Just had POST, have some questions

[clarnibass]

OK I just assembled my new computer (first build) and everything looks ok. I got the POST and it says the right amount of Ghz for the CPU, and right amount of RAM and dual channel.

I noticed a few things that I'm not sure about.
The graphics card (Gainward FX5200 with passive cooling, I need a quiet PC) got VERY hot. Not too hot to touch, but close. The chipset heatsink also got very hot, even slightly more than the graphics card heatsink. The CPU fan looks like it is turning, but if I put my hand next to it it doesn't feel like airr is moving. Does it blow air towards the CPU heatsink? I thought it was supposed to blow the air away from the CPU. I attached it to the heatsink the only way possible so no way I got it wrong, and I doubt they put the fan the wrong way on that plastic thing it is attached to.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[aplefka]

Heatsink fans can blow into or out of the heatsink, just depends. I'm in the process of trying to figure out which way mine should be, so best of luck. :thumbsup:

 

[SrGuapo]

I thought CPU fans always blow in... That way, they hit the heatsink and remove the heat from it. I guess it works both ways, it just seems more efficient blowing in.

The GPU and chipset are probably fine with passive cooling. Just don't OC the card or up the chipset voltage and they should be fine. What kind of case cooling do you have and what are your ambient temps?

 

[clarnibass]

Originally posted by: SrGuapo
I thought CPU fans always blow in... That way, they hit the heatsink and remove the heat from it. I guess it works both ways, it just seems more efficient blowing in.

The GPU and chipset are probably fine with passive cooling. Just don't OC the card or up the chipset voltage and they should be fine. What kind of case cooling do you have and what are your ambient temps?

Yes I guess blowing in it is.

I won't overclock anything (including the CPU).
I have two fans in my case. one blowing air our on the back, and one blowing air in the front into the case. The front one feels very weak but supposed to move abourt 40 CFM. I don't know the temps, how do I find what they are before installing an OS?

Thanks.

Edit: Also, if I have only one DVD/CD device, shoud I put it on master or on cable select?
Does it connect to the same connection on the motherboard you would connect an ide hard drive? I don't see seperate connectors for CD-ROMs.

 

[Yanagi]

You can put it to cable select. And if you want to make it master you need to put it in the right connector.. I'll try out an ASCII diagram for you

Ribbon Cable:

I-------------------I-----------------I
Mobo-----------slave-------------Master


There you have it.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

I always leave all my drives on cable select. Don't have to mess with jumpers when I move them that way.

Yes, CD-ROMs plug into the same connector as hard drives. (most have two, one for hard drives, another for optical )

 

[SrGuapo]

I don't know if you can check temps without an OS. My motheroard has a feature where I can check it through the bios, but I'm not sure if this is just an epox thing...

 

[clarnibass]

Originally posted by: SrGuapo
What kind of case cooling do you have and what are your ambient temps?

OK I checked the bios now and it says the CPU is around 47-49, and the motherboard is around 35-36. I'm using stock CPU cooler, and two case fans. one pretty loud and strong, and one almost silent and doesn't push too much air.
I have a Prescott but they said I have three months to change it to Northwood if I see any problems. Reason I took the Prescott is because Northwoods are only available on special order and I already was in the store, and I wanted to order it. The seller said I can buy the Prescott and have the three months to decide. I think I will order the Northwood in a few days because I can forget about a quiet PC with Prescott it seems.
How much cooler would the Northwood be?

 

[Jakebrake]

If a quiet case is essential, maybe you should be water-cooling your rig. Also, get a case that can fit a couple of quiet 120mm case fans.

Edit: You should probably post this in the Cases and Cooling forum.

 

[w00t]

you have ur fan turned the wrong direction u dont want it blowing on the heatsink.