HAF 912 Plus MOD: max airflow

[lpdevIT]

Hi all,
I'd like to do some modding to my case (an old Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus from 2011). This is the hardware inside:
- i7 2600k 4.5GHz + Noctua NH-D15
- Asus P8P67 + 2x4GB ram Vengeance
- GTX 1060 6GB Zotac AMP
- Corsair AX750
- One SDD, two HDD

Fan configuration:
- Front: 200mm, 700RPM, 19dBA red led (CM MegaFlow) - INTAKE
- Side: 140mm, 900~1300RPM, 17~21dBA no led (Thermalright TY-140) - INTAKE (same high as VGA)
- Rear: 120mm, 1200 RPM, 17 dBA no led - EXHAUST
- Top: 200mm, 700RPM, 19dBA red led (CM MegaFlow) - EXHAUST

I don't like LEDs nor case windows.

What I did:
- Added front fan 140mm Noctua NF P14r 450-1500RPM, 25dbA, no led - INTAKE

What I want TO DO:
- Add bottom INTAKE 140mm fan (same Noctua as above);
- Have some USB3 in the front of the case;
- Add a fan speed controller;

Here are some pictures. What do you suggest me to do to improve this case? Thank you

[philip1077]

Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good. Also maybe the fan at the bottom wont really do much if there isn't enough space between the bottom of the computer and the thing you are putting the computer on.

Honesty looks good, as far as cooling goes. The fan at the bottom seems a bit extreme but if you think it'll be better than by all means go for it. USB3 on the front ports is possible, but might need a different panel on the front depending on what you have. 

 

Controlling the fan speed might be possible with the motherboard and configuration you have. I doubt you would need a power manager for your setup but I would just check on that online if I were you. https://www.howtogeek.com/275339/how-to-auto-control-your-pcs-fans-for-cool-quiet-operation/ helped me a lot when I was doing a few of my builds.

[lpdevIT]

3 minutes ago, philip1077 said:

Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good. Also maybe the fan at the bottom wont really do much if there isn't enough space between the bottom of the computer and the thing you are putting the computer on.

Honesty looks good, as far as cooling goes. The fan at the bottom seems a bit extreme but if you think it'll be better than by all means go for it. USB3 on the front ports is possible, but might need a different panel on the front depending on what you have. 

 

Controlling the fan speed might be possible with the motherboard and configuration you have. I doubt you would need a power manager for your setup but I would just check on that online if I were you. https://www.howtogeek.com/275339/how-to-auto-control-your-pcs-fans-for-cool-quiet-operation/ helped me a lot when I was doing a few of my builds.

Hi philip, thank you for your answer!
I din't get what you mean with "Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good": can you please explain?

Yeah I know the bottom fan will be just useless; I put the pc on a wooden shelf -> there are about 2cm between the bottom of the pc and that shelf.

For the USB3, I'm thinking about modding some parte of the front panel...

Thank you for the link! I was thinking about installing something like http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/kaze-Q-35.html 

 

Do you have any other suggestions?

[Firewrath9]

can you remove the front 5.25" bays and put a fan there?

for USB 3, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIACJF5AS7676&Description=usb 3 header adapter&cm_re=usb_3_header_adapter-_-9SIACJF5AS7676-_-Product

and get 2 extention cables and hot glue to a hole you cut with a dremel in the front

[lpdevIT]

1 minute ago, Firewrath9 said:

can you remove the front 5.25" bays and put a fan there?

for USB 3, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIACJF5AS7676&Description=usb 3 header adapter&cm_re=usb_3_header_adapter-_-9SIACJF5AS7676-_-Product

and get 2 extention cables and hot glue to a hole you cut with a dremel in the front

Thank you Firewrath! Yes there is already a 140mm fan instead of the 5.25" slots

Super cool that USB 3 splitter!!! I just have to found one that ships to Italy

[Firewrath9]

2 minutes ago, lpdevIT said:

Thank you Firewrath! Yes there is already a 140mm fan instead of the 5.25" slots

Super cool that USB 3 splitter!!! I just have to found one that ships to Italy

https://www.amazon.it/Nero-Intestazione-presa-Dual-BuchseY-cavo-piombo-Adattatore/dp/B00ENH93DQ/ref=sr_1_32?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=usb+3+motherboard&qid=1557087263&s=gateway&sr=8-32

[lpdevIT]

1 minute ago, Firewrath9 said:

https://www.amazon.it/Nero-Intestazione-presa-Dual-BuchseY-cavo-piombo-Adattatore/dp/B00ENH93DQ/ref=sr_1_32?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=usb+3+motherboard&qid=1557087263&s=gateway&sr=8-32

Hey man, do you want a beer? Thank you!!! I'm gonna think where to put those port

[philip1077]

2 hours ago, lpdevIT said:

Hi philip, thank you for your answer!
I din't get what you mean with "Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good": can you please explain?

Yeah I know the bottom fan will be just useless; I put the pc on a wooden shelf -> there are about 2cm between the bottom of the pc and that shelf.

For the USB3, I'm thinking about modding some parte of the front panel...

Thank you for the link! I was thinking about installing something like http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/kaze-Q-35.html 

 

Do you have any other suggestions?

Sorry what I meant by the "Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good" Is right where the dummy slots are for more graphics cards and PCI extensions and stuff, are those covers vented? Do they have holes in them? Because you get just a little bit more air through the machine if they are open instead of completely closed. I know most cases alternate between open and closed so you have a pattern, but every bit of airflow counts right! 

[lpdevIT]

9 hours ago, philip1077 said:

Sorry what I meant by the "Does air come in where the other used GPU slots are? If they are vented covers thats good" Is right where the dummy slots are for more graphics cards and PCI extensions and stuff, are those covers vented? Do they have holes in them? Because you get just a little bit more air through the machine if they are open instead of completely closed. I know most cases alternate between open and closed so you have a pattern, but every bit of airflow counts right! 

Ok now i got it! Yeah they are vented: there are holes in these slot covers - like this 

[lpdevIT]

I'm thinking about if and how drill the holes for the bottom fan...

For the front USB3 I'll use the last 2/3cm above the front fan to install something like https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71RR6wDyXNL._SX679_.jpg

For the fan controller I'm thinking about installing it external to the case (above the front USB2 ports; I have just 3/4cm between the case and the desk, so I need a 3.5" controller). At first I saw this chinese thing https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61l6WH3W8SL._SL1001_.jpg It'd be good but I am not sure if it will shut down the fan or if it's just 5-12v; also I don't like blue led.
Then I found this Scythe, which has the same 5-12v problem... http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/kaze-Q-35.html
After that, I found this PCI Lamptron https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61BZGjmF37L._SX679_.jpg I think I'll build a good black plexiglass case for this board