A couple computer questions

[Wyrm]

For the past couple years I've been running Vista x86, which has been working fine for me; however, it's time to reinstall the OS. Now, I bought the full retail version of Home Premium which means I'm not bound by the install restrictions of the OEM version (i.e. my key should work with both x86 and x64 and I have multiple installs available). I've also bought an OEM version of Home Premium x64 for another computer. My (first) question is this: can I install the OEM x64 media on my comp, using my retail key or do I have to order a different x64 disc from MS? I'm pretty sure I can just use the OEM disc, but I know MS has been getting more and more finicky about stuff like that as time goes on.

Second, I need a couple case fans for the systems. Any recommendations? I need 80mm and 120mm fans. I'm looking more for quiet than I am for performance. The systems are stable and temps are within reason, but I'd like to add a bit more airflow to them for various reasons.

[kandrathe]

For the past couple years I've been running Vista x86, which has been working fine for me; however, it's time to reinstall the OS. Now, I bought the full retail version of Home Premium which means I'm not bound by the install restrictions of the OEM version (i.e. my key should work with both x86 and x64 and I have multiple installs available). I've also bought an OEM version of Home Premium x64 for another computer. My (first) question is this: can I install the OEM x64 media on my comp, using my retail key or do I have to order a different x64 disc from MS? I'm pretty sure I can just use the OEM disc, but I know MS has been getting more and more finicky about stuff like that as time goes on.

Second, I need a couple case fans for the systems. Any recommendations? I need 80mm and 120mm fans. I'm looking more for quiet than I am for performance. The systems are stable and temps are within reason, but I'd like to add a bit more airflow to them for various reasons.

I don't know about the Vista OS question. I'd think the worst case scenario would be a call to the MS hot line to get the OS unlocked.

For fans, I'd try

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811999071
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811999072

[Concillian]

Aside from what are actually very small differences in terms of actual perception, fans are more flow = more noise.

I've tried everything from fans I got 12 for $12 at a newegg blowout (el-cheapo fans, of course) to the highly praised Nexus silent fans (check scpr.com they love those things) that cost close to $15 each. For the most part, I don't see much noticeable difference in flow at the same noise level. Sure, you'll see reviews that show this fan putting out 10% more air than this fan or whatever at the same noise level, but this is really not worth agonizing (or paying) for in my mind.

My recommendation is to either get some reasonably cheap low speed fans or get some cheap, generic, medium speed fans and some kind of fan controller and just set them how you want it. Something like this: http://www.directron.com/12to7.html will quiet down noisy fans by giving them less voltage and spinning them slower, may not be the ideal speed, but whatever, most stuff at 7v isn't really loud, and it's a lot cheaper than a variable speed fan controller (most of which look like they're made for the teenage boy crowd with more lights than a casino.)

For the best cheap basic fan that spins at low speed, the internet hardware forum standard recommendation seems to be Yate Loon, what many think are the OEM for the Nexus fans. Get something that ends in L (L = low speed, M = medium, H = high). They're around $5, but can be tough to find, and the place that sell them often are places with high shipping charges, so it may be worthwhile to get whatever is low speed that is where you're buying other stuff.

I buy my stuff like this from svc.com, but that's because it's local and they do will-call orders. Stuff like this tends to have large S&H surcharges.

The bottom line is to not agonize over the details too much. You can always make them quieter by spinning them slower. Also, if you have holes for 120mm, the larger size does make a noticeable difference in tone. A 120mm fan putting out the same noise power (dB) as an 80mm fan will definitely be less noticeable due to the lower tone.

I do not know the answer to your disc question, sorry. I didn't feel like playing the OEM disc games, so I have retail discs only, and only 64 bit versions.