Which Fan for overheating hard disks

  • Thread starter Thread starter anneAnna
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anneAnna

There are 2 hard drives and one of them is overheating badly.
I've done some prelim searches, but am very confused about what to buy.

I guess I need a fan or fans, but do I need a fan controller?
Some sites give compatibility info, but most don't. Is this essential?

The 2 drives are in the 2nd and 3rd slot (bay?) from the bottom.
The system is Athlon.

Please bear with me, I don't have the technical jargon. Thanks

ana
 
There are 2 hard drives and one of them is overheating badly.
I've done some prelim searches, but am very confused about what to buy.

I guess I need a fan or fans, but do I need a fan controller?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily... if you buy fans that are too fast and loud you
might WANT one, but you don't "need" it.
Some sites give compatibility info, but most don't. Is this essential?
Click to expand...

Compatibility info means what exactly?
You need fan(s) of proper dimensions, mounting ears that accept
the attachment method your case uses (typically plastic cage or
metal screws), and a plug compatible with your needs, whether
that be a 3-pin connector for an unused motherboard fan header
(and fan wire/leads long enough to reach that header), a molex
4-pin connector to connect directly to the power supply, OR an
extension cable with or without adapter function to convert
between the 3-pin motherboard and 4-pin molex type of connectors.
http://www.svc.com has very low prices on such extension and
adapter cables and very low shipping if only small items like t
his can be shipping regular USPS ground (but that takes 2-3 weeks
to arrive).
The 2 drives are in the 2nd and 3rd slot (bay?) from the bottom.
The system is Athlon.
Click to expand...

If the drives are stacked one atop the other then lack of airflow
can make one (or both) drives overheat somewhat even with a
fan... ideally there should be at least 1 cm inbetween the drives
for airflow, and either a fan in front of them (front meaning
front-side of case) to push air though, or large holes in metal
wall of case so rear fans can pull air in though this passive
intake, still pulling air though the gap between the drives.

If your case doesn't allow space between the drives you might
consider a 5 1/4" bay mounting. Suitable hard drive coolers and
mounting brackets are available or use the old traditional metal
rails that screw to the sides and a front faceplate cover that
allows air to be drawn in.
 
kony said:
On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 04:00:17 GMT, anneAnna
Click to expand...
Not necessarily... if you buy fans that are too fast and loud you
might WANT one, but you don't "need" it.


Compatibility info means what exactly?
Click to expand...

There is one site which states compatibility with Pentium4 or Athlon,
and some other I don't remember. Quite specific.

You need fan(s) of proper dimensions, mounting ears that accept
the attachment method your case uses (typically plastic cage or
metal screws), and a plug compatible with your needs, whether
that be a 3-pin connector for an unused motherboard fan header
(and fan wire/leads long enough to reach that header), a molex
4-pin connector to connect directly to the power supply, OR an
extension cable with or without adapter function to convert
between the 3-pin motherboard and 4-pin molex type of connectors.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean but I'm a bit lost inside the computer.
I'll look inside tomorrow in better light.

However here's what "Ultra 3.5" Aluminum Hard Drive Cooler 2 60mm Fans"
says at

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=706428

Installation:

* Insert the Ultra Hard Disk Cooler into the base of the hard drive
enclosure and secure with screws.
* Next, slide the unit into the hard drive module and secure with
screws Now, just place it in your computer
You're ready to go!
http://www.svc.com has very low prices on such extension and
adapter cables and very low shipping if only small items like t
his can be shipping regular USPS ground (but that takes 2-3 weeks
to arrive).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link, svc.com certainly has low prices.
If the drives are stacked one atop the other then lack of airflow
can make one (or both) drives overheat somewhat even with a
fan... ideally there should be at least 1 cm inbetween the drives
for airflow, and either a fan in front of them (front meaning
front-side of case) to push air though, or large holes in metal
wall of case so rear fans can pull air in though this passive
intake, still pulling air though the gap between the drives.

If your case doesn't allow space between the drives you might
consider a 5 1/4" bay mounting. Suitable hard drive coolers and
mounting brackets are available or use the old traditional metal
rails that screw to the sides and a front faceplate cover that
allows air to be drawn in.
Click to expand...

