Author Topic: New system...case fan problem (Read 499 times)

Simaril · « **on:** August 27, 2006, 08:03:33 AM »

No small thanks to you guys, but I've successfully built my first ever system!

Motherboard:       P5WDH Deluxe
CPU:          Intel X6600
Hard Drive:      Western Digital SE16 250GB SATA
RAM:          2GB of PC6400 DDR2-800 Crucial RAM
Video Card:       HIS Radeon X1900XTX 512MB
Case:         Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000VWA
PSU: Antec II 550W


It's up and running nicely, and I'm in the process of migrating my software...but I'm running into a couple problems.

First, and most worrysome to me, the 120mm case fans are stalling on startup. When the system powers up, the 80mm side fan starts immediately but the low power, very quiet front/back fans move only a little and stop. (Probably going to the first magnet/winding interface and not getting "over the hump.") If I give the tinyest nudge, they start up and run fine for the rest of the session.

I thought it was just a matter of getting them loosened up, but there hasnt been any improvement. What's more, when I go to the BIOS management software even when running the rpms are displayed in red, and are in the 400-600 range instead of the 1300 range seen for the side 80mm fan.

Secondly, the temperatures are acting funny. I can get a consistant 37c for the CPU, but the motherboard is running 50c or so...and I expected the MoBo to be cooler. As I look at my case layout, I think part of the problem is the very large vid card in the top slot is blocking flow to from the front fan in the bottom, to the rear fan toward the top.

I'm gong to move the vid card, and I'm going to move the fan power from the PSU's "fan only" plug to another cable...but I cant imagine thats the real problem. Any other thoughts?

ozrocker · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2006, 08:55:54 AM »

Maybe a bad fan. Try a different fan in that same plug, or try fan with a different plug.
Good Luck.
Oz

Roscoroo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2006, 02:18:31 PM »

in the bios there maybe fan speed/temp setup or if two fans are fighting for the same temp probe in the mainboard ,its setting them at such a low voltage that they bolth cant run .

hook them up direct to the power supply dont go thru the mainboard .

50c mb temp is too hot .. but it looks like a miss read from what i see ,as for your cpu is at 37c

CptA · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2006, 03:07:31 PM »

Simaril,

The manual for that board specifies a maximum of 2A at 12V (24W) is available at the fan connectors.

It's not clear if that is a total for all the fans combined, or for each connector, but I believe it to be for each.

Check your fans to be sure they do not require more than the 2 Amps that the motherboard can deliver.

If they need more power, you'll have to use an adapter to draw the proper voltage from the power supply unit.

Putting together a new system is always an adventure!

Have Fun!

CptA

Simaril · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2006, 08:10:19 PM »

Switching the fan power connectors did the trick. With standard amperages, the fans are running faster and I'm getting better (though not completely satisfying) temps of 33-34C CPU and 37-40 MB.

Thanks!

flakbait · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2006, 10:40:28 PM »

Had the same problem with my Antec 430W TruPower when I built my current rig. It has dedicated 5v-style plugs that aren't actually 5v, and they didn't supply enough voltage to the fans so they'd spin up to full tilt on boot. Switching to actual 5v plugs solved the glitch, but my 120mm intake wouldn't spin. I had to bump it with my finger to get it moving. Turns out Q-Fan was turning my fans down (Asus MB). Killed that, and no more fan hiccups. Now all three (2x120, 1x90) hit full RPM on boot.

As a small side note: those that use AsusProbe might want to be weary of false alarms. Running LOMAC always trips a case temp alarm for me (Probe says its at 88C; technically impossible). Setting the alarm point at 95C fixed it. CPU temp has always been bang-on with BIOS levels, though.

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Flakbait [Delta6]

Skuzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2006, 07:15:37 AM »

Conroes run cold. 37C is about right for the CPU. My 6800E runs 37C at idle (using a Thermalright XP120 heat sink).

The ASUS motherboard temp sensor is close to the RAM. The DDR RAM runs pretty darn hot. What I did when I built my system was to install a 'dead-air' fan just between the Northbridge and RAM. All it does is move the air around in that area.

SuperDud · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2006, 07:37:29 AM »

Why can't my build go that smooth?!?!?!?

Congrats Sim:D

flakbait · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:23:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy

The ASUS motherboard temp sensor is close to the RAM. The DDR RAM runs pretty darn hot. What I did when I built my system was to install a 'dead-air' fan just between the Northbridge and RAM. All it does is move the air around in that area.

