Converting an old hdd into a usb hard drive. Does it need a fan?

[Lemonade1947]

I recently aquired a 200gb IDE HDD. Ive decided the best thing to do with it would be to use it as an external drive using something cheap like this since i need one anyway. However i noticed some of the more expensive ones have fans/other cooling systems. Is this overkill for something thing that will be used simply to backup family photos and maybe to transfer files to and from PCs. The only thing that could be used for that's somewhat taxing is use to store movies etc. for playback on a media center setup.

thanks.

 

[Joe C]

A fan would help it stay cooler, and that will prolong the life if it doesn't run hot

 

[Lemonade1947]

so is it a "must have"? and how much cooling are we looking at?

 

[Joe C]

no... I do not consider it as a "must have"
just a fact that when you keep electronic pc parts cooler, they'll last longer
i have an older Vantec brand enclosure for my IDE drives and it does have a fan, but the only IDE enclosure I can find today with a fan is this one
Rosewill RX355-U External Enclosure - Newegg.com

I do have an enclosure for my sata drives too, and that one does not have a fan but I have been considering drilling some vent holes in it

 

[Lemonade1947]

yeah I have a couple fans lying around, might drill some vent holes and attach one.