HDD Running at 47C Most of the time!

[feetand nches]

First off, I don't see this as a huge problem, but just want to explore some possible tweaks that will allow my HDD to run a little cooler and get input from others running the same SFF tower. The pc is all clean and in perfect shape otherwise. I think this is just a small design flaw that was acceptable to Dell.

My HDD runs at 47C 24/7, no gaming. I run light duty stuff on an Intel Core i3 3240, 8GB RAM and an 1TB WD Blue Drive I bought new three years ago that is in perfect condition still. I do sometimes have multiple docs and chrome tabs open and even youtube. I don't overuse Memory and watch it so I don't start using the Page File. The Temps are acceptable at 47C but at the upper end of what I would like to see. Just wanted to confirm if any of you 660S guys are seeing the same temps on this machine? I firmly believe that the HDD is just in a dead spot and should survive this temp for a long time, but at the same time I would like to correct it as a little experiment. When I get the motivation I will see if I can rectify it.

I've already found a few little fans that I may try to bring the temps down just a little.

My ambient temps are around 80F in my room, maybe a little lower. Certainly we have the A/C on and it feels more like the high 70s most of the time. House Thermostat is set at 77-78 but my room runs a little hotter. I've been procrastinating because it is a hassle getting to the pc and all the cables etc.

I was also trying to find out if there is an aftermarket CPU Fan that would push just a little more air than the stock one, but I don't see anything that I would no for sure will work.
Dell Inspiron 660s SFF

 

[Megahertz07]

What are the CPU and other MB temps?
Do you have a hardware monitor? I like open hardware monitor It is a portable. Extract and run.

 

[feetand nches]

All other temps are fine Megahertz, as far as I know anyhow. I use Speccy, though is not always correct it seems to work okay with my system.

Operating System
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i3 3240 @ 3.40GHz 38 °C
Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0XFWHV (CPU 1) 28 °C
Graphics
DELL P2214H (1920x1080@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics (Dell)
Storage
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-08WN4A0 ATA Device (SATA ) 47 °C

I don't know what the fan speed is but it should be normal. I'd never seen or heard it act weird, it's always running and cpu temps are always good. HDD Temps are always right at 47 too, never seen them go above. The HDD really sits right up front not in the path of any significant air flow. There is a small vent at the bottom front, but it is directly in front of the PSU, which is also on bottom, but at the back of course. I think some air comes into that front lower vent, but most likely goes right towards the psu.

Do you want a pic of OHM or the .txt? I forget how to post a pic here?

 

[Megahertz07]

Why isn't Open hardware monitor not showing the min temperatures?

I was working on a laptop with a WD 2.5" disk and the temperatures were always above 50ºC.

 

[feetand nches]

Don't know, I don't see the Minimum anywhere. Most likely the board is so cheap it don't have that function?

If the fan speed is variable can I use something like speedfan to adjust it? Or in the BIOS make it run at full speed more often?

I looked for a good aftermarket fan but I don't know how to get one that matches?

If I cannot find a good cpu fan I will just add a fan to the case, I should be able to make it blow air towards the HDD. Already found the fan, just need to think it all out well before buying stuff I don't need. I don't really need much, just to bring the temps down a few degrees, five if I'm lucky. Again, I'm not too worried about it because I've researched it and 47c should be okay, though life expectancy goes down at this temp or higher. And it's been in there for three years and still is in perfect condition.

Yes, I would somewhat expect a laptop drive to be warmer. Here is my Optiplex 9010 SFF with an WD Black 500GB 2.5" drive.

Storage 465GB Western Digital WDC WD5000LPLX-00ZNTT0 ATA Device (SATA) 35 °C
So as we can see, the Optiplex has a better design IMO and keeps the drive cooler. The Optiplex has good ventilation in the front and decent fans in the back. Plus the smaller drive may be easier to cool even in a small form factor than a laptop. There all different though aren't they. I seen one laptop with very hot HDD, so I changed it with another good one, and the temps were the same. There clearly was no vents in this particular laptop drive bay, poor design.

Thanks for indulging my curiosity, I like to tinker when possible. I'm looking at a very small fan and going to point it right at the HDD, and close to that front lower Intake. I'll post it for you.
AC Infinity MULTIFAN Mini, Compact 40mm x 20mm USB Fan

Hopefully I can run the USB Power supply out the back and into one of the ports.

 

[Megahertz07]

The CPU temperatures are low and 50ºC for a HDD isn't bad. I would leave as it is.

I didn't understand why you're looking for a CPU fan.
You need a case fan, not a CPU fan.
Case fan are specified by the side length: 80, 90, 120mm
Look inside the case to see if there is the place to install the fan. Measure the distance between screw holes.
Search the computer manual for a case fan connector. It can be 3 or 4 pins connector.

 

[feetand nches]

The CPU temperatures are low and 50ºC for a HDD isn't bad. I would leave as it is.

It's not a necessity it's a project. I read some studies saying that anything over 45 drive life starts to suffer. The specs say 0-60, so I know it is Okay, but I'm not one to leave things alone haha.

I didn't understand why you're looking for a CPU fan.
You need a case fan, not a CPU fan.
Case fan are specified by the side length: 80, 90, 120mm
Look inside the case to see if there is the place to install the fan. Measure the distance between screw holes.
Search the computer manual for a case fan connector. It can be 3 or 4 pins connector.

Because I'm looking for the easiest way to remedy this and there is not much room to do so. The CPU Fan doubles as a case fan blowing air out the top and back, so if it would push a little more air it would help my cause. There are no case fan connectors.

I looked for a good aftermarket fan but I don't know how to get one that matches?