CM Stryker - Karn - Side Panel Modification

[HappyChubbs]

Hello Everyone,

 

I have had this case for about a year and a half and realized that the intake of air was minimal.  With all my hard-drives nothing was really coming in through the front even though I have two Noctuas doing their best to push through.  The fan on the bottom was not cutting.  So I decided to add some fans to the clear panel on the side.  Here are the steps and tools I used to make it happen.  Remember to take all safety measures into account.

 

The case:

 

The piece:

 

The solution:

 

Tools.

Bits that were used were made for wood, metal, and plastic:  3/32  |  1/8  |  5/32  |  3/16  |  1/4

Black and Decker Drill

Velcro

Duct Tape

And all the extra things that are shown in the photo.

 

The process:

 

Step 1:

Prep & Measurement:

Put masking all over the panel.  This helped with marking and to prevent shards going everywhere if something cracked.

The mount holes are 5/32

The vent holes: 1/4

 

Step 2:

Drilling.

Started from the smallest but mentioned above and went up to the desired size.

Never had the drill go full speed to prevent melting or cracking.

Also had the drill spinning before entering the hole.

This took A LOT of time.

As you can see, the mess isn't horrible.

 

Step 3:

Rinse and repeat.

 

Step 4:

Inspection.

As you can see, some shipping has occurred but no severe cracking.  I'm happy with it.

Will eventually sand out with a dremel.

 

Step 5:

Mounting.

Used the rubber mounts that came with the Noctua fans and placed them the 5/32 holes.  Fit nice and snug.

 

Step 6:

Mounting...again

This is with the fans in place.  I did not place the fourth fan because the PCI-E cables were in the way.

Will place it once I do my cable management overhaul.

 

Step 7:

In the case.

Overall, I do not think it looks that bad.

 

Cooling results.

Before modification.

Heaven Benchmark (Max Settings 1080p) Ran 3 benchmarks.  Highest Temps: GPU 1 - 84C | GPU 2 - 79C

After modification.

Heaven Benchmark (Max Settings 1080p) 15 minutes.  Highest Temps: GPU 1 - 78C | GPU 2 - 73C

 

Probably should have ran the first test as a continuous run but I did not think of that.  I expected a little more cooling but that is just me.  Maybe once I get the cables out of the way the airflow will be more fluid.  This was still a fun project and it saves me from getting another case, tempted to get the 900D.

 

Hope you guys like this project log.  If you have any questions or advice on how to do this more efficiently, please say.

[HappyChubbs]

Saved for when I smooth out the vent holes.

[Unclescar]

that's some nice work, glad the effort resulted in a positive result. looks pretty cool too.

"Not enough intake?! Need more fans!! one fan.. no no two fans... FOUR FANS!!"

+1 from me.

[HappyChubbs]

Thanks,

 

Realized I do not have the correct tools to smooth out the holes but I was able to mount all four fans and tidy up the PCI-E cables.

 

 

Cables:

Before.

 

After.

[Socratic]

Very nice looking, I was put off ever getting a window with fans, but I can still see through with the corsair af120 are they? I have a question thought. What fan splitter thing is that, I think I want it.

[HappyChubbs]

@Socratic. Yes, they are the AF120 (nice call).  As for the PCB, I am not exactly sure what model it is.  I got it many moons ago from Microcenter.  I did find something similar though on amazon if you are interested in them.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Phobya-4-Pin-3-Pin-Splitter-Connection/dp/B007S3T4O0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1402147862&sr=1-1&keywords=4-pin+to+3-pin+fan+splitter

[Jumper118]

Hello Everyone,

 

I have had this case for about a year and a half and realized that the intake of air was minimal.  With all my hard-drives nothing was really coming in through the front even though I have two Noctuas doing their best to push through.  The fan on the bottom was not cutting.  So I decided to add some fans to the clear panel on the side.  Here are the steps and tools I used to make it happen.  Remember to take all safety measures into account.

 

The case:

 

 

The piece:

 

 

The solution:

 

 

Tools.

Bits that were used were made for wood, metal, and plastic:  3/32  |  1/8  |  5/32  |  3/16  |  1/4

Black and Decker Drill

Velcro

Duct Tape

And all the extra things that are shown in the photo.

 

 

The process:

 

Step 1:

Prep & Measurement:

Put masking all over the panel.  This helped with marking and to prevent shards going everywhere if something cracked.

The mount holes are 5/32

The vent holes: 1/4

 

 

Step 2:

Drilling.

Started from the smallest but mentioned above and went up to the desired size.

Never had the drill go full speed to prevent melting or cracking.

Also had the drill spinning before entering the hole.

This took A LOT of time.

As you can see, the mess isn't horrible.

 

 

Step 3:

Rinse and repeat.

 

 

Step 4:

Inspection.

As you can see, some shipping has occurred but no severe cracking.  I'm happy with it.

Will eventually sand out with a dremel.

 

 

Step 5:

Mounting.

Used the rubber mounts that came with the Noctua fans and placed them the 5/32 holes.  Fit nice and snug.

 

 

Step 6:

Mounting...again

This is with the fans in place.  I did not place the fourth fan because the PCI-E cables were in the way.

Will place it once I do my cable management overhaul.

 

 

Step 7:

In the case.

Overall, I do not think it looks that bad.

 

 

Cooling results.

Before modification.

Heaven Benchmark (Max Settings 1080p) Ran 3 benchmarks.  Highest Temps: GPU 1 - 84C | GPU 2 - 79C

After modification.

Heaven Benchmark (Max Settings 1080p) 15 minutes.  Highest Temps: GPU 1 - 78C | GPU 2 - 73C

 

Probably should have ran the first test as a continuous run but I did not think of that.  I expected a little more cooling but that is just me.  Maybe once I get the cables out of the way the airflow will be more fluid.  This was still a fun project and it saves me from getting another case, tempted to get the 900D.

 

Hope you guys like this project log.  If you have any questions or advice on how to do this more efficiently, please say.

how come you have a 580 with the 680.

[LukaP]

how come you have a 580 with the 680.

PhysX i suppose. or mining

[Jumper118]

PhysX i suppose. or mining

it wouldn't help with physx, linus did a video on that years ago. . it could make sense for some computing though

[LukaP]

it wouldn't help with physx, linus did a video on that years ago. . it could make sense for some computing though

thats why i said i suppose yeah if he uses it as a render rig it may be for that too

[HappyChubbs]

Yes, I use the GTX 580 for mostly extra things.  Like mentioned before, folding, rendering and whatnot.  I also have my extra monitors and TV hooked up to that card.  Also had the 580 lying around and wanted to make use of it.