I received a couple of e-mails from readers, giving their suggestions how I should go about solving the "groove" problem. Bob Palnik suggested that I installed the fans outside, instead of inside. He said that's what he did with his case and it looked like shit!! Well Bob, I tried that and you're right. It DOES look like shit!!! Hahahahaha!!!!! Anyway, thanks a lot Bob. Another reader suggest I make a plexi door or something, with hinges, and mount the fans there. Not a bad idea, but cutting a big rectangular hole in the panel could affect it's strength and rigidity, or so I thought. I decided to try what I have mentioned yesterday, bending the "grooves" out. It was a rather simple task and if I screwed up, I can always push them back into position.

Using a pair of pliers, I bent the "grooves" outwards.		A close up of the ops.

Pic showing all the "grooves" bent.

After the ops, I decided to test fit the panel to the case stucture. I would expect to see some gaps at the top, but there wasn't any!!! COOL!!! The panel fits like the "grooves" were locked in place!!!! Lucky me! Now I don't have to slide the panel all the way to the back. Much like my In-WIn Q500's side panel. I was very happy that everything was OK.

The "bottom grooves" locking into position.		Top "grooves" not locked onto the case structure.

I am now thinking of whether or not to cut away the metal piece at the top rear of the case. Thinking of slapping on my 80mm fans down there. Oh well, for now I will just cover the holes with masking tape to prevent any "Air Flow Short-Circuit". Maybe I'll decide after taking some temperature reading. I'm happy how things turn out for the moment.

To hack, or not to hack. That is the question!!!

OK......OK!! I know some of you can't wait to see what all this madness has produced, right??? Well, let me present to you, the
"NEW AND IMPROVED.....AOPEN HX08!!!!!" Aopen, take note!!!!!

Now all I need to do is make some wings and I'm pretty sure it'll FLY!!!!!!

The Modified Aopen HX08, in all it's GLORY!!!!

Well........that's all folks!!! I hope this is what you guys have waited to see!!!! :O) Once I got a temperature probe and a noise meter, I'll post the results here. Thanks for all your comments and feedback guys. And a special thanks to Cliff for that excellent Fanbus Notes!!! Not forgetting all the Overclockers Worldwide!!!! We are the Elite Forces, brothers and sisters!!! United we stand!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!

See the system setup here >>