Case fan question?

bzand · Aug 3, 2015

I have a dell xps d333. I know its not worth saving but never mind that. It currently has one case fan installed inbthe only fan plug on the mobo.There is no processor fan(not needed pentium 2).I would like to add another fan because it can get warm in there and I'm afraid of overheating. I don't know were to put a fan. Can I splice the old fan wires and add one there or will it overload it? I guess I could wire it to the power supply but I want it to be controllable. I also don't want to buy a splitter because the computer deffinitly isn't worth putting any money into. I already have a few fans from similar era pcs so that's not an issue. The current fan connects via a plug with two wires (red and blue).

Kisianik · Aug 3, 2015

That is the oldest Dell I can see function to these days, wow, 1998 production. And I thought that my recently retired XPS GEN3 from 2004 was old...

Is this is yours?

dell-dimension-xps-d333-pentium-ii-333-mhz-tower-computer-0a7.jpg

dell-dimension-xps-d333-pentium-ii-333-mhz-tower-computer-ab4.jpg

I can see only 1 place for a fan, back exhaust, can you look where it connects to power supply or motherboard and tell me
First, where it is connected
Second, how many pins connector has, it could be 4 or 3, which is standard now, or it could be 5, which is old Dell proprietary.
I am thinking upgrading this fan.
To have and extra fan, I need you to look at power supply unit and tell me 2 things
First, power supply model name
Second, is there any extra connections left, don't matter which ones, just extra, not used, and
Third, which connectors used to provide power to hard drive, is it wide 4 pin Molex like this one

or something different.

It is extremely difficult to find information about so old PC, but I can try.

Edit. I could not find any manuals on line, so if you need help, you have to help me with info.

Edit2. Memory upgrade if needed http://www.datamemorysystems.com/dms-memory/dell/dimension-xps-d333.htm
Do you have Win98 there or Win 3.1?

Kisianik · Aug 4, 2015

Extra post with more links if needed for future work

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/4331/p10006620be.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t%3D657613&h=480&w=640&tbnid=G1wsUwH4NjcBwM:&docid=LqLNKPZfr4-7WM&ei=1TrAVYzcD4XzoASsn6r4Ag&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygBMAFqFQoTCMya4o3HjscCFYU5iAodrI8KLw

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8384/p10006661iu.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.genmay.com/showthread.php?t%3D657613&h=480&w=640&tbnid=ZtkWT95Z2SJ27M:&docid=LqLNKPZfr4-7WM&ei=1TrAVYzcD4XzoASsn6r4Ag&tbm=isch&ved=0CCEQMygEMARqFQoTCMya4o3HjscCFYU5iAodrI8KLw

Power supply ugh

dell-dimension-xps-d333-pentium-ii-333-mhz-tower-computer-fbc.jpg

Extra info, just in case.

Dell Dimension XPS D333 Dell Tower Computer
Intel PII333 MHz Processor
6.4 GB Hard Drive - no operating system
128 MB Memory can be increased to 384 MB
1.44" Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive
1 ea AGP Slots
4 ea PCI Slots
2 ea ISA Slots

And they are trying to sell this for $249 http://www.recycledgoods.com/dell-dimension-xps-d333-pentium-ii-333-mhz-tower-computer-29444.html

Extra pictures

$(KGrHqV,!mEFHd!KbPl,BR+!R(jURg~~60_57.JPG

I am really sorry for all those pictures taking space, but it is extremely difficult to find so old parts so I want to have it here for reference, if needed later.

bzand · Aug 4, 2015

Kisianik :

Yep, Thats the one! Im sorry if I may be using this wrong but im new to the forums. Yes there is only one rear exhaust but in the front wear the hard drive is looks like it can be rigged for a second fan, if i move the hard drive ( no problem) its connected to the motherboard via a plug with three pins but only uses two which are connected to the red and blue wires coming off the fan. The current power supply is the factory shipped one(I belive it was my aunts, Sorry I need to remove it to get specs and i cant do that right now, ill try to later and give you an update) yes there are extra connections there are 2 open 4 pin molex(like pictured). The other two molex available go to the hard drive and cdrom. It currently has win 98 se but was shipped with 95. It has an 8gb hard drive and 96mb ram. (It needs more ram I know) All those pictures match perfectly(I dont know about power supply). Thanks a million though for trying to help I got alota questions about this pc.

