Hot Hot Hot

[VolunteerFireFighter]

I have two 2 terrabyte hard drives in my HTPC. I recently opened up the case and I noticed that the hard drives are extremely hot to touch.

Is this normal?

If it isn't, what type of fan should I get? A hard drive fan or a case fan (there isn't any case fans)?

Thanks for your help, guys.

 

[patrick47018]

HDD's get hot when under use, but you could get this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF-912-RC-912-KKN1/dp/B003ZM7YTA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358371764&sr=1-3&keywords=computer+case

 

[VolunteerFireFighter]

That would mean I have to take apart my computer. I am hoping to avoid such a drastic measure.

 

[patrick47018]

Are you able to add fans to your case? And could you space your hard drives apart any?

 

[VolunteerFireFighter]

I've got an HTPC case so it's long and thin. I guess you are saying that a hard drive fan wouldn't be sufficient?

 

[patrick47018]

A fan for the hard drives would keep them cool

 

[ittimjones]

um typically HDD don't get "burn ur skin" hot...

 

[bgunner]

Lets start with What case do you have? So we can look it up and have a better idea of what you are dealing with. this will allow us to better help you.

 

[VolunteerFireFighter]

It's not hot enough to burn but extremely unpleasant. And with the 2 hard drives right next to each other, it's giving me cause for concern....

 

[VolunteerFireFighter]

Thanks for the help.

The case is a Silverstone Milo ML03.

To a newbie like me, it looks like it's going to be very difficult to put in any substantive cooling.

 

[chugot9218]

That case has room for 4-80mm fans so you could probably try putting a few more in, fans are relatively cheap, just know that it is most likely going to increase noise depending on what fans you buy.

 

[Max Collodi]

Use a hardware monitor to check your hard drive temps. Temps up to 60C should be fine. Tests have shown that too low a temp causes more failures than high temps due to lubricants being less effective at lower temps. My hard drives are currently operating at around 30C. My two drives have a single empty slot between them.

 

[VolunteerFireFighter]

Best answer selected by VolunteerFireFighter.