Behind the hard drive bays you should find a vertical metal frame that runs parallel and next to the CPU's daughter card (it is also parallel to the PCI slots). This frame has a series of cooling holes cut into it just behind the drive bays. At the top of the metal frame there are two smaller holes spaced outside the larger cooling holes.
These smaller holes are the right diameter (very tight fit, see Comments link) for size 8-32 machine screws. They are also perfectly spaced for a 60 mm cooling fan.
The 60mm fan I use was purchased from CyberGuys:
http://www.cyberguys.com for $5.49 US.
You will also need a power Y cable adapter to connect the fan to the power source. One end plugs into the fan the other two ends plug into the computer's power supply cable and the hard drive.
Finally you will need two 8-32 machine screws at least 1 3/4 inches long. Along with the screws you will need four 8-32 flat washers, four 8-32 lock or star washers and six 8-32 nuts. All available from your local hardware store for about $2.00. I do not know the metric equivalents of these if you are outside the USA but they should not be to difficult to figure out.
Installation is easy: insert the screws into the small holes at the top of the frame. Place a flat washer and lock washer on the opposite end of the frame and use a nut to anchor the screws. Add a second nut to each screw turning the nuts toward the metal frame until there is enough room to fit the fan on the protruding screws - which are now acting as studs. Attach the fan to the screws and add two more flat and lock washers and nuts to secure the fan.
Connect one end of the power Y cable to the power line, one to the fan and the third to the hard drive. That's it!!! --No cutting, drilling or soldering.
I have tried facing the fan in both directions with no noticeable advantage in cooling (see Comments link for addition info on fan direction). I monitor the temperature of the hard drive in the lower bay with a cheap (Radio Shack variety) indoor/outdoor thermometer. The sensor is taped to the metal case of the drive. When the room temperature is in the 80 F range my 4 GB, 7200 RPM Seagate Medalist drive runs about 100 F.
The 7500 has a XLR8 G3 466/233MHz with 1 MB backside cache Processor upgrade.
I have prepared a .pdf file of this installation with photos. If you wish to view or download the fileclick on the link to the right. Or just Email a request for Cooling Fan pdf.
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