Solved CPU

Should a CPU Fan be intake or exhuast?

  • Intake

    Votes: 14 87.5%
  • Exhuast

    Votes: 2 12.5%

  • Total voters
    16
The fan mounted on top of a heatsink should be blowing downwards onto it. You need the maximum air flow across the fins, and the only way is by positive air pressure. Indeed, if you have a case with a duct over the CPU/HSF assembly, it is not there to allow the warm air generated to exhaust the case - rather it is there so that the fan can pull cool room temperature air INTO the case and across the heatsink.

Try this (you will need an electric fan). With this analogy, the fan obviously represents the fan; your fingers the heatsink; and your body temperature the heat generated by the CPU. With the fan operating, stick both index fingers into some cold water. Hold them, one in front and one behind the fan at equidistant distances. Which finger feels colder? It should be the one that you held up in front, i.e. the one under positive air pressure.
Your anology doesn't hold any water because there is no shrouding. A shrouded fan would PULL cool air from the bottom and through the fins and expell it at the top where the case fan would pick it up (and out). And your fingers aren't in your computer case.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell 546 Inspiron desktop
OS
Windows 7 home premium with 64 bit
CPU
AMD Athlon 630 2.8ghz X4 (Quad)
Motherboard
Dell 780g
Memory
8 Gigs of ddr2 at 800 mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Dell integrated ATI 3200
Sound Card
None
Monitor(s) Displays
20" Dell
Screen Resolution
1200x1600
Hard Drives
Two 1TRB Seagate Barracuda drives with a 32MB cache in raid 1 (Mirrored)
PSU
300 Watts Dell
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Mini-tower
Cooling
3 Fans total at PSU, CPU, and case.
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Dell
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Logitech trackball (marble mouse)
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DSL
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Western Digital 1.5tb external drive (green back-up drive) Cool and quiet!

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell 546 Inspiron desktop
OS
Windows 7 home premium with 64 bit
CPU
AMD Athlon 630 2.8ghz X4 (Quad)
Motherboard
Dell 780g
Memory
8 Gigs of ddr2 at 800 mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Dell integrated ATI 3200
Sound Card
None
Monitor(s) Displays
20" Dell
Screen Resolution
1200x1600
Hard Drives
Two 1TRB Seagate Barracuda drives with a 32MB cache in raid 1 (Mirrored)
PSU
300 Watts Dell
Case
Mini-tower
Cooling
3 Fans total at PSU, CPU, and case.
Keyboard
Dell
Mouse
Logitech trackball (marble mouse)
Internet Speed
DSL
Other Info
Western Digital 1.5tb external drive (green back-up drive) Cool and quiet!
Fascinating thread. I got curious so I opened my case and looked at my AMD CPU heat sink and the fan is blowing down toward the CPU. I then pulled a few copies of CPU and MaximumPC magazines and looked at the adds and pictures. In every case the fans were blowing toward the CPU or GPU on video cards. All the adds for after market HSF were setup the same way. So I have to believe that the manufactures have determined that blowing toward the chip is the best. It has been a good discussion and a lot better then "Which AV is Best????" Some disagreement but no one got shot :roflmao:

Jim :geek:
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built
OS
Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64bit, Windows 7 HP 64bit
CPU
Phenom II X6 1100T
Motherboard
ASUS M5A99X EVO
Memory
Crucial Balistic 8gb DDR3-1866 CL9
Graphics Card(s)
MSI R6850 Cyclone IGD5 PE
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS VE258Q 25" LED with DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Two WD Cavier Black 2TB Sata III, WD My Book Essential 2TB USB 3.0
PSU
Seasonic X650 80 Plus GOLD Modular
Case
Corsair 400R
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Antec Kuhler H2O 620, Two 120mm and four 140mm
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Logitech K120
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Logitech Marble Mouse USB, Logitech Precision Game Pad
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15MB
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Norton IS 2013, Malwarebytes Pro Beta 2
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IE-11, FF-27
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APC UPS ES 750, Netgear WNR3500L Gigabit & Wireless N Router with SamKnows Test Program, Motorola SB6120 Gigabit Cable Modem. Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer, Epson V300 Scanner

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
The Cloud Windfoot Omega Build. Codename: Outpost
OS
Windows 7 Pro 64bit
CPU
Amd 550BE unlocked to Quadcore 3.1GHZ
Motherboard
GA-770TA-UD3 Rev 1.0
Memory
4GB OCZ platinum 1333
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 3850 512MB Asus
Sound Card
creative Xfi music
Monitor(s) Displays
samsung syncmaster T220+ Dell P780
Screen Resolution
1680x1050, 1280x960
Hard Drives
WD 250GB
segate 500GB
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Ultra 500 watt
Case
some random case
Cooling
Coolmaster TX3
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Microsoft natural ergonomic 4000
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Logitech G9
Internet Speed
Teksavvy 5Mbps down 700Kbps up
Other Info
there is a 80mm(8cm) intake fan on the side of the case and a 120mm(12cm) fan as exaust
Wow, what a fun thread.

