Removing fan grills/holes

Mikey1280 · 5 Apr 2006 at 18:41

I heard that the small holes between the fan and case are responsible for lots of the noise produced, is it ok to just cut these out the so that the fan can be touched from outside the case. Will it improve airflow/noise/temps? Will removing these reduced structural stability?

lozza · 5 Apr 2006 at 18:51

Mikey1280 said:
I heard that the small holes between the fan and case are responsible for lots of the noise produced, is it ok to just cut these out the so that the fan can be touched from outside the case. Will it improve airflow/noise/temps? Will removing these reduced structural stability?

Yes you can just cut them out, a dremel works well or you can get metal sheres.
It wont make any difference to the structural stability at nor will it really change the temps in your case. But it will lower the noise although depending on how acute your hearing is you may not notice.

Mikey1280 · 5 Apr 2006 at 18:55

Ok thanks, I dont have a dremel but I'll find something else to suffice, hopefully it will improve airflow a little?

lozza · 5 Apr 2006 at 19:26

A small hacksaw blade would do the job. To be honest with you i'm not sure on air flow never been able to measure that lol but i'm sure someone else will have the answer to that for you

Mikey1280 · 5 Apr 2006 at 19:37

Small hacksaw blade is what I just picked out of the draw!

Mikey1280 · 5 Apr 2006 at 21:26

My attempt with a hacksaw was unsuccessful, I suppose a dremel is needed

The $6m Dan · 7 Apr 2006 at 09:18

You can get dremmel clones quite cheaply from B&Q, just avoid the cordless one. I foolishly got one of those as it was cheaper and cordless, not realising the power only lasts for about 15 minutes and takes hours to recharge. It can't be charged and used at the same time either.

You could try getting a pair of tin snips to cut it out.

squiffy · 7 Apr 2006 at 10:41

I would use a hobby drill, best way to cut steel/aluminium at funny angles and enclosed spaces. You don't need a Dremel, as good drills are available. One discount store has them for £15-£20, I have two and great value for money.

Get a pen and mark the circle of the circumference of the inner fan area, remove then use the small cutting disc. Then use a round file to use sharp edge.

I would also second not buying a battery or rechargable hobby drill, they're ok for smaller jobs and lighter materials (plastic, balsa wood) but for metal or polycarbonate you need a mains drill.

Noni · 7 Apr 2006 at 10:54

I would definatly put some trim around the cut after you have finished. Its normally always sharp and it can cause problems. The trim also makes it look neater.

Yewen · 7 Apr 2006 at 10:57

I think the trim can be cool, but if you file down the edges nicely it can look quite atractive.

Question to anyone out there who may have a idea, anyone know how to make a crimped edge like on the side panels of the v1000/2000 Lian Li's?

Mikey1280 · 7 Apr 2006 at 16:15

Thanks for the advice guys, looks like I'll be borrowing my friend's dremel copy. Should I take everything out of my case? Oh yeah and I got the intake fan grill out using a hacksaw blade but it was a slow and painful process.

lozza · 7 Apr 2006 at 16:21

Yes you should take everything out, the dremeling will produce all manner of bit's of metal and lots of metal dust too! you don't want that interfearing with your system!