My shhite Dell PC is overheating.

[bundee1]

I downloaded a Hard Drive Temperature program that says 1 HD is running at 74 C and the other is at 60C. Can I replace the stock fan with a more powerful one? I can also get a PCI fan to cool it down but I only have a PCIexpress slot open. What is the difference between PCI and PCI express? Do they make fans for PCI Express? What are some other solutions?

 

[Aman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundee1 I need to get a PCI fan to cool it down but I only have a PCIexpress slot open. What is the difference between PCI and PCI express? Do they make fans for PCI Express? What are some other solutions?

The fans don't actually GO in the slots, they just go in the little openings where the card head is supposed to go...

In other words, it doesn't matter.

 

[bundee1]

Thanks Aman! Are those temps dangerous? What about replacing the stock fan? I think the Dell PSU is crap as well, so Im worried about running out of power. Are there programs that monitor power consumption?

 

[saturnine]

Those temps are definately dangerous for hard drives, but I do believe your temp sensors are off. 74C for a hard drive is life threatening, touch the top of the drive and see how warm it is. If it is hot to the touch, find some way of cooling it. ASAP.

*Why do so few of todays major system manufacturers not care about cooling??

 

[bundee1]

The bottom of the case directly under the HDs is hot. The fan in the back seems to barely push out any air.

 

[mmmmcheese]

You could try opening it and taking a vacuum cleaner with attachments ans VERY carefully get all the dust off the fans and the case.

 

[bundee1]

Would compressed air have the same effectiveness?

 

[saturnine]

Compressed air is better. Less static electricity.

 

[Oink1]

Download and install Motherboard Monitop 5 or Speedfan for all your tempreature monitoring requirements!

Screenie below...

 

[TURBO]

Install one of these and you won’t have to worry. $5.99 in Tiger direct.

 

[lordgibbness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oink1 Download and install Motherboard Monitop 5 or Speedfan for all your tempreature monitoring requirements! Screenie below...

I use MBM - very useful prog, but how do you monitor your hard disk temp with it? Is it an external dll? Also how did you show the temps as a digital display?
Thanks.

 

[Distroyed]

74C you'd actually burn your finger within about 2 seconds if you held it there. There's a good chance the temp's are being incorrectly reported; try checking the temps by physical means (an infrared thermometer is ideal) if you can hold your hand on the drive for more than a few seconds.

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordgibbness I use MBM - very useful prog, but how do you monitor your hard disk temp with it? Is it an external dll? Also how did you show the temps as a digital display? Thanks.

If your HD is SMART capable you can display the temp - Just look through the list of available sensors untill you find it

In tempreatures, (for the digi displays) click visual and scroll down untill you find the styles tab

Hope this helps...

 

[Help]

I would recommend a Zalman fan. PCI ones and that stuff is ****te. You simply remove the old fan and you give it power just connecting it with a cable as if you were connecting a CD drive to the power supply.

 

[bundee1]

How and where would you install that dual fan thing? Is there a brick and mortar that sells Zalman fans? There are 2 fans in the PC; 1 is the fan on the PSU and the other one seems to be over the chip. It has a fan and a hood over the chip.