Recently acquired an Alienware Laptop, top of the line model, early 2016 line. 4k screen, 6820k, 980m. (got it for $600 bucks, couldn't say no) Me not being able to leave well enough alone, decided to go and purchase an Alienware Graphics Amplifier and stuff a 1080ti SC2 Hybrid into it. Works great, couldn't be happier. Well now i go and decide the "plastic box" my top end graphics card is sitting in is... um... lacking a certain luster. (The Alienware Graphics Amplifier build quality and presentation is a little sub-par) But it works like a champ, don't get me wrong.
So here's my plan for a low budget, enhancement to my "plastic box".
Cutting out window where graphics card can be seen. Now here is my first question for you guys here. The AGA is pretty simple. one front fan blowing in. Gpu blower style fan blowing air out the back of the case, and PSU blowing air out the back of the case. The two sides are vented. Now I have already upgraded the PSU with a high efficiency one i had lying around. Im Not a fan of the extra unneeded wires from a semi-modular psu, but will be chopping off what i don't need soon after case mod and figure out exactly what im going to use connection wise and what i don't need. So here's the question, since i have upgraded the front case fan (noctua, higher flow-less noise) and psu (Corsair- its quieter and less heat then stock psu) and also the gpu is water cooled and blower style that blows heat out the back of the case and not into it. Could i make the window vent-less and not see any adverse effects since i still have so much venting and good airflow coming in the front, other side vent (gpu radiator blowing out this side) and other components dumping out the back? Im hoping it will look cleaner not having holes or vents and also muffle some of noise (although a quiet card already) from having open vents 1/4 inch from a hard working gpu thats sitting on my desk right infront of my face. Mabey thinking some accent graphic around the outside of the window or something. Haven't gotten that far yet.
I also ordered a 30cm led rgb strip to add inside to illuminate the viewing window and match the Alienware lights on the front of the AGA and on my Laptop. LED strip is powered with a molex connector and has a simple small remote to control color and such.
Now the next thing im pondering of adding is a single fan speed controller for the front case fan. I'ts not loud, but it's not quiet either. Even though i put a quiet Noctua quality fan on it, the AGA just has a tendency to amplify the fan noise. Most people just unplug these fans, but not how i want to do things. Especially if im going ventless on one side with the add in window. So anyone know a low profile, small variable speed 3 pin fan controller powered by molex? Or i guess they make one that could just be added in at the 3 pin connection going to the fan?( I have the Noctua fan powered by a molex to 3 pin adapter) I need one with the smallest form factor, minimal wires/wire length. Smallest one i came across ( that i could possibly chop up to work for me ) was made to sit in a computer case slot in the back of the case. Any suggestions for me on a small 3 pin fan speed controller? i just want a single knob i can discretely add in with the case mod somewhere. I do plan on having this sitting on my desk so when not in use i would like to make the fan quiet and not full blast nonstop.
I hav'nt made much progress yet, but i'll add the pics i have of the window cutout so far. I should be getting my supplies to finish up the beginning of this week, so maybe i'll have it done by Friday.
Any thoughts and suggestions are welcome.
Plotting out window and overlap for attaching window
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To late now!
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Bad picture here, but cleaned and straitened up nicely.
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The SC2 Hybrid patiently waiting for it's case to be done...
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post edited by bdogg454 - 2017/06/26 10:25:51