My Lab Workstation

[gxsaurav]

This post is not a review as the components I have in my new workstation are already reviewed on several web sites.. This thread is about my Rig, how to benchmark it & what are the safe temperature limits etc.








The configuration is...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Intel DG31PR Motherboard
2X1 GB Kingston ValueRAM KVR667D2N5/1G DDR2 667 RAM
Zebronics Lava Cabinet with Zebronics Platinum 400W SMPS
Western Digital WD1600AAJS 160 GB SATA 2 Hard disk with 8 MB Buffer.
Samsung SH-SH203D DVD Writer
Sapphire Radeon HD 3650 with 256 MB DDR2 RAM
XBOX 360 Wireless Controller with XBOX 360 Wireless gaming receiver for Windows.
Philips HiFi SHP8900 headphones
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000
Zebronics Desktop Commander Keyboard
Microsoft Lifecam VX-3000
LG L206WTQ 20" LCD Monitor

Windows Experience Index Score.



Cinebench R10 CB Score = 4145



Everest system stability test result for stress test of 2 hrs



With Orthos 30 mins "Stress CPU" Test, the CPU reached a maximum of 59C



This is the temperature of my system after 1 hour of normal usage.



Stuff that I still need to buy in Delhi in order of Priority

APC 500VA UPS

Creative GigaWorks T40 speakers

Cooler Master iGreen Power 430W or any other Cooler Master SMPS within 2k. My System needs 250W in peak mode

Western Digital 120 GB External Passport Hard disk

Leadtek Winfast DTV1800 H Media Center Edition TV Tuner card

[Choto Cheeta]

Nice rig contrags on the system

I ran the Everest system stability test for about 2 hrs, & here are the temperature results. Are they under safe limits?

To test processor Temps, run Core Temp while Orthos will get the hell out of the processor

Bellow 65c is what you should stay with your Core2 system

[nish_higher]

^ perhaps you could include this config \ a similar one in ur buying guide thread as a budget workstation ?

[Choto Cheeta]

Originally Posted by nish_higher

^ perhaps you could include this config \ a similar one in ur buying guide thread as a budget workstation ?

We have difference in opinion, I would have choosen XFX 630i 7150 as my mother board if staying onboard !!!

[Zangetsu]

Hey is the intel DG31 mobo is micro-ATX

[drvarunmehta]

I don't know what the safe limits are but your CPU is getting quite hot.
Also 58 C seems to be a very high min temp for your mobo.
Plus there is too much fluctuation in the voltage. Not a very good sign.

Since there isn't any dust or cable clutter in your case, I assume that either your temp sensor or Everest is busted or there isn't proper contact between the processor surface and the heatsink. If nothing works then use some Arctic Silver paste to get the temps under control.

[Choto Cheeta]

Plus there is too much fluctuation in the voltage. Not a very good sign.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpeedStep

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/rese...ech/203838.htm

[drvarunmehta]

I'm not talking of the fluctuation in the CPU core. That is completely normal.

It's the crucial 12V rail that seems messed up. 13.74 on a 12V rail is bad.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by Choto Cheeta

I would have choosen XFX 630i 7150 as my mother board if staying onboard !!!

Even I would have chosen that motherboard if I was to stay with onboard graphics. I will be buying a 8600GT soon so bought Intel motherboard.

I assume that either your temp sensor or Everest is busted

Plus there is too much fluctuation in the voltage. Not a very good sign.

Even I am assuming that as I checked & installed the CPU myself, so it has proper contact. Also, the sensor is showing Aux temprature as 124 degress celcius which is imposible.

SMPS is temporary, I will buy a new one within one month. What power SMPS will I need for this sytem? 400W or higher?

Core 2 CPU shuts down at 65C to prevent from damage. The maximum I reached was 64C. Now going to run orthos to stress test.

Choto, how to run orthos properly?

[Choto Cheeta]

SMPS is temporary, I will buy a new one within one month. What power SMPS will I need for this sytem? 400W or higher?

GX, when thinking of adding 8600 GT and doing long and demanding processecing, do try at-least Zebronics Platinum 500 watts which is Rs. 1500/- + TAX in Kolkata

problem is these local brands at Rs. 400 really cant give you a 450 watts PSU, at max out put comes 350 watts or so

[drvarunmehta]

If you don't mind spending a bit extra then get a Cooler Master eXtreme Power 500W for Rs. 2800-3000

[Choto Cheeta]

Core 2 CPU shuts down at 65C to prevent from damage. The maximum I reached was 64C. Now going to run orthos to stress test.

