Adding a side fan to a case with no side vent?

[imported_boe]

Hello,

I have a front fan and a rear fan on my case. The case has no side vent. I have 4 SAS controllers and a video card on that motherboard. The SAS controllers run very warm. I'm thinking I should probably get more airflow to them but there is no side vent. The cards are probably about 2.5" - 3" from the side of the case. Are there any good kits to make it easy? I have a dremel and have cut holes sheet metal before. I suppose I could drill a few holes for screws but I thought I'd see if there was anything to make the process easy. I believe it is a Compucase A6 mid tower if it matters.

 

[WoodButcher]

Hole saw on a drill. Search in the forums menu and you'll find several threads to answer this. search " holesaw "

 

[Zepper]

Holesaw bits are kind of expensive for one-time use. See if your local equipment rental place rents them. You could use an inexpensive nibbling tool that you can find around the web and on eBay to rough out the main hole and touch-up with the Dremel. Lay it out and drill the screw holes first (center punch the holes so you get an accurate start - start with a small bit like 1/16" and work up to the final size in two or more steps for the cleanest finish). Size the screw holes for the type of device you plan to use for mounting the fan. I think the holes in the diagrams are for standard fan screws - you might want them on the smaller side for rubber pins. Look at any PDF file for a Sanyo 120mm fan for intake side/exhaust side mounting diagrams (example): http://sanyodb.colle.co.jp/pro...ail.php?master_id=1143 . The shape of the cutouts in the diagrams are ideal, but a 4.5" round hole is adequate.

.bh.

 

[mouthwash]

or if you want to save all the trouble to get a fan on the side panel, you can always install pci blower fan or this >>> Scythe Kama Bay 5.25" System Cooler( http://www.pccasegear.com/prod3649.htm ) get two of these and there will be plenty of air flow.

 

[Zepper]

Kama bay moves very little air because Scythe chose to put one of their slowest fans in there - besides, very few have 3 free 5" bays, PCI slot fans are generally noisy. I'd like to see someone sell something like the frame from the Kama bay separately so you could put some real fans in there.

.bh.

 

[mouthwash]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Kama bay moves very little air because Scythe chose to put one of their slowest fans in there - besides, very few have 3 free 5" bays, PCI slot fans are generally noisy. I'd like to see someone sell something like the frame from the Kama bay separately so you could put some real fans in there.

.bh.

i own one of the kama bay and you have the option to install other 12cm fans with more cfm.

pci slot fans really depends on which you get, currently i own evercool fox-1 system blower, it push through 42cfm yet i can barely hear it.