I checked again and find that the 2 drives are mounted with one slot in
between and 1 slot free above the base. There should be plenty of space.

Thanks, ana
 
There is one site which states compatibility with Pentium4 or Athlon,
and some other I don't remember. Quite specific.
Click to expand...


Probably a nonsensical marketing blurb, the CPU in the system has
no bearing on what you need to cool the hard drives. more
relevant would be the case design but there's no way they could
be so specific to cover all potential case and drive
configurations, the most that can be hoped for is a good picture
of the device.

I know what you mean but I'm a bit lost inside the computer.
I'll look inside tomorrow in better light.

However here's what "Ultra 3.5" Aluminum Hard Drive Cooler 2 60mm Fans"
says at

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=706428

Installation:

* Insert the Ultra Hard Disk Cooler into the base of the hard drive
enclosure and secure with screws.
* Next, slide the unit into the hard drive module and secure with
screws Now, just place it in your computer
You're ready to go!
Click to expand...


If you had room under the drive then one of those could work, but
it can't cool two drives very well, and does nothing to bring
more cool air into the system, which is generally the better
method if possible, if the case allows for this.

Certainly that cooler Tiger Direct sells will be a lot better
than nothing, but if you have a free 5 1/2" bay (those holding
optical CDROM/RW/DVD/etc drives, there are also hard drive
caddies or permanent mount type that serve as coolers due to very
open intake in front if not fans built in.
 
anneAnna said:
There are 2 hard drives and one of them is overheating badly.
Click to expand...
The 2 drives are in the 2nd and 3rd slot (bay?) from the bottom.
Click to expand...

That's about the worst way to mount drives. They should should be
installed with at least a half-inch of space between each drive for
better cooling.
"Ultra 3.5" Aluminum Hard Drive Cooler 2 60mm Fans" says at
Click to expand...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools
/item-details.asp?EdpNo=706428
Click to expand...

Don't order from TigerDirect (see www.resellerratings.com) or buy
Ultra brand junk. Besides how can you trust a company that says:

"In fact, through its advanced cooling mechanism,
it is guaranteed to reduce the noise level of
your hard drive, as well"?

IOW they're quieter than complete silence! I believe it!

Some HD coolers can make drives overheat if their fans fail because
there's almost no air flow without the fan. I'm not sure if that
model will, but it should be OK because it seems to simply bolt to the
bottom of the HD. OTOH it doesn't bring in air from the outside,
which can be 5-10C cooler than the interior air. But why bother with
any HD cooler when you can simply mount the drives vertically for
natural convection air flow, which will make any super-hot chips run
10-20C cooler? (I measured 68C vs. 53C, and this was outside the case,
in 24C surrounding air). This way you don't have to worry about
overheating if the fan fail, but you can still take advantage of a fan
anyway because the drives will be right next to the front case fan. I
hang HDs from the bottom drive bay (you may have to drill holes or use
big washers), on the sides of the bay rack, or on the bottom of the
computer case (drill holes underneath).
 
I know what you mean but I'm a bit lost inside the computer.
I'll look inside tomorrow in better light.

However here's what "Ultra 3.5" Aluminum Hard Drive Cooler 2 60mm
Fans" says at

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp? Ed
pNo=706428

Installation:
Click to expand...

First, before getting HD Cooler, have a look at the front panel from
inside the case (behind the HDs). They may already be a mounting point
for a standard 120mm fan.(or maybe 92mm) If so, get one. It it runs
loud, put it on 7 volts (red and yellow) or 5 volts (red and black) or
better still, get a fan controller at the same time as your 12cm fan
order.

Note - My 120mm fan was quite deep and I had to cut some of the case lip
to slide it in (so to speak :)
 
That's about the worst way to mount drives. They should should be
installed with at least a half-inch of space between each drive for
better cooling.

Don't order from TigerDirect (see www.resellerratings.com) or buy
Ultra brand junk. Besides how can you trust a company that says:

"In fact, through its advanced cooling mechanism,
it is guaranteed to reduce the noise level of
your hard drive, as well"?

