The Warfields.com

With the motherboard assembled it becomes possible to see just where things will line up inside the case. While pondering the idea of where to put the cpu fan atop the case, I started fooling with where the window would be cut in the side panel, trying to make the spacing for everything come out well relative to each item, the mobo, and the fabulous Zalman cooler. Along the way a couple of random neurons fired due to a localized fluctuation in the solar neutrino flux and I had a brainstorm. I really needed to be able to see that Zalman cooler from all angles. Why not put a window in the top of the case too and mount the cpu fan on the plexiglass?

Kewl! The idea rapidly took root and soon it was time to assimilate this new aesthetic into the collective by taking decisive action with the saber saw to make it so.

I'm now able to stand up the mobo inside the case and see how things line up.
I'm using a window kit from www.pcmods.com. After carefully marking the spot with their precision made marking device (I believe its called a "washer"), I was ready to start cutting. Talk about performance anxiety! I would use my trusty Dremel tool with reinforced cutoff to begin the incision.	Look at those fricken' SPARKS people!
Now I've really gone and done it! I used a saber saw with metal cutting blade to finish the job. Don't believe those guys on the web who say its best to use a Dremel for this stuff. Unless you have a curve radius that's too tight for the saber saw, that's the tool of choice. It cuts MUCH faster and cleaner than the Dremel. The window is perfectly positioned to provide a lovely view of the mobo and Zalman cooler.	Look at the size of that fricken' HOLE!
Did I mention how important it is to take time to admire your work? Here's Bob admiring his work. Memo to self: this is not a flattering profile--do not take any more pictures from this angle! Look at the size of that fricken' hole!
And here's Dave. What's taking you so long bro'? It seems that Dave likes to see all the mistakes made by his big brother so that he won't have to make the same mistakes. He waits and sees what parts I order, and then he gets cooler, less expensive parts in order to taunt me. I hate when this happens!
Here's Dave demonstrating the proper technique to drilling into metal with a dull bit. You really gotta lean on that sucker, right Dave? Nice masking job bro'. I taught him everything he knows...
Time now to cut the plexiglass for the cpu fan. The plastic is notoriously easy to scratch, so its protected by contact paper until the last possible minute. Tee-ing this up for cutting is a scary business. I measured everything three times just to make sure.
Check that expression. This is how Bob looks when he is really concentrating hard and is worried about making a mistake. You have to go really slow here to keep from melting the plexi. A drill press really helps. I'd hate to handhold that big hole saw! Note the clamps, and the wood block underneath.
The moment of truth--we've broken through!
This is the RIGHT way to position the bolt holes for the fan. Take the largest bit that fits the fan hole. Position and hold the fan over the circular hole, and tap the bit with the hammer hard enough to leave a little indentation in the plexi.
Bob is so proud of himself! The fan fit perfectly, the holes are neat and clean. Hey, this stuff is easy! Look at the size of that fricken' hole!
The window with fan will sit in the case just about like this. That fan will be right over the Zalman cooler, pulling the hot air out before any bad can come of it. I love it when a plan comes together!
Being tired at the end of a day of case hacking (hey, I'm a wimp!), I decided to admire some work. Really that's what I'm doing in the 2 pictures above, but I felt a need to admire something else. So, I stuck the RAID controller in a slot along with a couple of my kewl rounded IDE cables to see how it would look. Kewl! This case is so going to rock!

Join us when our hero Bob returns with more case modding!