So, with a little different setup, the SilverStone FT02 chassis which has a 90 degree rotated motherboard placement and running aftermarket air cooling (CM Hyper212Plus) which cannot blow or suck air onto the CPU or away from the CPU I decided to mount dual 120mm fans one each side of the sink. One blowing and one sucking. I figure I have to have the right answer with this setup.

You guys are a blast, seriously a great thread.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Build
OS
win7 Ult 64
CPU
i7 3930K & 3960X
Motherboard
ASUS P9X79 Deluxe
Memory
16GB G-Skill 2133MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire HD 7970
Sound Card
On-board
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS 27 inch
Screen Resolution
1920X1080
Hard Drives
Crucial M4 256GB, 1.5TB WD Black for Data/Images
PSU
Corsair AX1200
Case
NZXT 810
Cooling
Custom Loop, Swiftech HDBlock
Keyboard
Mionix
Mouse
Mionix
Internet Speed
Cable
Wow, what a fun thread.

So, with a little different setup, the SilverStone FT02 chassis which has a 90 degree rotated motherboard placement and running aftermarket air cooling (CM Hyper212Plus) which cannot blow or suck air onto the CPU or away from the CPU I decided to mount dual 120mm fans one each side of the sink. One blowing and one sucking. I figure I have to have the right answer with this setup.

You guys are a blast, seriously a great thread.

Hey i like that idea, do you have a good exhaust fan at the back.????
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Customised
OS
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate Edition SP1
CPU
AMD Phenom II X5 955 @ 3200 Mhz
Motherboard
Asus M5A99X EVO
Memory
G.Skill 12GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC Sonic 1GB
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
LG 32" HDTV
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Internal 250GB SATA 3.0 Western Digital WDC WD25 00AAKX-001CA0

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Seagate ST350041 3AS

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAKS-00WWP

External 1TB USB 2.0 Western Digital

External 2TB USB 2.0 Buffalo
PSU
Colors-IT 750w BLACK 12CM Silent
Case
Xigamatek CPC-T45UB-U01 Asgard Chassis
Cooling
4 120mm Fans In Total
Keyboard
ADVENT Illuminated Keyboard
Mouse
Genius
Internet Speed
30MB
Other Info
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Cooler

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Customised
OS
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate Edition SP1
CPU
AMD Phenom II X5 955 @ 3200 Mhz
Motherboard
Asus M5A99X EVO
Memory
G.Skill 12GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC Sonic 1GB
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
LG 32" HDTV
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Internal 250GB SATA 3.0 Western Digital WDC WD25 00AAKX-001CA0

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Seagate ST350041 3AS

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAKS-00WWP

External 1TB USB 2.0 Western Digital

External 2TB USB 2.0 Buffalo
PSU
Colors-IT 750w BLACK 12CM Silent
Case
Xigamatek CPC-T45UB-U01 Asgard Chassis
Cooling
4 120mm Fans In Total
Keyboard
ADVENT Illuminated Keyboard
Mouse
Genius
Internet Speed
30MB
Other Info
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Cooler

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
I agree, i never knew that my thread would have so much response. I hope it is alive for a good few years yet.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Customised
OS
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate Edition SP1
CPU
AMD Phenom II X5 955 @ 3200 Mhz
Motherboard
Asus M5A99X EVO
Memory
G.Skill 12GB DDR3 1333MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Palit GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC Sonic 1GB
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
LG 32" HDTV
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Internal 250GB SATA 3.0 Western Digital WDC WD25 00AAKX-001CA0

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Seagate ST350041 3AS

Internal 500GB SATA 2.0 Western Digital WDC WD50 00AAKS-00WWP

External 1TB USB 2.0 Western Digital

External 2TB USB 2.0 Buffalo
PSU
Colors-IT 750w BLACK 12CM Silent
Case
Xigamatek CPC-T45UB-U01 Asgard Chassis
Cooling
4 120mm Fans In Total
Keyboard
ADVENT Illuminated Keyboard
Mouse
Genius
Internet Speed
30MB
Other Info
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Cooler
Wow, what a fun thread.