IOW they're quieter than complete silence! I believe it!
Click to expand...
Thanks for telling me about TigerDirect. I've no idea about which brands
are good, which junk. argh! In your opinion, what are good brands?
Some HD coolers can make drives overheat if their fans fail because
there's almost no air flow without the fan. I'm not sure if that
model will, but it should be OK because it seems to simply bolt to the
bottom of the HD. OTOH it doesn't bring in air from the outside,
which can be 5-10C cooler than the interior air. But why bother with
any HD cooler when you can simply mount the drives vertically for
natural convection air flow, which will make any super-hot chips run
10-20C cooler? (I measured 68C vs. 53C, and this was outside the case,
in 24C surrounding air). This way you don't have to worry about
overheating if the fan fail, but you can still take advantage of a fan
anyway because the drives will be right next to the front case fan. I
hang HDs from the bottom drive bay (you may have to drill holes or use
big washers), on the sides of the bay rack, or on the bottom of the
computer case (drill holes underneath).
Click to expand...

Als, drilling new holes and hanging drives will be way beyond what I'll
dare attempt, but certainly I am getting a much clearer picture about
cooling, and looking at the insides of the computer with more
understanding and less awe. thanks.
 
kony said:
On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 07:18:05 GMT, anneAnna


Probably a nonsensical marketing blurb, the CPU in the system has
no bearing on what you need to cool the hard drives. more
relevant would be the case design but there's no way they could
be so specific to cover all potential case and drive
configurations, the most that can be hoped for is a good picture
of the device.
Click to expand...
Ha, what will people do to the ignoramus!
If you had room under the drive then one of those could work, but
it can't cool two drives very well, and does nothing to bring
more cool air into the system, which is generally the better
method if possible, if the case allows for this.
Click to expand...

Guess I was thinking of putting a cooler in between the 2 hard drives,
there's a bay free. Also another free bay down at the very bottom.
Certainly that cooler Tiger Direct sells will be a lot better
than nothing, but if you have a free 5 1/2" bay (those holding
optical CDROM/RW/DVD/etc drives, there are also hard drive
caddies or permanent mount type that serve as coolers due to very
open intake in front if not fans built in.
Click to expand...

My logic was flawed before reading this post. I had thought that
3.5" fans mounted almost piggy back on the hard drives would cool better
than a 5.5" because the lowest 5.5" bay is quite a distance from the
hard drives, and has the floppy disk in between. Because there are 2
5.5" drives, DVD ROM and CD R/W, there seems to be so many flat
connecting cables in the way, too.

Is Cooler Master a good brand? or Vantec?
 
Lordy said:
First, before getting HD Cooler, have a look at the front panel from
inside the case (behind the HDs). They may already be a mounting point
for a standard 120mm fan.(or maybe 92mm) If so, get one. It it runs
loud, put it on 7 volts (red and yellow) or 5 volts (red and black) or
better still, get a fan controller at the same time as your 12cm fan
order.

Note - My 120mm fan was quite deep and I had to cut some of the case lip
to slide it in (so to speak :)
Click to expand...
I see them!! I mean I see devices with colored wires terminating in
plastic thingies I'd call "plugs". Are these the mounting points?

I see a large oone with red and black wires and smaller with red and
yellow wires hanging free, both leading from the large battery.

There is one that comes out from the back of the hard disk. Thing is,
it's got 2 black, 1 red and 1 yellow.

Does this mean auto volt-switch? Or should I connect one from the battery?
 
I see them!! I mean I see devices with colored wires terminating in
plastic thingies I'd call "plugs". Are these the mounting points?
Click to expand...

No. They are plugs :)
What I meant is that look at the actual front of the case from inside,
just infront of the HDs. If you see four holes arranged in a square
approx 12cm appart then these are most likely for you to put a 12cm fan
there.
Are you saying there is already a fan in the front of the case?
I see a large oone with red and black wires and smaller with red and
yellow wires hanging free,
Click to expand...

Those are power supply wires (for reference yellow=12v, red=5v,
black=Ground) but dont worry about that just yet...
both leading from the large battery.
Click to expand...

What battery? Do you mean a power supply unit (PSU) that you mains lead
plugs into?
There is one that comes out from the back of the hard disk. Thing is,
it's got 2 black, 1 red and 1 yellow.

Does this mean auto volt-switch? Or should I connect one from the
battery?
Click to expand...

