I have the Antec 900. Cleaning the front fans on this case has been so tedius and annoying. Watch this video for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77YTcBDPrG0 I've decided to cover the front vents. This will remove the front fans from bringing air and dust from the room into the case. The case fans should still keep my components cool as they are pointed inwards. Why do ATX case manufacturers think having a open vent design for the front is a good idea? All this has done is brought more dust into my machine. Or is there something I am missing here?
Ever heard of dust filters? The video shows a major detail cleaning that should only have to be done maybe once a year. Maybe even longer depending on how dusty your room gets. Never do anything to impede air flow. Really,dust filters are what you need to keep dust out.
I have an Antec 900 case running my HTPC/Server, I have removed the front fans, but just to make the PC quieter. When I used the case as my main PC cleaning the fans is easy without open the doing what that video requires. You buy yourself one of these. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16896367002 Then use a small screwdriver to hold the fan from rotating, a paper clip unbent will also work, through the front grill. then blow both sides clean. The Datavac,it is actually a blower, has no problem cleaning out the Antec 900 and no other case either.
Isn't that a 902 in that pic? Not sure how well these work maybe just the front and side filter would be enough to minimize the amount of dust getting in. http://www.demcifilter.com/c13/ANTEC-900.aspx My p280 has a front filter, I run the front fans higher speed than the exhaust fans so most of the air has to go through the filter, doesn't get rid of all the dust though.
Oh you will be surprised on how much dust there still is even after blowing it throught the vents. You really have to take the vents off and blow/wipe to get rid of all the dust. Well I checked my temps after covering the front vents. No change in temps. It also reduces the amount of noise the fans make. So I can turn the case fans higher speed if needed and I shouldn't have any issues with temperatures. I really see no point in having open vents. The extra bit of airflow that the fans suck in really isn't worth all the excessive dust it brings in my opinion.
