I need another fan for my desktop - PC Help Forum - Free Computer Help, Windows, Hardware, Software and more!

foreverLaur · #1 04-08-2008

So since the weather got warmer, my hard drive temps have increased about 7 degrees Celsius. I'd like to add another fan to my case to cool it down again because I don't like them consistently being this hot. I was thinking about the Antec TriCool 120mm DBB Case Fan. Any opinions? Anything else that would keep my hard drives cooler without creating much noise? I like my quiet running PC. I have never had to use a fan other than what comes standard in the case so this is a new topic to me!!

ASUS P5K Pentium 4 ATX Mbrd (1.86GHz-3.8GHz+), Intel P35
NZXT Apollo BLACK w/ no PS (10 bays), 1394Western Digital 500 GB x 2 SATA 2, 7200rmp, 16 MB cache

Thanks in advance!

Zachary · #2 04-08-2008

I just rigged mine up with a 50mm fan pointing at the HD, works great:

For you though, you might get one of these: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

foreverLaur · #3 04-08-2008

How do I figure out what fan size I need?

Zachary · #4 04-08-2008

Measure your available openings, it will be one of the following
60mm
80mm
90mm
120mm

You can also get one of these, which fits in a PCI slot
Newegg.com - AOC FC-2000 PCI Slot Case Cooler - Case Fans

foreverLaur · #5 04-08-2008

The website for my case states that it comes with "Standard dual 120mm silent fans." I'm guessing I'd need to buy another 120mm fan?

Zachary · #6 04-08-2008

Hi again!
If this is your case: Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases then yes, 120mm is your magic number
You can have three, one in front, forward of where your hard drives are, one in back, and one on the side
Before you buy them though, check to see what you already have, no sense in wasting money if you don't have too. Also, generally, the front fan should be intake (blowing inside the PC Case) and the rear fan exhaust (blowing out the PC case), but I don't know the protocol when a side fan is thrown in, as I don't have one...
I imagine you'd be best to have the side fan as intake and the front/rear fans as exhaust

foreverLaur · #7 04-08-2008

From looking at the case, I see a rear fan and a side fan. You can see them both here:

http://www.nzxt.com/image/2/95/

Zachary · #8 04-08-2008

If you look into your case you can see what fans you have, you can have up to 3, from what I read though you'll have two, one on the side and one in the back. If that's the case then you can get one more for the front. Before you install it though, check the direction of your present fans, if they both blow out then make this one blow in. If one already blows in then make this one blow out.
Also, are your hard drives right on top of each other or is there space between them? If they are on top of each other than try moving them to bays further apart to give more room for airflow.