Just started modding my case.....

[RedDeathDrinker]

Stripped down my new case in preparation for modding it for my 8KHA and AthlonXP when they arrive.

Took it down to a bare shell, and started cutting the fan vents out (I'm using an angle-grinder btw).

The final plan is:

2 front mounted 80mm blowers

2 rear mounted 80mm blowers

2 (maybe 3) bottom mounted blowers

1 side mounted blower (onto HSF)

2 Top mounted 120mm suckers. (+ the twin PSU fans sucking as well)

The saga continues.......

[Ridenow]

angle grinder?
With a metal cutting disk?

We need to get you a dremel or a couple hole saws. If you were "down the street" from me I would loan you mine.

Good luck.

[stool]

If you haven't gotten too far into the cutting yet, you might want to reconsider some of your fan layout. Too much intake or exhaust in certain areas lead to turbulence and "dead" zones, and you might actually be working against yourself. Consider mounting the 120mm fans in the front, and other fans exhausting in different spots in the rear, and perhaps eliminating the bottom fans. Also, if you know the specs, try to keep your CFMs for exhaust and intake as close to even as you can. Too much exhaust will begin to draw dust into your box through your floppy and CD.

[klosters64a]

"Top mounted suckers." ? It's best to go with the natural flow inside cases rather than fight against it. If you look at a case from the right case panel, imagine an "S." Cooler air drawn in at the bottom front, warmed by the processor, then exhausted at the upper rear.

Mid towers often don't have enough "real estate" in the front and rear panels alone for adequate fannage. One 80 mm intake at bottom front and one 80 mm exhaust fan at upper rear simply aren't sufficient for an Athlon rig. 100 cfm throughput is the minimum to cool an un-overclocked T-Bird. This is where a fan mounted in the top panel can be a good idea-to aid exhaust flow. Plus a fan in the lower left case panel, drawing cool air in.

[RedDeathDrinker]

Just the info I was looking for. ;)

Because it was late at night, all i've done is remove the pre-cut grills on the case. (nasty collection of drilled holes.)

An angle grinder works fine. Cuts the large chunks away quite nicely. I have a Dremel-like tool that I use for finishing off with, and a goodly selection of hand tools.

I am going to hold off the main holes until I get the mobo, so I can work out where everything goes.........