OT: Hardware problem?

[Will]

Yeah, and in general, you will want to keep open space around the video card to let the ventilation do its work. Try running with the side off the case, stick your hand in empty spaces to see how air flows under idle conditions, then try something more graphics-intensive and see how the video card fan changes things. If I remember, the fireworks screensaver here (linky) can get really graphics intensive by changing some of the settings on it. You'll want to be sure that the path air is taking is forcing hot air out, repacing it with cooler air from outside the case. If there's a space that feels warm, and isn't being covered by fans, try to re-arrange or add fans to take care of it. Or... set up a liquid cooling system

General rule: if a fan is close to a component that will generate a lot of heat, you want it pointing out. If it isn't, point in to balance airflow and reduce ambient temperature.