Introduction

We start our journey into modding with a fairly straight forward case mod, installing a new fan.

Not only is installing fans in unintended manufacturer locations easy, it serves a purpose - airflow. Whether your case is failing in the airflow department or if you want an extra 120mm radiator in your loop, adding case fans can alleviate most heating problems.

One of the best things about this mod beside its simplicity is it will most likely only take an hour or two to complete, so please join me as we go through the steps of smithing a new fan mount.

Planning and Placement

First thing's first, we need to decide on positioning off the fan or fans we want to install. I have chosen to mount a 140mm Antec fan onto the side panel of my Linux shed rig for the purpose of this guide. In this location the fan will provide cool air to the stock 478 CPU cooler, and this point brings me to my first piece of advice, airflow.

[img]2[/img]

It is completely pointless installing a new fan somewhere it will interfere with other fans airflow or recycle hot air back into the components we're trying to cool. When deciding upon a position for a new fan, we must remember the rules of airflow and temperatures, do some research and decide on your new fans positioning accordingly.

[img]3[/img]

Secondly we want to keep clearance in mind when installing, especially in smaller locations like front bezels and bays. Accuracy is the key here especially when cutting fan holes for water cooling radiator configurations such as the Corsair Hydro series cooling kits. When deciding on potential placements, always remember to factor in components that are yet to be added inside your case. There is no point in doing a lot of hard work only to find something isn't fitting just right.