View Full Version : Received my new PC - A little advice required
Hi all,
I received my newly built Aria PC and I just have a few questions. But first here are some pictures on my new toy :)
Here is my original wishlist.
https://www.aria.co.uk/WishList/ISup7I9HF8e71bbz9dzKrQ,,
It came late on in the day so I haven't had much of a play yet.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view, then click on the magnifying glass to zoom to full size. I know the pictures aren't the best but a Galaxy S2 is all I had to hand, sorry.
Here is the box it came in, it was very well packaged.
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/1095/20110819173354.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/20110819173354.jpg/)
Oh, noes it's empty :D
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8283/20110819173408.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/20110819173408.jpg/)
Standing proud :thumb:
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7518/20110819174234.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/20110819174234.jpg/)
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3456/20110819174258.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/20110819174258.jpg/)
All the extra boxes came in this
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/1830/20110819173507.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/713/20110819173507.jpg/)
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5042/20110819173739.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/20110819173739.jpg/)
It's nekkid :popcorn:
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2295/20110819174426.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/20110819174426.jpg/)
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/473/20110819174449.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/20110819174449.jpg/)
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8251/20110819174524.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/20110819174524.jpg/)
Nice cable management
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/1434/20110819174852.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/20110819174852.jpg/)
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/761/20110819174931.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/20110819174931.jpg/)
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4097/20110819174904.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/20110819174904.jpg/)
And now onto some of the issues I'm having. They might not be issues at all I just thought I would ask.
I ran ATTO to check the speed of my drive, I was expecting to see more like 400 MB /s but it looks more like 275 ish. Could it be connected to the SATA3 or something?
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1665/attor.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/attor.jpg/)
I don't really know much about overclocking but I thought I would run a blend on Prime to see what the temps were. They seem a bit high to me? What do you think, this image was taken after only a few minutes, it got up to temperature within seconds TBH. It hasn't blue screened or anything but I haven't played any games yet either.
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/922/bench2i.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/bench2i.jpg/)
The temps were jumping around quite a bit too. Maybe I should lower the overclock from 4.6 to 4.4 or something?
Thanks for reading
James
I'm not much a of a whizz on HDDs but that temperature does seem rather high especially after only a small amount of time running Prime.
Silly question but does the CPU cooler look like it is seated correctly? Could have got knocked in transit and come away from the CPU slightly - which would cause high temperatures.
I'm not much a of a whizz on HDDs but that temperature does seem rather high especially after only a small amount of time running Prime.
Silly question but does the CPU cooler look like it is seated correctly? Could have got knocked in transit and come away from the CPU slightly - which would cause high temperatures.
It looks like it's seated correctly. I would need to buy some TIM clean and TIM if I was to reseat it. Also I would need Arias consent for warranty reason I think.
I have dropped it to a 4.5 overclock and it hovers around 80 degrees C with that. Maybe I should go 4.4.
Those temperatures are too high for that clock in my opinion.
For the SSD. How do Crucial rate their speeds? Use Crystal Disk Mark benchmark.
In my honest opinion those temperatures are fine. It's not unstable - It's been stress tested by ourselves and whilst you are using the computer and playing games it won't reach anywhere near that temperature so I wouldn't worry :)
Those temperatures are too high for that clock in my opinion.
For the SSD. How do Crucial rate their speeds? Use Crystal Disk Mark benchmark.
Thanks Martin,
I have ran Crystal Mark and the speed still look slow. Isn't there something you need to enable in the BIOS with SSDs. Maybe Aria didn't do that?
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8813/crystalmark.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/crystalmark.jpg/)
Download Intel rapid storage driver 10.6 and install.
That definitely (to me) looks like it's hitting the SATA2 bandwidth limit... follow the SATA cable from the SSD to the motherboard and check it's in one of the SATA3 ports (presumably the red ports) and retest.
probably not plugged in to sata 3? that would be why its not getting sata 3 rates mate.. Looks like it is the red ones on that board.
Also make sure sata 3 is enabled in the bios, it seems on gigabyte boards its defaulted to disabled, so wondering about the asus.
Look at the transfer mode. It's in Sata 3.
Download Intel rapid storage driver 10.6 and install.
Thanks Martin, what will this do? Is it that rapid response thingy Z68 has? On this page it says something about RAID?
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=20181
That definitely (to me) looks like it's hitting the SATA2 bandwidth limit... follow the SATA cable from the SSD to the motherboard and check it's in one of the SATA3 ports (presumably the red ports) and retest.
I'll have a look later today or tomorrow as I have to go out soon. Thanks for the tip though. I'll check the motherboard manual to find which are the intel SATA 600.
I have found another bench mark tool. This is AS SSD and the speed are low on this too.
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/1656/asssdb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/asssdb.jpg/)
Then I had a look on this review of the 64 GB version.
http://www.overclock.net/ssd/1045506-crucial-m4-64-gb-review.html
And the AS SSD they have uploaded says nothing after the drive name, where as mine says ATA device. Could mine not be running in SATA AHCI maybe?
