RoadRashed

In my quest to lower the temps within my case, I'm thinking about cutting a hole in the back of my case where the 120mm exhaust fan sits (and probably the 90mm fan location too:



As it is, the fan is having to push the air through the "mesh" and flow is being restricted. Will I regret cutting that whole circle out? Is that "mesh" required for some reason I can't think of? I'm 99.9% sure it wouldn't hurt a thing.....but there has to be a reason they build it that way instead of leaving a open, free flowing hole... Anyone know the reason? Just don't want to screw my first decent case up doing something stupid.

KamuiRSX

Yeah it's called Dust....the mesh is there to cut down on particles.

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RoadRashed

I can understand that if it were an intake fan, but is dust going to be a problem at an exhaust point?

Aaroman

Good Point!! I don't think the manufacturers would assume the costumer is always as smart as you.

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Syrillian

Hi.

Imho, I would cut the grills off.

Exhaust is as important as intake. If you have curious pets or small children that like to stick their fingers in spinning things, then it might not be such a good idea.

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JEK3

The mesh is more to keep your fingers out of the fan. It's so you don't sue the manufacturer for injuries. They really don't do anything for dust.

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RoadRashed

Ah.....protection from sue-happy idiots. Makes sense. I guess the dremel is coming out this weekend. I just put a new Scythe Ultra Kaze in the back and I want that thing to suck some air. It gets louder the closer you put it to the mesh, so cutting it out should reduce some of the noise that thing makes too.

aksthem1

You can always add a fan grill to prevent things to go in there.

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Syrillian

Yes. Removal of airflow-obstructions will help to quiet loud and unruly fans.

Dust is an issue, but I am a religious cleaner of my systems. A weekly 5-minute dust-off does the trick and keeps the interior of the case clean.

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Silentium ~ Arcane Arts

Semper Fidelis

"Illegitimi non carborundum"

RoadRashed

Good point....I'll do that now that my daughter is starting to get into everything. The more I think about it, at 2....she's probably going to end up trying to stick her hand in the hole eventually. She already gets great enjoyment out of turning all my fan controller dials when I'm not looking... There are plenty of grills that will allow a lot more air flow than all that mesh on the back of my Armor case...