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2008-01-04 16:19:42
b.branscombe
Member
+5|6679
Hi.  Sorry it took so long to get back to you guys, I've spent the last 10 days out of town away from this computer.  Again, really appreciate all the help.

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Do you know what make and model your HDD(s) is/are?
It's a Western Digital 300GB SATA.  According to Sandra, the model number is WD3200KS-75PFB0.

I'll run the ATITools/3dMark test again as per your instructions.



I had figured the internal temps were too hot, so before I left town I ordered two extra fans online.  They are the kind that fit into the empty (called PCI?) slots on the back of the case.  Perhaps not the best solution, but they were only $10 each so if they don't work it's not a huge loss.  Combined, they'll push an extra 100CFM of air out of the case, so hopefully that will help.  If I have to replace the fans that came with the comp too that's not a huge issue.
2008-01-05 09:56:11
b.branscombe
Member
+5|6679
Okay guys, here are some updates:

Installed the two fans, one in the slot above the GPU, and the other in the slot below the GPU.  Right now the GPU is idling at 52.0°C with the case closed, and the lowest I've gotten it to go to is 48°C (case opened up and house fan blowing into it).

I ran 3DMark again, and noticed some interesting things.  First off, I can get a decent FPS rate during the 4 graphics tests (usually 12-25 FPS), but during the CPU tests, the highest that the FPS rate got to was a miserable 1FPS, with it usually being 0FPS.  Does this mean my CPU is damaged or broken?

I got some minor artifacting for about a second during the graphics test with the blimp and the dragon thing.  Checking the ATITools log, at this point the temperature of the GPU hit 68°C, which is also the highest temperature it reached during the test.  So it sounds like I need a better cooling solution, but maybe there is also some other underlying problems as well?

Finally, about my PSU.  It's a stock dell unit that says on the sticker that it puts out 375W max.  Does that sound a little too low for what is supposed to be a gaming computer with a demanding GPU?

Thanks again.

Last edited by b.branscombe (2008-01-05 09:56:52)

2008-01-05 10:12:35
Bell
Frosties > Cornflakes
+362|7027|UK

b.branscombe wrote:

but during the CPU tests, the highest that the FPS rate got to was a miserable 1FPS, with it usually being 0FPS.  Does this mean my CPU is damaged or broken?
Nah, that is what everyone gets
2008-01-05 10:18:06
b.branscombe
Member
+5|6679
Ah okay, good to know.
2008-01-05 10:20:36
Ryan
Member
+1,230|7321|Alberta, Canada

I don't know if it has already been said, but don't even vacuum the dust out of your computer. Use compressed air only.
A vacuum creates static electricity, which will fry thing inside your computer.
2008-01-07 08:48:30
b.branscombe
Member
+5|6679
Just an update.  Since installing the two PCI fans, and dropping the idle temp 5-6°C or so, I've noticed a significant reduction in the artifacting I was previously experiencing.  I had been really busy so was unable to game for an extended period, but my brother played TF2 for about 2hrs solid last night and experienced no problems.  Is it a great longterm solution?  Probably not, but should tide me over nicely until I am ready to upgrade the whole system to something with better cooling.

So again, thanks a lot to everyone who contributed to this thread.

 

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