Cutting out stock fan Grills

[ComputerWizKid]

I want to Cut out the stock fan grills on my SilverStone LC14 Case that uses the smaller 60 mm fans and replace them with wire grills Other then make the case look nicer does it have any other benifit? Will it increase fan airflow and reduce noise? I have a holesaw thats alittle bit smaller than a 60mm fan and I will probably use that

http://images.dr3vil.com/files2/default/SilverStone LC14Back.jpg

 

[Zepper]

Yes it is always good to remove restrictive grills. The benefits are just as you stated: improved air flow and potentially lower noise. If your fans have the speed sensor, read the speed of those fans before you remove the grills and then again after removal - see if the speed doesn't increase a bit.

I often check the rpms of my fans in free air (fans can be restricted just by mounting to a panel), then I test in place with the original grill, then after I've cut the grill out. That way you'll know exactly what's happening.

.bh.

 

[Kelnoen]

Increase in airflow is certain, decrease in noise is inlikely IMO due to the increase in airflow.

 

[A554SS1N]

Originally posted by: Kelnoen
Increase in airflow is certain, decrease in noise is inlikely IMO due to the increase in airflow.

Not entirely true if the increase in airflow means that, to get the same airflow as before, a fan can be run slower and quieter to achieve the same cooling results. Silencers and Quiet PC people do it all the time for that reason. Also, less resistance can mean less turbulence in air, meaning less noise. It's just better all round, although not if you have lots of wires dangling around near the fan

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: A554SS1N

Originally posted by: Kelnoen
Increase in airflow is certain, decrease in noise is inlikely IMO due to the increase in airflow.

Not entirely true if the increase in airflow means that, to get the same airflow as before, a fan can be run slower and quieter to achieve the same cooling results. Silencers and Quiet PC people do it all the time for that reason. Also, less resistance can mean less turbulence in air, meaning less noise. It's just better all round, although not if you have lots of wires dangling around near the fan

Actually it's completely false, you'll defiantly have less noise. Air hitting air makes very little noise vs. air hitting a restrictive grill.

 

[pkme2]

I use wire-mesh filter grills over my 120mm YL fan cutouts. A 110mm carbide-tipped hole saw, a template to align holes properly, and after a few minutes the mesh is bolted in place with the fan. I also use rubber gaskets to retard any possible vibration.

Since I work on only aluminum cases, it's not too difficult of a job, I used a RotoZip before, but now the hole saw is easier to work with. I buy sets of filter mesh on ebay.

Adding a side intake vent and top exhaust vent on my case builds is benefical IMO. As you notice, a lot of new computer cases have the side and top fans too. But they got the 250mm side intake. What cooling!!!!! I wish the 250mm was available. I could really look forward in seeing the results of that installation.

 

[SparkyJJO]

FIXED LINK

I cut the grills out of my case, and on the back put a wire ring grill. I got almost double the airflow after doing that - this case had those cheap hole-punched grills in it - and the noise level went down some as well.

Anymore when I buy a case, unless the grills are really low restriction I cut them out, file the hole, and put a wire ring grill in instead, or if it is the front intake where it doesn't matter I leave the grill out completely.

 

[Kelnoen]

Originally posted by: A554SS1N

Originally posted by: Kelnoen
Increase in airflow is certain, decrease in noise is inlikely IMO due to the increase in airflow.

Not entirely true if the increase in airflow means that, to get the same airflow as before, a fan can be run slower and quieter to achieve the same cooling results. Silencers and Quiet PC people do it all the time for that reason. Also, less resistance can mean less turbulence in air, meaning less noise. It's just better all round, although not if you have lots of wires dangling around near the fan

I guess it depends what else you have around the fan, if you have lots of cables or even a dust filter it might level the noise.

Either way it will certainly be alot better than with the grills.