Antec SLK3000B and 120x38mm fans

[Elcs]

Thanks to some inspiring people on the boards, I purchased an SLK3000B to get me out of the doldrums of Generic cases. My main problem I identified before I purchased one was the fact that I have no 120mm fans, only a pair of 80mm L1A's.

After doing some searching, Panaflo's 120mm L1A's are 38mm deep. Now, I know how good my 80mm and 92mm L1A's are and with a slightly lower voltage, Im putting money on the fact that the 120mm's will provide me with the airflow and low noise Im wanting.

Antec specify the case can take 120x25mm fans. Can It accept the 120x38mm fans? Will I have to do any modding, if so how difficult and nasty is it? I dont particularly feel like mangling my case, it still has thoise annoying grill bits in.

Failing the 120x38mm fans fitting, could someone also recommend some good 120x25mm fans, in the same league as Panaflo L1A's. Links are preferred since Im a UK-based AT'er and USD prices with half a name mean little. A link to the fan on a website gives me an awesome idea of what I need to search my Vendor List for.

 

[johnnqq]

nexus "real quiet" case fan. quieter than the panaflo.

 

[AntecCSR]

You can fit the 38mm thick fan in the rear fan mount. However it likely won't fit in the front fan mount.

AntecCSR

 

[L00PY]

Pictures might help answer your questions.

Like the review says, since there's that plastic holder up front the fan won't snap in properly -- it might stay put though. You'd be better off drilling out the rivets and using screws like they suggest, which is an extremely easy mod.

If you can get them locally, the simplest thing might be to buy one Panaflo to start. You can then see if it'll work up front or not. If it doesn't just move it in back and move the included fan up front.

 

[ericlala]

wow thats an awesome case for the price. does it support amd? specificly, does the cpu duct match the socket on a dfi ultra d board?

 

[furballi]

Yes...the SLK3000B will accept the 38 mm Panaflo at the FRONT and BACK of the case. You need to remove the FRONT purple plastic fan mounting bracket. Use the four fan screws to bolt the Panaflo DIRECTLY to the front of the case. The mounting holes are CORRECTLY positioned, so you DO NOT need to do any drilling. I would also use a tin snip to cut out the front fan blade screen. Anytime you put a screen very close to the intake side of a fan, you will generate more noise.

If you don't mind a little more noise, then leave the front fan blade screen as is.

 

[furballi]

The case will work will ALL AMD board. The duct does not have to be directly above the CPU to be effective. The CPU will get plenty of cool air as long as the duct overlaps the CPU fan by at least 30%.

 

[Elcs]

Well, the Panaflo's arent sold in the UK as far as I can find and my American supplier is out of stock until further notice. Ill check out Furtballi's suggestion that the 38mm fans will fit the front before doing anything else.

I also thought of 5v'ing an 80mm Panaflo L1A and mounting it directly above the Duct. The duct looks like its held on by screws and the mounting bracket so I think I could pop a fan there to increase inflow into the case. Is it worth mounting a 5v 80mm Panaflo L1A above the 12v 92mm Panaflo L1A on my hsf?

 

[The Sly Syl]

I really do like my Panaflo 120x38 with a fan speed controller, silence at lower speeds and massive power at higher ones. Its definately not a choice I regret anymore.
Just, if you get the "high" model, make sure you get a controller, 40db is actually quite loud.

 

[furballi]

You can install the 80 mm Panaflo at the round side duct.

 

[ericlala]

if i recall, the front 120 fan can have a filter element
does it slow airflow a lot?

 

[furballi]

There's a screen that you can remove. I run without filter for better airflow. The screen is useless since there's another intake opening at the bottom of the front face plate. The side vents also do not come with screens.

 

[ericlala]

what board do u run with this case?

 

[speedstream5621]

I'll be getting this case sometime next week. I intend on cutting a window into the side-panel...so I can rid of the TAC garbage. I'll bet a 38mm fan would fit in there.

 

[furballi]

Abit AX8 with 3000 winchester and Zalman 7000Cu cooler.

 

[Zepper]

Some have said that a 38mm will fit in front on the 3000B with the clip-in bracket removed, but IDK from personal experience. As others said, buy ONE 38mm and if it doesn't fit just use it in the back and put the std equipment one in front - though it would be best to use the more powerful one in the front as it has to push air past the HDs and positive pressure ( CFM in > CFM out ) will help keep the dust out if you use a filter on all intakes.

.bh.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Zepper
As others said, buy ONE 38mm and if it doesn't fit...... <snip>

.bh.

Unfortunately I dont have that luxury unless i buy an el-cheapo fan locally. I cant find the 120mm L1A's in the UK and the single US Vendor I know that will ship to me is out of stock.

Shipping 1 fan from the US to the UK then shipping 1 more fan is just silly. If I can pick up an el-cheapo 120x38 fan locally and test it before ordering, I should be ok.

TBH, I dont kn ow why Antec dont just ship with a 120x25 and a 120x38 bracket or just ship 2 120x25 fans with it. Id be prepared to dump £1-2 more for the luxury of a 120x38 bracket.