Choto, how to run orthos properly?

orthos will push 4/5 C higher for sure than any other CPU test... its almost baap of them all

Before orthos get your self the Core Temp

Run it with admin access, it will show the CPU and each of its core temps

now download, extract the CAB file, double click and strees the CPU only

for example this is a test I ran at my Over clocked E6600 (u have a better Over Clocker than me )

Originally Posted by drvarunmehta

If you don't mind spending a bit extra then get a Cooler Master eXtreme Power 500W for Rs. 2800-3000

It will be a over kill for this System

[drvarunmehta]

Think of it as insurance for the brand new PC you just bought. And atleast the voltages will be stable. Plus you get the option of adding virtually any graphics card in the future without upgrading the PSU.

[Choto Cheeta]

Originally Posted by drvarunmehta

Think of it as insurance for the brand new PC you just bought. And atleast the voltages will be stable. Plus you get the option of adding virtually any graphics card in the future without upgrading the PSU.

Zebronics 500 watts Platium is fine for 8800 GT and once again personal opinion spending 3k on a 500 watts its Over priced

[drvarunmehta]

Check this site to see how much power you require
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

It may seem overpriced when you compare it to a local brand but it's the bare minimum used in any half-decent rig abroad. I can't understand why we tend to skimp on the PSU in India.

[Choto Cheeta]

I can't understand why we tend to skimp on the PSU in India.

Tell me, why would I need Cooler Master over Zebronics ?? in real world what problem I would face with Zebronics or even a Power Safe or ColorSit 450 watts running Over Clocked C2D with 120 nm ThermalRight ultra eXterem, 8800 GTS (single) 4 GB DDR-II 4 SATA HDD 2 IDE DVD RW ??

[nish_higher]

CM extreme 460W costs 2900bucks..a 500 w would even be more costly.. + he aint using some 8800GTX so its a total insane waste of money (for this rig)
for him zebby is good.

[drvarunmehta]

Originally Posted by Choto Cheeta

Tell me, why would I need Cooler Master over Zebronics ?? in real world what problem I would face with Zebronics or even a Power Safe or ColorSit 450 watts running Over Clocked C2D with 120 nm ThermalRight ultra eXterem, 8800 GTS (single) 4 GB DDR-II 4 SATA HDD 2 IDE DVD RW ??

To avoid the kind of problem that gx_saurav is facing.

Even a local brand can provide enough power but it can't maintain the voltage at a steady level when under load.
Just ask the guys on the forum who own a branded PSU why they bought it.

[nish_higher]

^ i m one of those guys thats why telling him not to go for so much pricey PSU.he currenly owns Iball psu-which is poor quality-but i never expected it to be so poor..zebby's good for his config--there's never gonna be a load that it cant handle.majority low-med-end pc owners go for it \powersafe.

[Choto Cheeta]

To avoid the kind of problem that gx_saurav is facing.

I seems to be missing the problem ??? what is the problem what GX is facing ??

for information I am running my C2D E6600 @ 3.6 GHz 24/7 with all those accessories woth just 450 watts LOCAL made ColorSiT Rs. 900/- for last 1.5 years...

thats just my personal PC, where as in cafe I an running many systems with local 400 watts (default cheapest PSU with Cabinet @ Rs. 650 total) with 8600 GT and some as X2 some C2D some older power hingry P4 No issue till date...

I am even running few C2Q at those local cheast 450 watts with 8400 and even some little OC at 2.8 too till date no issue there also

However I updated those C2Q PSU to Zebronics as those local PSU cant OC higher than 2.8 and I wanted to add some more HDD too...

By just for so many words "get better PSU" I bought one Cooler Master eXtereme 600 watts @ Rs. 3500/- + TAX !! and after these months I see its complete waste of money

So i trust I results I am getting from my own end !!!

Till date no Real world problem... so please do let me know what real world problem I would face ??

Hey GX, some result and screeny from the TEST of Orthos please

[gxsaurav]

Thanx for telling me about Core Temp, very nice, small & simple utility. I wish they could make a yahoo widget out of it.

Originally Posted by Choto Cheeta

GX, when thinking of adding 8600 GT and doing long and demanding processecing, do try at-least Zebronics Platinum 500 watts which is Rs. 1500/- + TAX in Kolkata

problem is these local brands at Rs. 400 really cant give you a 450 watts PSU, at max out put comes 350 watts or so

So, should I inquire about the zebronics Platinum 500W or not? If I transfer the money to u will u be able to send me one? What will be the total cost including shipping & the process as a device that big from kolkata might ask for Form 32 while entering U.P.

How is colorsit 500W? It is available right now in Market.

Plus you get the option of adding virtually any graphics card in the future without upgrading the PSU.

