For a while I couldn't use the side panel. Not til I got a case fan for the side XD I've got a regular size case running an R9 290 and things got HOT in there.
I have a case fan, but I can't plug it in, nor can I plug my case fans (other than the rear fan) into my MoBo, so I ca't really put to much load on my rig. :/
Yeah...I'd just take a side panel off and face that toward a wall if possible. At one time, I had the side panel off and I just had a box fan on low running air into the side of the whole thing. You wanna talk about a loud, but effective cooling solution... XD