry! any more suggestions? I can't really tidy up the cables any more. And this is at stock clocks - i'm planning to o/c soon, but not till I get good temps. thanks!

RJC · 29 Jun 2009 at 19:26

What thermal paste are you using and how much.
Can you check the fan speed just in case this needs increasing and you sure it is installed ok.

froseph · 29 Jun 2009 at 19:32

CPU fan speed? And the case fans are all running at medium. I'm using the thermal paste included with the CPU fan, and about half a peaful size of it?

RJC · 29 Jun 2009 at 19:44

froseph said:
CPU fan speed? And the case fans are all running at medium. I'm using the thermal paste included with the CPU fan, and about half a peaful size of it?

Download HW monitor and this should show your cpu fan speed and check to see if the speed increases when running prime. If not have check in the BIOS to see if there are any options to change.

The amount of thermal paste seems ok.