Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, Starfalcon
If you're running a modern gfx card then this too contributes HUGELY to heat probs. Even a GF2 kicks out some heat.
If your case is more than a year old then it certainly wasn't designed with new components in mind, esp if your PSU is covering your CPU. You should DEFINITELY consider a new case, if not then certainly a dual fan PSU like Antec or Enermax.
I've heard many times that setting a 133 FSB via the mobo dips/switches can be very problematic, so try checking your BIOS for the setting, and a BIOS update will do no harm.
If you're using an older chipset like KT133 then it simply can't handle XP cores of Duron1.0ghz+ and AthlonXP's. Check the manu website for compatibility info.
Also you will need at least PC133 (SDR) or PC2100 (DDR) to cope with a 133 FSB. As mentioned, disable the '+33' setting as it's intended for async FSB & RAM settings at a 100FSB. Also use the slowest RAM timings for CAS latency etc (ie higher ones, 3 or 2.5 instead of 2), at least until you manage to POST.
Your ratio should be automatic anyway, even older mobos should handle those with ease. Just rem to keep the PCI very close to 33mhz if you don't want probs. 100/3 or 133/4 are what it should do. Regarding case fans and airflow. Be carefull not to exacerbate the problem. Sticking them in the wrong places or wrong way around will have a negative effect.
First I would check your case for adequate ventilation. You really need some ventilation at the front and some ventilation at the back. It's always good to remove spare PCI slot cover plates, as well as any other removable covers. Also the unused 3.5" & 5.25" bays at the front of your case often have metal plates covering them, remove them, maybe put some holes in the plastic covers too. Route your cables well so they don't inhibit airflow. As a last resort, try unscrewing the PSU and place it on top of the case (esp if it's blocking the CPU HSF) and remove the side of your case, bear in mind that will also make the components more vulnerable to damage and dust.
When applying case fans you should see what your case allows. I would only rec at most, a fan at the bottom front pulling cool air in, and another fan near the CPU pulling warm air out. Bear in mind that the front fan will need good local ventilation in order to get the cool air in, otherwise it will just keep blowing the warm air around. The rear FAN again needs good local ventilation, it's no good blowing warm air at the casing if it can't go anywhere. When adding the fans, I would mount them one at a time and monitor the diff in temps, they could simply mix up the in-case air flow rather than enhance it.
Bottom line, use stability as a guide, rem that any temp readings are only approximate anyway.
4200's run pretty hot, but no more really than a GF2. Even in older cases, once the measures I mentioned above I've seen people running GF3s in old cases. Adequate ventilation and an intake fan at the front or rear exhaust fan should certainly be more than enough.
If you're not getting crashes or lock-ups the I'd simply say your reported temps are unrealisticly high. You'll get adequate warning from random reboots, freezing etc long before any damage is done, I'd say that's the best guide.
I think the biggest prob you have is the lack of a 133 FSB, what chipset does that Gigabyte mobo use?
ReiGn wrote:I'm running on the 7VRXP board and using the Gigabyte Utility Manager, and I'm getting high readings too. I think a lot of it is the software readings being off. I'm getting temps on the CPU (T-Bird 1.2) of 55-60 idle to load, and system temps of 40 degrees which seems rediculous.
