Hi all,
I just picked up a nearly flawless, but rather old, Lian Li PC-65 USB. It looks exactly like the one here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112024
It's just like the PC-60, but has a side window.
I'm going to do a AMD build, using this case - probably something like a Phenom x4 Black Edition, with single mid-range video card. I am concerned, though, that the cooling ability of this oldish case isn't up to handling a modern build.
I've cut a few blowholes, etc., in cheap cases before, but this is the first really first-rate case I've ever owned and am reluctant to mod it, unless I'm sure as to the best way to proceed.
Assessment of stock case:
The good: Looks nice, and is very sturdy allumium, with pull out motherboard tray, side window, etc.
The bad:
All four fans are 80mm (uggg~!); two in front, with a three-way controller; one rear, and one top. I can't abide the noise from 80mm fans, unless they are very low RPM - and that wouldn't ensure enough airflow under load. It also seems that ALL the fans are unnecessarily restricted. The fan slits on top seems especially poorly thought out; they aren't long enough to expose the full diameter of the 80mm fan.
What can I do to update this case? It doesn't have to be silent, but I like the calm airflow of 120mm fans running in the 1200 RPM (or less) range. I don't mind the 80mm front fans, as I plan to run them at low speed, so they'll be nearly silent.
Doing some quick measurements, it seems that putting a 120mm on the back would be a very tight fit, and would require cutting off most of the top of the back of the motherboard tray, and, also, into the rear vertical support along the edge of the case itself. Has anyone ever pulled this off? That would be my first choice, if it's feasible to do.
A 120mm (or 140mm?) top fan would be easy to do. But, would doing that provide enough cooling?
What do you guys think I should do?
I just picked up a nearly flawless, but rather old, Lian Li PC-65 USB. It looks exactly like the one here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112024
It's just like the PC-60, but has a side window.
I'm going to do a AMD build, using this case - probably something like a Phenom x4 Black Edition, with single mid-range video card. I am concerned, though, that the cooling ability of this oldish case isn't up to handling a modern build.
I've cut a few blowholes, etc., in cheap cases before, but this is the first really first-rate case I've ever owned and am reluctant to mod it, unless I'm sure as to the best way to proceed.
Assessment of stock case:
The good: Looks nice, and is very sturdy allumium, with pull out motherboard tray, side window, etc.
The bad:
All four fans are 80mm (uggg~!); two in front, with a three-way controller; one rear, and one top. I can't abide the noise from 80mm fans, unless they are very low RPM - and that wouldn't ensure enough airflow under load. It also seems that ALL the fans are unnecessarily restricted. The fan slits on top seems especially poorly thought out; they aren't long enough to expose the full diameter of the 80mm fan.
What can I do to update this case? It doesn't have to be silent, but I like the calm airflow of 120mm fans running in the 1200 RPM (or less) range. I don't mind the 80mm front fans, as I plan to run them at low speed, so they'll be nearly silent.
Doing some quick measurements, it seems that putting a 120mm on the back would be a very tight fit, and would require cutting off most of the top of the back of the motherboard tray, and, also, into the rear vertical support along the edge of the case itself. Has anyone ever pulled this off? That would be my first choice, if it's feasible to do.
A 120mm (or 140mm?) top fan would be easy to do. But, would doing that provide enough cooling?
What do you guys think I should do?