Fan/ Heatsink/ Enclosure suggestions

Ryushikaze · Post by **Ryushikaze** » 2007-09-26 01:51pm

So, I recently purchased a 500 GB drive which I plan on eventually putting into a proper desktop, but for now, it's an external. The problem is that the current enclosure doesn't quite do the job for keeping it cool, so I need something to help cool it down. Some friends said to just get a fan, but I decided to ask around to see what the best option would be for not too much money.

So, what do the citizens of SD.net say? Should I go with a fan, or should I see about a heatsink? A combination of both? What brands would you suggest?

ThatGuyFromThatPlace · Post by **ThatGuyFromThatPlace** » 2007-09-26 02:40pm

if your HDD is overheating, then I think you have problems a heatsink won't solve.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » 2007-09-26 02:54pm

How is your case set up?

You need good airflow through your case. This means cables out of the way, a balanced number of intake and exhaust, etc.

There are dedicated HDD fans that bolt to the bottom of the drive, or 5.25" enclosures that combine heatsinks and an intake fan that keep air moving over the drive. If your case does not have a spare HDD mount that's directly in the airflow path, I recommend one of the above solutions.

Generally, a modern HDD runs pretty hot, but it shouldn't be overheating unless it's stuck in stagnant, hot case air.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2007-09-26 03:47pm

Stick it next to a fan. If that doesn't work, get a different enclosure.

Here's a hint guys: read the fucking post. He said it's in an external enclosure.

Ryushikaze · Post by **Ryushikaze** » 2007-09-26 03:48pm

ThatGuyFromThatPlace wrote:if your HDD is overheating, then I think you have problems a heatsink won't solve.

It's not overheating. I'm trying to prevent such a thing.

Darwin wrote:How is your case set up?

You need good airflow through your case. This means cables out of the way, a balanced number of intake and exhaust, etc.

There are dedicated HDD fans that bolt to the bottom of the drive, or 5.25" enclosures that combine heatsinks and an intake fan that keep air moving over the drive. If your case does not have a spare HDD mount that's directly in the airflow path, I recommend one of the above solutions.

Generally, a modern HDD runs pretty hot, but it shouldn't be overheating unless it's stuck in stagnant, hot case air.

Which was basically what the enclosure it came with was. I removed the front and back of it to allow more exposure to the air, but the enclosure is really just an aluminum sleeve with the power and connectors plugging into the backside. It has no fan.

Keep in mind I'm talking about a drive with an enclosure, not in a case proper.

ThatGuyFromThatPlace · Post by **ThatGuyFromThatPlace** » 2007-09-26 04:05pm

HDDs run stupid hot compared to pretty much any other piece of computer equipment and can take even more heat than that before breaking/failing.
unless you leave the enclosure out in the (Texas, Arizona, Subsaharan Africa Etc.) sun while running, it will probably not overheat in an external enclosure, if it is and you aren't doing something stupid (like leaving it to bake in the sun) Then your problem is the kind of thing you REM a harddrive for rather than try to 'fix' with after-market cooling systems.

If it was in a computer instead of external, then yes, you should get a Heat-sink/Fan and clean up your case, in an external enclosure though, there's little to no reason why it should be overheating or close to it.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » 2007-09-26 04:07pm

Ryushikaze wrote: Which was basically what the enclosure it came with was. I removed the front and back of it to allow more exposure to the air, but the enclosure is really just an aluminum sleeve with the power and connectors plugging into the backside. It has no fan.

Keep in mind I'm talking about a drive with an enclosure, not in a case proper.

I see. The enclosure might be crap (Does the enclosure itself get hot? if not, it isn't moving heat away from the drive properly) As long as it's kept in open air though, it should stay below critical temperature. Just don't put it in a drawer or under a towel or anything.

Ryushikaze · Post by **Ryushikaze** » 2007-09-27 10:36am

Darwin wrote:
Ryushikaze wrote: Which was basically what the enclosure it came with was. I removed the front and back of it to allow more exposure to the air, but the enclosure is really just an aluminum sleeve with the power and connectors plugging into the backside. It has no fan.

Keep in mind I'm talking about a drive with an enclosure, not in a case proper.
I see. The enclosure might be crap (Does the enclosure itself get hot? if not, it isn't moving heat away from the drive properly) As long as it's kept in open air though, it should stay below critical temperature. Just don't put it in a drawer or under a towel or anything.

Yeah. Turns out the enclosure was just crap. I took the drive out and set it on top of the enclosure, and it didn't get anywhere near as hot as the enclosure did when the drive was inside.

Ace Pace · Post by **Ace Pace** » 2007-09-27 11:53am

ThatGuyFromThatPlace wrote:HDDs run stupid hot compared to pretty much any other piece of computer equipment and can take even more heat than that before breaking/failing.
unless you leave the enclosure out in the (Texas, Arizona, Subsaharan Africa Etc.) sun while running, it will probably not overheat in an external enclosure, if it is and you aren't doing something stupid (like leaving it to bake in the sun) Then your problem is the kind of thing you REM a harddrive for rather than try to 'fix' with after-market cooling systems.

If it was in a computer instead of external, then yes, you should get a Heat-sink/Fan and clean up your case, in an external enclosure though, there's little to no reason why it should be overheating or close to it.

On the other hard, theres a very direct corrolation between hard disk tempature and average time to failure. Higher tempatures are bad.