Here is the overclock.net benchmark
http://imgey.com/images/unavngivet.png
Not running in AHCI wouldn't knock off that much read speed. For reference too, my 64GB M4 hits around 420MB/s read, and I'm convinced it's simply just not plugged into a SATA3 6Gbps port.
EDIT - yeah, just checked the manual... 2-2 (page 34), the two red SATA ports closest to the top of the board are SATA3 6Gbps and the four black ports are SATA2 3Gbps, just make sure the M4 is plugged in one of the red ones.
PS Nice photos, looks awesome ;)
Not running in AHCI wouldn't knock off that much read speed. For reference too, my 64GB M4 hits around 420MB/s read, and I'm convinced it's simply just not plugged into a SATA3 6Gbps port.
EDIT - yeah, just checked the manual... 2-2 (page 34), the two red SATA ports closest to the top of the board are SATA3 6Gbps and the four black ports are SATA2 3Gbps, just make sure the M4 is plugged in one of the red ones.
PS Nice photos, looks awesome ;)
Thanks Nick. I wasn't sure which case to go for but I am very happy with the Fractal Arc. It's.....so......chunky :cool: It runs quieter than my old Antec 900 too, which is nice.
I read on another forum that Fractal design are looking to bring a windowed side panel too which would be great.
I'll check the cables tomorrow. I will likely drop the multiplier down to 44 as well. It's not like I am benching so 4.4 should be plenty for me. I came from an E8400 @ stock so even a 2500K at stock is a huge increase. I could always bump it up to 46 again in the winter.
Sorry a bit off topic, but how did you get all the boxes?
I asked for this when I ordered my custom pc but only received my motherboard box which leaves me screwed if I need to RMA anything :(
Not really. Just rma it back to aria.
I was going to say wow I am surprised they sent you a box of empty boxes.
@Breakage, don't do this.
I'm not sure much can unfortunately be done, but give customer services a call on Monday and see if they can offer any solutions.
Sorry a bit off topic, but how did you get all the boxes?
I asked for this when I ordered my custom pc but only received my motherboard box which leaves me screwed if I need to RMA anything :(
Hi Breakage,
It's not off topic so don't worry. The reason why I got all the boxes for the different hardware was because I ask for it specifically so Steve in sales put a note on the build for them to keep as much of the packaging as possible.
I just wanted to make double sure that I wouldn't miss anything, like the nero disk I got with the DVD drive for instance.
I'll admit it is a bit overkill though.
Right, I had a look inside the PC today. I tried to follow the SATA cables back to the board but they were well cable tied. After snipping the ties (sorry for ruining your tidy work whoever built the PC) I could see that all the SATA devices including the SSD were connect to the grey SATA 300 sockets.
The SATA sockets were right below the graphics card so access was very tricky. Especially for someone with arthritis in my fingers. I know I could have removed the graphics card, I did undo the screws holding it in the PCI slot, and gave the card a gentle pull, but I remember that cards usually have a clip holding it in. I couldn't find this so I gave up :confused:
I did eventually get the SSD in the red SATA 600 socket from the back of the case. I powered it up again and here are my new test results.
ATTO
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6571/newatto.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/newatto.jpg/)
Crystal Mark
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8065/newcrystal.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/newcrystal.jpg/)
AS SSD
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6418/newasssd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/newasssd.jpg/)
I'm happy now the speed seems as it should be :thumb:
I thought I would run ATTO and Crystal mark on the Samsung F3 for comparison. I was quite surprised how fast it runs for a mechanical drive.
ATTO
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5337/attosamsungf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/attosamsungf3.jpg/)
Crystal Mark
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/940/crystalsamsungf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/crystalsamsungf3.jpg/)
I anyone wants any other benchmarks, let me know. As I am not really sure what people would want to see.
Just thought I would post some extra images of my entire setup. I have to say I am happy with what I have now. Although still a little worried about the CPU heat generated under load.
If I get free delivery next month, I might buy some TIM/TIM clean and reseat the dark rock, if Aria says it's OK. It does seem stable though.
Anyway here are some more pics.
Behind the monitor needs a bit of a dust :)
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4261/sam0038k.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/sam0038k.jpg/)
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1534/sam0040jy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/sam0040jy.jpg/)
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7449/sam0039m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/sam0039m.jpg/)
I forgot to upload these images earlier. They are of the unoccupied SATA 600 sockets.
Not connected, view from the rear of the case.
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6239/20110821131903.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/20110821131903.jpg/)
After I unclipped the cable ties. Not quite as neat now.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7467/20110821140022.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/20110821140022.jpg/)
Finally got it!
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8132/20110821140131.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/20110821140131.jpg/)
Thanks for looking
James
Really glad to hear you got the speed issues sorted :thumb: Guess it was just one of those things that slipped through the net on production... life was easier when all SSD's were SATA-2 :D
Great pics too, +rep for posting :)
Really glad to hear you got the speed issues sorted :thumb: Guess it was just one of those things that slipped through the net on production... life was easier when all SSD's were SATA-2 :D
Great pics too, +rep for posting :)
Cheers for the rep. I'm glad you liked the pics.
