Keep your PC case Cooled in 6 Steps

STEP 5

Older cases may not have a sufficient number of fan mounts. Even if you have a modern case, it may lack a fan mount on the side panel near where the expansion cards—especially the graphics card—are seated. If you can’t get your PC’s case cool enough with its included mounts or if you need extra cooling for an overclocked graphics card, you can cut your own fan holes into the case.

Make sure there’s room for a fan inside the case where you want to place it. When I was a newbie modder, I happily cut a fan hole into the top of an ancient beige case. I mounted the fan, only to discover that the power supply overlapped the area where the fan would have been. Use a ruler and measure the area you wish to fill with a fan to ensure you won’t have a similar experience. Don’t forget to measure for depth, as well as length and width.

When you’ve scouted an acceptable location, it’s time to cut the hole and mount the fan. Just follow these steps.

1. Decide on the location of your new fan mount. You can either eyeball it or, if you’re trying to cool something specific like a graphics card, measure from the rear of the case to where you believe the center of the fan should be, and then measure from the bottom of the case.
2. Remove the panel to which you plan to add a fan mount from the case and do your work far away from your computer. Metal shavings and circuit boards do not go well together.
3. On the inside of the panel, transfer your measurements and mark the location where the fan should be centered with a pencil. Then hit the center point with a metal punch. You only need a tiny divot; don’t dent the panel.
4. Place the sharp end of a compass on the center of the actual fan, and move the pencil to the outside of the fan blade opening. That will be the radius of the hole.
   
   
   
5. Use the compass to draw a circle around the divot you just made on the panel. The circle defines the area of the panel that you’ll cut out.
6. Using a rotary tool (and, of course, eye protection and gloves), very carefully cut the hole out of the panel. Sand or file the edges to remove any burrs and sharp areas. (You can also use a hole saw for the cut; use the closest one you can find to the diameter of your circle.)
   
   
   
7. With the panel on a flat surface, place the fan over the hole. Use the square to make sure it’s parallel with the sides of the panel (unless you want it in a diagonal or other orientation). With your pencil, mark where each mounting hole location.
   
   
   
8. Use the metal punch to make a small divot at each pencil mark for your drill bit. Without an indentation at which to start drilling, the drill bit would slide around all over the panel.
9. Chuck a 3/16″ drill bit into your drill and drill the four mounting holes.
10. With a damp cloth, wipe the panel inside and out to remove any metal dust and shavings.
11. With the fan on the inside, oriented to blow in the direction you desire and a fan grill on the outside of the case panel, mount the fan with four fan screws (included with any self-respecting fan).
    
    
    
12. Move the panel back to the computer chassis. Connect the power and turn on the PC to be sure the fan powers up. If it does, power down the PC and secure the panel in place. Your project is complete!    Continued…