Here's another update. I have completed modding all the 120mmx25mm fans for the CPU. I don't need to mod the fans for the GPU. I used my dremel for the mods.
My audio gear for recording came in as well, so I'll start testing this weekend. First, some pictures.
Here's the first fan I did, the Corsair, you will note I took off all the 4 corners, that was because I needed to reduce the height in order to fit, there are some metal pieces on the CPU cooler that add 1-2 mm.
Here's the metal I am referring to.
Then I had a better idea and I removed the metal pieces, they are just held on with a single screw. Here is the cooler with them removed, nice and even.
So now that I don't need to deal with this, I can limit the mods to just the 2 corners on the bottom next to the back of the case. This is where the motherboard IO components interfere with a flush mount. Here's the Kingwin fan.
Here's the EVGA, it has a unique top structure so including pics of top and bottom for it. Will be interesting to see if this allows better air flow.
Here's the F-12 Noctua.
Here's the industrial Noctua.
Here's the 63CFM Gentle Typhoon.
And here is the 58CFM Gentle Typhoon (really the Darkside version with the black blades).