I just need some new games now to test the PC :) I have Deus Ex human revolution and BF3 on pre order but I want something now. I think I might buy BF Bad company 2.
Grab yourself Crysis Warhead - that should stretch its legs a little.
I have a copy of it waiting on top of my two GX560ti boxs for my build to arrive.
Grab yourself Crysis Warhead - that should stretch its legs a little.
I have a copy of it waiting on top of my two GX560ti boxs for my build to arrive.
I never played Crysis TBH. I am not that much of a gamer but I am trying to get more into it as I used to enjoy it years ago.
My friend at work has a copy of Crysis he said I could borrow, so I might play that.
I'm surprised they connected it to the wrong sockets. I suppose everyone makes mistakes, especially during busy periods etc.
I'm surprised they connected it to the wrong sockets. I suppose everyone makes mistakes, especially during busy periods etc.
Hrm surely should come up in benchmarking/stress testing, though? Methinks the testing procedures need to be tightened up a little.
Hrm surely should come up in benchmarking/stress testing, though? Methinks the testing procedures need to be tightened up a little.
Wouldn't have thought so? The stress testing is just to ensure the system works and the overclock is stable. Not sure they would check the SATA speed. Just an error I would guess.
They could always change their procedures and run something like ATTO on any system with an SSD. It wouldn't take that long :)
Hi all again,
I didn't want to make another thread for another question I have so I will post it in here.
The last two times I have started the PC from a cold boot it has done the following.
1. I press the power button and it starts to power up (lights/fans come on, I can here the data HDD spin up etc).
2. After a few seconds, before any video output on the monitor or POST it powers itself back down again, like I'd pressed the power button.
3. After a couple of seconds it then powers itself back on again, this time with video output and posting (I get a short single beep on POST which I believe is an "everything is OK beep").
4. It then loads windows as normal, and seems perfectly stable as far as I can see. It's just the weird boot procedure that's worrying me.
Is this normal behavior for an Asus Z68 motherboard or do you think there is an issue with it?
Should I revert back to default BIOS settings to remove Aria's overclock? I can reload their setting through a saved profile can't I?
The CPU voltage is set (from what I read) quite high for air to about 1.36 volts from memory, could this be an issue? I have dropped the multiplier from 46 to 44 so maybe the voltage could be lowered now so it stays cooler?
I can be more accurate with times later today if it happens again. I could also maybe video and upload it to youtube if it would help?
Thanks in advance for any help offered.
James
Hi all again,
I didn't want to make another thread for another question I have so I will post it in here.
The last two times I have started the PC from a cold boot it has done the following.
1. I press the power button and it starts to power up (lights/fans come on, I can here the data HDD spin up etc).
2. After a few seconds, before any video output on the monitor or POST it powers itself back down again, like I'd pressed the power button.
3. After a couple of seconds it then powers itself back on again, this time with video output and posting (I get a short single beep on POST which I believe is an "everything is OK beep").
4. It then loads windows as normal, and seems perfectly stable as far as I can see. It's just the weird boot procedure that's worrying me.
Is this normal behavior for an Asus Z68 motherboard or do you think there is an issue with it?
That is normal behaviour for an Asus Motherboard. Apparently it's a 'feature'. Bloody annoying really, also the first time it happened, I panicked a bit until I found help on here confirming what it was. It does exactly the same thing on my P8P67 Motherboard. It does it at completely random times, sometimes a week without doing it, then a couple of days running.
I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me can explain what it is and why it does it.
Thanks gbh4,
It does seem strange that it happens sometimes, and other times not. Like you say, hopefully someone can explain why it does it to me :)
I've just seen this.
http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?3173-Asus-Maximus-IV-Gene-Z-OC-question
It says to set the BCLK to 100.0MHz exactly to stop the double posts. I'm not sure if what my BCLK is set to but it's worth checking out tonight maybe.
According to that link it seems to cure it, but I'd be interested first to know what that setting is and if it causes any issues.
Hopefully someone from system build, or another experienced builder/overclocker can shed some light on the issue, and whether setting the BCLK to 100.0MHz would cause any issues.
Your BCLK is already at 100 but it might set to AUTO. Try changing it to 100 and see if it fixes the double POST.
Turbo Multiplier x BCLK = CPU speed - x46 x 100 = 4.6Ghz
Ahhh, thanks Gman, I'll check that out. Is the BCLK a bit like the old FSB then?
Hopefully someone from system build, or another experienced builder/overclocker can shed some light on the issue, and whether setting the BCLK to 100.0MHz would cause any issues.
my asus sabertooth does the double post once or twice a week and my bclk is 100 bang on. ITs just a feature mate dont think you'll get rid of it
my asus sabertooth does the double post once or twice a week and my bclk is 100 bang on. ITs just a feature mate dont think you'll get rid of it
Yeah, I just checked and my BCLK is 100.00 as well so it wasn't that anyway. It is strange though isn't it. It made my nearly poo my pants the first time it did it. I thought something serious had gone wrong :o
Yeah, BCLK is like the FSB on previous platforms but you can't adjust it too much without causing issues with SATA etc.
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