Author: T. Chang

Several weeks ago, I found a thread on EVGA forum. A member posted a message about a great deal that you can get a Lian-Li made re-badged case at BestBuy for $47. This case gives me every excuse I need to modify an already well made case to a dream case without any pressure.

Original case without 2 HDD Racks (move mouse over to zoom in)

Design:

Before I start, I study several cases. The intent is to integrate all the good idea/concept I’ve learned from those cases and eliminate/correct those bad ones. I have several ideal cases that I on my list. They are


1. Cooler Master Cosmos 1000/1010 ESA
2. Antec P-180/182
3. Lian-Li PC-A10/V-1100/ PC-V1200 Plus II or V-2100
4. Silverstone TJ10 series


And following is the general outlines that I’d like to integrate to my Rocketfish case:

1. Provide better air flow. Need two fans on the top panel. One (intake) from the front and one (passive) from the bottom.
2. Adapt Duo-Chamber design. Need to separate HDDs and PSU with other MB components.
3. A side panel window


Step 1: Better air flow

The common sense of the air cooling is cool air goes down and hot air goes up. To provide better airflow, I need two exhaust fans on top. It can be done by

1. Drill two perfect 12mm round holes. The cut needs to be perfect because it is on top of the case which is part of the details people can easily spot.
2. Drill a less perfect hole and purchase an OEM Lian Li top panel mod part with pre-drilled fan mount to cover it.
3. Purchase an OEM Lian Li top panel part including fans to replace entire top panel.

Lian-Li Top Panel OEM Part

I’m cheap and conservative. So option 2 is inevitable. I ordered a Lian-Li top panel mod part, cut an ugly hole, purchased 6 beautiful hex head metrics screws, and mounted 2 Blue Led fan. Remember to tape all the area other than the hole you’d like to cut to prevent the fine-finished aluminum from scratches. Below are some pictures.
 

Cut a hole to fit two 12mm fans  (move mouse over to zoom in)

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