x1900xtx - a few questions

[DarkOrigin]

Hey all,

A few quick questions I could use some help with, for those who know:

1) Where exactly in the ATI Control Center do you find the temp monitoring?

I've heard it mentioned that it's in there, but I've dug through the entire thing and cant find any core temp monitoring section.

2) My x1900xtx is currently idle at between 48-50C, which I've heard is about normal (because these cards run hot) and under load it hits about 80C.

Just to double-check: is that about "normal" for this card?

I'm working on cooling it down further, and already have a Zalman VF900 on it with Arctic Silver 5. Thing is, it was running cooler the other day. Been off for a few days, now it's idle temp is higher and I don't understand why. I'm very proficient at mechanics, so I know the heatsink is sitting solid on the core. Any ideas?

3) Through the CCC, the "Custom Setting" will not stay at "Quality" (I always crank it up), though my settings for AA and AF will stay where I put them (highest settings). Any idea why the "Custom Setting" option keeps reverting to "Performance" every time I open the CCC?

4) Last question for now:

Since the CCC doesn't give you direct access to OpenGL or Direct3D, I'm assuming that when you crank up the settings, the CCC automatically adjusts these for either performance or graphics? However you set it?

I'm used to the Control Panel, where you have access to both setting the multiplier for AA and AF for both OpenGL and Direct3D directly, and want to make sure I'm getting the most out of this card.

So does it somehow "equal out" when using the CCC when you crank the settings, having the same effect as if you did what I mentioned above in the CP?

Thanks!