How do you install additional case fans?

[newbie~wan]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but its not obvious to me so I dont think its stupid. How would you install multiple case fans?

I have been told that the more fans the better, but what I dont understand is how? Most cases seem to be solid on the outside, other than drive bays on front and card openings/PS fans on back.

Please help the newb.

[Cody]

There's a Fan-Sized hole in the front, and some in the back. Just screw them in through there.

[korgul]

If you have to you can cut the holes with a dremel rotary cutter. This is what I plan on doing it the next couple of weeks once I get the new MoBo and processor.

[thehig]

If you dremel make sure that you take all the nice sensitive components out of the case first and clean all the shavings out. Metal shavings + Electronics equal bad news.

[thehig]

**double dip**

[This message has been edited by thehig (edited 08-11-2001).]

[gauge]

The dremil is a great tool to use. Mark you case and cut very carful. You can make some errors becuase the fan grill will cover. I put two intake fans on the bottom front and threee in the back to exit the hot air. Works great.

Good luck

[SPEEDO]

I saw someone post that they put a fan on the side cover blowing towards the processor.

So that is what I did with mine today, Only difference is that you can take off the side cover, Then masking tape both sides, Layout the hole, Then drill a 1/2" hole shove a saber saw in there and cut a nice round hole!!!

Cool, Or should I say Cooler!!

[shawnr]

If your case will not support more fans, try a cooler that mounts into a 5 1/4" bay. You can buy one at 2cooltek.com, one costs about $20 and will move alot of air (exhaust only).

[thekingofpain]

Its summertime---ambient airtemps are UP!
I have a case with 4 92mm's 2 in 2 out with a 1645mhz setup, its sorta not neccessary except in extreme OC conditions as such and cutting fans in is difficult but entirely possible with the correct tools, a good case with front and rear additional 80mm's is ok with high performance fans, ive added 80-92mm blowholes in the top and side over the hot components at times (I use temp controlled fans that increase in rpm with rising heat) also increase airflow by cutting the stock perforated fangrills out and add a wire grill guard for more efficiency, ive used a Dremel and a jigsaw to cut these holes just go slow and mask off the area to reduce scratches...
The best tool is a Greenlee panelpunch---luckly I have a pal thats an electrician and has one of these expensive tools, makes it simple...

REMOVE everything electronic before cutting your case, shake it and blow it out with compressed air before putting it back in operation...



[This message has been edited by thekingofpain (edited 08-11-2001).]

[newbie~wan]

To those of you using multiple fans, what wattage PS are you using?

Do all those extra fans need more power, or is the increase in power usage insignificant to the amount already being used?

[madfish]

newbie~wan
"Maybe this is a stupid question"
There is no such thing as a Stupid question.
:-) Madfish

[card_magic]

Also, if you add a bunch more fans, you may either..
A.) Run out of molex power connectors.
B.) Have a huge mess of power wires running through your case.

Also, all those fans will make some noise. So, you might want to consider buying or building a fanbus/baybus. All it is, is a box on the inside of your case that you can hook up all your fans to, using the black and red bare wires, rather than molex connectors. Then, the box has wires that run out to switches mounted on your case, or on a bay drive plate... sometimes with LEDs above the switches. This allows you to control the fans you have in your case.
I built a fanbus to drive my 4 extra case fans. The switches are mounted stylishly on the face of my case, and I have bi-color LEDs to indicate if the fans are high speed, low speed, or off.

Check out www.fanbus.com (http://www.fanbus.com)
Its got all sorts of stuff about how to get 'em or how to built 'em.

-Jim