My Experiments with Case Modding
Case Windows
If you ever want to catch my attention, wave a motherboard in my face, because I love looking and marveling at computer components and electronics. Thus, when I learned of the "case window", I wanted one of my own. A case window is literally a window in the side of a computer case. It allows you to peer inside your computer and, like myself, marvel at the components inside. Of course, if you are a patron of LAN parties, it also allows you to show off all your latest top of the line components to your friends. Finally, since a case window offers a view into the case, one can add features like lighted fans, cold-cathode lighting, or neon lights that will project lights and colors out of the case, therefore adding a further touch of aestheticism.
Most case windows today come in two varieties: do-it-yourself and prefabricated (as shown above). The do-it-yourself version requires you to measure and cut a hole in the side of your case, apply a molding, and then insert a piece of plexiglass, glass, or clear plastic into the hole to be your window. Prefabricated is of course the type that is manufactured at the factory and is a feature of the case. The first method requires a bit of work, because you must use tools to cut the metal side-panel of your case. If you are not careful, you could end up damaging the panel or even cutting yourself. The second method is a little more costly because the window is pre-made and you have to buy a completely new case. There is also another method, a combination of the two, which is to send your panel to a company that will do the modification for you. Depending on how you ship and the company, this method could conceivably cost a bundle as well as take a while to complete. Because I lack the necessary tools as well as the necessary budget to modify my own side-panel, I decided to try my own version of a side window modification.
My own side window "modification" technically was not a modification at all, but rather a side-panel replacement. Instead of modifying my existing side-panel, I would replace it completely with a piece of glass. I had some initial difficulties with this modification because I lacked planning and did not have an understanding of the properties of glass. Ultimately, the mod was successful and I was able to learn a few lessons from it. Here, then, is the story of my experiment with a case window.
My Own Case Window
Having read about and seen so many examples of case windows online and at stores, I decided that I wanted one of my own. As mentioned before, I did not wish to spend a great deal of money, nor do the modification myself. Buying a new case with a case window was not feasible. Thinking deeply, I recalled that there was a discount glass store nearby, and I realized that I could purchase a custom cut piece of glass, fit it onto my case, and finally have my own case window with a minimal amount of money spent and without using power tools. I began to draft my plan.
Because the original metal panel of my case had an opening for a case fan (see below), I wanted my glass panel to have an opening for a case fan as well. Therefore, I did some measuring and calculating and came up with a plan (see below) to have the fan opening in the lower right corner of the panel, and use that opening as an intake for cooler air. Unfortunately, my plan was overambitious as I did not realize that drilling and cutting glass non-linearly requires a highly skilled and precise hand. When I brought my plans to the discount glass store, the manager informed me that they could not produce a piece of glass to my specifications. He suggested that I try another, more expensive, glass store nearby. Following his advice, I submitted my plans to the other store. The estimate shocked me. The price of producing a piece of glass to my exact specifications would be $95. With that amount, I could buy a new aluminum case with a side window, and not even need to make my own! Thus, I learned my first lesson: glass is not easily drilled or cut in a circle. So much for having a fan opening in my new glass panel.
Now, all I needed was a regular rectangular piece of glass, and the discount glass store happily provided me with one. The exact measurements of this piece of glass were 16 and 11/16 inches long, 15 and 9/16 inches wide, and 1/8 inch thick. After the craftsman spent less than ten minutes measuring, cutting, and polishing the piece of glass, I rushed home to fit it onto my case. A perfect fit! The only thing left to do was to find a way to mount the glass onto the case. Unfortunately, a means of mounting the glass was not part of my planning, and I would soon learn another lesson.