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Loading ...Modded Side Panel and The Overclocking Bug
oneeyeuk
Ok, so after getting the overclocking bug I felt the need to improve the general airflow in my case.
My initial thoughts were to modify my original Eclipse side panel and install two 120mm fans on it but lower down than the fan on my thermally advanced side panel to feed more cool air to the GFX.
I was also aware that heat would build up in the top of my case without any way of removing it.
My idea to combat this was to modify my top panel by installing one of Antec’s 200mm fans, as used in the Antec 900 case.
Anyway, whilst I was still mulling over the possibilities, Akasa decided to release a 220mm Blue LED fan which set my mind off on other ideas.
After getting the 220mm fan dimensions from the Akasa website, I soon figured out it would be too big to install in my top panel without some serious butchery of my Eclipse’s chassis.
I was also aware that there were no ‘off the shelf’ fan grills that would fit the 220mm fan.
It would also be nice to view the inside of my PC illuminated by the blue glow from the LED’s.
So, I bought the Akasa 220mm fan, an Akasa windowed side panel for my eclipse and a 500mm x 500mm sheet of black aluminium hexx mesh.
I was still thinking at this stage of just cutting a hole in the acrylic window of the side panel for the 220mm fan and then trying to fabricate a grill for it from the mesh.
All the bits arrived at work and as I was bored I started having a closer look at the windowed side panel.
The acrylic window was secured in place by some black plastic rivets and screws, so I removed them all and took out the acrylic window.
I was now left with a perfect rectangular hole with screw holes already in place, so I offered up the mesh and it looked good.
I cut the mesh to size then offered it into place again and placed the 220mm fan onto it to see how it looked.
It looked good, in fact, this is what it looked like.
I was excited , this was absolutely going to work.
I managed to leave work a little early and head home via B&Q for a variety of M4 screws, nuts & washers and a few other bits and pieces I thought might be handy.
Firstly, I secured the mesh in place with 16 No M4 x 10mm screws and nuts each with 2 washers.
Then, using M4 x 40mm screws, nuts, washers and some soft rubber anti-vibration washers I fixed the 220mm fan to the mesh.
So, with a little excitement, I installed my modified side panel to see how it looked.
I was pleased with the result, and it certainly improved airflow.
As I said earlier I have now been somewhat bitten by the overclocking bug, and not having had my E6750 more than a couple of months Intel released the Wolfdale CPU’s.
I’m afraid the venom from the overclocking bug bite was too strong, and I lashed out on an E8400, a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme cooler, an Akasa 120mm blue LED fan and an Akasa fan control panel to control all these new fans.
I also decided to give Vista 64 bit a try, so ordered up another 2gig of Crucial Ballistix.
I even managed to tidy my cables a bit.
With the E8400 and the Ultra 120 installed I managed to overclock to 4GHz more or less straight away.
With a bit more tweaking I was able to get the CPU stable enough at around 4.3GHz to run CPC benchmarks and 3D Mark ‘06.
Still wanting to tinker further and improve the looks of my rig, I swapped out my SilenX 120mm case fans for Akasa blue LED jobbies.
I was also smitten by the sexeh new OCZ Reaper HPC memory, and bought a 2 x 2gig kit.
My mobo did have some issues with the OCZ memory, but it was swiftly resolved on OCZ’s support forums.
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34714
And that was me done messing.
For a week or two at least, when I became aware of a new and better cooler for my 8800GTX.
And that is what I’ll tell you about in my next post.
Excellent work! Only just bought Issue 55 today so this is giving me ideas along with the Build Your Own/Bargain Basement Blaster crossover in the mag and forum.
Thank you. 
Glad to be inspiration.
Look forward to reading your plog in the not too distant future. 
Hi. Im a noob to the modding game. I Like your mod and am thinking of doing a smilar mod to allow for better cooling.. My side panel did not have a window so Im thinking of cutting a hole in the panel and drilling holes round the edges for the screws.
Will this work or is there any complications i may face which Im yet to realise?? I dont have a dremel cutting tool either. Could i drill a hole and use my jigsaw the file the edges??
Hi back.
Many people cut their own windows and using a jigsaw after drilling hole is fine (did it yesterday in fact to mount a rad grill in my top panel).
Be brave, and remember “Measure twice, cut once”
Plan ahead and try to anticipate problems before you start.
For example, if you use screws to hold mesh on your window as I have, screws will protrude on the inside also and my need cutting back to avoid snagging.
Before cutting, cover both sides of your side panel with masking tape to make it easier to mark up with a pencil or felt tip pen and also it helps stop scratches when you’re cutting out the window with your jigsaw.
If you’re still not sure about hacking up your bestest PC straight away, see if you can find an old cheap and cheerful beige case to practice cutting on.
Browse the project logs here and on other forums (eg www.watercoolinguk.co.uk & www.coolercases.co.uk ) to see how others tackle cutting windows, blowholes, etc.
Hope this helps.
And don’t forget to start your own ‘Plog’
One other small point:
Drill your holes for securing mesh before cutting the window, will be a lot easier.