Planning Antec 300 with slim dvd

Hi everyone,

I'm just planning my mod for my antec 300 case. I plan on putting 3x120mm fans in the front panel which doesnt leave any room for a full size dvd drive, so i'll be using a slim dvd drive from a laptop.

I was just wondering what you thought would be best:

Keep the current I/O panel and switches and mount the slim dvd drive in the top half of the top drive bay


or

break out the dremel and mount the drive where the I/O panel is and relocate the I/O panel

although this is more work, it would hide the drive in the top part of the case

Which do you think would look better?
Or do you have any other suggestions?

(I know some people have put it at the bottom of the case, but my case sits on the floor, so thats not really an option)

-Goose

 

break out the mate, it will look a lot better and you will have the satisfaction of doing a decent bit of modding.

 

thanks
yeah, the more i look at it, the more i really think the second one would look better
and yes, doing it myself would be pretty satisfying if i didn't screw it up

 

Second, but then where are you going to put the ports?

 

You're going to need to relocate the front panel, why? Because according to my measurements(I have a 120mm and a 300 as an empty test case) if you use a 120mm fan, it will in fact take out the top 3 Optical drive slots. I'm guessing you could just move the ports to the top of the case.

Of course you're going to need to modify the Front Fascia.

 

thanks for your comments

If I put the slim dvd where the I/O panel currently is, I'll need to move the switches and usb ports.

I was thinking about putting it on the the right hand side of the case, like this
(but on the right hand side of the case)


or I could put them on top of the case like Elton suggests.

If that doesn't work, I'm sure I'll be able to find somewhere for them...

 

Either top or side would be fine, if the PCS on the floor top maybe better.

 

I like either side or top. But have you thought about the front bottom of the case where the Antec sign is for either the DVD or IO panel

 

Thanks for your comments!

@ MorpheusUK
Yeah, I have considered there, but the PC will probably live on the floor, so that won't really work. it would suck having to reach down that low just to change cds or turn it on

@ MarkW7
The only reason tht I prefer the side is that it would give the case a nicer overall look with the ports out of view (no one ever sees that side of the case anyway). They are still high enough to be practical.
although, the usb ports would be harder to use if I can't see them properly... hmmm... I'll have to think about it some more. i have to wait until after my exams before i can go ahead with any of these plans anyway

 

I hope the drive is slot loading, that could look awesome! +1 if the button is custom, arylic, and backlit.

 

Thanks Docodine!
Unfortunately, its not slot loading

I'll have to see what i can do about a "custom, arylic, and backlit" button. I like the sound of it, but how hard is it?

 

Not that hard.

Get a vandal or bulgin switch and wire it up. Then put it on the side

 

Lol thanks Blackwhizz
i think thats probably what i will do...
but didn't Docodine mean "homemade" when he said custom?

 

If i were you, I would put it on the bottom



http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17756187

 

Not a bad idea actually. Putting it on the bottom would be quite convenient especially if it's the case is on the table.

Cut a window while you're at it.

 

Thanks for your comments, but as I've already mentioned (several times now), the PC will probably live on the floor, so putting the drive down the bottom isn't practical.

although, i would consider putting a second drive down the bottom. then it would be convenient no matter where i put the case.

Thats a nice pic though and thanks for the link. I hope mine turns out that neat

@Elton - I have plenty more things planned for this case (including a window) but i have to wait until after my exams

 

no worries - but thanks for what? and whats with the broken img link you keep posting?

 

probably some stupid spammer..

 

Thanks Picarro
Your antec 300 mod has been very inspiring!