Setting voltage on new pc build help..

coopsjc21 · 13 Dec 2008 at 10:26

Hi,
I just recieved the last components for me to start building my budget games pc. However this is my first build and although I shoudnt have any problems whacking it all together, one thing I am terrified about is voltages. I'm concerned that if I dont set things up right, when I turn it on for the first time everything will melt and explode etc..

Can someone please give me a little guidance on how these voltages work. I.e. will I actually need to fiddle with them (not overclocking yet). If so is it safe to get them wrong without causing damage etc..?

My system parts are:
asus p5q pro mobo
intel E8400 3ghz
corsair 4gb xms2-6400
radeon 512mb 3450 graphics (until I can afford a decent cad!)
samsung spinpoint F1 320gb sata HDD
OCZ xstream psu 600w

vertica · 13 Dec 2008 at 11:54

dont worry about voltages, those only come into effect when overclocking.

Once assembled voltages should automatically detect their required levels.

Excessively over-volting your components will cause them to break, but you shouldn't need to at this stage.

The only possible issue is your RAM, is it 2x2GB or 4x1GB ?

If 2x2 then all should be fine,

if however its 4x1 then you may find you have to build with 2 sticks and then add the other two later upping the Noth bridge voltage slightly in the process (4 sticks puts more load on the north bridge so it often requires a little more juice)

coopsjc21 · 13 Dec 2008 at 12:48

Its okay its 2 x 2gb sticks.

Thanks for your help, I'm nearly ready to switch it on!

reflux · 13 Dec 2008 at 12:52

Yes, the motherboard does auto-detect the voltages on most things pretty well, but sometimes it undervolts the RAM so you should check the RAM voltage and set that.

The only way you're going to kill anything is by setting the volts too high...for the CPU, don't go over 1.5v unless you're doing a heavy bench session, and keep the memory under 2.2v.