Define R5 Mods

[Syaoran74]

HI,

I'm looking at modding a Fractal designs Define R5 case, its my first go other than cutting motherboard cut outs and 

What i want to do is:

Clear Side panel or larger side panel window: I had a look at the mnpctech clear case panels and they appear to be screw mounted in place of the screws holding the case together so im going for some inspired like that. else if its too difficult i'll cut my window larger. in either case im looking at using glass instead of the acrylic or plexi 

top side panel: im currently misisng the top moduvents for the case so planning to replace the top area with glass also inspired by mnpctech or even a 3d printed vent replacement.

psu cable shroud: this a more of a bonus then anything even the midplate from the sticky was pretty cool.

 

the main issue for me is the side panel does anyone have any experiense with the r5 side panels? if so advise or tips and tricks?

 

[W-L]

1 hour ago, Syaoran74 said:

-SNIP-

Checkout the Modding FAQ guide I have under Window Mod, it goes over all the detail of adding or in your case enlarging the window for the case. 

 

[Syaoran74]

11 minutes ago, W-L said:

Checkout the Modding FAQ guide I have under Window Mod, it goes over all the detail of adding or in your case enlarging the window for the case. 

 

Thanks ive got the guide bookmarked but my main area i needed help with was making the whole side panel transparent kinda like the s10 windowed or the 760t

 

[W-L]

Just now, Syaoran74 said:

Thanks ive got the guide bookmarked but my main area i needed help with was making the whole side panel transparent kinda like the s10 windowed or the 760t

If you want to make the entire side a window you will most likely want to look into either having the window as large as possible with the smallest possible border or drill holes through the window material and having it such that it bolts onto the side panel with knurled thumb screws similar to what some of the Lian-Li cases have.

[Syaoran74]

yup thinking of going with holes through the glass and bolting it to the case somehow but unsure where...

 

[W-L]

3 minutes ago, Syaoran74 said:

yup thinking of going with holes through the glass and bolting it to the case somehow but unsure where...

 

You might want to fabricate some corner brackets for that to bolt into or it may requite it to be quite close to the edge of the case where the side panel current clips into place. 

[Jidonsu]

You might find this video useful.

 

 

 

For the glass panel, I recommend onedayglass.com. That's where I ordered my tinted tempered glass from when I replaced the window in my Define S side panel. They have really good customer service, and it's fairly well priced even with shipping.

 

On mine, I first removed the tabs that held the acrylic in place and repainted my panel since there were some small scratches. To attach the tempered glass, I glued some neodymium magnets to the glass itself, so it is now held to the inside of the side panel by magnets instead of industrial strength double sided tape. This makes it possible to remove the glass if I need to do a really good cleaning or if I need/want to paint the case for whatever reason. 

 

Onedayglass will do custom drilled holes in the tempered glass. This will allow you to use a full piece of glass as the side panel, if you wish. Magnets will work too. 

 

[Jidonsu]

Terrible photos, but you get the idea. 

[Jidonsu]

double post

[Syaoran74]

haha magnets were an idea i considered for the window maybe like 2 magnets on the front area and then 2 screws on the backend, but ive realise maybe i can replace all 4 rivets in each corner with a 6-32 rivet nut then just screw the window panel on. i dont really know if i can get those rivet nuts to fit so gonna go down to the hardware store to suss it out, corner brackets may also be an option but i think if i can get the rivnuts to work i may just get an oversized panel that goes flush full height of the case rather than inside the recessed area for the side panel. doing so may give me the option to switch back the side panel for what ever reason.

 

PS thanks for the link your side panel looks hella good i much prefer the clean install window rather than the rubber tube that paul used

[Jidonsu]

Thanks.

I was going to get a piece so that it'll be flush with the cutout on the panel, but that would've required too much too work out. This slightly offset look ended up looking really good, so I'm happy it worked out.