Adding another 120mm fan to an NZXT Vulcan

mr.squishy · October 22, 2014

Mod background + a story:

Alright, so I built my system into my Vulcan a while back, and my one gripe about my case was it's lack of dual 120mm intakes. The case could definitely support it if NZXT just changed the design a little. Anyway, I wanted to have another 120mm intake to balance out my dual 120mm exhausts, because I have a strange obsession with balance and symmetry, even though this mod exhibits neither of these qualities. Anyway, I set aside figuring out the easiest way to add another fan, and I decided the easiest way would be to insert it between the front panel and the front chassis, as there is ample room between the two for such a mod. So, I grabbed my tools and set to work. I figured that I would only need one screw to secure the fan, and the front panel would hold the fan's frame in place. (I was totally right)

So, I finally get tired of having this idea and not having actually done it, so a week ago I decided to finally perform the mod. The catch with this situation was that I decided to perform this mod at 11pm, an hour before Borderlands: The Presequel was to have its midnight launch, and of course I had this game preordered and of course I had already preloaded the game and OF COURSE I was going to play the midnight release. So, I grabbed my tools and set to work. I decided that all I would need for this mod would be a screwdriver and a drill. I started off by powering down and disconnecting my system as usual, and I got to work. I decided that, since I would only be drilling one hole, I wasn't going to need the power drill or the dremel, so I decided to just drill the 3/16" hole by hand with a handle and bit. This was a huge mistake. Drilling this hole took me no less than half an hour. That set me at 11:30 with a half hour before the release, so I quickened my pace. I grabbed my one screw and my fan and went to go screw it in, only to find that I had miscalculated the room I would have to manuever the screwdriver in place. So, I set off to find my (super handy) right angle screwdriver, and once I had found this, I got to work on the screw. I ended up stripping the first screw and needing to use another one. When I had finally gotten the fan all screwed in to the case, I checked the clock: 11:45. I had just used 15 minutes of my time to install a singular screw. Realizing I had 15 minutes left before launch, I hurriedly fit the front panel on the case and went to close it, only to find it wouldn't properly click into place on the left side. So, I frantically struggled with the front panel, desperately trying to get it to close until I finally panicked and grabbed some fishing line, tied it to the fan, and used it to hold the fan's shroud flush with the case while I closed the front panel around it. Miraculously, this worked. I checked the clock: 11:55. It took me ten minutes to get the front panel on. I decided to not double check my work and instead just hoped everything would be fine while I reconnected everything. Amazingly, everything worked exactly as it should have with no problems, and I had time to spare before the midnight release.
Anyway, a week after I performed the mod, I wanted to know what caused the case to not close properly, so I disassembled the front panel, took pictures, and examined my handiwork. I discovered that the problem was most likely caused by a rivet that the fan sat directly on top of, so I whipped out my hand drill and eliminated that. Now the front panel will go on with a only a little coaxing.

Rivet before:

Rivet after:

Fan attached:

SkimmyMcG · October 22, 2014

Interesting mod, I've been wanting to mod my case for a while but am too lazy to actually do it. Nice work!

mr.squishy · October 23, 2014

Interesting mod, I've been wanting to mod my case for a while but am too lazy to actually do it. Nice work!

Start with the simple stuff; you might be surprised how satisfied you become after completing even such a small mod. This was my first case mod and I look forward to further mods as I get more and more comfortable with the case.

SkimmyMcG · October 23, 2014

Start with the simple stuff; you might be surprised how satisfied you become after completing even such a small mod. This was my first case mod and I look forward to further mods as I get more and more comfortable with the case.

I plan on upgrading my case before summer, not sure if I wanna do some new fan mounts in this one, I've always contemplated it. It has one 120mm intake, and one 120mm exhaust. What do you think? Pick up some cheap ish fans on Newegg and get to work? Or just wait?