Gaming P.C full build. Advice needed

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 13:15

If it is working with the old one, then return the new one. Also get some paste, clean off cpu and cooler, then re-apply. It may seem alright now, but not when you start stress testing for stability. Yuo have been warned.

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 13:19

It goes to about 75 degrees during gaming at the moment. Will it be ok if I just use for a few days while I order some paste?

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 13:30

Just nip down to any PC shop, they will have it. Don`t take chances.

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 13:33

Ok thanks.

Trying to find a local PC shop now. Not lived here long, first couple I phoned were disconnected numbers

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 13:37

andy85wsm said:
Ok thanks.

Trying to find a local PC shop now. Not lived here long, first couple I phoned were disconnected numbers

Where you at?

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 13:40

Galway, Ireland

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 13:49

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 13:52

andy85wsm said:
There's a No Links. nearby. Perhaps they sell it.

They will have it.

Do yourself a favour and remove the link.

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 13:54

Have done.

Is there any particular kind I need?

I'm going to RMA this PSU and buy a new one from overclockers. The advice on the forum has been fantastic and the delivery was much quicker and slicker than that of Irish sites I used.

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 14:11

I use Artic Silver 5, works ok for me.

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 14:21

Is that metal or ceramic?

The only other thing I need is some kind of alcoholic cleaner to wipe the excess off of the CPU right? Don't need to touch the heatsink?

Also how much do I need to apply?

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 14:28

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AC-000-AC

This one.

Isopropyl Alcohol (get this from your local chemist) and use a lint free cloth to clean any residue from Cpu and heatsink.

Then just apply a small pea size blob.

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 18:17

I think I'm finally done.

SWTOR was running at about 70-75 degrees before I re-applied thermal paste. Since I've got him and re-applied it it's running around 60 degrees. Is that ok? Seems to idle around 40 degrees which seems hotter than most peoples but that is with the case and everything on (it wasn't on before) and it's about 10 degrees less than previously.

I ended up buying a Antec HCG 750 while I was out because a local store had it very cheap indeed. It's not modular which I must admit I did like on the PSU that was DOA but to be fair at least this one works

It's SO quiet compared to my last P.C, I think I'm falling in love.

Thanks for everyone's help. Made me de-stress a little yesterday.

Now time to get the pics up

P.S - ignore my bad cable management

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 19:47

Pictures!

Everything but my Graphics card has arrived

Inside of the case

The broken PSU gets fitted

Even the motherboard is in now!

DVD fitted. Love the tool-less design of this case. Slotted in and just click a button.

SSD and HDD (which took some time due to me being stupid) into the tool-less slots. Very easy to put them in once it was attached

It's at this point that I come asking for troubleshooting advice not realizing the ATX 12v connection isn't plugged in. Only to then go back and plug it back in and it still doesn't work! After checking the CPU, I then realized the power supply was broken. I didn't take any more pictures yesterday as I was just stressed and panicking

Then we move on to today!

GPU arrives!

Added the GPU and then went out and bought a new PSU which I put in once I had re-applied thermal paste to my CPU. Cable management isn't fantastic with the non-modular PSU but it's a damn sight better than my old computer which had lots of cables covering the motherboard.

And finally the otherside of the case.

I forgot to take any pictures once the sides were back on as I was too excited to play with it. But here are a couple on my desk in my room. The desk needs some work, on the other side of it I have a 32" TV that may have to go elsewhere, which involves moving my XBOX and PS3 too. Next month I will get a nice big LED monitor too as this one isn't 1080p

Last but not least my reward for building this thing and going through the disappointment of the PSU not working

I also have chinese on the way

T345 · 4 May 2012 at 19:49

Looks great so far

Stinger53 · 4 May 2012 at 19:55

looks good

Idleman · 4 May 2012 at 20:00

Nice to see you up and running. Happy days.

honosuseri · 4 May 2012 at 20:02

Looking good bud!

Glad to see you made it through troubleshooting hell ok. Don't worry about your temps they are safe even 70 degrees would be ok.

Are you running it at stock or have you tried some overclocking?

andy85wsm · 4 May 2012 at 20:15

That's at stock at the moment. As people said even that's too hot I'm not really happy about overclocking on a stock fan

honosuseri · 4 May 2012 at 22:49

andy85wsm said:
That's at stock at the moment. As people said even that's too hot I'm not really happy about overclocking on a stock fan

Ivybridge runs hotter than sandybridge. 70-75 degrees is considered to be the max normal running temp. If you are at 60 deg on the stock heatsink that is good. You can't really compare to other people unless they have the same case etc even then the ambient temp in your home may well be different.

If you notice your case has a cut out so you can get behind the mobo to fit the backing plates that aftermarket heatsinks use without "ripping" the rig to pieces to fit one.

Idleman was very helpful in explaining the application of TIM. Less is definately more when it comes to thermal compound....too much and it acts as an insulator rather than helping transfer the heat from the CPU to the heatsink.

I do hope you are pleased with the rig.....even with the problems you encountered. I hope it hasnt put you off doing future builds