Zalman Z11 Plus

[JakeUnsted1]

I'm looking to modify my case for better airflow, what do you recommend doing?

I'm thinking of removing some of the front drive bays, and creating some sort of front cooling bay.... What do you think of this idea? And do you recommend anything else?

Or is it just worth just getting a new case...

[GrandmasBoy]

What is wrong with the airflow in the Z11 Plus? Sorry I am unfamiliar with the case. It looks as though the 3.5" bays are obstructing the flow from the front intake fan. Simply changing out for some decent quality fans can sometimes make the world of difference but that would cost more then a whole new case. :P

From the looks of that case I would get a new one but just my opinion. There definitely are other options.

[Fordox]

There isn't a lot you can do. maybe place fan options in the bottom of your case.

but the flow in your case is already good, but if you do want to mod, get rid of the HDD caches which you dont use and use noctua NF-F12's which will direct the flow.

You can also hang fans inside of your case, on the other side of the HDD cache. but bear in mind, more fans = more noise

[JakeUnsted1]

What is wrong with the airflow in the Z11 Plus? Sorry I am unfamiliar with the case. It looks as though the 3.5" bays are obstructing the flow from the front intake fan. Simply changing out for some decent quality fans can sometimes make the world of difference but that would cost more then a whole new case. :P

From the looks of that case I would get a new one but just my opinion. There definitely are other options.

Thanks for the reply, the reason the airflow isn't great is exactly what you said. The case quality itself wasn't great, and there wasn't much space for cable management with a non modular power supply, which of cause obstructs the airflow into the case. In this case i'm thinking of making the top fans intake which could help cool the heatsink inside.... Thanks again :) ps. ill save up the cash of a new case for future upgrades ;)

[JakeUnsted1]

There isn't a lot you can do. maybe place fan options in the bottom of your case.

but the flow in your case is already good, but if you do want to mod, get rid of the HDD caches which you dont use and use noctua NF-F12's which will direct the flow.

You can also hang fans inside of your case, on the other side of the HDD cache. but bear in mind, more fans = more noise

Thanks for the reply, Im unable to place a fan at the bottom of the case due to the face that it is obstructed by the power supply, also because of cable management issues i had with this case, i'm unable to use a bottom mounted fan... But modifying the HDD caches is a good idea. Thanks again :)

[Fordox]

There isn't a lot you can do. maybe place fan options in the bottom of your case.

but the flow in your case is already good, but if you do want to mod, get rid of the HDD caches which you dont use and use noctua NF-F12's which will direct the flow.

You can also hang fans inside of your case, on the other side of the HDD cache. but bear in mind, more fans = more noise

no problem :)

[Parus major]

You could fit a fan in the from optical bay space since it looks like open mesh. Personally, I think quality over quantity is better, replace everything you have now with something better and if there's not a grill for a fan on the floor in front of the PSU then get drilling and put a exhaust in there.

[PCTechRoss]

I'm looking to modify my case for better airflow' date=' what do you recommend doing? I'm thinking of removing some of the front drive bays, and creating some sort of front cooling bay.... What do you think of this idea? And do you recommend anything else? Or is it just worth just getting a new case...[/quote']

The cooling is fine, don't worry about it.

[mvitkun]

for better airflow just get fans that can push more air through the case itself.

I'd recommend going for a good 140MM for the front,maybe a more directed airflow fan like the noctua so that it gets past the HDD bay.

also since your fine with modding try rigging a fan onto the end of the HDD bay as well.

consider changing the exhaust on the top into an intake,and changing the fan to a better fan as well, haven't tried it myself but I figure that if theres 2 exhausts and a single intake fan,not counting 62mm(i think) fans in the side panels, that not enough cool air is being introduced.

also the cable management isn't too difficult with this case although I find it's very difficult to get clean result. due to lack of rubber grommets to hide cabling as well as the lack of a cable management hole near the cpu power port causing the need to stretch the cable from the right side all the way across the motherboard.might post my amateur results later on.

[mvitkun]

not the best cable management but it won't restrict airflow and it doesn't black the fan from being installed on the bottom of the case.

[Cobiee]

Get a fully modular PSU and get rid of the optical drive and take off the plastic hot swap able HDD lever on the HDD cage to allow more air from in from the front exhaust

[Tony N]

This is what i did

I took out the side fans, cut out the HDD cage, used Velcro on the bottom of a 140mm fan and foam to make another intake, and moved the HDD into a 5.25 bay. I dont have a modular psu so i stuffed the extra cables under the 120mm rad.

[JakeUnsted1]

This is what i did

I took out the side fans, cut out the HDD cage, used Velcro on the bottom of a 140mm fan and foam to make another intake, and moved the HDD into a 5.25 bay. I dont have a modular psu so i stuffed the extra cables under the 120mm rad.

Nice man, my cables are a bit of a mess, probably as this was my first build and i had no clue what i was doing most of the time :P I think when I upgrade my PSU and CPU ill work on my old cable management skills ;)

Thanks for the reply!

[JakeUnsted1]

Well my parent broke my case........ Looks like im getting a new one -_- Any suggestions?

[Tony N]

Define R4 and Corsair C70 are very popular choices right now.

[JKiller2-0]

This is what i did

I took out the side fans, cut out the HDD cage, used Velcro on the bottom of a 140mm fan and foam to make another intake, and moved the HDD into a 5.25 bay. I dont have a modular psu so i stuffed the extra cables under the 120mm rad.

I was wondering, how did you take out the HDD cage? I'm willing to buy this case, but my graphics card is too long.

[samuel]

I was wondering, how did you take out the HDD cage? I'm willing to buy this case, but my graphics card is too long.

It has some nits instead of scrues. You could remove it but i'm not sure you can do it without cutting with grinder. I would however crop a two pci lenght space in the drive gage and sacrifice only one HDD slot if my card would't fit. Just paint it black.