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billandted · 05-02-2003, 02:37 PM

More detailed explention: the importance of case fans depends HIGHLY on the components of the computer.

Basic rules:

1. NEVER run a comp without a HSF. Fatal. Some P4s/Celeys can run with only a high-performance heatsink, but even that is iffy. HSF is not something you want to skimp on.

2. Athlons create a metric shitload more heat than P4s. If you have an Athlon, case fans are highly reccommended, as the higher CPU temps will raise the ambient temps quite a bit.

3. Newer, faster HDDs and especially Video cards are the other main heat sources, and need to be properly cooled.

In the end, cooling depends on what kind of a computer you're running.

Someone with an AthlonXP and a high-end video card would not dream of running a comp without proper cooling.

Somone with a low-end P4 and basic video hardware might well decide to have no case cooling at all, and never suffer consequences.

If your computer is a lower spec system, case fans are only going to raise the sound level. Lowering a proc/case temp 3 or 4 degrees C is not going to affect performance or part life if those temps are already at acceptable (<40 degrees) levels, you're just going to make yourself deaf.

If you have a higher-end comp and are planning on running only for a few days/weeks without proper case cooling, I say there's little risk. Long term you may see problems as the heat stresses the components, but in the short term nothing is going to burn out/die from heat unless you A) don't have a properly installed HSF; B) have faulty stock cooling on things like video cards; and C) live in the middle of the sahara.

05-02-2003, 02:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
billandted Upright Location: Inebriation	More detailed explention: the importance of case fans depends HIGHLY on the components of the computer. Basic rules: 1. NEVER run a comp without a HSF. Fatal. Some P4s/Celeys can run with only a high-performance heatsink, but even that is iffy. HSF is not something you want to skimp on. 2. Athlons create a metric shitload more heat than P4s. If you have an Athlon, case fans are highly reccommended, as the higher CPU temps will raise the ambient temps quite a bit. 3. Newer, faster HDDs and especially Video cards are the other main heat sources, and need to be properly cooled. In the end, cooling depends on what kind of a computer you're running. Someone with an AthlonXP and a high-end video card would not dream of running a comp without proper cooling. Somone with a low-end P4 and basic video hardware might well decide to have no case cooling at all, and never suffer consequences. If your computer is a lower spec system, case fans are only going to raise the sound level. Lowering a proc/case temp 3 or 4 degrees C is not going to affect performance or part life if those temps are already at acceptable (<40 degrees) levels, you're just going to make yourself deaf. If you have a higher-end comp and are planning on running only for a few days/weeks without proper case cooling, I say there's little risk. Long term you may see problems as the heat stresses the components, but in the short term nothing is going to burn out/die from heat unless you A) don't have a properly installed HSF; B) have faulty stock cooling on things like video cards; and C) live in the middle of the sahara. __________________ On a scale of one to ten, I am soooo drunk. Last edited by billandted; 05-02-2003 at 02:43 PM..