PCI slot fans

[BigYenSpence]

I only have a spot for one case fan and I don't have the cash to get a new case right now. I found these fans that just sit in a vacant PCI slot. Has anybody used them and would it be worthwhile enough to get one if I already have a decent hsf and case fan?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: BigYenSpence
I only have a spot for one case fan and I don't have the cash to get a new case right now. I found these fans that just sit in a vacant PCI slot. Has anybody used them and would it be worthwhile enough to get one if I already have a decent hsf and case fan?

From my experience I would answer no, they are not worth it. I used one in a moderatly ventalated case (single noisy 60mm intake, 80mm exhaust) and all it did was increase my case noise, temps did not change at all. Some people have mentioned decent reuductions in temps but most I know, including myself, have found them to be useless. Maybe mine did not work correctly as I thought they were supposed to be pretty quiet, but mine was definitly audible.

I would get a good exhaust fan (I am assuming your spot is for an exhaust fan) and make sure you have enough intake holes in the case. That should cool you adequatly without a noisey (and useless) slot fan.

-spike

 

[BigYenSpence]

It is an exhaust fan and with a good number of vent holes, it may be okay.

 

[akira34]

Before you think about getting such an item, what do you have for a system and what are the temps in it? If your temps are ok, then you don't need such a thing. If your temps are high, then you can think about it. Personally, I've never seen any benefit from such items. All they usually do is introduce more noise into a system and do little, if anything at all, for the cooling.

BTW, what POC case do you have that only has a spot for one case fan??

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: BigYenSpence
It is an exhaust fan and with a good number of vent holes, it may be okay.

Then unless your temps are sky high, you should be fine.

-spike

 

[BigYenSpence]

I have a DFI lanparty with a 3000+. I haven't put it together yet though, so I'm not sure on the temps. I just wanted to check to see if they were generally effective from other people's experiences. The crappy case I have now is a bit older, and I'm rebuilding my rig in pieces so it is the last old piece to go. In the meantime, I just wanted to see if it would be worthwhile or not.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: BigYenSpence
I have a DFI lanparty with a 3000+. I haven't put it together yet though, so I'm not sure on the temps. I just wanted to check to see if they were generally effective from other people's experiences. The crappy case I have now is a bit older, and I'm rebuilding my rig in pieces so it is the last old piece to go. In the meantime, I just wanted to see if it would be worthwhile or not.

Get a good HSF for that 3000+ and you are good to go for now. It is always better to get a cooler case as it will extend the life of the parts in it, but usually not such a big deal as most people upgrade before that becomes an issue. I would throw the system together and watch the temps. If they are super high then it looks like you will have to get a new case sooner. If not (which will probably be the case) then stick with that for the time being till you can afford a good case.

Personally I think it is better to take the chance and put it together in the old box. Worst case, you waste the time to put the components in and take them back out again. Not a huge deal.

-spike

 

[Cawchy87]

They don't work at all. Remember that heat rises, and pci slots are on the bottom...

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
They don't work at all. Remember that heat rises, and pci slots are on the bottom...

Hmmm... so they might do SOMETHING in cases where the PCI slots are at the top...

 

[H34D0N]

I bought one a while back and the only thing it did was make massive amounts of vibrations and make way to much noise

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
They don't work at all. Remember that heat rises, and pci slots are on the bottom...

Hmmm... so they might do SOMETHING in cases where the PCI slots are at the top...

Theoreticly they might have a purpose if you use your computer upside down.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
They don't work at all. Remember that heat rises, and pci slots are on the bottom...

Hmmm... so they might do SOMETHING in cases where the PCI slots are at the top...

Theoreticly they might have a purpose if you use your computer upside down.

LOL, I can see that... turing the comp upside down just so a piece of crap slot fan can provide some meager cooling...

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
They don't work at all. Remember that heat rises, and pci slots are on the bottom...

Hmmm... so they might do SOMETHING in cases where the PCI slots are at the top...

Theoreticly they might have a purpose if you use your computer upside down.

I gather you've never looked at the Lian-Li V1000, V1100, V2000 and V2100 cases then. The mobo's are positioned above the PSU with the video card at the top.