Case: Bitfenix Shinobi (Window + White) Tools: Dremel, 600grit abrasive paper, superglue & a soldering iron
So in effort to get better cooling to my components for the upcoming summer I decided to cut the plastic front of my case into Hexagons and lay LEDs behind it to shine through. The first step was to plan all of this out and gather the tools. Step 2 was to cut the hexagons and step 3 was to smooth them out. The last step (4) was to glueglue the previous dust filter onto the inside of the case.
The LEDs are mounted to the front of the case and are powered by a 12V (on molex) NZXT grid. The soldering was pretty easy. volt meter made it really easy
The first 2 or three hexagons were planned out and sraw out before I cut, The others were done by eye. You can't tell by the pictures but the cuts are not the cleanest (albiet smooth from the sanding) There's a convenient hole in the frame of the case for me to route the power cable from the LEDs to the grid hidden behind the back panel
Jeez, you used red LEDs. Everybody knows that red LEDs make your computer go faster but in return you have to deal with more heat. I see that you tried to compensate for that with a bunch of cooling (blue) LEDs at the top, but it just doesn't work like that! /s
Anyway, I think I already commented on it on the Lounge but I really like it (didn't know it was for better airflow at the time though). The cuts do seem a bit rough around the edges but as long as you can't cut your fingers on it it really doesn't matter. I still think that the colour transition from blue to red looks really cool as well, even if it doesn't look like that in real life. Just, nicely done. An easy solution that also looks good.
nonono, The r9-290 inside is going to get hot regardless. The blue (cool) fans at the top are exhaust, They're meant to make sure my room stays cool by cooling off the hot air inside /s
Very nice mod btw, I almost ended up with this case but got the 650D because it was on sale. Wish I hadn't and spent the money elsewhere, kinda regret it now. Ah well.
im surprised you didn't cut a giant circle on the front to mount two more fans. from these photos it looks like it would of fit. I like bitfenix but when it comes to design flaws, they seems to get me mad at the stupid of places.
when it comes to their mATX or ITX cases. I've come to the conclusion that Bitfenix has a torture chamber for 3.5 inch hard drives. they hate them. most if not all of their mATX cases make you sacrifice your 3.5 inch hard drive for anything. a Fan, a Drive bay, a graphics cards. it's almost annoying.
Oh you want more fans? too bad, you can't mount a fan where the 3.5 hard drive is mounted. (I'm referring to the Pandora)
you want a 240mm fan in your case? nope gotta get rid of your hard drive mount. (I'm referring to the Bitfenix Prodigy M)
You want a dust filter? nah go buy a 3rd party one. (I'm referring to the Ronin)
