PS3 Fan Noise/Upconversion Coming?

[JAuritt]

Just purchased a PS3 (perhaps the only one available in my area) online at Circuit City and have yet to pick it up. I was convinced to buy one by many on the forum pages as well as a glowing article on it's attributes as a Blu-ray player to which I was directed on the forum.

HOWEVER, being the anal, worrisome person that I am, I'm having second thoughts based on some of the info I'm now receiving via the forum - mainly that a number of people are saying that the fan noise from the PS3 is very loud, and naturally that bothers me. Of course, probably just as many are saying that the fan noise is NOT a problem, so I don't know who or what to believe at this point.

Also, I've been told that SONY is planning to drop the upconversion block on the PS3 sometime in March, which has not been substantiated or even mentioned by anyone else. This is also important to me, as I have over 600 titles on standard DVD.

So, before I pick up my PS3, is there any other information anyone can provide me on either of these issues? I'd really love to feel confident that I am doing the right thing.

Thanks