The 90mm sidewall intake fan was throwing air all over the place and created a dead zone all around the CPU. Air would come off the HSF, hit my RAM, and reflect back into the HSF. Fixing that was easy enough; a piece of cardboard and a zip-tie did it. I fashioned a cardboard hood to sit atop the intake fan and its held on the fan with a zip-tie. Instead of throwing air out all four corners, it now pushes air from the HSF on the left to my DDR RAM stick on the right. Keeps the CPU temp two degrees C cooler, no more dead-zone, and to boot it cools off a lot faster after being loaded up for a while.

Not quite a leaf blower, but it'll do!

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Flakbait [Delta6]

Simaril · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2006, 12:14:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SuperDud
Why can't my build go that smooth?!?!?!?

Congrats Sim:D

Maybe it went smoothly because I got to learn from your troubles....

But, it wasnt a piece of cake. I started in the late afternoon, and since it was my first build I went slowly and methodically. I figured that if I invested to time up front, it would save far more time and frustration during the troubleshooting phase.

Trouble was, that once I was ready to do my first power up test. I got nothing but a black screen. The board LED was lit, the fans were running, connects all checked, the vid card was up...but all i could get was a black screen. I thought I must have destroyed the CPU, contacts or static or something.
I was tired enough that I called it a night, and went down to watch TV with the family --- feeling very bummed.

Next morning I pulled out the MoBo manual, and realized that the thing had TWO power connectors!

Once I attached that pesky 12V cord, all was well.

Simaril · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2006, 07:05:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Conroes run cold. 37C is about right for the CPU. My 6800E runs 37C at idle (using a Thermalright XP120 heat sink).

The ASUS motherboard temp sensor is close to the RAM. The DDR RAM runs pretty darn hot. What I did when I built my system was to install a 'dead-air' fan just between the Northbridge and RAM. All it does is move the air around in that area.

Skuzzy... I orfered that fan, but I find myself staring at the bracket stuipidly. My case doesnt have anywhere to screw that puppy in! And the bracket orientation seems to be 90 degrees off from the direction I want the air to flow.

The are minimal instructions, and what they say is more entertaining than helpful. ("Zalman FB123 does not generate little noise and vibration in silent mode...." Translators rock!)

The X6600 CPU is peaking at about 32, most of the time 29-31. The motherboard runs 40-42 with use; is this OK even before the fan?

flakbait · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2006, 11:29:53 AM »

Should've saved yourself the money. All you need is a case that has a sidewall intake fan, a length of cardboard and a zip tie. Cut the cardboard a little wider than the top of your fan (90mm fan = 130mm cut) and around 3 inches long. Bend the excess edges that hang off either side of the fan to form a "hood." Place that atop your sidewall fan and zip tie it to the fan. Instant "dead air" fan with the total cost of Nada!

PS: Your temps are just fine. Mobo looks a little warm, but your CPU temp isn't anywhere near the worry stage.

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Flakbait [Delta6]

Roscoroo · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2006, 01:42:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by flakbait
Should've saved yourself the money. All you need is a case that has a sidewall intake fan, a length of cardboard and a zip tie. Cut the cardboard a little wider than the top of your fan (90mm fan = 130mm cut) and around 3 inches long. Bend the excess edges that hang off either side of the fan to form a "hood." Place that atop your sidewall fan and zip tie it to the fan. Instant "dead air" fan with the total cost of Nada!

PS: Your temps are just fine. Mobo looks a little warm, but your CPU temp isn't anywhere near the worry stage.

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Flakbait [Delta6]

ok a side case fan does a great job of pulling cool air in for the cpu ,n bridge, and the ram .... but It Doesnt help your Harddrives at all and may even make them run hotter... the faster the drive the more cooling it needs . I was frying eggs on mine this summer .

as for asus temp monitors ive found all of mine to be within + or - 2 deg F of what i see in the bios and in asus probe . thats not to bad .

40 c is ok for case temp but i like to keep mine down 36c or less.

any Cpu under 50c under a load is fine .. as a general rule .

the cooler your pc is, the longer the hardware will last .

Simaril · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2006, 05:03:29 PM »

Yeah, I've played with the hard drive positioning and found that makes a big difference...but in the wrong direction!

Went from MB temp 40-43 up to 47-48, probably by breating another dead spot.

I'd liek to mount this fan, because I'm pretty sure where the dead spot is...but theres no way to set it. I have a clear case side panel and dont want to mess that side up...

thinking about tapping a screw hole into the aluminum cross brace, that levels the PSU...or maybe using some cyanoacrylate? (shivers)