Lots of gaming to do - Need to get my PC ready

P

Putter

Geek
As of Tuesday night, I'm done exams. I also quit my job a while back. And I don't work out anymore. My point? I have 28 (twenty-eight!!!) days of nothing but playing and shopping for computer games.

Because of this, I want my computer in tip-top condition, so I want to open 'er up and do some work on the inside, maybe even buy some new accessories. But despite the fact that I built my computer, I'm not exactly the most experienced when working with computers, hardware or software. So I have a few questions.

1. The temps on my C2D e6400 are way too high for my liking. As I write this, Intel Thermal Analysis Tool says my idle temps are around 50 degrees. Speedfan says...things, I can't quit figure them out. The difference between Temp1 and Core1 is?

I have three questions regarding this. First, I'm thinking maybe I didn't add enough thermal paste when I built my comp last March, because it's always been this high. I still have my tube of thermal paste sitting in a box somewhere. Is it still good? I read if you leave it sitting the particles will separate. Can you like, restir it or something?

Second, when I put my PC together, my HSF popped out after a few days, and my temps immediately skyrocketted to atleast 80 degrees, but since I was monitoring it, I turned it off before it went beyound there. Is there any way this could have permanently damaged the processing ability or the temperature readings?

Finally, if thermal paste isn't the problem, what is a cool, quiet and reliable cooler. I'm not really an overclocker (I might like to try it at some point), but I'd like a high quality cooler to keep temperature and noise down. My budget is maybe 50 bucks or thereabouts.

2. While the p180b is a pretty quiet case, and the sounds coming from it are not overly distracting, going above "Low" on the 3 casefans leads to a distracting amount of noise. I once talked to a guy that recommended some really quiet, really fast spinning and effective case fans, can't remember what he called them. I think they were made by Nitrux or Nexus or something to that effect. Anyway, if someone could recommend some relatively cheap and effective 120mm case fans with speed controls and an emphasis on cooling power, that would be greatly appreciated.

3. If I wanted to play a CD or DVD in my computer, would it be utilizing the sound card? All I have plugged into the back of my drives is an IDE cable each, and a Molex.

Any help is much appreciated.

I wanna make this the best month ever. I can't even remember the last time I had 4 weeks of nothingness, probably never.
 
I have three questions regarding this. First, I'm thinking maybe I didn't add enough thermal paste when I built my comp last March, because it's always been this high. I still have my tube of thermal paste sitting in a box somewhere. Is it still good? I read if you leave it sitting the particles will separate. Can you like, restir it or something?
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Yes it should still be good, as long as the lid was on it. As for the particles separating I have never heard of such happening, but that doesn't mean it can't. When in doubt go buy a new tube. They don't cost much. Just ot note in case you arn't sure, clean off ALL of the old thermal paste before you put new paste on your CPU.

2. My case is the Antec p180b. This question is probably addressed to people who also have this case, which I sure there is one or two here. Anyways, I haven't opened it up in a few months, but based on the buildup on the air intakes, it's dusty as hell in there. Apparently I'm supposed to be able to take out the fan covers on the front of the case, but I don't know how. I open the little door, but then I have no idea how to detach the actual things. I even looked at a case review to see what they did, and it just magically popped out (it was regular, then it faded to a screen where they were already out :<).
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Unfortunatly I do not own this case, but i imagine you can check out the manual for it on antec's website.

4. Finally, any tweaks you guys can think of to get my machine running it's best? I'm talking software/cleanup/tweaking type things. Anything to get it running fast and efficient. Normally this is when I would format (I format a lot more than most), but since I got a 320gb harddrive now I figured I'd stretch out . Any random suggestions to increase performance are welcome.
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Defrag your hard drive, run a scandisk just for good measure. Doing this every so often is a good idea anytime. Geta decent registry cleaner (the name of the one I use escapes me at the moment) and run it. Make sure you look whichever one you choose over (IE check reviews) before using it as it could easily mess up your computer. Unisntall any program you don't use (before you defrag). Getting rid of excess programs can always help free up space and sometimes speed up the computer.

5. I have no idea how to get the front audio ports working. Is there normally cabling for that sort of thing included, and if so does it go from the sound card? Currently I'm using the back ports which is fine, but the front is always nice. Similarly, if I wanted to play a CD or DVD in my computer, would it be utilizing the sound card? All I have plugged into the back of my drives is an IDE cable each, and a Molex.
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There should be a cable for this. It would usualy look like a small block with one pin near the middle blocked out. If its missing it might jsut be tucked up somewhere in the case. I know Antec cases almost always have them, but your motherboard would have to have a spot for it to plug in as well.

6. The front USB port on my case broke, I think I was drunk and tripped over the cable that was coming from it. Anyways, it's 2 ports side by side (like this [ || ],), and the middle nub (the || part) is broken out, so neither usb port works. However, if I fiddle with it I can get it to work. Should I risk trying to fix it, by like, soldering it back together? I'm not the most experience solderer, haven't done it in 3 years or so. Might try it though, assuming no permanent damage can occur.
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The main concern here is if you manage to solder two wires together that shouldn't be together. It will short out your USB controller and could fry your motherboard depending on the situation. If its that important I would either see about an add-in card and use a USB extension cord, or buy a new case.
 
If it could mess something up I'm just not going to bother with solder. Maybe tape will work....

The back USB ports still work, so I won't be needing a new case or add in card.

I also checked the online manual, and it did in fact have instructions on how to remove the grills (IIRC the normal one didn't). So that's nice now.

And that allotment of tweaks should be sufficient. It's all stuff I know how to do, but that's a good checklist for me to go by. I'll probably just avoid the registry thing, don't want anything messing up.

I'll look in my case for the wire. Also, the second part of my question wasn't answered so I will leave that, though I'm deleting what Zimmerru answered. Thanks :).
 
3. If I wanted to play a CD or DVD in my computer, would it be utilizing the sound card? All I have plugged into the back of my drives is an IDE cable each, and a Molex.
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If you played a CD/DVD and are running windows XP or newer, it will use the sound card without any aditional cables. Microsoft eliminated the need for the digital audio cable to the back of your CD Drive in windows XP, though it is still required for windows 2000 and older.

Finally, if thermal paste isn't the problem, what is a cool, quiet and reliable cooler. I'm not really an overclocker (I might like to try it at some point), but I'd like a high quality cooler to keep temperature and noise down. My budget is maybe 50 bucks or thereabouts.
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Check out the Coolers that Zalman makes. They have a few for the C2D series and they are the best, and quietest coolers I have ever used.
 
Putter said:
Ok, sweet. I got My front audios working, used the manual to get the filters off (they were gross, but the inside of my computer was nearly dust free).

I think I'm going to get this cooler for my CPU:

Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail

and perhaps 1 or more of these fans:

Newegg.com - Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan - Retail

Look good?

Thanks for the help, btw.
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If you can afford it get the 110mm version that is if it can fit in your case then i recommend that one don't bother with the 92mm version.

Zalman CNPS9700-NT nVidia Tritium CPU Cooler
 
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