how would i go about this?

[ralfyboy]

i found this really slick awesome looking case. i dont plan to mod it or anything especially since it looks so slick the way it is, but i found a flaw in it, and i really wanna fix it.

here is the case

but the back is the problem. it only has 1 rear exhaust fan. not sufficient enough for my cooling needs.

so i was thinking about getting an aluminum sheet, and making 2 really close 80mm fan placements. then, i would cut out a big rectangle where the 1 fan slot is sitting, and somehow put this on there, either by screws or strong paste.

i'm a n00b to case modding, but it seems simple enough. the finish on the case is really nice, so i dont wanna take any chances trying to cut a top blowhole.

what to do you guys think? and what should i use?

edit* btw, i took welding class, so i can possible get this done there. (only 16 and still in high school) i just think the tools are prolly too old and crappy to get a good clean look. damn school budget!

 

[corebreach]

That would work well, in short. I would use screws to mount it, then you can take it out for whatever you might need to take it out for.

 

[ralfyboy]

also, the case comes with a big fan filter for the 2 front fans. that is gonna go. and with a dremel, i shall cut out the grills too. they restrict too much air.

maybe i'm gonna mod more than i thought....

 

[ralfyboy]

anyone have any suggestions on what tools and stuff to use?

i'm a n00b, and i dont wanna mess anything up...

 

[WheresWaldo]

anyone have any suggestions on what tools and stuff to use? i'm a n00b, and i dont wanna mess anything up...

Ralfy,

I just ordered the same case and am planning the same type of mod. If you have a dremel and some of the fiberglass reinforced cut-off wheels that should be enough. For the sake of noise and airflow I was going to go to my local Lowes/Home Depot and get a sheet of 1/16" Aluminum. Remove all the fans and replace them with a 120mm in the front and a 120 in the back. The aluninum sheet would be screwed on to the case and the fans onto the aluninum plate for easier removal of the fans.

 

[ralfyboy]

that sounds cool. please keep me posted on your mod. my e-mail is...

ralf_phatcat(at)hotmail(dot)com

use that, or you can pm here. i wanna see how it turns out. dont plan on getting the case for another month or two.

 

[rebelleader]

What case is this it looks awesome

 

[ralfyboy]

it's a kingwin. check it out.

http://www.kingwin.com/pdut_detail.asp?LineID=&CateID=1&ID=153

 

[ralfyboy]

would 120mm fans fit?

 

[Qtip42]

you've got the right idea. If you have problems cutting the cover piece, PM me and I can show you on shopcam or even make it for you. You're best bet is to use rivets to connect it to the back.

 

[Kckazdude]

Rivets rule whan it comes to sheet metal work. I would look into fitting a single 120mm fan into the rear instead of trying to fit 2 80mm there. Although it looks like the width might be a problem. I am more of a top blowhole fan myself.

 

[Mickey21]

Personally I would have just put a big 120mm fan in the window on the door. Easier for a noob to cut. Would remove more hot air accomplishing the same thing, and if you mess it up, pretty easy to replace the acrylic sheet or order another door. I dont think that redoing the rear would look as clean as a simple hole cut in the acrylic with a nice fan grill. Just my 2 cents though...

Heck I would put dual 120mm fans in the door and use one over the processor and one over the slot cards... Maybe the top 120mm in the windows set to remove air, and the bottom one set to pull it in... Just a thought...

Also the 120mm would move about 3-4 times the amount of air than the 80mm's...

 

[ralfyboy]

i could end up replacing the front w/ a 120mm, adding a 120mm blowhole, and just keep the rear 80mm where it is.

i wanna see some cases already done with this, and see how it looks. then i could make an easier decision.

2 120mm fans is 2 too many. i like the window to be clean. i might even do some etching, so i dont want anything on the windows.

 

[WheresWaldo]

Okay, I got the case last night and took it completely apart today. It is a well built case, but there is no room for a 120mm in the front of the case. and there is no room in the back either. I will take some pictures of the case taken apart and post later. The biggest fan you could fit in the front of the case would be a 90mm as the drive cage is in the way and it is riveted to the front of the case. The back of the case there is a little less room on the door side of the case than on some others I have seen, so a 120mm does not fit in the back either. I did manage to cut out both stamped grills and dremel and file the openings smooth. It will be apparent in the pictures of the parts.

BTW. the side window is actually clear not blue as shown in the picture.

 

[WheresWaldo]

Here are some pictures:

 

[ralfyboy]

yeah, that was the easy part. i was gonna take out those grills too. looks like a blowhole then? i'm almost certain you could put a 120mm on the front of the case. i saw it done by somebody else. i'll try to find it and show it to you...

 

[WheresWaldo]

Here is the plan. The frame and backplate are going to be powder coated black, a satin type of finish. the drive cages and motherboard tray will remain silver. I have some black vinyl color that I will paint those drive locking contraptions, they are ivory now. I have replaced the green power LED with a purple one, and I have removed the useless fan controller and it will not be replaced.

The problem with trying to mount a 120mm fan in the front is that you will have to cut away about 1" of the 3.5" cage on both sides if you want to center it. If you look at the case the cage is held on by 11 rivets and does not have the customary offset between the external and internal bays. It can be done, but you will have to cut alot of the bottom of the cage to accomplish it.

 

[ralfyboy]

hrmmm...... i really wanted 120mm........

well, keep me posted. if this turns out good, i might just go with it even w/o 120mm fans...