So my friend has a ATX case but it's pretty old and its gets pretty hot on the inside I'm thinking about cutting some spots on the top for a fan slot does anyone have any advice
BTW here's the case (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1901962)
Damn... thats one ugly case.
- Mark out fan spots,
- Grab a dremel and cut out the holes (or tool of your choice but dremels are king)
- Drill holes for fan screws/rubber plugs
- Clean off any burrs
- Paint - depending.. the case is but ugly anyway so a bit of missing paint wont matter.
- Install system back in case.
- Even turf that gross acrylic panel and push a mesh one in (you can get cheap security door mesh material cheap enough)
You have to weight up the cost vs benefits though, you can get a case like the Bitfenix Merc for next to nothing so if you have to spend money on tools, materials etc then your mate may be better off just getting the above mentioned case.
#edit.... hope he's changed the psu that came with the case, very nasty units indeed.
Depending on how big of a fan you want to use. Hole saws are affordable till about 100mm beyond that it's horribly expensive.
anyways handy tools and good preparation is half the work so get a template like this from [url=http://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html]MNPCtech[/url].
print it out on some thicker paper and cut the holes. Now you have a template that you can use and even get them for radiator spaces and all.
I personally use a jigsaw for the large hole and finish it off with a Dremel. and drill around 5mm holes and use some fanguards ;)
That is one ugly case & it may get uglier if your mod does not go smoothly.
You may consider purchasing a new case that has better air flow design. Here is one for $20 ... & throw 1 or 2 more fans in it. (you could use the fans out of your case)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2617303&csid=_61&rrpl=item_page.content1&rrstr=ClickCP&rrindex=4
Scheeeit, I thought my case was ugly
how Much Room do you have on the top of that case? I mean your power supply looks top mounted. Assuming you're not using your top 5.25 drive bay, you may have some room, But what EXACTLY are you trying to do? Top mount a 120mm fan? I am nnot seeing a lot of space between the power supply and the drive bays. You may be able to get some stuff done, but it is my opinion that you would have a better time getting another case and practicing on that old case.
Looks kind of like the same setup as my Xion II ( http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1289171) Minus the front door bezel. I might suggest if the lower portion is not completely populated that you could put longer feet on it. and put a couple fans on the floor so it pulls air up into the case, could even do a single fan in the top to help evac the air as well. Or if the 5.25" drive bays are completely populated you could make a plate that fits the bays/bezel and attach a fan there. Just use modders mesh over the fan hole to kind of hide/mask it. Possibly get rid of the "Blade" on the side panel and widen the hole to allow for a bigger fan. If you are adventurous you could possibly make a whole new top for it. (i plan to do the same with mine, and add a lower bay for a PSU. and cover the original hole). These are some of the ideas i planned to do with my case, and since they are similar it might work for you.