DIY Computer Cooler

This instructable is for the DELL 745 Small Form Factor - SFF. It might work with other DELL SFF machines.  

The 745 Dual Core is a Great machine, but the cooling fins of the video card sit right below the HD, there is very little good ventilation and only one fan in the case. My 745 HD was getting up to 140 deg F...Ouch! 

Tools: You will need an 80x80x25 mm 12V computer cooling fan. This fan perfectly into the back of the case, no screws or glue needed. I used a 1.92 Watt model, low draw on current, but high volume air flow. You can wire the fan to the 745 power supply, or use an external power supply. This will require the usual wire splicing and joining.  

Disclaimer: This Instructable assumes that you are comfortable and competent working on your own PC. Do not do any of these steps if you can't take PC components apart, and re-assemble them in working order. If you break it, you bought it.

Step 1 Remove the Hard Drive

First, unplug and remove all the input wires, cables etc. Open up the case and remove the HD and the extra video card. The computer should look open like in the photo.

Comments

[Decepticon]

Sooo...what did you do about the expansion cards? You have a better video card than the onboard but your fan blocks access to it.

[EVsRoll]

Right.....looking at the photo there are two empty slots. I removed the (DVI input) extra video card, it is the card you need for an extra monitor. One reason this works so well is because you remove the DVI card. Yup, that leaves you with the onboard card...but 1600 x 900 works OK for me, and I'm not a gamer. I meant to mention that this set up only works if you want to use your VGA input card ONLY....the VGA input is on the Motherboard. Actually, it might work somewhat with the DVI card in there....did not try.... Happy computing