Cheap fix help needed for current HTPC

[spudbynight]

My HTPC started shutting itself down recently and I managed to diagnose the likely issue as the PC overheating. It seems the PSU fan has died.

The case I have is an Antec NSK1300 which I bought about 3 1/2 years ago so well outside any warranty.

I have two slots on the motherboard which are taken up by an ATI 5450 and a TV Tuner Card. I can't really remove either of them. The 5450 is passively cooled.

The processor is a low voltage Athlon 4400+ which doesn't generate much in the way of heat normally.

I don't really have much to spend on getting this back up properly. At the moment am running it with the case open which has stopped the shutdowns and dropped the temps.

I think I have no more than about £50 (maybe a little bit more) to "sticky plaster" this setup. I want to get a new HTPC later this year. Any suggestions on what I can do in the interim? (The PSU is a nonstandard one that came with the case. It can't take a standard PSU)

 

[stokecity_m]

if there is room at the back, maybe place a new psu outside the case?

 

[chipps101]

you could try and attach a fan to the outside of the psu blowing into the intake vents to push air through it ?

what size of fan does the psu have ?

*edit just looked up your case, you could cable tie a fan to your rear fan grill sucking air through the psu and as you are only using 2 of the 4 slots in the back of the case you could add one of these also to help pull some heat out the case - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-GE&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=399

 

[spudbynight]

you could try and attach a fan to the outside of the psu blowing into the intake vents to push air through it ?

what size of fan does the psu have ?

*edit just looked up your case, you could cable tie a fan to your rear fan grill sucking air through the psu and as you are only using 2 of the 4 slots in the back of the case you could add one of these also to help pull some heat out the case - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-GE&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=399

I had a PCI slot blower lying around I managed to squeeze in (just). Temps are OK so far but it is quiet noisy.

I will have to just endure it for a while!

Thanks guys.

 

[Guardsmon]

If you careful you could open the PSU and replace the fan, I've done it successfully several times before. However I don't hold any responsibility for anything that happens to the PSU or you through possible mistakes (remember to unplug it and ground yourself )

Otherwise if you have £50 to fix the problem, why not buy a new PSU?

 

[spudbynight]

If you careful you could open the PSU and replace the fan, I've done it successfully several times before. However I don't hold any responsibility for anything that happens to the PSU or you through possible mistakes (remember to unplug it and ground yourself )

Otherwise if you have £50 to fix the problem, why not buy a new PSU?

The PSU is a non standard size and there isn't space for a normal PSU.

 

[Zid_]

If you careful you could open the PSU and replace the fan, I've done it successfully several times before. However I don't hold any responsibility for anything that happens to the PSU or you through possible mistakes (remember to unplug it and ground yourself )

Otherwise if you have £50 to fix the problem, why not buy a new PSU?

Good thing you added that disclaimer. I'd have successfully been able to sue "that guy on the internet" otherwise!

 

[blueacid]

The PSU is a non standard size and there isn't space for a normal PSU.

Disclaimer: This is a common sense post. Don't sue.

Leave it unplugged for 24hrs then open. See if you are able to measure the fan diameter without touching anything electric.

For a replacement, I'd doubt you could go too far wrong with a Noctua fan, although I'm sure that when you get the dimensions of the fan people will spring up with advice!

Don't forget to measure the depth/thickness of the fan - if it's a slimline one then a standard fit fan might not fit.