Hello everyone! I am new to having a computer that I actually care about My last computer was an old Dell Pentium D. Temperatures never once crossed my mind.

I built a Core i7 with the Antec 1200 case and the stock cooling system on the Intel DX58SO board.

My problem comes that this case pulls air in the front, and exit's it out the back. The location of my computer is in the corner, with the back facing a wall.

I have been doing a lot of reading, and am not sure how to measure the temps of my build. I am not looking to overclock or anything, just want to make sure that I dont harm this new computer

During summer, the front of the computer is right next to where the cold air comes out, which rocks. But during the winter it doesn't do anything.

Is there something I can buy and just plug into the computer? Something without software? Are there connectors on the board for that?

Real Temp - CPU temperature monitoring you can try this. there is another named "speedfan"

you may also be able to change settings in the BIOS to emit an alarm or shut down when your cpu reaches a certain temperature

Your case is good, but for a good air circle you have to put at least 3 fan put air in and two to get air out.
If you want to be secure of cpu temps, just change the cooler with one aftermarket; eg Zerotherm Nirvana, Zen, Noctua nh-u12p or Megahalems with 2 fan in push-pull config.
The stock cooler isn't good and for me isn't recommended neither for stock pc configuration.
To check the temps you can use, like kword88 said, real temp that is a good apps to do this or hwmonitor.

Regards

Max

I've never built my own computer before. How easy is it to remove that stock heatsink and install a better aftermarket one? I remember how much I struggled getting the stock heatsink to "pop" and "turn" into place.

Will I need to remove old heatsink adhesive or whatever that stuff is called?

Originally Posted by hondajt

I've never built my own computer before. How easy is it to remove that stock heatsink and install a better aftermarket one? I remember how much I struggled getting the stock heatsink to "pop" and "turn" into place.

Will I need to remove old heatsink adhesive or whatever that stuff is called?

It depends by the cooler you buy.
Zerotherm Nirvana is made for LGA775 chipset then adapted to LGA 1366 with a clip which is similar to stock cooler and have the same way to lock.
But if you buy something like Noctua or Megahalems you have to remove the mainboard to have access to the bottom to secure tha base where the screws go to lock the cooler.
Sure, you have to put new thermal compound on your cpu. In aftermarket cooler it is not like stock cooler; there isn't thermal adesive pre-attached on it, but you have to put it manually.

Hope my explanation was a bit understandable

p.s. sorry if my english is not too correct .

Thanks

That makes sense. So, essentially I need to remove my motherboard in order to do this properly? Not a problem, just wondering. I will be prepared, so I can organize my cables a little better also

right
A good cable organization inside the case is very useful also for air flow and for lowest temp too

thanks. But again, I would really like to have some way of monitoring my temps.

Isn't there a company that makes a CPU cooler that has a display also? That would be awesome.

What about that G15 keyboard? I thought it displayed the CPU temp?

You have no need to fear about CPU temps with your 1200, i have a 900 and that keeps it cool just fine all year round, the one thing i will say though is be extra vigilant about cleaning dust out from you CPU heat sink, these cases attract a whole lot more dust than an average case.
As for the G15 keyboard, this only displays CPU usage but not Temperature.

I will say now, you will not need to worry about keeping an eye on the temps, just listen for the fan, you will know when its too hot, idle will be very quiet, you will here more noise the mor strain you place on it but only when the fan wont calm down at idle is when you want to worry, however this in your case may very well mean you need to clear the dust from the heatsink.

I do hear of other 900 and 1200 users fitting filters to the intake fan but i have never gone down that road

Please don't panic, do not poke or fiddle, we are here to help with any queries