Thermals vs. Nostalgia: My 2002 Dell hit 92C under load, but I still can't bring myself to cut the drive cage

Got my i5-13400F and 4070 Super into that old Dimension 4550, but the temps are wild because I refuse to touch the original metal structure. It runs 30C cooler with the side panel off, but then it's not really a sleeper anymore, so is the look worth the heat?

1 comments

1 Comment

piper1757d ago

Does that old drive cage actually hold anything, or is it just there for the vibes at this point? Honestly, I get it though, my buddy had a 2003 Gateway that he kept the plastic front door on for years, even though it blocked half his airflow. Ngl, I once drilled holes in a vintage beige case for a new fan and felt like I was committing a crime, but the temps dropped like 15C. Tbh, at 92C you're cooking that 13400F and it might start throttling hard, which kinda kills the whole sleeper point if it's slower than a stock build. Maybe keep the cage but mod it slightly, like cut just the bottom ribs, so it still looks original from the outside. Or just run the side panel off and call it a "fast and furious" style build, that's a whole different vibe anyway.