UNSOLVED
Additional fan, 8400
The documentation from the "Dell Book" for the Dimension 8400 states:
"NOTICE: PCI Express graphics card that run higher than 75 W require an additional cooling fan. Otherwise, your card could overheat and damage your computer."
Every PCIe card I've looked at has its own fan, so are we to interpret the above as the addition of another cooling fan? If so, can anyone suggest where to purchase a good (quiet) cooling fan?
I ordered a fan from Dell 9/17, but a video adapter was sent instead.
"NOTICE: PCI Express graphics card that run higher than 75 W require an additional cooling fan. Otherwise, your card could overheat and damage your computer."
Every PCIe card I've looked at has its own fan, so are we to interpret the above as the addition of another cooling fan? If so, can anyone suggest where to purchase a good (quiet) cooling fan?
I ordered a fan from Dell 9/17, but a video adapter was sent instead.
Message Edited by LindyD on 09-20-2006 02:31 PM
- Howdy
What your manual is talking about is a cage fan that mounts onto the side of your case.
If you add a card that needs 75w or more, & you do not have the fan, you get a error
message every time you boot up about hitting F1 to continue.
The fan is cheap & easy to put in. I did it about 6 months ago for my daughters 8400.
Heres a link for the fan part number, scroll about half way down the page.
You need to get it from Dell parts
Bob http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_video&message.id=142118&jump=true&c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs - Thanks very much for the link.
The card I'm going to install on a temp basis is the X850XT - no idea
of the wattage. But I plan to remove that and put in an X1800XT when
the price comes down, which does run over 75W and requires
a PSU of over 400W.
How loud is that Dell fan? - Howdy
I'm not aware of the cage fan making noise, my 8400 already had it in it.
My system quieted down when I took out the OEM 6800GTO, though the
X850 will wind up when you first boot your system.
My daughters system sets 3 ft. away & I can't tell any difference in the noise levels
on it after putting a cage fan in it. But I knew about the fan when I bought that system,
so it ran only a week with the X300, before I replaced it & put in the cage fan.
Bob CSPlayer089
563 Posts
824
0
Posted September 21st, 2006 19:00
you could have easily put a 7900GT in the 8400; but besides thats besides the point. the 8400 should not require the cage fan with an X850XT installed. I have an X800 XT in my 8400 and it does not require the cage fan, and the two cards draw very similar amounts of power.- Well, I got the card today and the system requirements read, in part:
• 128 MB of system memory; 256 MB or more for best performance.
• Motherboard with free PCI Express™ slot and correct PCIe chipset driver.
• CD-ROM drive (for installation software).
• PCI Express™ compatible system with a specialized 12v graphics card power connector.
350 watt or greater power supply recommended. Consult your
computer system manual to ensure the power supply
is designed to accommodate a high-end graphics card
with a peak dissipation above 75 watts.
Given the statement in the Dell Handbook, I think I'll go with the additional cooling fan.
My new power supply from PC Power & Cooling hasn't come in yet so waiting a few days is no big deal.
I wanted to stick with ATI as I've read of driver issues with Nividia.
My system has 2GB RAM plus two DVD/RW drives, so power and cooling are important. CSPlayer089
563 Posts
824
0
Posted September 21st, 2006 22:00
edit: never mind. new psu is a good idea since you have multiple optical drives. if that wasnt the case, then you wouldnt need a new PSU.Message Edited by CSPlayer089 on 09-21-2006 06:21 PM
- Hi.
I am wandering if this additional fan is needed for my 8400 system. I added a 400gb HD on top of the 250 that it came with. I have 2gb of ram and 2 DVD drives (1 burner). I currently have the PC Power and cooling PSU due to a PSU from dell that died on me.
I want to make sure the HD drives stay cool for long term use. Would an additional fan be necessary? Is there a different ad-on fan that is recommended?
Thanks!
CSPlayer089
563 Posts
824
0
Posted September 20th, 2006 21:00