Home Server Hacks: Ask the Home Server Guy

The election is over. It's time to get back to the emails from the Internets.

Dear Home Server Guy: Do you know of another CPU cooler that fits in the EX470 besides the stock unit? Or possible the dimensions of the factory unit? I only ask because I think mine is running a little on the hot side.

If you are talking about the heat sink, no, I am unaware of an aftermarket part that will fit. If you suspect that your EX470 is running hot because of a CPU upgrade, make sure you have a thin layer of thermal grease. If you are still seeing CPU or system temps above where you would like, I have a rather crude suggestion. It involves adding an external 80mm fan to the outside of the case. Extreme, yes. Tacky, you betcha (we'll miss you Sarah). But effective.

Unplug the EX470 and place it on your work surface.
Using a #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the two mini screws, unlock the locking mechanism and gently position the front grill so that you can work (no need to remove it completely).
Plug any case/CPU fan into the white 3 pin connector near the front of the motherboard. I used and old 80mm stock CPU fan (as the duct and grime in the photo proves).
Making sure you don't pinch the fan wires, replace the grill and the two mini screws.
Attach the fan to the grill as best as you can. As this blog is titled Home Server HACKS, I thought it best to use masking tape. :) Make sure you observe the direction of air flow (fan should blow inwards). Also note that masking tape is not the best solution as it covers some of the holes in the front grill, but you get the picture.
Power up and feel the cool breeze flow!

NOTE: I would use this technique only as a last resort or stop-gap measure. If your EX470 is running hot, find the root cause (bad fan?) by contacting HP support.

Hi. I'm a fan of your site homserverhacks.com and I very much enjoy reading your informative posts. I'm in the market to buy the EX470, but I'm wondering if you have any inside information on when or even if HP will come out with a better model anytime soon. I can either go and take a gamble and buy the 470 right now and just upgrade the memory and be happy, or wait it out until a new model comes out. What do you think? My main purpose on buying the EX470 is for the backups of my media files and posting pictures on the web, pretty simple stuff.

First off, thanks. If its JUST the simple stuff you mentioned, I'd jump in now while prices are low (eBay has units for around $400). Or you could wait and buy someone's used EX470 after they upgrade (and after you see what features a possible new MediaSmart Server has). OR you could build your own KPC based WHS for a little over $300.