Aftermarket front dust filter in Meshify C

[jeffrey_dibartolomeo]

tl;dr questions:

1) what DIY/cut to fit/custom dust filter has the best trade off of high air flow and filtering ability?
2) is the metal mesh on the front of the case small enough to act as a proper dust filter for intakes? I'm talking about just removing the foam behind the mesh. I'm asking because the front panel mesh looks the same as the top panel magnetic mesh that is the top dust filter.

Scenario:
I'm using the meshify C case with 2 140mm Corsair LL series fans up front and the two 120mm Fractal Design fans that came with the case at the back and top as exhaust. If I take off the side panel, I can only feel air coming out of the sides of the front fans. So I popped out the front filter, and the airflow was amazing, like insanely good and directed where I wanted it to go. So it seems the foam dust filter is starving the fans for air. Now, before we get into the LL fans not being high static pressure debate, my question is, is there are good mesh material to replace the foam filter? And yes, my fans are pointed in the right direction.

Fractal uses a metal filter on top and a fabric mesh on the bottom, but a foam up front. The foam doesn't let any air flow through. I thought about just removing the foam, but I'm not sure if just having the metal mesh on the front panel will act as a sufficient dust filter.

Thanks!

 

[Aeacus]

Q&A

1) I've found out that Demciflex filters are the best. Both by filtering air and also allowing sufficient amount of air to pass through. And they are easy to clean as well,
demciflex: https://www.demcifilter.com/why-demciflex

I have Demciflex filters in use with my Skylake and Haswell builds, full specs with pics in my sig. Since Demciflex filters are very fine grade mesh filters, only the very smallest grains of dust make it through. One step up from it would be (very expensive) medical grade filter where 0 dust get's though. Since all my filters are magnetic and sit outside of my case, cleaning them is very easy. Though, to keep my filters clean, i need to clean them once in a 2 weeks or so.

Demciflex filters video introduction as well (not the best made video but it gets the point across),
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcJYl8UdPjw

2) The metal grille alone wouldn't be sufficient enough for filtering the air since the holes in it are far to big to catch any dust. Your PC would be filled by dust well before dust clogs up the metal grille.

For your use and if you decide to go with Demciflex filter(s), measure the space behind your front grille and get appropriate size front bay filter for your case. Oh, you might need to buy the non-ferrous filter since with it, you'll get the magnetic peel and stick frame with your filter which enables you to fit your filter to that frame,
non-ferrous filter installation: https://www.demcifilter.com/peel-and-stick-frame

 

[jeffrey_dibartolomeo]

Aeacus, thanks for the info. I was hoping someone that uses Demciflex would reply. I would actually like to buy it without the magnet. My foam filter is held in place by metal tabs that are bent in place, just like on some picture frames to hold the pictures in place. I'll figure it out, though. Thanks again!

I haven't been able to find anyone that's replaced the front filter in this case. With how restrictive the foam is, I figured there would be more people posting about it. I mean, the Meshify C is supposed to be all about air flow.

 

[Aeacus]

You're welcome.

Not many cases use the foam filter since: 1. it is thicker than mesh filter; 2. restricts airflow considerably. Also, it's very hard to clean the foam filter due to it's design. Though, there are far worse cases out there when it comes to the airflow. Basically any case that has solid front and/or top panel with small vents for airflow is worse than case with open grille. For example, Cooler Master H500P is prime example where the looks outweigh PC's cooling capability considerably.

 

[jeffrey_dibartolomeo]

I was looking last night, and the only thing I don't like about the demciflex is that all of their filters have a plastic frame. Really, I would just like the filter media with no frame or magnets so I could remove the foam I currently have and clip the new filter media in the front panel. I would still have the contoured front mesh of the case in front of the filter.

This may seem far fetched, but what about pollen screen material (for patios & windows)? I know some have very big holes to prevent mosquitoes, but the kind meant to filter pollen has small holes and says it also filters dust. How small of a hole is needed to catch most dust but still allow air flow? Demciflex say their filters are 100 micron, so would any 100 micron air filter media/mesh work? I'm kind of thinking so.

 

[Aeacus]

Demciflex filters doesn't have plastic frame. What they have is rubber frame with magnets imbedded in it. Though, it may look like plastic on the images due to the glossy finish.

In theory, any pollen mesh that doesn't let bigger than 100 micron particles pass would do but question here is the durability of that pollen mesh and if it can be cleaned with water. Though, it's up to you to decide if you go with Demciflex filter or pollen mesh and jerry-rig it into place.

 

[jeffrey_dibartolomeo]

Aeacus, thanks for the help! Yes, the picture on the Demciflex website make the filters look as though they have plastic frames.

 

[andromedathoth]

I have the same issue. I installed two 140 mm Noctua fans up front. Still lacks in airflow. I since been looking to change the foam filter. Did you get the Demciflex filter? If so what size did you get?

 

[phdibart]

I have the same issue. I installed two 140 mm Noctua fans up front. Still lacks in airflow. I since been looking to change the foam filter. Did you get the Demciflex filter? If so what size did you get?

andromeda, I ended up building my own. I got some foam board from Joann Fabrics, cut it to size how I wanted, wrapped it in stockings/panty hose, and stapled the stockings to the frame. It's a two piece setup, and also I got a 25 foot magnetic roll that cuts very easily from the same store. It works well, but the foam board isn't rigid enough and is bending a little on the sides, so I got a very thin wood board from Joann; the wood is about 2mm-3mm thick. I'm still working to cut it to size with an exacto knife, but I'm going to do the same thing I did with the foam board and wrap it in stockings. It's just a very tedious process cutting it with a craft knife. I'll post a picture when I'm done. The foam board was about $7, the magnetic strip was about $6, and the wood was about $6. I got cheap stockings at the drug store for $0.89, so when I'm done, figure $10-$15 plus time.