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771 Posts
Hi!
My case is a Cooler Maser Elite 310.
I had done some simple modifications in the past for airflow.You can see them here.
I have used simple tools like a manual Hack saw(not those electric jigsaws),Drill machine with just a 3/16 drill bit,tin cutter and pliers.(i had an option of either buying new tools of spending money on better hardware.i choose hardware
)
Modifications-
1]
I am using only 1 of the four 5.25" front bays for a dvd-rw which i never use!
I removed the covers from the front bezel and the metal frame.cut out the middle part from the 2 front plastic covers and added a wire mesh in between and painted it black.
In the empty bays i added a 120x25 mm coolermaster silent pro fan as intake and placed it between layer of foam.
this was my 1st modification.helped my temps
UPDATE
ainted the bays black,added thicker foam and painted that black too 
Photos updated.

Update
ainted the wire mesh JET BLACK.Was difficult to paint it with a simple brush,but with patience,it got done
Updated Photos.

UPDATE:Also in order to hold the wire mesh firmly in place(tape,hooks didnt work.) i used 2 zipties per joint.It will be clearer when you see the photos below
n yeah,i coloured them red with marker ink 

FINAL LOOK.


Now,it had terrible wire management cause there was NO space behind the motherboard tray AND no provision for taking the wires there.
this is how the mobo tray was.

(above photo from google images.i hadnt taken a photo of the mobo tray before modifying it.)
So i had to make holes where possible for making some much needed wire management possible.
Also I have a Hyper 212+ shipping in on 22nd,so a cut out for the socket was needed.
Motherboard tray modification.
I cut holes in the places shown in the photo below.
(Drill i slit,hack saw!)

Holes done and lined them with rubber lining used for glass windows

ran out of rubber lining when i took this photo,used electrical tape and super glue

Bottom hole and Rear panel hole.
The hole is a perfect circle,the rubber lining was a bit of a pain to put in.did it later(pics below)
Also placed 1 1/2 inch bushes for more clearance.

Cut the grill out with a tin cutter and filed out the imperfections.

Lining corrected.

Front panel Fan controller and Case light switch.
1)Used a 3watt 100ohm potentiometer to control the front bottom fan(which is the noisiest fan i have.)
2)A rocker switch to control the 16led strip i have a case lighting.
3)Also added white LED lights on this transparent fan.the potentiometer controls the white LEDs and the fan.So i know how fast the fan is spinning by just looking at the intensity of the led glow

wiring may be a bit messy,but whos gona see it once its on the case

needs cleaning,some finishing and an extended sidepanel to conseal the wires(working on it as you read this)

The potentiometer at work.
very little glow,low speed.

White glow and full speed.

Circuit for the switch and potentiometer(fan controller)

Remaining work.
Will keep you guys posted
any suggestions,critique,inputs are most welcome!
this is my first time doing such extensive work on my pc case so any help will be nice.
My case is a Cooler Maser Elite 310.
I had done some simple modifications in the past for airflow.You can see them here.
I have used simple tools like a manual Hack saw(not those electric jigsaws),Drill machine with just a 3/16 drill bit,tin cutter and pliers.(i had an option of either buying new tools of spending money on better hardware.i choose hardware
Modifications-
- Fan in 5 1/2'' bay.
- Cut outs in mobo tray.
- Bottom intake cutout.
- Raised cabinet floor for more clearance.
- Rear grill cutout.
- DIY fan controller.
- Switch for case lights.
- Front panel intake.
- 5 1/2 '' bay fan.
- Transparent side panel cutout.
- 1'' extension of the left side panel(one facing the mobo tray)
1]
I am using only 1 of the four 5.25" front bays for a dvd-rw which i never use!
I removed the covers from the front bezel and the metal frame.cut out the middle part from the 2 front plastic covers and added a wire mesh in between and painted it black.
In the empty bays i added a 120x25 mm coolermaster silent pro fan as intake and placed it between layer of foam.
this was my 1st modification.helped my temps
UPDATE
Photos updated.
Update
Updated Photos.
UPDATE:Also in order to hold the wire mesh firmly in place(tape,hooks didnt work.) i used 2 zipties per joint.It will be clearer when you see the photos below

FINAL LOOK.

Now,it had terrible wire management cause there was NO space behind the motherboard tray AND no provision for taking the wires there.
this is how the mobo tray was.
(above photo from google images.i hadnt taken a photo of the mobo tray before modifying it.)
So i had to make holes where possible for making some much needed wire management possible.
Also I have a Hyper 212+ shipping in on 22nd,so a cut out for the socket was needed.
Motherboard tray modification.
I cut holes in the places shown in the photo below.
(Drill i slit,hack saw!)
Holes done and lined them with rubber lining used for glass windows
ran out of rubber lining when i took this photo,used electrical tape and super glue
Bottom hole and Rear panel hole.
The hole is a perfect circle,the rubber lining was a bit of a pain to put in.did it later(pics below)
Also placed 1 1/2 inch bushes for more clearance.
Cut the grill out with a tin cutter and filed out the imperfections.
Lining corrected.
Front panel Fan controller and Case light switch.
1)Used a 3watt 100ohm potentiometer to control the front bottom fan(which is the noisiest fan i have.)
2)A rocker switch to control the 16led strip i have a case lighting.
3)Also added white LED lights on this transparent fan.the potentiometer controls the white LEDs and the fan.So i know how fast the fan is spinning by just looking at the intensity of the led glow
wiring may be a bit messy,but whos gona see it once its on the case
needs cleaning,some finishing and an extended sidepanel to conseal the wires(working on it as you read this)
The potentiometer at work.
very little glow,low speed.
White glow and full speed.
Circuit for the switch and potentiometer(fan controller)
Remaining work.
- Proper finishing of the cutouts in front panel.
- Adding another 1 inch between the mobo tray and right sidepanel.(right sidepanel is a very tight fit now as there is no space whatsoever for the wires from the PSU.)will probably add 1 inch rubber bushes on the four corners and cover the opening with wood/aluminium strips.
- Addition of fan grills(bottom and rear)
- Painting all the wires black(too lazy to sleeve)
- Addition of transparent acrylic on the left side panel with a fan cutout.
- will probably replace the blue led strip with cold cathodes.
Will keep you guys posted
any suggestions,critique,inputs are most welcome!
this is my first time doing such extensive work on my pc case so any help will be nice.