hacking up a mobo IO port thing..

Ok got a slight problem with my new mobo for my server o.O

Without realising it I ordered one with onboard sound, and consequently it has a little 'tower' containing the speaker/headfone jacks.

This is about 5mm too tall to fit in my case ( a 1u rackmount case)

If i removed the 'tower', or cut it in half somehow would this break the mobo? (obviously taping it up afterwards)

its only a £20 board but i'd rather not have to go buy another one if i dont have to o.O

any ideas?

I'd desolder the little blighter. :)

cheaper to buy a new mobo than a soldering iron and learnin how to use one ;p

but thats a good idea - unless chopping it off is safe o.o