Review Date: 15th March 2002 Reviewed By: Clinton "SileNceR" Warburton Product: Aopen KF45A Case w/ 250W PSU Rating: 68% Manufacturer: Aopen Purchased from: Scorpion Technology

It is pretty well known that a CD has a diameter of 12cm as does a 120mm blowhole (if you can't convert cm to mm, perhaps you don't understand the metric system well enough to be using fans at all?). In this photo I have placed a CD in the most logical spot for a 120mm intake fan to be placed. This would be the best theoretical spot due to the swirl on the right. One would need to remove some internal support from the bezel. In doing so it would be possible to mount the fan either between the bezel (provided it is relatively low profile such as a GlobalWin CAF12) and case, or inside the case itself with a duct between the bezel and case (any companies wishing to send me ducts for the purpose of showing an example of this, e-mail me) in the case that you have a fan such as the massive 100+CFM moving Sunon 120mm Fan.

Because the internal drive bay only extends 1 3.5" drive below the front faceplates, it is obvious that there is adequate clearance between the fan/fan hole and the HDD bay. Nor should this mod effect the removability of the HDD bay itself. This modification would, however, renders the 80mm front fan mount and the other push out plate useless.

Click to enlarge...

The top of the case could easily be modified to have a blowhole to exhaust air, although due to the length of the case it may be dependant on what drive you have in the top bay as to how large a fan you can place there - 80mm may be sufficient for your needs. Laser cut grilles can also add quite a nice finish to any case (again, any companies wishing us to review their laser-cut grilles, please drop us an e-mail), as does rubber or chrome lining.

Personally I find a Dremel a good tool to do blowholes with although many have had success with a jigsaw, dremel clone, or a DSE nibbler... Or if you have money coming out your ears you can either buy a hole-saw or get the case Laser/Water cut.

One could also add blowholes to the side of the case however I feel that a custom shaped window with an applique such as the window kits found at PCCaseGear, CoolPC, and AcePCModz. Or of course, for a more individual look, one can buy some moulding and plexiglass and just cut their own :).

A suitable lighting method would be a Cold Cathode, Neon Light or maybe even some Lazer Leds.