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Need help for my Antec SLK3700AMB...modding case fans, panel

L

lektrix

Golden Member
1. I have 2 120mm fans in my case - one for intake one for exhaust. First mod I'd like to do is make both fan holes accept 120x38mm fans. I know the exhaust can, because ive forced it into the fan mount and it stays in place although it's not 100% secure (can't snap it in place but the snaps still hold it place). Intake fan is impossible to add a 120x38 fan because the HDD cage is right beside it and blocking it... has anyone found a way to mount a 120x38 fan in intake, or am i just dreaming? :S

2. How can I dampen the noise generated by these two case fans using case mounts? if i buy the vantec vibration dampener kits and put the silicone covers between the case mount and the fan itself, would that solve the problem? someone advised me to ditch the case mounts right away and drill holes into the fan spots and mount the fans with rubber screws but i'd like to do the SIMPLEST solution. i dont have a drill, i dont have experience with a drill, and its gonna take some time, possibly some $ to get it done. so id rather jus buy the vantec kit if it can solve my problem.

3. I want to add a side case fan, and possibly a clear window, that blows directly on my video card. however, again, i dont have a dremel, i dont have experience with one, and its gonna take time and $ to do it myself.. id rather just buy a completely new side panel with prebuilt window/case fan hole.... do they have any for the SLK3700AMB? I know stores sell them for lian-li pcs but ive never seen any for antec..


Thanks

UPDATE:

I checked if a 120x38 fan fits in the front, and it does, without the fan mount. However, it is touching the HDD cage (not the back of the HDD). It's pretty much sandwiched between the front of the case and the HDD cage even without screwing it on! Would this be a problem?

Another problem I got is... i dont know where to drill the holes for the fan, there's not enough space to put it in the middle of the fan grill and there's already 8 holes for the fan mount...
 
SLK3000... aint that different? yours comes with a side fan and the hdd cages arent in front of the intake fan?
 
Hi! lektrix, kind of a quiet guy with 70 posts in 2 years.

This is not an attemp at rudeness. Drill new mounting holes and move the drive cage.

I red your post. No tools. Buy some. Harbor freight has electric drills as low as $15, drill
bits in a full range of sizes for $10. Practice on some scrap first.

If your male...Every male gets an electric drill with his mancard. 😉
If your female...Step-up to the plate and take a swing. Even Ted Williams only broke .400
for one season.

If i was familier w/your case i might be able to help more. Lian Li & SkyHawk here.

Give it a couple days, then bump your post. This has been a very slow day at Anandtech.


Galvanized
 
Yeah, shifting the drive cage to the rear about half an inch would probably be easiest. And I too, would get rid of the snap-in plastic fan cages ASAP. Drill those muthas out! Anh, Anh!!! (per Tim Allen)

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: lektrix
1. I have 2 120mm fans in my case - one for intake one for exhaust. First mod I'd like to do is make both fan holes accept 120x38mm fans. I know the exhaust can, because ive forced it into the fan mount and it stays in place although it's not 100% secure (can't snap it in place but the snaps still hold it place). Intake fan is impossible to add a 120x38 fan because the HDD cage is right beside it and blocking it... has anyone found a way to mount a 120x38 fan in intake, or am i just dreaming? :S

2. How can I dampen the noise generated by these two case fans using case mounts? if i buy the vantec vibration dampener kits and put the silicone covers between the case mount and the fan itself, would that solve the problem? someone advised me to ditch the case mounts right away and drill holes into the fan spots and mount the fans with rubber screws but i'd like to do the SIMPLEST solution. i dont have a drill, i dont have experience with a drill, and its gonna take some time, possibly some $ to get it done. so id rather jus buy the vantec kit if it can solve my problem.

3. I want to add a side case fan, and possibly a clear window, that blows directly on my video card. however, again, i dont have a dremel, i dont have experience with one, and its gonna take time and $ to do it myself.. id rather just buy a completely new side panel with prebuilt window/case fan hole.... do they have any for the SLK3700AMB? I know stores sell them for lian-li pcs but ive never seen any for antec..


Thanks
Click to expand...


I have the same case. I gave the Smartpower PSU to my parents to replace their no-name POS.

As for modding this case with prebuilt parts, sorry, nothing exists. Antec seems to have ignored this case with their mod-parts (see their website) - and - because of the special colour, most aftermarket suppliers have avoided it as well 🙁 .

If you want a window, it's DIY I'm afraid. You can buy window kits with precut fan openings (ie. plexiglass with screws, a template and rubber trim) but you need to do the metal cutting yourself. Like GalvanizedYankee said, practice on scrap metal first. You'll need (minimum tools) a jigsaw (or "sawzall"), masking tape, oil, a drill, a metal file and lots of patience. Check the Hardocp forums for modding tips, as the modders there are Hardcore. I've worked with metal before (industrial control cabinets) and it is a ah heck to work with. It is possible, but you need to be on your game. Metal is considerably harder to work with than wood, but not impossible.

As for the fans, you'll need to remove the purple fan brackets to install the 120X38's. Then you'll need to drill some new holes to mount your fans, as the fan brackets have different screw spacing. The 38mm fan might fit in the front without the fan mount. Definately try a dry-fit before you drill to make sure the fan has enough clearance with the drive cage installed (with drives in it! It will be really tight!). Because the drive cage (lower one with the grommets) is removeable, moving it back a few millimeters is going to be a major P.I.T.A. as you'll need to move the mounting mechanism (and after a quick look in my case, there are a bunch of rivets that you'll need to pop and replace. Plus the top mount is in the upper driver cage mount, I'm not sure it can be moved 🙁 ).

I have no idea what your situation is, but ask around to see if you have friends with the tools and experience. Modding can be a lot of fun if you give it time.

Good luck.
 
I don't know if buying a dremel for $100 (I live in Canada) is justification for making just one window 😛
 
You could take it to a local metal shop and have them cut it out to your measurements. I like smaller and unusually shaped windows - take the Silverstone TJ-02 (or -04, I've forgotten. It's the one with the ovoid window extending from the upper left of the left side panel) for example. Go to coolcases.com for more inspiraton. They mod the Compucase 6A19 which is basically the same as many of the Antec 3000 series - and most of the 3000 series side doors are interchangeable except for color. Say if you could find a windowed door for the 3700-AMB or the BQE. All you'd have left is a repaint job to match the panels again.

.bh.
 
Hi guys,

I checked if a 120x38 fan fits in the front, and it does, without the fan mount. However, it is touching the HDD cage (not the back of the HDD). It's pretty much sandwiched between the front of the case and the HDD cage even without screwing it on! Would this be a problem?

Another problem I got is... i dont know where to drill the holes for the fan, there's not enough space to put it in the middle of the fan grill and there's already 8 holes for the fan mount...
 
well.. i went over to my friends house today and we used his drill + hole saw on my side panel.. it went horrible..

i taped down my side panel, marked the centre of my fan hole and he proceeded to drill.. it looked as if everything was going fine, then my friends hand started jerking around because of the resistance.. next thing you know, half my circle is cut but the other half is only 50-60% cut.. we try drilling it but it wont work and we dont have tin snips either..

sigh.. hes gonna try to give it to another friend who has a drill press :\
 
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