Possible to connect an external cpu fan?

[imported_MrPresident]

My CPU sits inside a compartment in my desk. There is a door on the face, which I keep open when the CPU is on. The area still gets pretty warm and if I ever forget to open the door or if I accidentally close it = HOT.

I would like to bore out a hole on one of the side panels of the compartment and connect a fan to wooden desk to move some more air through the area. Can a CPU fan be wired to the computer externally and set to run when the CPU is on, like it would if internal? I don't want to have the fan run 24/7, but only operate when the CPU is on.

Please don't tell me to just buy a desk fan and turn it on when needed. I'm trying to go "low profile" here and not have a bulky desk or floor fan in the way all the time.

Any ideas?

 

[Zepper]

Here are just power outlets:
http://jab-tech.com/PCI-Power-Bracket-OK302-pr-2670.html , but you can get PCI slot brackets with power and SATA or power and PATA connections. SVC.com et al. have some other versions.

.bh.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: MrPresident
My CPU sits inside a compartment in my desk. There is a door on the face, which I keep open when the CPU is on. The area still gets pretty warm and if I ever forget to open the door or if I accidentally close it = HOT.

I would like to bore out a hole on one of the side panels of the compartment and connect a fan to wooden desk to move some more air through the area. Can a CPU fan be wired to the computer externally and set to run when the CPU is on, like it would if internal? I don't want to have the fan run 24/7, but only operate when the CPU is on.

Please don't tell me to just buy a desk fan and turn it on when needed. I'm trying to go "low profile" here and not have a bulky desk or floor fan in the way all the time.

Any ideas?

Did it for a Dental office server recently. Was very simple. I just used 2 120mm's and jigged a hole out of the cabinet. Used sheetrock screws (predrilled holes) to mount the fans on inside of cabinet. Officemax has little plastic cabinet vents which I used to make it look pretty. Check for available vent sizes before cutting your opening. As for powering the 2 fans I just used a 4 pin molex extension and ran it out through a pci slot on the rear. It's in a cabinet so didn't need to look pretty. I used the tricools that came in my P180 so it was kind of nice to choose between three different speeds according to their needs. It works like a charm.