First PC Build Finished, Thanks For The Help!!!!

[vnhill1981]

Well as some of you know, I have been blowing up the threads asking questions about my first PC build (well mainly just upgrading the existing one). Anyways here's where I started:

HP Pavillion a6442p
Samsung 500GB Hard Drive
Asus Benicia Motherboard
Intel Dual Core e2200
4 x 1GB Samsung DDR2 Memory 800MHz
250W PSU (stock), which I changed to a Cool Master Extreme Power 600W (satisfies my needs)
*PC was very unorganized inside (here's the before pic)


Here's what's in it now:

Same Hard Drive
ASUS P8Z68-M Pro
Intel i5 2500 (non K)
2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 Corsair Vengeance
600W PSU (as stated earlier)
Galaxy GT430 (Fermi) - picked for $40 locally

First problem was side panel had a small vented area where the air blew off of the heatsink/fan out of the case. With the new MOBO, the CPU was positioned where the air would not go to the vent, rather it would blow right into the solid portion of the side panel (marked by red X in pic below). Solution:
1. Cut out large square on side panel
2. By A/C floor vent cover
3. Paint it black
4. Cover the hole
(plus install sticker for looks LOL, archery is my first love)


Being very careful, I installed all of the new hardware, along with dressing it up to be as organized as I could get it in such a small case):


After installing everything and turning it on, first thing I did was boot from disk using a Memtest 86 disk I created. Here's pic (it passed, so far so good)


Then I used my Windows 7 64bit Upgrade disk to do a clean install of Windows (this way will not let you activate as I found out). Rep. from Microsoft said the upgrade key is not meant to use to do a clean install to prevent piracy. However, after 15 minutes on the phone with them they configured the key to allow me to do so (Thanks Microsoft). The next 6-7 hours was spent re-loading programs, copying files, and installing some 150+ Windows updates. Now we're cooking. First thing I did once running was Intel Burn Test. First and Second try failure at Maximum Stress. Got online and read some issues and solutions. Third try Passed (key was to make sure you run as an administrator). Next I used x264 Benchmark HD v4.0 to compare to a comparison between the two PC's:

Original: 1st Pass - 28 FPS / 2nd Pass 5 (average over the 4 tests)
Upgraded: 1st pass - 145 FPS / 2nd Pass 29 FPS (average over the 4 tests)
(got excited about this)

Next I did a real world test, as it relates to me on what I wanted my PC to do (which was my sole purpose for upgrading as I plan to put my entire DVD set on an external Hard Drive). Using Aiseesoft DVD Ripper I converted my Lost Boys DVD (by the way one of the best movies ever I think). Here's the comparison:

Original:
Set output as a H264 720p file - time 10.5 hours (let it run all day)

Upgraded:
Set output as a H264 1080p file - time 45 minutes

Then came my first fright. I installed CPUID Hardware Monitor. It gave CPU core temps in the low 30's (celsius), but my CPUTIN was mid 80's-90 (celsius). I read through some forums on line and AIDA64 Extreme Edition was listed as one of the better monitoring softwares, so I downloaded it. Here's the read out comparison:

Now my PC ain't smoking or blowing any hot air, so I believe I am good. I have read that the CPUTIN in some programs can be misleading, but what do you think. For what it's worth, according to AIDA64 my system idles around 28 (celsius) and goes to around mid 40's (celsius) during normal operations. The highest it got during Intel Burn Test with all cores running at 100% was 68 (celsius). All in all I think my first build went well. Sorry so long, just kinda proud of myself.

Edit: Pics are not showing up for some, so here they are in the order they were supposed to be

[BrooksyX]

cant see the pics.

[JrRacinFan]

Congrats! Try www.techpowerup.com/tpucapture for your screenshots. Enjoy the new build dude!

[entropy13]

That PSU you got, it's not really 600W. I know because I had that. At best it's a 450W. And a very inefficient one at that (71-77% efficient). Good thing you only got a GT 430.

[vnhill1981]

Originally Posted by entropy13

That PSU you got, it's not really 600W. I know because I had that. At best it's a 450W. And a very inefficient one at that (71-77% efficient). Good thing you only got a GT 430.

Yes sir, I am aware now (after I bought it). However, don't really have buyers remorse as it supports what I need it to. Next build it will probably a Corsair Gold Platinum and definately modular (but that's a few years away).

[Jetster]

Good job! Updating an HP can be a pain. They have a lot of preparatory parts that sometimes need to be modded. Now you need to update your system specs in your UserCP

[vnhill1981]

Originally Posted by Jetster

Good job! Updating an HP can be a pain. They have a lot of preparatory parts that sometimes need to be modded. Now you need to update your system specs in your UserCP

Done!

[pantherx12]

As you case is inverted and you don't have much airflow may I suggest removing the PCI bracket blanking plates?

Means the warm air from your GPU has somewhere to escape to.

[vnhill1981]

Originally Posted by pantherx12

As you case is inverted and you don't have much airflow may I suggest removing the PCI bracket blanking plates?

Means the warm air from your GPU has somewhere to escape to.

Good suggestion, will do!

Edit: DONE

[entropy13]

Any info about the case fan? Size? Brand?

[pantherx12]

Originally Posted by vnhill1981

Good suggestion, will do!

Edit: DONE

Fast work

There's not been a single case I've ever kept them in

[vnhill1981]

Originally Posted by entropy13

Any info about the case fan? Size? Brand?

92mm x 25mm Foxconn (all I know as it came with the PC)