So, with a little different setup, the SilverStone FT02 chassis which has a 90 degree rotated motherboard placement and running aftermarket air cooling (CM Hyper212Plus) which cannot blow or suck air onto the CPU or away from the CPU I decided to mount dual 120mm fans one each side of the sink. One blowing and one sucking. I figure I have to have the right answer with this setup.

You guys are a blast, seriously a great thread.

Hey i like that idea, do you have a good exhaust fan at the back.????

The 90 degree rotating of the MB and the "positive air pressure" of this chassis is quite unique. All intake fans (3X180mm) are bottom mounted with one 120mm exhaust fan on the top of the case.

I wrote a review of this chassis for SilverStone which you can read here:

The SilverStone FT02 Case:
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Build
OS
win7 Ult 64
CPU
i7 3930K & 3960X
Motherboard
ASUS P9X79 Deluxe
Memory
16GB G-Skill 2133MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire HD 7970
Sound Card
On-board
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS 27 inch
Screen Resolution
1920X1080
Hard Drives
Crucial M4 256GB, 1.5TB WD Black for Data/Images
PSU
Corsair AX1200
Case
NZXT 810
Cooling
Custom Loop, Swiftech HDBlock
Keyboard
Mionix
Mouse
Mionix
Internet Speed
Cable

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Me
OS
Win 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
FX-8350 @ 4.6 GHz so far
Motherboard
Asus M5A97 EVO
Memory
ADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire R9 270x Dual-X
Sound Card
Xonar DGX w/ Corsair Vengence 1300
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S232HL Abid
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
120 GB OCZ Vertex 3
500 GB Seagate 7200.12
PSU
Antec Earthwatts 650W Green
Case
Antec Three Hundred
Cooling
Cooler Master 212 EVO
Keyboard
Logitech G510
Mouse
Logitech G500s
Internet Speed
35000/3000
Another argument that will never die. Some others are -

Which is the best browser?
Which anti-virus is best?
Which engine oil for motorcycles is best?

:D :D
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
I agree. Everyone hit Unsubscribe on 3.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 3.0GHz
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97
Memory
8GB G-Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333
Graphics Card(s)
PNY GeForce 460 GTX 1GB OC - Enthusiast Edition
Sound Card
VIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
1TB - Primary
160GB - Secondary
250GB - External backup for important files
PSU
OCZ Fata1ty 700W Modular PSU
Case
ASUS
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
3 Mbps/768 kbps
Or how about the venerable argument: Mac vs. Windows :mad:
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Rig 1
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition @ 3.4GHz (AM2+)
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (AM2+)
Memory
Corsair CM2X4096-8500C5 (4 X 2GB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5770 / Diamond Radeon HD 5770 CrossFireX
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DS (PCI)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 932bw+ (3)
Screen Resolution
4320x900
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 80 GB - Windows 7 System --
WD Caviar Black 1TB - Music, Movies, Vids, Pics --
WD Caviar Black 640GB - User Profiles & Games --
WD My Book 320GB external
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-750TX
Case
Cooler Master HAF 932
Cooling
Corsair Hydro Series H50
Keyboard
Logitech Desktop Wave
Mouse
Logitech LX8 Laser
Internet Speed
20 down / 2 up
Other Info
LG GGC-H20L Blu-Ray / HDDVD combo --
Hauppauge HVR-1250 --
Silverstone MFP-51 --
Logitech Webcam C600
OSX is a good OS. Better than Windows? In some ways, but not overall. Unfortunately the people that I know that use a Mac are those who don't know how to properly maintain a Windows computer. ie Of course you're going to catch viruses through P2P networks like Limewire if you click anything and everything. Your included AV-subscription is not infinitely long and does need to be renewed or replaced. You should defragment and backup. Etc.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 3.0GHz
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97
Memory
8GB G-Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333
Graphics Card(s)
PNY GeForce 460 GTX 1GB OC - Enthusiast Edition
Sound Card
VIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
1TB - Primary
160GB - Secondary
250GB - External backup for important files
PSU
OCZ Fata1ty 700W Modular PSU
Case
ASUS
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
3 Mbps/768 kbps
OSX is a good OS. Better than Windows? In some ways, but not overall. Unfortunately the people that I know that use a Mac are those who don't know how to properly maintain a Windows computer. ie Of course you're going to catch viruses through P2P networks like Limewire if you click anything and everything. Your included AV-subscription is not infinitely long and does need to be renewed or replaced. You should defragment and backup. Etc.

