Need help with internal fans

[Marzman]

Basically I haven't got any. My computers not up and running yet but it hopefully should be soon. I brought my computer components as a bundle, but no internal case fan was included. So, is it vital that I have one and if so can anyone recommend some?

[jeepix]

It's not vital if you have the standard compliment of hardware. (i.e. 1 or 2 hard drives, video card, dvd/cdrom). If you're running a bunch of drives, a hot video card, a fast CPU then you might want to consider a case fan or two. In that case I'd recommend at least one fan to suck air out. This will help reduce some dust buildup, also. If you have two fans (one to suck out and one to blow into the case) then for the fan that blows air into the case make sure it has a filter so it doesn't blow a bunch of dust into the chassis. Having your motherboard coated with a layer of dust defeats cooling things down. You'll have to take the filter off and blow it out once in a while, though...so there's a little bit of maintenance there.

Cooler master makes some good cooling solutions. I bought a CPU fan by them for my AMD and it's a nice large heatsink with a big fan that spins almost silently. Very much worth the $10 I got it for (on sale).

Take a look here. You can usually get these at Fry's. The chassis fans come with the screws and stuff to mount them:
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=&Language_s=&url_place=product_list&p_class=430

Jeepix

[pave_spectre]

With modern procs at least one case fan is definitely vital IMO and two are preferable.

[saphalline]

In general, I recommend that if you add a case fan, make it blow in, not out. Of course, every system is different and you need to plan your cooling solution accordingly. But that's what I recommend. Just make sure to take jeepix's advice and get some type of fan filter! Otherwise you will have to vacuum out your system at least once every 3-6 months (depending on how dusty the room is!).

And again, I agree with pave_spectre about modern CPU's, and modern systems in general. I'd be willing to run an old PII 400 system without a case fan, but definitely nothing over 1GHz!! As CPU's get faster, they output more and more heat. My P4 @ 2.5GHz pumps out more than twice as much heat as a PII 400 on average, and almost three times as much at full load! :eek: Now keep in mind that my P4 is one of the coldest CPU's over 2GHz and you can see why we'd get a bit nervous without a case fan! Please don't try it! You could melt your CPU, or at the very least your system could crash during intensive workouts.

[Marzman]

Thanks guys n gals. I've found one which looks ok here (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=5129502994&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=23880) and the reviews seem to point to this item being alright. Just one query, are Fans standard size or do they vary? Also, is it worth getting two as I'm not at this stage running too much hardware?

Note: If anyone knows of a better company in the UK to get fans from, please post as Ebuyer are to say the least not my most favourate company.

[saphalline]

are Fans standard size or do they vary?They come in standard sizes: 60mm, 80mm, 92mm, and 120mm. 80mm is by far the most common, with 60mm and 120mm picking up the extra bits, and a few crumbs left over for 92mm.

The number of fans you need depends on what hardware you're running. I don't think you've told us yet, have you? I think you'll be safe for awhile with just the PSU fan(s) and a single case fan. Any extra or high-end hardware will require more. I have 3 case fans now, plus two more in my PSU, so that's a healthy amount of cooling! On the other hand, I also have a healthy OC on my CPU! Again, it depends.

[Marzman]

I also have a healthy OC on my CPU!

OC?

Forgive me for not posting my specs (I'm being a little stupid in this thread :confused: )

Amd Athlon 1.67Ghz
128Mb MX4000 Graphics card
40Gig Hard disk
Sony CD-RW (52x)
256Mb DDR 2100 Ram

The case is quite large (6 Bay). I tried to attach an image but the forum says its too large.

In regards to the fan slot, it is 80mm if you measure it diagonally like a Tv screen (is this correct?)

I appreciate your help saphalline and everyone else. Sorry if I'm behaving like a newbie its just this is the first machine I've built of this speed & I want to get it right.

