Got it running but still some random questions.

[davidcl]

Hi,

I was able to get my first rig up and running and so far so good (thank you Rob!). However, I'm still not sure what temps it should be running at or what voltages are safe. Also, should I get a sound card or not? Should I put in the two optional fans that there is space for? Should I go back in and take off the old thermal compound and put on the Arctic Silver 5 that I bought?

After running some diagnostic software, certain readings send off warnings. I'm using DualCore by MSI, Speedfan, PC Monitor, and nvMonitor by Nvidia.

DualCore gives off an alert for the fan speed on the PSU. It reads it at ~700 RPM.

PC Monitor gives off an alert for the 5.0V.

nvMonitor gives of an alert for the core voltage at 1.35V.

Here is all the important components I have:

1-Antec 900 Case

2-MSI K9N SLI Platinum Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

3-Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - Retail

4-AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail

5-MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

6-G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU1-1GBNR - Retail X 4

When at idle the CPU temp and system temp is at 32C. The CPU fan runs at ~3500 RPM and the PSU fan runs at ~700 RPM. I've seen the temps go up to 47C--is that too hot?

I'm sure these questions get asked thousands of times so thanks for putting up with me. :D

Thank you.

[Jamie Nixx]

Voltages are good, 32DegC is very normal for a stock cooled AMD, and under a lot of stress i have seen temps hit over 50 so 47DegC is ok.

Turn the 200mm fan at the top of your case up to high speed as it doesn't make that much noise, but turn your other fans down to low if you haven't already, they sound like jet engines on high :D

Replacing the thermal compound should really be done before the heatsink installation, so i would leave it for now.

Hope this helps!

[davidcl]

Thanks for the information, greatly appreciated.

I was going over this AMD page (http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADX6000IAA6CZ) and noticed this:

Max Temp 55-63°C

Does this mean it begins meltdown at 55C or that is the range of permanent damage that they've discovered? Just encase, I set Speedfan to shut down the system at 55C for now.

[The Wise Monkey]

That just means that if the processor runs at that temperature for an extended period of time it could be damaged. Despite that, its probably a good idea to have that set up.