I need ideas & suggestions about possibly modding my case

[xfezz]

I was planning on getting a LIAN LI PC-7B plus II case. I really like this case but I am worried about clearance for a few things I want to do.

1. I would like to run GTX's in SLI.
2. I would like a 120mm blow hole fan at the top of the case. If not a stock 80mm.

I am worried about two things:
1. The clearance for the second GTX with the bottom hard drive cage.
2. The length of the PSU and DVD-ROM in the top bay may not leave enough room for a blow hole fan at the top of the case.

Here is a picture of someone else's case with GTS's in SLI. Shorter cards = ample amount of space
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4476/pict0129uj8kj9.jpg

I'm not sure what could be done with the hard drive cage to leave enough clearance for the second GTX.

Second, I'm not sure about clearance for the blow hole fan at the top of the case. I don't know how long SLI PSUs are for something that I would need. Or if different brands/models vary much in length.

Any ideas or suggestions in what could be done? Or is what I'm asking just physically not possible with this case?

[dyingstar]

Hey Xfezz,

How many hardrives do you need to put in your case? If you only need one or two, you can use 5.25 bay hard drive adapters.

Also, it looks from the picture that there may be some give between the hard drives and the front of the case. I can't tell for sure, but even there isn't, you could just tear the drive cage out and make your own. I think you could vertically mount a drive or two where the drive cage is currently, but that will restrict airflow from a front fan.

Or on second thought, you cut the top part of the drive cage and only mount a drive in the lower bay, and that might give you the clearance you need.

[.Maleficus.]

Welcome to the forums xfezz!

I don't know about GTXs, but I heard they are ghastly long and just about any case will have trouble fitting them. You may think about a full tower sized case for this project. Lian-Li has some great full towers; if I were to buy a new case it would be a full tower Lian-Li. The only real way to know if it will fit is measure everything out in your head before you buy.

[xfezz]

Thanks guys!

In response to dyingstar I'll be using two hard drives for sure. A Raptor and a second larger drive for storage. At most I would be using three but I think two would be all I need. So like you said I could take out the cage and use the 5.25 bays and invest in some kind of hard drive cooling kit.

.Maleficus., I was looking into a full tower case, but honestly I don't need all those drive bays and the case itself is a bit big for my desk. It would be hanging off the edge quite a bit and I don't know if I would be able to keep it level. I rather not have the computer on the floor because then it would suck up way too much dust and cat hair. (I have 3 cats). But if push comes to shove I may just bite the bullet and hunt down a full tower case.

Do either of you know about the length of SLI power supplies? I was trying to google various brands to see if they have the dimensions specified but I always turn out vague answers. I may have to try to download pdf manuals. A thermaltake 850w SLI certified PSU someone mentioned to be 9" in length. I don't know if thats accurate or not. If it is does the length vary from different brands and models? Or are they generally the same? This case is 19.3" deep so that's what I have to work with.

Power supply, blow hole fan, dvd-rom. I have to try and fit that at the top of the case. I am beginning to think I may have to leave out plans for the blow hole.

EDIT:
ok I found some dimensions of some power supplies and the way it looks it looks like I may be able to use an 80mm fan for the blow hole instead of the 120mm I wanted. The 120mm fan would fit but with only about 20mm of room to spare. And thats a best case scenario.

[.Maleficus.]

It really depends on the PSU you're looking for. Check here for the different options you have, and find one that suits your needs. (http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html)

[xfezz]

Got this problem figured out. The place I'll be buying the case from said they could install the bottom hard drive cage sideways (width wise instead of length) for $15 extra. This will give an extra inch or so of room which should be enough room for the second GTX. Thanks for the help.