Part Assembly

[Mondoman]

The main thing on the front panel wires is to get the power switch and reset switch hooked up correctly to the MB header. Don't worry about the other stuff right now.
It would help a lot if you could post at least brand/model of MB, specific model of case, specific model of PS. That way, we cyberpeople can find pictures/manuals and get a better idea of what is going on.

 

[TheeZy]

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL

The motherboard has been nothing but problems. The layout is really bad for me. It has only one fan controller slot and I have 3 fans to plug in. What will happen if I don't plug in the fans to the motherboard?

Not only that, but there is only one IDE slot. I wish I would've noticed that. Now I have to waste another 100 bucks on a new hard drive. This is driving me crazy.

 

[TheeZy]

I've got my x1900xt graphics card in now. The only problem I know of now is the fan control. I tested ou t my computer with a Live OS CD and it looks like the BIOS and everything are working fine.

I still don't know if not plugging my fans into the 'fan control' slot of my motherboard is a problem. They seem to be going faster and slower on their own somehow. Anyone know what's going on?

 

[TheeZy]

Can someone explain what normal temperatures are for "System Temperature" and "CPU Temperature".

My System Temperature is idling at 44C in the bios and my CPU Temperature is at 49C idle. The CPU Fan Speed is 1200 RPM. At what point is the temperature dangerous. I have the 'CPU Warning Temperature' to alarm at 60C, but idling 50C seems really high.

 

[Mondoman]

Thanks for listing the info -- I'm surprised there are only 2 fan power headers on the MB (mine has 5)! The newegg reviews aren't that great, so it sounds like your troubles are pretty avearage.
Fans can certainly be powered off the PS from a 4-pin Molex connector (many come with a Molex->3-pin adapter). Usually, that just means they always run at max speed, unless they have a built-in thermosensor control. The stock Intel CPU hsf does have such a control, but the special 4-pin header for the CPU fan also allows BIOS speed control based on CPU temp as detected by the MB. Some MBs/BIOSes allow control of other (3-pin header) fans by varying the voltage output on the header according to a user-selected reference temp (e.g. SYS or PWM) and a user-set fan voltage response based on that temp. I'm not sure what your MB allows, but since there are only 2 fan headers, I wouldn't expect much.
Regarding your temps, an "ideal" SYS temp is probably about 35C or so, but you've got a hot video card in there, so you are not totally out of line. Your CPU warning temp is probably better of at something like 70C, with a shutoff of at least 80C (since modern Intel CPUs automatically slow themselves down at elevated temps to avoid damage).

 

[Mondoman]

Here's a page on case cooling from a good cooling info site:
http://www.heatsink-guide.com/content.php?content=case.shtml

 

[TheeZy]

Ok, well, I've got the computer fully assembled and working besides the fact that I have no hard drive. I've booted OSes from CDs with no problems besides the LAN not working. I'm not sure if this a hardware problem though.

I plugged the CPU fan to the motherboard and left all the case fans not plugged into the motherboard. I guess like you said they all run max so it's not a problem. It isn't loud or anything. Through the BIOS I set the CPU fan to run max as well since my 'Computer Temperature' is 45C and 'CPU Temperature' is near 50C. =(

All I have left to do is order a SATA hard drive and organize the wires so they don't hinder air flow.

Thanks for the help.

EDIT: That page you linked to has this page for maximum CPU temperatures: http://www.heatsink-guide.com/content.php?content=case.shtml

Any idea if 50C is reasonable for e6300?

 

[Mondoman]

I think you're basically fine. Reward yourself with an adult beverage (after placing your drive order, of course!) and savor the success of your first build!

 

[TheeZy]

I'm trying to get my IDE drive to work but it won't boot. It sees it as the "IDE Channel 4 Master". What should it be reconized as? When I goto the boot menu and choose the hard drive it just shows a blank cursor. I ran the Windows XP SP2 formatter/file setup thing already but after it copies over the files and reboots I can't get it to load the second part of the installation. Any ideas?

 

[ikjadoon]

IDE Channel master is literally the port it is talking about. Does it boot to Win.? I'd double check cables, but if it gets into the BIOS....

~Ibrahim~