Question Fan mounting ideas?

[BoomerD]

I have an ancient CoolerMaster HAF 932 case that I wouldn't mind repurposing, but the original 230mm fans are about dead. I've re-oiled them a couple of times, but it doesn't really help.
I'd like to mount my 280mm Arctic Cooling AIO radiator on the top, but it wasn't built for 140mm fans. 3x120mm or 1x 230mm. see the pics.

The plastic part on the left is removable, but contains things like USB ports, on/off switch, headphone jack, etc...

Second pic shows that part removed.
I considered getting a 360mm AIO, but as you see, 1/2 of the 3rd fan would be covered by that plastic part. (which does have some vent slots, just not a lot...still might be my best option)

Anyone have any tips/trick for mounting 140mm fans/radiator on there, or just junk the old case and replace it with something more modern?

 

[In2Photos]

Since the top is completely perforated I would probably just put some painters tape down on the top of the case, then set the 2-140mm fans on top of it and mark where the holes are, then drill out the holes a little so the screws for the radiator mount will fit. You might need to go slightly larger than the existing fan holes to give you come wiggle room. Then use some small rubber or metal washers with the screws. You may also have to use some spacers on top of the radiator where the screws go to bring it down slightly off the top so the existing fan screw locations don't crush the fins on the radiators. Either that or don't tighten the screws too much.

If you decide to buy new I would opt for a 240mm radiator since the front section seems to be partially blocked by the front panel I/O part. If you have enough height you could try to do a push/pull configuration and use 4 fans instead of 2 to move the air through it which may improve the performance of the 240.

Another option would be to try and adapt a 200mm fan to the top. How far apart are the screws for the 230mm fan? Looks like the Noctua A20 fan holes line up according to this post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/yq1izq/200230mm_fan_advice_cm_haf_932_advanced

 

[BoomerD]

Since the top is completely perforated I would probably just put some painters tape down on the top of the case, then set the 2-140mm fans on top of it and mark where the holes are, then drill out the holes a little so the screws for the radiator mount will fit. You might need to go slightly larger than the existing fan holes to give you come wiggle room. Then use some small rubber or metal washers with the screws. You may also have to use some spacers on top of the radiator where the screws go to bring it down slightly off the top so the existing fan screw locations don't crush the fins on the radiators. Either that or don't tighten the screws too much.

If you decide to buy new I would opt for a 240mm radiator since the front section seems to be partially blocked by the front panel I/O part. If you have enough height you could try to do a push/pull configuration and use 4 fans instead of 2 to move the air through it which may improve the performance of the 240.

Another option would be to try and adapt a 200mm fan to the top. How far apart are the screws for the 230mm fan? Looks like the Noctua A20 fan holes line up according to this post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/yq1izq/200230mm_fan_advice_cm_haf_932_advanced

Yeah, I think there are some 200mm fans that will work…and I’ve considered that and a good air cooler. I ran the last rig (i5-760) in this case with a Noctua NH-U12P SE2. Worked fine. Of course, by the time I replace the fans, I’m most of the way to the price of a new case.

 

[In2Photos]

Yeah, I think there are some 200mm fans that will work…and I’ve considered that and a good air cooler. I ran the last rig (i5-760) in this case with a Noctua NH-U12P SE2. Worked fine. Of course, by the time I replace the fans, I’m most of the way to the price of a new case.

True! For $99 you can get a Lian Li 216 with 2-160mm fans (front) and 1-140mm fan (rear).

 

[BoomerD]

True! For $99 you can get a Lian Li 216 with 2-160mm fans (front) and 1-140mm fan (rear).

Indeed…and I like that case…but the Arctic Cooling 280mm AIO won’t fit in the top. (fits up to 63mm thick, rad and fans are 67.5mm per AC)

 

[In2Photos]

Indeed…and I like that case…but the Arctic Cooling 280mm AIO won’t fit in the top. (fits up to 63mm thick, rad and fans are 67.5mm per AC)

Is that even after you move the motherboard tray down for water cooling configuration? I guess the Arctic has 30mm fans?

 

[BoomerD]

Is that even after you move the motherboard tray down for water cooling configuration? I guess the Arctic has 30mm fans?

That’s based on numbers from Lian Li and Arctic Cooling.

Lian Li says:

Set lower, the motherboard leaves a 63mm thick gap at the top to install radiator/fan combos, ideal for AIOs or custom water cooling.

But notice, in the pic, it says “280 mm radiator <60mm”

The Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II fan/ radiator combo is listed as 67.5mm thick in their spec sheet.