*FINISHED* Aurora Case Mod (pics)

Good job.

The clear window obviously took a lot of work (I know how that panel is constructed).

I could never give-up my optical bays (mine are all filled now) ... but I like the idea of adding the large top fan. But instead of exhaust, I think I would make it incoming air (and leave the radiator fan as exhaust).

Do you connect your optical drive (when needed) as eSata or just USB?

I read an article on cooling that ran multiple tests and found the best config was having one rear exhaust and one top exhaust (since heat naturally rises).  but maybe having only one fan as an exhaust and all the rest intakes would make the vacuum stronger pulling more hot air out...not sure yet. I havent needed my optical yet but am thinking of installing it underneath the front fan and then putting another fan underneath it.

How long was that process ? Wished some one did case mod to their Area 51 ALX

I read an article on cooling that ran multiple tests and found the best config was having one rear exhaust and one top exhaust

Optical bay or inside hidden top? The more I think about it, seems like you only need one or the other (so you might as well use the hidden top one).

Where did you connect the new top fan electrically? Is it controllable? Exactly what fan did you use?

I havent needed my optical yet but am thinking of installing it underneath the front fan and then putting another fan underneath it.

That's what the internal PCIe fan does right? But to keep the look (or if the solid optical bay door is in the down position) the air comes in the lower bottom and up the cavity before hitting the fan.

How long was that process ? Wished some one did case mod to their Area 51 ALX

So far ive sunk about 5 hours of actual work time (not including time spent at home depot, pc store ect.

All the new fans I installed use 4 pin connectors, they are not controllable buts thats fine you cant hear them at all (especially because my gtx 480 is so loud!).

Im thinking about raising my case on feet and cutting a bottom hole for a screened 120mm fan. My final setup will hopefully have an airflow system like this (rough drawing I know):

I know it looks overly complicated and convoluted but I find that the large number of intakes will provide enough incoming air so that all of the exhausting fans and components can take in a sufficient amount without leaching too much from another part. Also notice that the roof exhausts will bend the path of the air so that it runs over a larger surface area instead of just going in and out in a straight path (the bottom intake will also do this to a degree)

Keep in mind this mod is 75 percent form 25 percent function as my pc is already decently cooled.

Be very careful with the floor mounted fan, you may create little eddies or dead spots especially around the GPU and PSU, one of the main reasons server blades use straight through fans.

Might find having no intake fans in the base and no exhaust fans in the roof is actually better. With the positive pressure of the two large front intake fans being matched by the negative pressure from the single exhaust fan, the GPU fan and the PSU fan, the direct through (front to back) approach may give you better results.

thanks for the advice Ill consider it. Do you think flipping the top exhausts to make them intakes would be better (since I already bought them haha)

No, I think that would actually cause an area of conflicting positive pressure and actually trap air inside the case.

Don't change your config based on my advice until you do some of your own testing.

One test is to to get an airflow indicator. The cheapest ones literaly look like an eye dropper and come with replacement smoke tubes. Get a nice sheet of perspect (or even gladwrap) to replace one side of the case for testing. Then all you have to do is squirt some colored smoke through your front fans at different heights and watch how the air flows in the case.

Another test is to monitor the temps of each component that you can (cpu, gpu, chipset, and some psus) under load (3D Mark etc...) and try with your bottom and top fans on or off and covered. See which gives the best temp performance.

finished!

Cool mod it gives me some ideas...... I have a lathe & mill in my shop this has me thinking of useing the mill to do some designs or milling out sections of my area 51 ALX side panels .......Milling out the Alienware logo would be pretty cool!

jeffcmfrt66

I have one rear exhaust fan with the top 3 and the front pci fan blowing into the case. I tried it with the top fans as exhaust with the rear fan both as intake and exhaust and this way gives me the best temps. There is a good 5c difference between the setups.

I can't say for sure whats the best setup for the Aurora but for my Area 51 it works the best.

duplicolor makes excellent automotive grade paints,  besure to prep and use a good primer too.   Be patient and use many thinner coats.  Brushing is for houses and walls. ( and that is getting sprayed these days too)

Hi all, I've got an Alienware Aurora and I really want to re-paint it to match the new decoration in my house (girlfriends orders....apparently grey just doesn't do it for her lol), I was wondering if anyone knew what the best type of paint would be and whether I should use a brush or spray it on for the smoothest finish? Thanks in advance for any advice :-)

Thanks for the swift reply. Okay, I'll have a look for that then, I just hope it all turns out okay...I think I'd die if I screwed it up! I'll try and get the paints and primer this week then and I'll let you know how it turns out :-). Thanks again, Ben