Yeah, Personally, I cut out a big hole, then covered mine up with some generic wire fan guards. Because the wire circles obscure my imprecise cutting job, it doesn't matter I was a little sloppy with my $5 US case nibbler.

Fan Grilles are cheap, too-- they still keep you from shoving your fingers in the fan, and they don't restrict airflow much, if at all.

I for one know that me and my case nibbler's next job will be cutting out the pre-drilled holes on the front of my chassis, and allowing for more free airflow through the front of the system. I'm thinking of going so far as cutting neat square holes in the front of the case, and then covering them with screenwire or something, so I have good flow coming in through the front.

A 'blowhole' and wire guard in the front of the case is certainly preferable where a front intake fan is used. Waste of time having it there if it's unable to work effectively!

Sounds cool Thx for the tutorial link.

...will a jigsaw work?

Yep, a jigsaw will work. Use a fine-tooth blade, tape both sides of the panel, and go slow. Cut a smaller hole first, and work your way out to where you want to get.

A jigsaw will NOT cut a perfect 80mm circle straight off!

Oh by the way. I'd just like to thank everyone who ridiculed my mod. Just kidding. I think you should take the time to sit down and think what mistakes you've made over the course of your life. When you are done, kindly send me an e-mail with your mistakes attached so I can post them on the forums and have a great time laughing and making fun of you with some other people.

You know who you are.

Yours sincerely,

Dumbarse.

Lol. yea for cutting your case you can use a jigsaw, or I used a saber saw which is basicly the same thing.

Ron

hmm I am just thinking I might make a window out of that panel and instead mount the fan in the ceiling of the case... what do you think of this idea?

Your most important considerations for fan placement are front/bottom for intake and rear/adjacent to processor for exhaust. Ideally, both positions should have a fan, with the hole cut for airflow as described. A setup like that should suit most hot-running processor/vid card combinations.

A fan in the case side panel should be an intake fan, but I'd agree that if your system runs hot a top, exhaust fan is probably the best addition to make. (And I reckon a 120mm intake fan above the vid card is probably overkill )

ok well now I want a suggestion. I have an intake fan at the front and one at the back. Best placement for the 120 would be...?