Nah, I m no like that. I hardly upgrade my system as the power I have with this system is good enough. I optimize the software to give more performance. I will not be buying any other graphics card other then 8600GT. I might buy a Quadro later but if I do that, then I will be updating to a Core 2 Quad too.

Iball psu-which is poor quality

Nope, I m using 500W PSU which came with my Zebronics Lava Cabinet.

I checked at eXtreme Power Supply & right now my system requires 207W . With all the hardware as I have planned it will require 259W. So the zebronics Platinum 500W looks good enough for me.

Choto, how long should I run orthos for?

[Choto Cheeta]

over clocking gurus do it 4 24 hours but 4 u i guess 60 min is enough, do keep ur eye always on the temps, never ever in any case cross 70c mark, if needed do a cold reset if u find u r crossing 70c mark..

But make one more thing right, In BIOS there should a fan cotroller for coltrolling the CPU FAN... Change the default option of Power saving to High Performance or just disable the FAN control.... not sure about the exact option as I am yet to try your exact board model

So, should I inquire about the zebronics Platinum 500W or not? If I transfer the money to u will u be able to send me one? What will be the total cost including shipping & the process as a device that big from kolkata might ask for Form 32 while entering U.P.

1st try at Local stores Zebronics has a good channel network, u should get it, if not we are always there to help u out

[gxsaurav]

I disabled the CPU Fan control in BIOS so all the fans are running at maximum temperature & making lots of noise.

I ran Orthos for 30 mins, the Stress CPU test, while watching a movie for time pass. The CPU reached a maximum of 59C but never crosses that, here is a screen shot. How are these results? Is the temperature proper or should I do something?

[Choto Cheeta]

hey u changed the avatar they Prof was better man than Dex

Yup, temps though are little higher side as the CPU is at Stock, but still its FINE 59c is normal !!! any thing bellow 60 is consider to be safe and healthy with Orthos

No othern Apps would push the CPU higher than Orthos so u can relax in peace

anyway,

I disabled the CPU Fan control in BIOS so all the fans are running at maximum temperature & making lots of noise.

its india so need to run the FAN at full speed because of the Summer hit.. but yes when at night system would just donwload or such, then you may turn on the fancontrol to cut the power use and noise but as when you work on heavy processing better to keep the fan control turned off and let it run at Full speed

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by Choto Cheeta

hey u changed the avatar they Prof was better man than Dex

Hmm...now where is that avtar

Yup, temps though are little higher side as the CPU is at Stock, but still its FINE 59c is normal !!! any thing bellow 60 is consider to be safe and healthy with Orthos

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

its india so need to run the FAN at full speed because of the Summer hit.. but yes when at night system would just donwload or such, then you may turn on the fancontrol to cut the power use and noise but as when you work on heavy processing better to keep the fan control turned off and let it run at Full speed

Not a problem as when I run anything CPU intensive, the clock speed increses to 2.33 GHz & Fans start running at full speed. I got one CPU Fan, 2 side fans & 1 120mm rear fan. How should I set them? I mean which fan should exhaust & which should intake? The Side fans are the ones default with the cabinet

[john_the_ultimate]

Add a front intake it will you to cool the HDD. Also if there is an option for a blowhole (fan at the top of the cabby) then make it exhaust.
This is what I have:
1 front intake
1 side intake (above cpu...........yes there is dust getting in but during rendering the CPU is working like hell and I intend to cool it as much possible)
1 back exhaust
1 top exhaust (hot air rises) also the PSU fan helps to remove hot air.

With this setup mine E4300 @ 3.2GHz loads at 55c during summers and in winter it was 41c.

Also the side fan as intake help to cool the ram modules as it blow cool air directly between cpu and ram slots.

[Choto Cheeta]

With this setup mine E4300 @ 3.2GHz loads at 55c during summers and in winter it was 41c.

u forgot to mention u have a 3rd party CPU cooler

[john_the_ultimate]

Originally Posted by Choto Cheeta

u forgot to mention u have a 3rd party CPU cooler

Haan saurav bhai, just got so much used to 3rd party cooler, forgot to mention it. But still would like to add that the side intake fan help to lower the temps even further.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by john_the_ultimate

Add a front intake it will you to cool the HDD. Also if there is an option for a blowhole (fan at the top of the cabby) then make it exhaust.

No such options....I can always drill some holes though

See, are the temprature normal right now? I can invest in a 3rd party cooler if requied.

[john_the_ultimate]

As saurav said, anything below 60c is fine and since you are not o'clocking (also most intel mobo won't let you) 3rd party cooler is not required. But if you do oc then its always recommended to get a 3rd party cooler.
And yeah you can always drill some holes