Just look to see if the holes are there first. Please dont call it a
battery anymore :)
 
Ha, what will people do to the ignoramus!
Click to expand...


It's particularly worse with Tiger Direct though, they have shown
questionable business practices in many areas in past years. The
better business bureau and http://www.resellerratings.com both
have quite a few complaints about TD.

Guess I was thinking of putting a cooler in between the 2 hard drives,
there's a bay free. Also another free bay down at the very bottom.
Click to expand...

Definitely better than nothing but that will mostly recirculate
the air instead of pulling/pushing fresh, cooler air in.


My logic was flawed before reading this post. I had thought that
3.5" fans mounted almost piggy back on the hard drives would cool better
than a 5.5" because the lowest 5.5" bay is quite a distance from the
hard drives, and has the floppy disk in between. Because there are 2
5.5" drives, DVD ROM and CD R/W, there seems to be so many flat
connecting cables in the way, too.
Click to expand...

With the 5.5" type, the drive itself is installed in that 5.5"
bay, either in a tray that encompasses entire mounting, front
panel, and fan if it is an active type, or at least uses metal
rails screwed to sides of drive to make it wide enough as an
assembly to then screw to the mounting holes meant for a 5.5"
device. Most HDDs used to come with these rails in their retail
boxed version but more recently the HDD price wars have caused
manufacturers to implement cost-cutting measures, so retail
drives may not come with the rails anymore.

Key is to keep drive cool enough, not necessarily important to
make a lot of concessions to get it as cool as possible, yet each
case may vary, you might touch-test the drives after adding
cooling device to see if they remain only warm, not hot.
Is Cooler Master a good brand? or Vantec?
Click to expand...


For the most part all of those have junk fans and the rest of the
frame doesn't matter much. You could expect to need to lube the
fan bearings every year or two to keep them from wearing out.
Such is the nature of these cheap drive coolers with thin or
small diameter high-RPM fans.
 
anneAnna said:
Thanks for telling me about TigerDirect. I've no idea about which brands
are good, which junk. argh! In your opinion, what are good brands?
Click to expand...

Not everyone agrees about TigerDirect. I buy from their nearby store all
the time. Of course, I don't expect them to be my experts though. I know
what I want, I buy it, and I've got very good prices on most of it.

OTOH, I don't think I have any of their house brand - Ultra. I can't
speak to that. I'm guessing it's like most other things - some good and
some bad.

Clyde
 
anneAnna said:
larrymoencurly wrote:
Click to expand...
I've no idea about which brands are good, which junk. argh!
In your opinion, what are good brands?
Click to expand...

I don't know, but have you checked cooling-oriented websites, like
www.silentpcreview.com , www.overclockers.com , and the storage review
site www.storagereview.com ?

I had a plastic drive cooler designed so badly that just placing the
drive inside it could rip off the tape from the sides of old Western
Digital drives, and that tape is meant to seal the dust-free part of
the drive! :(
Also, drilling new holes and hanging drives will be way beyond
what I'll dare attempt, but certainly I am getting a much clearer
picture about cooling, and looking at the insides of the computer
with more understanding and less awe. thanks.
Click to expand...

If a klutz like me can drill holes OK, then anybody should be able to
do it.

If you have any spare 5.25" drive bays, how about getting 3.5" to
5.25" adapters and mounting small fans in front of the drives?
Mounting the drives upside down may help put the electronics in the
air flow of the fan. It's also supposed to cool the electronics
better even without a fan, but I didn't measure any difference with a
thermometer.
 
anneAnna said:
There is one site which states compatibility with Pentium4 or Athlon,
and some other I don't remember. Quite specific.
Click to expand...

Don't confuse CPU fans with case fans.
 
larrymoencurly said:
I don't know, but have you checked cooling-oriented websites, like
www.silentpcreview.com , www.overclockers.com , and the storage review
site www.storagereview.com ?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. They are a bit above my head, though. :(
I had a plastic drive cooler designed so badly that just placing the
drive inside it could rip off the tape from the sides of old Western
Digital drives, and that tape is meant to seal the dust-free part of
the drive! :(




If a klutz like me can drill holes OK, then anybody should be able to
do it.
Click to expand...
If you have any spare 5.25" drive bays, how about getting 3.5" to
5.25" adapters and mounting small fans in front of the drives?
Mounting the drives upside down may help put the electronics in the
air flow of the fan. It's also supposed to cool the electronics
better even without a fan, but I didn't measure any difference with a
thermometer.
Click to expand...