[saphalline]

OC = overclock, meaning that my CPU is running faster than it's supposed to, or should according to Intel. My P4 Northwood B is rated for 2.26GHz, but right now it's at 2.5GHz. While this is really nice when playing games, overclocking is not for the faint of heart, or the faint of knowledge! :p It's very risky and I OC with the full knowledge of the consequences. If you're not into the whole "risk factor" with your shiny new hardware, I don't suggest that you try overclocking.

Ok, your hardware isn't over-the-top in any way, so I would say a single case fan will work fine. The way to measure a fan is actually along the side, and I've often wondered if this is some sort of international standard among measuring fan sizes. I guess technically the fan size is actually the diameter of the blade, so the shape is a circle, but computer case fans are measured along the side of the fan mount. If your case fan bracket is 80mm diagonal, that's roughly a 60mm fan size, correct?

I don't blame you for wanting to get it right! The first time is always the toughest, because there's a lot of pressure to get it working. If I built a new machine right now and it didn't work, it's not a problem for me because I've already done it many times. I've got nothing to prove there. But the first time? Many newbies feel that they've totally failed as computer geeks if it doesn't fire up right away! :p That's simply not true, you just have to put a little more work into it to clear up a little problem. And it's usually just a little problem!

Someone here on the forums recently had a computer that wouldn't boot, then finally figured out that the reset switch on the case was stuck and kept rebooting the system constantly! Little things like that cause problems, and it happens to all of us.

[Marzman]

Many newbies feel that they've totally failed as computer geeks if it doesn't fire up right away!

Already happened. I had faulty Ram :( so it took a while sending parts (Mobo, cpu) back and forth from the company I ordered it from to diagnose the problem.

My fan slots are 80mm. I measured them properly this time (by not using a ruler) and also my heatsinks fan is 60mm and looks way too small. What do you think of the Ebuyer fan (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=5172466229&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=23880) ? There is however one major concern, "this products does not come with screws". I might not have any and they are apparently hard to find.

Overclocking is certainly not for me. It’s just my opinion but I don't really notice the difference between processors when you get over 1 odd Ghz. I suppose years of using P1's and currently using a 350Mhz makes anything seem better ;)

[Marzman]

Poo sticks, I don't like this new forum layout. Its annoying :mad:

[YODA74]

"this products does not come with screws". I might not have any and they are apparently hard to find.

Use your imagination #1 just about any electronics store has the screws if not go to a building supply center and get some furniture screws (see pic)

[Whyzman]

Yoda, your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me! :)

[saphalline]

It’s just my opinion but I don't really notice the difference between processors when you get over 1 odd Ghz. I suppose years of using P1's and currently using a 350Mhz makes anything seem better ;)Haha, I know quite well what you mean! My first IBUILTIT was a major upgrade! I went from an old 1997 Compaq to a custom gaming machine! :eek: Talk about a change! :p

Specs for old 1997 Compaq: Pentium MMX @ 166MHz, 48MB SDRAM @ 66MHz, 1MB onboard Trident video adapter, 2GB 4500rpm HDD, 52x IOMagic CD-ROM drive (the original 16x Compaq CD-ROM drive died), 14" Compaq CRT monitor. Ouchie! :(

Specs for my first IBUILTIT gaming system: Athlon T-bird @ 1.2GHz with 266MHz FSB, 256MB PC2100 DDR RAM, 32MB GeForce2 Ti video card, 60GB IBM 60gxp 7200rpm HDD, 16x12x48x Plextor CD burner, 19" Viewsonic CRT monitor. Wow, what an improvement, huh? :D

I was drunk in gaming heaven when I first played on my new gaming system! I spent a good $200 in the first month on new games, trying to find something that would bring my system to its knees! I did end up bringing it to its knees, but only when I played the latest games at 1280 x 1024 with all the details turned up. :p Suffice to say that your first experience on a real computer (instead of a crappy OEM system) will be one to remember... :cool:

[Marzman]

I might actually have some of them Yoda. Nway, gonna order the fans soon, then comes the fun of putting them in.