Opinions on mod idea

Gundog48 · 14 Dec 2010 at 20:09

I am posting here as my project log where I have been posting my progress and ideas has had no feedback to my recent ideas.

I am modding an HAF 932 and would like to create a bottom divider such as the one found in the Corsair 800D. The sketchup should give you a quick idea of what I am aiming to achieve:

I intend to cut some aluminium to cover the PSU up to the HDD bays and put a side on it too. I will cut a fan hole in the top and put a grommet for the front panel connections. It will also cover all the cables of the PSU as they go behind the motherboard tray. I may also make a custom HDD rack to put in the compartment and remove the original 3.25" drive bays to increase airflow.

However, there is a slight problem. When I come to cut the window I have to cut it below the divider due to the fact that I will have to cut around the existing features of the side panel. So although the divider will have a side so you can't see in- you will be looking at a piece of metal along the bottom few inches of the window. I could put some cool stencil text on it but I still think it would look strange. Any ideas on how to make it look better or whether I should do it or not?

Zairs · 14 Dec 2010 at 21:52

could you not drop the divider down?
could you not make the divider open?

Gundog48 · 14 Dec 2010 at 22:46

I couldn't drop it because it would not cover the PSU and by having the sides open you would be able to see underneath it.

Marvin · 15 Dec 2010 at 00:44

Looks like a good idea, though I wouldn't put any HDDs inside unless you have airflow through it. Another thing would be that I'd use acrylic, see if you can get into the DT rooms one lunchtime and use the line bender, much easier to work with than aluminium in my opinion.

Zairs · 15 Dec 2010 at 00:44

sounds like you will either have go with the stensil idea or not bother

Gundog48 · 15 Dec 2010 at 17:12

Marvin said:
Looks like a good idea, though I wouldn't put any HDDs inside unless you have airflow through it. Another thing would be that I'd use acrylic, see if you can get into the DT rooms one lunchtime and use the line bender, much easier to work with than aluminium in my opinion.

I will be adding airflow using the bottom vent and adding a fan to extract it out into the motherboard area. I am not sure about using acrylic as I am not sure it would look right compared to the rest of the case. I can get free sheet ali too! I may do a mock up and see how it looks!

G-Dubs · 15 Dec 2010 at 19:43

What are the features of theside panel that are preventing you from cutting higher so as not to expose the PSU/divider.

Also, may I ask what the purpose of this mod is.
Functional or aesthetic?

Gundog48 · 15 Dec 2010 at 21:02

It's mainly an aesthetic mod but I want to preserve good airflow and increase cable management. As you can see from the pic I will have to cut around the vented side for the window which will make it lower than the divider: