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Mounting fan outside case

Thready
By Thready
in Cooling
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I have a 120mm hole in my motherboard for a fan, but I don't have room inside the case to mount the fan, so I'm wondering if there's some sort of covered enclosed 120mm fan I can install on the outside.

 

If they don't make those, then I was thinking of installing the fan outside of the case and then putting on a dust filter on the outside to enclose it. But I don't think the screws are long enough to go through the case, the entire thickness of the fan, and through the dust filter.

 

Any tips or tricks to help me do this? Thanks.

 

(EDIT) Maybe I can superglue the filter to the fan.

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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Fan grills and filters can screwed onto the fan. Fan screws don't usually screw into the case. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Just now, WoodenMarker said:

Fan grills and filters can screwed onto the fan. Fan screws don't usually screw into the case. 

No I know, I mean the little 4 holes on the case for where you put the screws. I'm having trouble verbalizing what I'm talking about. You know the holes in your case where you put fans, there's 4 holes on the corners. 

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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What case are you using and why isn't there space to install the fan on the inside? Are you still looking for a case fan or do you already have one? If you have it, what fan is it?

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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3 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

What case are you using and why isn't there space to install the fan on the inside? Are you still looking for a case fan or do you already have one? If you have it, what fan is it?

I'm using an old Rosewill case, I have the link here, and the back behind the motherboard has a place for a fan, but I can't fit my fan in it without bending the motherboard. I'm looking for as much positive air pressure as possible. I'm not looking for this to contribute to any temps. I have 4 120mm intakes and 2 140mm exhaust on top. 

 

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811147107?Item=N82E16811147107

 

Here's a picture of the hole.

case fan hole.PNG

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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1 minute ago, Thready said:

I'm looking for as much positive air pressure as possible.

Why?

You could just run your intakes at higher rpm than your exhausts for that. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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18 minutes ago, Thready said:

No I know, I mean the little 4 holes on the case for where you put the screws. I'm having trouble verbalizing what I'm talking about. You know the holes in your case where you put fans, there's 4 holes on the corners. 

You use those to screw the fan to the side panel from the inside. Then screw the filter to the other side of the fan.

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1 minute ago, WoodenMarker said:

Why?

You could just run your intakes at higher rpm than your exhausts for that. 

Well, it's not crucial that I do this but I just want to give it a try to see if it will work. I know I could bump up the intakes which I might do as well.

 

It's sort of like a challenge to see if I can make it work. I already have a small hole drilled out of the grill here to wire it through. 

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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Just now, SpaceGhostC2C said:

You use those to screw the fan to the side panel from the inside. Then screw the filter to the other side of the fan.

Oh yeah I could do that too. lol I didn't think to do that. 

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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Just now, Thready said:

see if it will work.

See if what would work? That a fan would fit there?

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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2 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

See if what would work? That a fan would fit there?

Yeah I mean I just want to see if mounting the fan to the outside of the case could be done and be practical. 

It's just a dumb case modding thing I want to try. It's not important. 

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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Just now, Thready said:

Yeah I mean I just want to see if mounting the fan to the outside of the case could be done and be practical. 

It's just a dumb case modding thing I want to try. It's not important. 

It's meant to cool the back of the motherboard socket and not for positive / negative pressure. You could do it but it's probably not practical if you're using a modern motherboard.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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1 minute ago, WoodenMarker said:

It's meant to cool the back of the motherboard socket and not for positive / negative pressure. You could do it but it's probably not practical if you're using a modern motherboard.

Yeah ok I'll probably just not bother with it. 

Photographer, future counselor, computer teacher.

3600X and RTX 2070 with too many storage drives to count. 

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