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

Upgrading so old PC make no sense, I would only change rear fan and attempt to mount front fan and nothing else.
You can buy used Dell for $50-100 and it would beat crap out of yours easily 100 times over and over.

I could not find a picture of the front inside case, so you have to work hard to see if you can attach fan there.
I regards to the back exhaust fan, it probably can be changed for stronger one, however, I can not guarantee that it will work, because Dell was known for using proprietary connectors in the long past.
So, where do you live, here in USA, if yes, do you have RadioShack, BestBuy, Fry's or Microcenter stores nearby?
I would not risk purchasing fans online, knowing that those fans most likely have to be returned due to incompatibility.
To choose correct size fan for the back, measure distance between the screws on the back panel for lower opening (upper is fan for power supply) in millimeters, I am expecting sizes 92mm or 80mm. but could be different.
If you able to look for label on power supply, see if it has more info than the one I posted, if not, not a big deal.
I am thinking about utilizing 2 extra Molex connectors for exhaust fan and front fan, you have to just measure distance from Molex connectors to the fan locations, now in inches.

now your turn.

bzand · Aug 5, 2015

[Kisinak Said] upgrading so old PC make no sense, I would only change rear fan and attempt to mount front fan and nothing else.
You can buy used Dell for $50-100 and it would beat crap out of yours easily 100 times over and over.

I could not find a picture of the front inside case, so you have to work hard to see if you can attach fan there.
I regards to the back exhaust fan, it probably can be changed for stronger one, however, I can not guarantee that it will work, because Dell was known for using proprietary connectors in the long past.
So, where do you live, here in USA, if yes, do you have RadioShack, BestBuy, Fry's or Microcenter stores nearby?
I would not risk purchasing fans online, knowing that those fans most likely have to be returned due to incompatibility.
To choose correct size fan for the back, measure distance between the screws on the back panel for lower opening (upper is fan for power supply) in millimeters, I am expecting sizes 92mm or 80mm. but could be different.
If you able to look for label on power supply, see if it has more info than the one I posted, if not, not a big deal.
I am thinking about utilizing 2 extra Molex connectors for exhaust fan and front fan, you have to just measure distance from Molex connectors to the fan locations, now in inches.

now your turn.

I know its not worth upgrading but its al I got. I'm not alloyd to get a new pc. Ill try a front fan the best I can. I wont bother with the rear one because it works fine. I have radio shack and bestbuy I wish I had frys(they have everything). Since I already have fans I wouldn't buy one. I will try today to get the specs of the powersupply once I remove it. Also what if I somehow rigged in two power supplies? I know they wouldn't fit but I'm good at tweaking things to work. I have two more molex power supply units and one sata(all work). The distance doesn't matter for me running extra wire is no problem. The main use of the pc was to use ms word(or alternativr if I load linux) lighter older gaming, and little web browsing. Win 98 works fine for all that but webbrowsings a sob with the older browser. I have a virtual machine on my dads computer with win 98 and kernel ex and are impressed so maybe I should try that. You think this computer is old we also have a Alr Evolution 5 and compaq deskpro with a pentium at 140mz and 32mb ram

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

Since I already have fans I wouldn't buy one

Which fans do you have?

You said in the beginning that you feel it is very hot inside, so you have to put anything possible to improve ventilation, considering the fact that you want to keep this PC.