Never used Mac OS, so no opinion on it. I'll take your word on it. :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Rig 1
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition @ 3.4GHz (AM2+)
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (AM2+)
Memory
Corsair CM2X4096-8500C5 (4 X 2GB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5770 / Diamond Radeon HD 5770 CrossFireX
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DS (PCI)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 932bw+ (3)
Screen Resolution
4320x900
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 80 GB - Windows 7 System --
WD Caviar Black 1TB - Music, Movies, Vids, Pics --
WD Caviar Black 640GB - User Profiles & Games --
WD My Book 320GB external
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-750TX
Case
Cooler Master HAF 932
Cooling
Corsair Hydro Series H50
Keyboard
Logitech Desktop Wave
Mouse
Logitech LX8 Laser
Internet Speed
20 down / 2 up
Other Info
LG GGC-H20L Blu-Ray / HDDVD combo --
Hauppauge HVR-1250 --
Silverstone MFP-51 --
Logitech Webcam C600
Thread being hijacked? :cool:
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell 546 Inspiron desktop
OS
Windows 7 home premium with 64 bit
CPU
AMD Athlon 630 2.8ghz X4 (Quad)
Motherboard
Dell 780g
Memory
8 Gigs of ddr2 at 800 mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Dell integrated ATI 3200
Sound Card
None
Monitor(s) Displays
20" Dell
Screen Resolution
1200x1600
Hard Drives
Two 1TRB Seagate Barracuda drives with a 32MB cache in raid 1 (Mirrored)
PSU
300 Watts Dell
Case
Mini-tower
Cooling
3 Fans total at PSU, CPU, and case.
Keyboard
Dell
Mouse
Logitech trackball (marble mouse)
Internet Speed
DSL
Other Info
Western Digital 1.5tb external drive (green back-up drive) Cool and quiet!
The thread was over a long time ago. It's all anarchy now.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 3.0GHz
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97
Memory
8GB G-Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333
Graphics Card(s)
PNY GeForce 460 GTX 1GB OC - Enthusiast Edition
Sound Card
VIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
1TB - Primary
160GB - Secondary
250GB - External backup for important files
PSU
OCZ Fata1ty 700W Modular PSU
Case
ASUS
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
3 Mbps/768 kbps
Fascinating thread. I got curious so I opened my case and looked at my AMD CPU heat sink and the fan is blowing down toward the CPU. I then pulled a few copies of CPU and MaximumPC magazines and looked at the adds and pictures. In every case the fans were blowing toward the CPU or GPU on video cards. All the adds for after market HSF were setup the same way. So I have to believe that the manufactures have determined that blowing toward the chip is the best. It has been a good discussion and a lot better then "Which AV is Best????" Some disagreement but no one got shot :roflmao:
Jim :geek:
But how do you know which way they were spinning?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell 546 Inspiron desktop
OS
Windows 7 home premium with 64 bit
CPU
AMD Athlon 630 2.8ghz X4 (Quad)
Motherboard
Dell 780g
Memory
8 Gigs of ddr2 at 800 mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Dell integrated ATI 3200
Sound Card
None
Monitor(s) Displays
20" Dell
Screen Resolution
1200x1600
Hard Drives
Two 1TRB Seagate Barracuda drives with a 32MB cache in raid 1 (Mirrored)
PSU
300 Watts Dell
Case
Mini-tower
Cooling
3 Fans total at PSU, CPU, and case.
Keyboard
Dell
Mouse
Logitech trackball (marble mouse)
Internet Speed
DSL
Other Info
Western Digital 1.5tb external drive (green back-up drive) Cool and quiet!
Fascinating thread. I got curious so I opened my case and looked at my AMD CPU heat sink and the fan is blowing down toward the CPU. I then pulled a few copies of CPU and MaximumPC magazines and looked at the adds and pictures. In every case the fans were blowing toward the CPU or GPU on video cards. All the adds for after market HSF were setup the same way. So I have to believe that the manufactures have determined that blowing toward the chip is the best. It has been a good discussion and a lot better then "Which AV is Best????" Some disagreement but no one got shot :roflmao:
Jim :geek:
But how do you know which way they were spinning?

Easy. Put your hand in front of them.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 3.0GHz
Motherboard
ASUS M5A97
Memory
8GB G-Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333
Graphics Card(s)
PNY GeForce 460 GTX 1GB OC - Enthusiast Edition
Sound Card
VIA High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
1TB - Primary
160GB - Secondary
250GB - External backup for important files
PSU
OCZ Fata1ty 700W Modular PSU
Case
ASUS
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000
Internet Speed
3 Mbps/768 kbps
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