I think I will install into the spare bay under the CD writer, but first
I must get the fan.
 
kony said:
On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 21:03:19 GMT, anneAnna
Click to expand...
It's particularly worse with Tiger Direct though, they have shown
questionable business practices in many areas in past years. The
better business bureau and http://www.resellerratings.com both
have quite a few complaints about TD.



Definitely better than nothing but that will mostly recirculate
the air instead of pulling/pushing fresh, cooler air in.



With the 5.5" type, the drive itself is installed in that 5.5"
bay, either in a tray that encompasses entire mounting, front
panel, and fan if it is an active type, or at least uses metal
rails screwed to sides of drive to make it wide enough as an
assembly to then screw to the mounting holes meant for a 5.5"
device. Most HDDs used to come with these rails in their retail
boxed version but more recently the HDD price wars have caused
manufacturers to implement cost-cutting measures, so retail
drives may not come with the rails anymore.
Click to expand...

From pictures on reseller sites, I know what you mean. You're right,my
HDDs didn't come with rails.
Key is to keep drive cool enough, not necessarily important to
make a lot of concessions to get it as cool as possible, yet each
case may vary, you might touch-test the drives after adding
cooling device to see if they remain only warm, not hot.
Click to expand...

I have this small program that warns me about the temperature..otherwise
I wouldn't even know computers need extra cooling.
 
Lordy said:
No. They are plugs :)
What I meant is that look at the actual front of the case from inside,
just infront of the HDs. If you see four holes arranged in a square
approx 12cm appart then these are most likely for you to put a 12cm fan
there.
Are you saying there is already a fan in the front of the case?
Click to expand...

It seems that the panel is quite solid directly in front of the HDD.
Topmost is the floppy drive, there's then an empty bay, a slid panel
spanning height of 3 bays which has the on/off switches, then a bay with
USB connections.
I guess my only option is to install into an empty 5.5" bay above.

Those are power supply wires (for reference yellow=12v, red=5v,
black=Ground) but dont worry about that just yet...




What battery? Do you mean a power supply unit (PSU) that you mains lead
plugs into?



Just look to see if the holes are there first. Please dont call it a
battery anymore :)
Click to expand...

I did rack my brains trying to think what it's call. :(
Consoled myself that computer language is not my mother tongue. :)

No, there aren't any holes, the inside of the panel is again a piece of
plastic, with tiny holes like those on the panel at the back.
 
No, there aren't any holes, the inside of the panel is again a piece of
plastic, with tiny holes like those on the panel at the back.
Click to expand...

I thought you said it was solid :)

Its definitely plastic and not metal then?

Surrounding/amongst those tiny holes are there 4 holes in a 12cm square
that look a bit different?

Are there fans over the holes at the back?

What make/model is the PC (or at least the case)?
 
Lordy said:
@pd7tw3no:




I thought you said it was solid :)
Click to expand...

Yep, it's solid outside front, with 3 push button switches lined up in a
vertical column H=3.5"x W=.5"
On the inside front is another panel which forms the front wall of the
tower, to which the bays are hung. This proves to be metal by touch. I
believe if we take away the inch thick front plastic portion entirely,
what's exposed will be the upright side of the metal box, the upper part
of which has punctured pieces which we remove to install CD-ROMs.

This side is a whole piece of metal pierced with honeycombed holes like
those near the heat-sink but at the back.
Between these 2 wall must run the leads to/from the front switches.
Its definitely plastic and not metal then?
Click to expand...
Should be metal, sorry, my mistake, forgot to id by feel.
Surrounding/amongst those tiny holes are there 4 holes in a 12cm square
that look a bit different?

Are there fans over the holes at the back?

What make/model is the PC (or at least the case)?
Click to expand...

It's generic, one I had to take (without knowing better) because all
others in the shop were either metallic or black. I've taken some shots
of the case and inside, perhaps it would be better if I post them to a
test group.
 
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