RadioShack (will use RS abbreviation for short) is in process of restructuring, so their website is no good for a stock availability, only as info for their parts, like a catalog. Tonight, California time, I will check approximately what do you need in terms of wiring and fans, still, please measure your back fan, most likely it is slow and not as efficient as today units. Price of the back fan is under $10 so no big money are involved.
For the front fan, see if you have any holes in the front, usually Dells have internal front panel perforated with small holes, I would suspect that you can place 80 mm fan there, I did so with one of my Dells in the past. Please measure distance from the closest Molex connector to the front in inches approximately for connector cable length.

If you are good as you said you are with hand jobs, you can probably drill holes in the side panel to attach extra intake fan right on top of CPU heatsink, it would help a lot.

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

RS 80 mm Thunderblade 80mm LED Fan, RS link and manufacturers link.
Plus short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EMAS3WFA5U

It has small 4 pin connector, not Molex, so you need Molex to 4 pin connector, RS don't have it. BestBuy will have it, but only online, interested?

bzand · Aug 5, 2015

Which fans do you have?
You said in the beginning that you feel it is very hot inside, so you have to put anything possible to improve ventilation, considering the fact that you want to keep this PC

Yeah I know about radioshacks problems. I don't know what fand I have I'm currently not home. There are holes to attach and the front comes off of this model revaling sort of an area for air to get in with a bunch of big holes and screwholes. It is most definitly possible to put one There. The closest molex is not even two inches away. Is there a way I can say splice or make my own plug instead of buying one? I don't see a point in spending money on this computer. The one on the heatsink is a good idea wouldn't have thought of that ill have to take a look. Is the second power supply a good idea maybe?

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

bzand :

Where it will push air? Only towards side panel, so it will recirculate warm air inside, making it more hot, isn't it?

bzand :

I seen only once second usual PSU installed, and it was for video card, not for fans. Since you have 2 extra Molex connectors, you can manually split them and connect directly to fan wires, here are a few diagrams, which will help you understand Molex wiring, I hope Dell has universal colors for wires, or you can use any voltmeter to check picture below:

And the last one has fan 3 pin wiring on the left

Forget about Yellow wire, without it your fan will run at 100% speed all the time, it is very good actually.

I don't think I can find any more stuff for you, since I don't have any documentation about your PC.

Feel free to ask about details.

bzand · Aug 5, 2015

Where it will push air? Only towards side panel, so it will recirculate warm air inside, making it more hot, isn't it?

Yea it probaly would just recirculate the hot air. Probaly not a good idea. I want to add a second psu because I want to add three more harddrives and a second cdrom. I have all those parts laying around and since the computes they are from arent as powerful(surprsingly this is the most powerful and mifern one) I thought why not just make one semi usuable one. Thanks for the molex wiring guide. That helps me alot. I actually have a molex to fan cable in one of the old pcs but it is directly wired to a small fan ontop of the processor. If it would make it easier to answer the questions my email is benjaminmattelem@gmail.com

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

Lets keep conversation here, it is easier to provide pictures and links, plus, I have automated notifications setup for all toms forum and PMs directly to my phone, LOL.

bzand · Aug 5, 2015

Lets keep conversation here, it is easier to provide pictures and links, plus, I have automated notifications setup for all toms forum and PMs directly to my phone, LOL.

Thats fine. i agree it is easier. Im new here so i didnt set anything uo even though I probaly should. Anyways so what should I do? What looks my best bet? Also is adding all the hardrives and cdrom a good idea even though id need a second power supply? I also have my power supply specs now if you would like to see them.

Kisianik · Aug 5, 2015

Why wait, I am ready for 10 watt power supply, you are not going to scary me, I seen things, my first Dell was Pentium III, second was Inspiron 7000 laptop with Pentium III which came with Win98 SE and I was able to upgrade it to XP PRO without any official drivers, it was working fine, I gave it away as present. Only one Dell PC died on me, but I was using it heavily 24/7 for 8 years non stop, all things, including heavy games...

