Case fans + wires problem

[LeKabu]

I want to install one or two more intake fans at the bottom of my case however the wiring is in the way. Are there any solutions anyone could help me with?

https://imgur.com/00pKS0W

Motherboard : Z270-p (7700k) Case: inWin 303

There is ventilation space at the top side of the case of which I'm currently using one intake there as well although it's made for exhaust or a radiator of which I will be replacing for AIO soon.

 

[Aeacus]

Interesting airflow setup in that InWin 303 case with front panel completely sealed off and top mounted PSU placement.

At this point, i see 2 solutions to your problem:
1. Replace your ATX MoBo with micro-ATX or mini-ITX MoBo so that you have enough clearance at the bottom where to put those extra 2x 120mm bottom intake fans.
2. Put spacers (2cm high or so) between the fan and case bottom so that the cables can fit between the fan and case's bottom.

While you can bend the HD Audio, USB 2.0 and SATA cables upwards to fit both fans at current setup, you can't bend the fat and rigid USB 3.0 cable enough to get enough clearance to mount standard fans. Though, if you plan to go with the cable bending route then don't use standard fans since they are 25mm thick, instead use slim fans which are 15mm thick and it gives you much needed clearance, e.g you don't have to bend your cables as much and you may be able to fit them in.

For example:
Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM, specs: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a12x15-pwm/specification
Cooler Master XtraFlo 120 Slim, specs: http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/case-fan/xtraflo-120-slim/
Gelid Slim 12 PL Blue, specs: http://gelidsolutions.com/thermal-solutions/case-fan-slim-12-pl-blue/
Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED;
white, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002616/Luna_12_Slim_LED_White/design.htm
red, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002615/Luna_12_Slim_LED_Red/design.htm
blue, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002614/Luna_12_Slim_LED_Blue/design.htm

 

[LeKabu]

Interesting airflow setup in that InWin 303 case with front panel completely sealed off and top mounted PSU placement.

At this point, i see 2 solutions to your problem:
1. Replace your ATX MoBo with micro-ATX or mini-ITX MoBo so that you have enough clearance at the bottom where to put those extra 2x 120mm bottom intake fans.
2. Put spacers (2cm high or so) between the fan and case bottom so that the cables can fit between the fan and case's bottom.

While you can bend the HD Audio, USB 2.0 and SATA cables upwards to fit both fans at current setup, you can't bend the fat and rigid USB 3.0 cable enough to get enough clearance to mount standard fans. Though, if you plan to go with the cable bending route then don't use standard fans since they are 25mm thick, instead use slim fans which are 15mm thick and it gives you much needed clearance, e.g you don't have to bend your cables as much and you may be able to fit them in.

For example:
Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM, specs: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a12x15-pwm/specification
Cooler Master XtraFlo 120 Slim, specs: http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/case-fan/xtraflo-120-slim/
Gelid Slim 12 PL Blue, specs: http://gelidsolutions.com/thermal-solutions/case-fan-slim-12-pl-blue/
Thermaltake Luna 12 Slim LED;
white, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002616/Luna_12_Slim_LED_White/design.htm
red, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002615/Luna_12_Slim_LED_Red/design.htm
blue, specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/Case_Fan/Case_Fan_/Luna/C_00002614/Luna_12_Slim_LED_Blue/design.htm

Thanks. I don't feel comfortable replacing the motherboard as of yet since I'm fairly new to pc building and the pc itself is new as well. I'll probably try the bend route and perhaps get slimmer fans. Someone over at reddit did mention getting right angled adapters for whatever is plugged in though so I'll also look into that

 

[Aeacus]

Yes, there are 90° angled cables / adapters out there, for example:
SATA: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812422653
internal USB 3.0: https://www.moddiy.com/products/90-Degree-Angled-USB-3.0-19%252dPin-20%252dPin-Internal-Header-Mini-Connector.html

 

[LeKabu]

Yes, there are 90° angled cables / adapters out there, for example:
SATA: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812422653
internal USB 3.0: https://www.moddiy.com/products/90-Degree-Angled-USB-3.0-19%252dPin-20%252dPin-Internal-Header-Mini-Connector.html

I've tried the bending solution and yes, the usb 3.0 cable is to fat for my current 120mm fan to fit. The slot that the USB3.0 cable to fitting into is the USB3_34 header however the motherboard has a USB3_12 header as well, though i've tried to fit the cable into that one but either im not fitting it in properly or its not suppose to (can I put it in this header?)

 

[Aeacus]

Yes, you can plug your USB 3.0 cable to USB3_12 header as well since both headers are identical. Further reading from PC's holy bible, aka MoBo manual, page 1-16,
link: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/PRIME_Z270-P/E12916_PRIME_Z270-P_UM_v2_web_only_20170712.pdf?_ga=2.6812346.92925198.1525697281-1286361178.1486409137

As far as non-power cables go, plugging in the USB 3.0 cable to MoBo header is the worst/hardest thing to plug in. My USB 3.0 cable also didn't want to go into my Z170 MoBo and i managed to bend one of the pins in the header. I bent it back and took extreme care when plugging it in. Finally managed to get it in properly with all pins connecting.

 

[LeKabu]

Yes, you can plug your USB 3.0 cable to USB3_12 header as well since both headers are identical. Further reading from PC's holy bible, aka MoBo manual, page 1-16,
link: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/PRIME_Z270-P/E12916_PRIME_Z270-P_UM_v2_web_only_20170712.pdf?_ga=2.6812346.92925198.1525697281-1286361178.1486409137

As far as non-power cables go, plugging in the USB 3.0 cable to MoBo header is the worst/hardest thing to plug in. My USB 3.0 cable also didn't want to go into my Z170 MoBo and i managed to bend one of the pins in the header. I bent it back and took extreme care when plugging it in. Finally managed to get it in properly with all pins connecting.

I got it to work! And actually installed the additional fan along the way and working perfectly now. But the paranoid me also noticed that my power button light indicator is flickering when the computer is turned out. Now im not too sure if its something that I fiddled with or if its suppose to be like that since I never really paid attention to it but it's bothering me to think to know that something may be wrong. Any ideas? is this something related to what I had just done? or is this another problem?

(I did fiddle/unplug then plug the wire that has that blue, orange, pinkish,purple and white wiring next to the usb3_34 header (im guessing these are the front panel lights)

EDIT: nevermind, turned out that I had put it in the wrong sockets