Let's have it...easy mods for an Antec 840

[JameyF]

I building a new computer in the next couple of weeks, and I've ordered an Antec 840.

Soyo dragon +
1600 xp
512 ddr
2- 60 gig WD 7200 rpm drives..RAID 1
1- 45 gig Maxtor 7200 drive
plextor 24x CDR
Toshiba 16x DVD
Geforce 256 DDR graphics (maybe upgrade)
SB live platinum
linksys 10/100 PCI network card (may use onboard)

With three HD's I want to keep them cool by putting a HD fan in the space for it in the case. If the fans are cheap and quiet I want to add and/or replace the fans in the case. I want all fans, if possible, on the fan monitors on the MB (I think it has 3 case fan monitors + 2 cpu fan monitors). Does that mean I need 3 or 4 pin connectors on the fans? Are the stock fans noisy, or should I leave them in there? Would it be possible/better to replace the fan in the PS? Where should I get the fans suggested? Is there a good way to add another drive cage so that all three HD's won't be stacked together (I didn't like the look of the 1040)? Any other mods that are worth doing?

 

[Insidious]

I'm using that case.

I'm not crazy about the antec fans, but kept the two in there that came with it (rear) I put two cheapie "leftover" fans in the front and finally, I put a fan in the HD cage (I only have two HD's installed, one is just a Ghosted backup and usually isn't getting used.)

the result: Even with crappo fans, this case runs ambient+1 (w00t!) I'm guessing you won't really feel a strong need to do a bunch of mods on this one.

Just make sure when you route your wires and ribbons to leave a nice airflow path from front/bottom to rear/top.

As to RPM monitoring, I'm not sure why you want all those speeds monitored, but most MoBo fan connectors only have 2 that read speeds (a lot of people use one for the HSF and one for the PSU. The other(s) supply fan power only.

you can buy very cheap adapters to convert the 3-pin connectors to 4-pin connectors that connect directly to the PSU for any fans in excess of the number of fan supply connectors on your MoBo.

my best suggestion would be to see what you have, give it a whirl and then see if you really need to mod it up.

Finally, if you put a fan in the HD bay, I don't think you will overheat your HDs (even with 3 of them in there)

Hope this helps...

 

[RealGun]

Easy Mod. Paint the case front with Vinyl Dye and the rest with Paint .
In reality a case window and lights are about all that is needed.
If this case had a removable motherboard there would be no other case sold exept for the Light aluminum stuff

 

[JameyF]

<< If this case had a removable motherboard there would be no other case sold exept for the Light aluminum stuff >>



There are a few other minor additions I would like to see, but it sure would be hard to find anything else worth buying. I keep reading the antec fans aren't the best. I guess I'm gonna have to wait to get the case in and see what bothers me. I know I want to add a HD fan. If the antec fans aren't loud, I'll probably leave those in for a while. I'm really getting exceited about getting this case in. I've had my Aopen tower case (fairly nice, hard to get in), for about 3-4 years. The swing out door on the Antec is the best thing since sliced bread. The fact it locks, makes me all warm and fuzzy in side

 

[flipdon]

do any of u use some sort of filter for the front intake? the only thing i have issues with (other than wanting a motherboard tray!!!) are the plastic fan mounts. i can't use any of my mesh filters, or rear fan guards either, since the holes where you'd normally screw them in are just big square holes for the mount.

what could i use as an air filter for the front? anyone have any luck with getting a mesh filter screwed onto there? thought i'd ask since this is a nice thread about antec cases

 

[Sean203]

LOL. It's not possible to screw on. I just used tap.

I do plan on modding the case, getting rid of the punched grills, and seeing if there is any way to use screws instead of the clips (which allow for vibration).

 

[PCHPlayer]

I have an Antec 1040, it is almost the same case as the 840. I kind of stumbled on a filter solution after noticing a dust build-up. Bear with this description. After searching high and low for a case filter I wound up in a harware store looking for a filter for an air purifier. I purchased a pack of vent filters. These are used in heating/air conditioning vents to filter the exhaust air. They are model VF412 by AirKontrol and are 12"x4" ($5 for a pack of 12). One of these filters fits very nicely into the gap between the metal part of the case and the front bezel. There is an opening at the bottom of the case where you can insert the filter. The filter is actually a little longer than the space in the case. This actually is an advantage. Fold the excess length sticking out of the bottom of the case toward the front of the case and insert the folded portion into the opening. This acts as a spring and forces the filter against the fan grills.
I have had this setup for 3 weeks now. I have cleaned the filter 3 times already and am shocked at the amount of dust the filter traps. As a side benefit these filters had no effect on my operating temperatures. This solution should work with any Antec case that has the protruding vent slots on the lower part of the front bezel (1240, 1030, 1040, 830, 840 and possibly 630 and 635).

 

[chanfo]

I have the 840 too. Only thing I did was cut the grills out on the front with some tin snips. Looks ugly but who cares since they are hidden by the front cover. For a filter I just bought your regular window airconditioner filter from walmart. It measures 15"x24" and cost about $0.90. I cut a strip that would cover the whole lower front and it is held it place nicely between the metal case and plastic front cover. I did notice that the filters increased case temp about 2 degrees. Cutting the grills in the front lowered case temp by a degree. Idle temp is 27 deg by the way.

 

[Grendel99]

That sounds like a great idea. I will have to give that a shot

For the case modding, I have a SX830 that I cut a window into and put a cold cathode in. Looks sweet and was pretty easy to do. Just do a search for it on the forums and you will see tons of threads on how to do it. Also, you could replace the power and hdd leds with different color and brighter ones. Takes about 2 mins to do and cost about 3 bucks.