I have in my hands a 7 year-old Gateway.
Specs:
Intel Pentium III 500mHz
256mb PC100 SDRAM (64/64/128)
NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
Creative Sound Blaster Live! Value
20GB IBM ATA/IDE Hard Drive
Windows XP SP2
200W Power Supply
Surprisingly, it can get quite a bit done. I'm looking at what I can do to squeeze just a little bit more out of it without really spending any money on it. I've taken a close look at my hardware and I think I have few options. First, some pictures:
There's a sort of vent thing covering the power supply fan, directing the airflow over the processor. There's also a spot for an 80mm vent in the back, directly behind the processor. If you look on the left side of the second picture, you'll notice there's a piece of metal screwed on over that.
I was thinking i might unscrew that plate, put a fan there, and remove the vent on the power supply. Then, it should stay a bit cooler and leave me open to do a bit over overclocking (?)...
So my question is, is it practical to do this? Would it make any sort of difference in my system's performance (internet surfing, photoshop, starcraft)? Like I said, I don't really want to put any money out (except for about $10 for a fan). I'd like to give a shot at messing around with my system, particularly overclocking, so when i build my own system (about six months down the road), I won't be completely aimless.
Oh, and if there's any more information you would need to know to help me, just let me know. I can grab more pictures, too. Thanks in advance!
*edit* fixed the pic, used the wrong one.
Specs:
Intel Pentium III 500mHz
256mb PC100 SDRAM (64/64/128)
NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
Creative Sound Blaster Live! Value
20GB IBM ATA/IDE Hard Drive
Windows XP SP2
200W Power Supply
Surprisingly, it can get quite a bit done. I'm looking at what I can do to squeeze just a little bit more out of it without really spending any money on it. I've taken a close look at my hardware and I think I have few options. First, some pictures:
There's a sort of vent thing covering the power supply fan, directing the airflow over the processor. There's also a spot for an 80mm vent in the back, directly behind the processor. If you look on the left side of the second picture, you'll notice there's a piece of metal screwed on over that.
I was thinking i might unscrew that plate, put a fan there, and remove the vent on the power supply. Then, it should stay a bit cooler and leave me open to do a bit over overclocking (?)...
So my question is, is it practical to do this? Would it make any sort of difference in my system's performance (internet surfing, photoshop, starcraft)? Like I said, I don't really want to put any money out (except for about $10 for a fan). I'd like to give a shot at messing around with my system, particularly overclocking, so when i build my own system (about six months down the road), I won't be completely aimless.
Oh, and if there's any more information you would need to know to help me, just let me know. I can grab more pictures, too. Thanks in advance!
*edit* fixed the pic, used the wrong one.