few new build questions

[shutterinfear]

I just got done building my first computer

Here is what I have:

Raidmax cobra case

Gigabyte 1100 motherboard

intel P4 3.2 E

1 gig of ram

Audigy 2zs sound card

Ati 9800 pro video card

Dual channel memory

In a Raid 0 formation

160 gig harddrive (together)

ultra x power supply

Windows xp

#1 what is a good temp for the processor to run at? what temp is to high?

#2 how do you decide fan direction (as far as in or out) ?

#3 I have 4 more slots for memory, should I get more?


I surf alot, watch videos, play a few games, rogue spear.
I also use coral paint shop pro X alot.


Sorry for so many questions. Any help would be great.

[juppy]

1. CPU temperature is sort of a wide range. *Most* of the time a temp from 30°C to 50°C is pretty average. That's not to say anything higher is bad though, because there are P4 Prescotts that run normally in the 50-60°C range. It just varies. I usually don't like to have temps go over 60°C, even under load, but that's just me. Actual damage range doesn't usually start until a little higher. For that 3.2E, I think its in the 70-75°C range. P4's will underclock themselves if they start getting too hot though so even if something isn't right, it shouldn't burn itself up.

2. For case fans, front is intake, rear and top fans are exhaust (blowing out), side fans are usually intakes as well. For the cpu fan, it just depends. If the heatsink came with the fan attached, it's probably pointing the right direction for best heat dissipation. Only time you might need to change it is if you've got a side case fan. You would then want the cpu fan to blow the same way as the side case fan (usually in, or blowing down into the hs fins in this instance). Just don't want them blowing or pulling against each other in opposite directions.

3. You can if you want, but a gig is not bad right now. If you do alot of the paintshop pro stuff, you could probably utilize an extra gig or so. Wouldn't hurt, but not totally necessary either.