Adding a fan...

[Fibre Optix]

Hi,

At my office we purchased a refurbished computer. It was an HP model. We added some stuff to it like a Newer Video card and some extra ram. It works quite well now. Once a week everyone in the office joins in on some CounterStrike:Source gaming action.

The person who is using the computer in question complained that the game was "sticking" once and awhile... or lagging. I was puzzled because no one else's computer lagged and we are playing off the LAN. As I tried it out I noticed the fan on the Video card would speed up during the lag spikes... so I assumed the lag is due to a heat issue.

I opened up the computer and was suprised that the computer only had 1 fan at the back... this does not sound right and might be contributing to the heat issue. Another problem is that the front of the computer where a 2nd fan should also be is taken up by a drive preventing me from installing one on the front.

So this brings me to 3 questions.

1.Would it be wise of me to install a fan on the removable panel? (I have all the appropriate tools to do so)

2.if so where should I place it? (middle, lower front, back???)

3.Finally, it there such a thing as an INTAKE fan… and what size should the 2nd fan be?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Fibre Optix The person who is using the computer in question complained that the game was "sticking" once and awhile... or lagging. I was puzzled because no one else's computer lagged and we are playing off the LAN. As I tried it out I noticed the fan on the Video card would speed up during the lag spikes... so I assumed the lag is due to a heat issue.

Actually, it sounds as if the power supply may be marginal for the added/upgraded parts.

Originally Posted by Fibre Optix I opened up the computer and was suprised that the computer only had 1 fan at the back... this does not sound right and might be contributing to the heat issue. Another problem is that the front of the computer where a 2nd fan should also be is taken up by a drive preventing me from installing one on the front.

That sounds like a typical name brand computer cooling setup...many name brand computers only have minimal fans installed.

Originally Posted by Fibre Optix 1.Would it be wise of me to install a fan on the removable panel? (I have all the appropriate tools to do so)

If you want to...but an added fan will put more strain on the power supply and you may end up with more problems.

Originally Posted by Fibre Optix 2.if so where should I place it? (middle, lower front, back???)

Position it so it cools the video card.

Originally Posted by Fibre Optix 3.Finally, it there such a thing as an INTAKE fan… and what size should the 2nd fan be?

Yes, there is such a thing as an intake fan. Common size and location is a 80mm fan installed on the lower front of the case bringing cool air into the case.

But I would see if it's possible to install a power supply with more watts than the ones that's currently in there.

Cricket

[Fibre Optix]

Powersupply eh?

You might be right. I'll look into that.

thanks for your great reply.

[Fibre Optix]

Well I just looked at the powersupply.... it a 250W.... I guess it needs a new one to kill the lagging.

[Cricket]

What are the complete system specs for the HP and what video card did you upgrade with?

Cricket

[Fibre Optix]

Well the specs are;

512 MB RAM
2.5 Ghz p4
120 GIG HD
ATI 128 MB Radeon 9700 pro

I think a 350 watt is in order....no?

[Cricket]

Whoa...trying to run all that on a 250 watt power supply is asking a lot. It's time to upgrade the power supply. I think HP uses industry standard power supplies and a off the shelf good quality 350 watt power supply might work...but I would get confirmation from HP first.

Cricket