Case Fans?

[thekidjfm]

My old computer seemed to lock up anytime the kids would try racing games and especially pinball games.I am fairly new to playing with computers but I have realized that there is not a
processor fan and not one case fan,just the cpu fan. Would adding two case fans,1 in front+1out back,improve performance
for these games?
Gateway performance 450Mhz,Pentium III(I believe Katmai) slot 1
form factor.
WDC 40 GB HD
12x10x32 CD-RW
Hitachi DVD-ROM GD 5000
384 MB dimm memory
Nvidia Riva TNT2 Model64/Model64 Pro
Sound Blaster Audio PCI 128D
Running Win 98 SE

Also is it possible to put a processor fan in?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by thekidjfm My old computer seemed to lock up anytime the kids would try racing games and especially pinball games.I am fairly new to playing with computers but I have realized that there is not a processor fan and not one case fan,just the cpu fan. Would adding two case fans,1 in front+1out back,improve performance for these games?

Installing case fans will improve the stability of the system but game performance will remain the same for your particular system.

Originally posted by thekidjfm Also is it possible to put a processor fan in?

You could, but Gateway used the oversized passive heatsink instead to keep noise levels down and I think once the case fans are installed you won't have to worry about installing a CPU fan. Generally, more fans means more noise.

You might want to think about installing a slot fan under the video card (if the video isn't built onto the motherboard itself). The TNT's ran sort of hot and having a slot fan to remove the heat coming off the chip will help to stabilize the system and prevent freezing.

Another thing, if the installation of Win98SE has been on the computer for a long time without a reformat and reinstall, the system will act flakey because Windows "degrades" over time. System files will become corrupt, the Registry will get bloated and can slow the system down, temp files can also cause problems if they aren't dumped from the system on a regular basis.

And keeping the interior of the case clean will also help stability...a dusty system traps heat in.

Cricket

[ILLPHIL]

hoe well do the antec "smart" fans sense lower temps and slow down?

[thekidjfm]

The video is NOT built into the mobo,it is in the AGP slot.
Could someone point my to where I may purchase a "Slot Fan".
The original WD 13.5 GB took a crap about 4 months ago,
So I bought the WDC 40GB and partitioned,formatted, and installed 98SE and most of what I could remember was on the old
HD(no backup).
Temp files are cleaned out every day!
I blow out the case every three month's.

[Alaron]

Heres a slot fan for only $5 on Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...on=slot+blower That will work very well to remove video card heat from your system.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by thekidjfm Could someone point my to where I may purchase a "Slot Fan".

Any computer shop or CompUSA should have them. Or you can order one from here.

Cricket

[Tuf]

Most of the Gateways I have seen from that era have a rather large duct that is aimed st the CPU heatsink. rom what I can remember they work pretty well the fact that you and a bunch of other people are still using them is a testament to their durability.


p.s. Your PIII 450 is a Katmai, all 450's are.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Tuf Your PIII 450 is a Katmai, all 450's are.

INTEL did make a PII 450MHz CPU that used the Deschutes core. I think the bulk of them went to system assemblers like DELL and GATEWAY.

Cricket