I really hope somebody find this useful.
Zalman Z3 Plus White is a low budget Case, but with nice look and also hidden potential of increase of functionality. After that will be more universal, bit more quiet & tidy inside, and also look better there
Firstly when I bought this Case I already knew the black/white Zalman Fans are worth nothing. So in the time I was waiting for the parcel I've also ordered three Aerocool 12cm Dead Silence Blue LED Edition Fans as an replacement. Also already bought Filter to use there, where was missing:
...And I wasn't like the Zalman's idea of Fans fitting - forcing us to use specific fans and make us to not use Anti-vibrating Silicone Fan Mounts.
So first job was drill all Fan mount holes to ø4.5mm to fit Silicone Fan Mounts, or typical Fan screws:
To get rid of any sharp edges I was used ø10mm drill bit and turn it by hand to prevent over-forcing:
That gives safety and proper look of the job
The most difficult part is re-drilling the holes on the front. I was using ø3mm, ø4mm, then finally ø4.5mm drill bits to prevent damages - here's why:
As you see the holes have only a bit smaller dimension from width of Fan mount brackets. Now you noticed I was also remove the mesh from top Fan on the front. We'll come back to this in the minute
So from now on any Fans can be fitted like we need - the top:
...and front:
Second job was removing that mesh - I was mentioned above. Unfortunately plate thickness in low-budget Cases are quite tiny - we can't use saw with no risk at all. The other thing is - metal swarfs would be in every gap, so needed to find other, safer & tidy. Cutters and snips will be great! Firstly cut the mesh out:
...then bend what's left outside:
To cover this I was use Black isolating tape - why black? Could be white and hide out edges, but the problem with white tape is - it is going to be grey after some period of time... So black. Anyway all look good afterwards:
Oops - Fan fitted up side down! Silly me Changed after I saw the photo I've also noticed it is a bit quieter since mesh gone - looks like Fan noise bounce back from mesh towards outside
OK, take look on the last picture again - are you see something unusual, never seen in stock Zalman Case?
Can't find it? How about the cable hole on the left side of Fan? Oh yes, rubber in every hole can be used for any cables. That was next job here
Simply used bike tube and double sided tape:
The bike tube isn't very best as in the places with currently no cables is going to bend, but fortunately I had at least one cable in any hole
How about the factory filtration? Not quite bad - except one place, which all dust appearing inside gets in that way:
Yes! Huge slot under the front plastic panel was not covered at all. I've also did place the filter under top mesh:
But there is no benefits of it - fans blowing outside, są dust never getting inside that way, also that doesn't help with noise. Especially when is quiet already.
And finally last thing - must have! All cheap look PCI Slots been replaced with proper black ones which gives much better look:
And after all this jobs my PC was look inside like here:
I've sold this case with all that mods. for just £30 - gone in two hours
Zalman Z3 Plus White is a low budget Case, but with nice look and also hidden potential of increase of functionality. After that will be more universal, bit more quiet & tidy inside, and also look better there
Firstly when I bought this Case I already knew the black/white Zalman Fans are worth nothing. So in the time I was waiting for the parcel I've also ordered three Aerocool 12cm Dead Silence Blue LED Edition Fans as an replacement. Also already bought Filter to use there, where was missing:
...And I wasn't like the Zalman's idea of Fans fitting - forcing us to use specific fans and make us to not use Anti-vibrating Silicone Fan Mounts.
So first job was drill all Fan mount holes to ø4.5mm to fit Silicone Fan Mounts, or typical Fan screws:
To get rid of any sharp edges I was used ø10mm drill bit and turn it by hand to prevent over-forcing:
That gives safety and proper look of the job
The most difficult part is re-drilling the holes on the front. I was using ø3mm, ø4mm, then finally ø4.5mm drill bits to prevent damages - here's why:
As you see the holes have only a bit smaller dimension from width of Fan mount brackets. Now you noticed I was also remove the mesh from top Fan on the front. We'll come back to this in the minute
So from now on any Fans can be fitted like we need - the top:
...and front:
Second job was removing that mesh - I was mentioned above. Unfortunately plate thickness in low-budget Cases are quite tiny - we can't use saw with no risk at all. The other thing is - metal swarfs would be in every gap, so needed to find other, safer & tidy. Cutters and snips will be great! Firstly cut the mesh out:
...then bend what's left outside:
To cover this I was use Black isolating tape - why black? Could be white and hide out edges, but the problem with white tape is - it is going to be grey after some period of time... So black. Anyway all look good afterwards:
Oops - Fan fitted up side down! Silly me
Changed after I saw the photo I've also noticed it is a bit quieter since mesh gone - looks like Fan noise bounce back from mesh towards outside OK, take look on the last picture again - are you see something unusual, never seen in stock Zalman Case?
Can't find it? How about the cable hole on the left side of Fan? Oh yes, rubber in every hole can be used for any cables. That was next job here
Simply used bike tube and double sided tape:
The bike tube isn't very best as in the places with currently no cables is going to bend, but fortunately I had at least one cable in any hole
How about the factory filtration? Not quite bad - except one place, which all dust appearing inside gets in that way:
Yes! Huge slot under the front plastic panel was not covered at all. I've also did place the filter under top mesh:
But there is no benefits of it - fans blowing outside, są dust never getting inside that way, also that doesn't help with noise. Especially when is quiet already.
And finally last thing - must have! All cheap look PCI Slots been replaced with proper black ones which gives much better look:
And after all this jobs my PC was look inside like here:
I've sold this case with all that mods. for just £30 - gone in two hours