So, bring it on.

bzand · Aug 6, 2015

Why wait, I am ready for 10 watt power supply, you are not going to scary me, I seen things, my first Dell was Pentium III, second was Inspiron 7000 laptop with Pentium III which came with Win98 SE and I was able to upgrade it to XP PRO without any official drivers, it was working fine, I gave it away as present. Only one Dell PC died on me, but I was using it heavily 24/7 for 8 years non stop, all things, including heavy games...
So, bring it on [\QUOTE]

I like your enthusiasm towards this. I think you have more than me. Here's the picture. Probaly just what you though. Here's the pictures

If it doesn't work here's a link. http://postmyimage.com/img2/405_IMG_20150806_091510.jpg

Kisianik · Aug 6, 2015

I think it is time to attach fans you have to this PSU spare Molex connectors, since you about to improvise on direct connections without actual plastic connectors, be very careful with voltage - you can short circuit your PSU.

bzand · Aug 6, 2015

I think it is time to attach fans you have to this PSU spare Molex connectors, since you about to improvise on direct connections without actual plastic connectors, be very careful with voltage - you can short circuit your PSU.

I will givebit a try and tell you what happens and if I get the fan mounted in the case. I do have one more question though which probaly isn't possible. I would like to know if itspossible to overclock the pentium 2. I don't care how much just so it runs faster. It would be my first overclock. Iv googled around and haven't found anything helpful. I have however found the some people have overclocked pentium ones.

Kisianik · Aug 6, 2015

Unfortunately, most likely NO, Dell doesn't allow overclocking unless it is specified in the manual, some newer XPS line had this option, which right passed to AlienWare, some models can be user overclocked. I doubt, I can find any useful info for this topic for so old PC.
Actually, I just found a way, I am surprised, but it will require purchasing some parts, not much, but still, spending about $40 or so, for this money you can get something much better from eBay, so no, my way or highway - no way. So, i would not even bother to read all instructions and explain them here in lay language, too much for a small gain with addition of $.

bzand · Aug 6, 2015

Thanks. I heard that dell does that

bzand · Aug 6, 2015

Unfortunately, most likely NO, Dell doesn't allow overclocking...

Thanks I heard that dell does that. Its unfortuante. It wouldnt be worth it anyway for the little gain. I wont even bother reading it the computers not worth the $40 when I could sell parts from it or use it until it completley dies and get full moneys worth. Ill just add the fan and stuff I want and use it as is. If it has worked this long it still has alot of use out of it. I don't know if you are a linux user but if so could you recomend a distro that would work on this computer. The live dsl booted and worked butbi never tried to install it as I'm not a huge fan of dsl. The puppy live cd never booted so I never bothered installing however I do like puppy alot. I would really like a gui becaude my terminal skills aren't the best but I'm slowly working on them. I also tried out tinycore and didn't like it all. My favorite distros are Zorin, Chatlet(Windows like Ubuntu distro),Mint, and Puppy. Most of them are to resource heavy though for this computer. I would install the linux on a seperate hardrive and keep 98 on the one its on. I'm sorta an Operating System geek and like to try out all diffrent ones so I may know what your talking about.

Kisianik · Aug 7, 2015

I think this page would be interesting for you to read, go to Carmine Castiglia post starting with "I ran my Dimension XPS D333...." and follow the links.... Not that I am advising you to follow them, just interesting to read material.

bzand · Aug 7, 2015

ithink this page would be interesting for you to read, go to Carmine Castiglia post starting with "I ran my Dimension XPS D333...." and follow the links.... Not that I am advising you to follow them, just interesting to read material.

That iss very helpful thank you alot. It really doesnt cover an os. I apoligize for not knowing much about this whole topic.

Kisianik · Sep 2, 2015

I hope you can get this, I found a manual, as I am helping someone else with the same PC, you can even save it in pdf
http://web.archive.org/web/20041213202151/http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dalex/0176c.pdf

Case fan question?

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