InWin Q500N... useful case mod suggestions?

[Packy]

I have an InWin Q500N that I just love, but I've been getting a little bored with it lately. Anyone have any useful mod ideas I could do to it? When I say useful I mean functional... I don't really have the cash to blow on a window kit or anything

I've already done some basic stuff such as removing extra metal over the front fan intake, sealing up air leaks to make the case more or less airtight, and drilled all of the front intake holes (in the plastic) so the're about double the size. Oh, and I rounded all my cables (the ghetto way, with zipties!)

Any suggestions? Any mods you've done to your own InWin Q500?



my system:

InWin Q500N case
ECS K7S5A mobo
AMD 1900+
640mb SDRAM
60gb Seagate IV
Abit GF4 4200ti
SB Live! Platinum

 

[mechBgon]

120mm side intake fan! Or just do something novel with allll those 5.25" bays... an M&M dispenser maybe?

 

[MrThompson]

I highly recommend the "Holes in the Face Plate" mod at Bench Test. In addition to the holes, you drilled out, adding some to the side of the bezel will improve your airflow.

Cutting out the grill on the 80mm exhaust fan, and replacing it with a wire grill will reduce both case temps and noise.

 

[Packy]

Oooh, I like both of those... useful AND cheap

btw, here's a link to the q500n

 

[Packy]

any more suggestions?

 

[DragonReborn]

I actually worked my Q500 with a large side panel with two 120mm and another two on top (not to mention an awesome black and silver splatter design)...you can check out some pictues at ComputersDivine.com under (J.Friedman's Falcon-NW) dedicated to the best (not DIY) computer company ever. Enjoy, it is an amazing case

 

[MrThompson]

A 120mm blowhole focused on the expansion cards is another possibility.

My Q-500 has a 120mm intake at the front with the bezel mods I posted earlier, a 120 mm blowhole as described above and a 92mm blowhole focused on the HD cage from the right side of the case. The 92mm blowhole required cutting some material out of the motherboard tray.

Exhaust is handled the PSU, an 80mm fan under the PSU and two 120mm fans in push/pull on the Danger Den Cooling Cube, mounted above the PSU.

All six fans have independent speed control via a LM317T bay bus. You can see photos of the bay bus in this thread and a photo of the last incarnation of the case in this thread. Take a look at the pelt rig photo. You will notice the frame for the PSU has been cut out for lower noise and better airflow.

Colin

 

[Packy]

Cool, thanks for more stuff to think about, guys

I definitely have to cut out the front and put at least two 80mm fans to balance out the two exhaust fans. That, or I should reput in an upper rear 120mm and match it with a 120mm in the front and then have the front 80mm blowing onto the HDD.

... sweet! Now I'm getting all excited! And I have to decide on cutting the holes with my Dremel (diamond wheel), a hole-saw, or a jigsaw.

Most of the useful mods I can do seem to all revolve around rounding cables and fan placement.