Project: RelatiV Mod - Page 2 - Overclock.net

d3daiM · 12-16-06

So, the one of the few downsides to this case is that there is no reset switch.

Well, it's no problem for me.

In fact, I decided to revamp my switches. I will be using a blue ringed bulgin switch for my power switch and the included Lian LI brushed switch for the reset switch.

Let's get started!

Soooo, in order to do this mod, it required me to drill out all the rivets and take out all the insides of the case. I knew this was going to be demanded of me eventually...

Here are all the pieces.

Here's the already installed setup...

Ripped it apart

Drilled.

Done!

d3daiM · 12-16-06

How about a break from the case modding, eh?

Let's work on the insides!

First, we will work on the video card.

An unmodified, bare naked XFX 7800GT!

Thermaltake ramsinks applied! lol..I have a million of these things. I put them all over my motherboard too.

Flipped over. Ready to voltmod.

Voltmodded!

test point..

cool labs imported liquid metal thermal compound..better than AS5..get it at performace-pcs.com..

The coollabs stuff comes in this mean syringe

lapped..

Done!

d3daiM · 12-16-06

Now for the sound card!

lol

Creative X-Fi!

Done!

d3daiM · 12-16-06

Now we work on the chipset, yes?

Chipforce chipset cooler!

Lapped.

Sleeved and a few other things..

That CoolLaboratories stuff is like mercury!

It comes out in a little ball and it takes around 15 minutes to finally spread evenly..

Spread..

Done!

d3daiM · 12-17-06

So for the last bit we will be prepping the CPU..lets have a look

AMD 3700 Sand Diego..KACAE

Swiftec Apogee lapped.

Done!

d3daiM · 12-17-06

On, enough playing around

Back to business.

Today, we will be modding and installing a aquatube reservoir.

This is the center divider of the case. It seperates the case into two chambers.

Marked and ready for the hole saw..

Hole cut, using face plate for screw stencil...

And being the idiot that I am, I forgot to snap a pic of me punching and drilling the holes.

... bujt you can trust me, right?

OK, so other work on the center divider I did was I made a custom bulkhead passthrough for the water cooling tubing:

here's the outline..

I will be placing the passthrough in this pre-cut hole in the divider. I drilled the screw placement

The sheet is ready for the holesaw

verrrry nice

and it is painted, huzzah!

I will get back to both mods later, after I paint the center divider.

d3daiM · 02-06-07

So, I finally finished painting my case, here's the pics:

Turned out good. It all has more gloss in real life.

For those who want to know how I got a mirror finish, here are my steps:

sand -> acetone if necessary -> prime coat 1 -> prime coat 2 -> paint coat one -> paint coat 2 -> paint coat 3 -> wetsand 800 grit -> 1000 grit -> 1500 grit -> 2000 grit -> buff with buffer wheel -> glaze -> carnuba wax

I used Rustoleum Professional Primer and Black Gloss paint, 3M Perfect It III Rubbing Compund, 3M Hand Glaze, and Mother's Carnuba Wax (any carnuba wax will work).

I also installed my handles

Some other junk parts (in essence of time..I could not give all a mirror finish..)

..and my finished my front plexi logo

I will be adding a blue and red LED that are connected to the aqua-computer Aquaero on the logo later on..I won't get into too much detail now. Stick around!

I also put my PSU LCD in. I guess I took a bad picture because it has a bit of dust on it and it doesn't reveal it's nice mirror finish.

Oh well, you will see it in the final pictures, rest assured.

If I have enough time, I will be Dremeling out my alias (d3d) in front of it on the side panel.

d3daiM · 02-06-07

So I got the center divider done painted, check it out:

This is what I end up with after a bit of Bondo to fill up holes I did not need, painted, and mirrored.

Now we are clear to install the Aquatube and the bulkhead fittings.

First, we will mess around with the Aquatube..

Installed the Aquatube mounting plate.

Now, if you are wondering "what the hell is an Aquatube?", here's some eye-candy for you. Because you know I'm all about imported bling, I decided to include various imported items from the German company Aqua-Computer. It is basically an aluminum reservoir with a plexi top.

I didn't have a suitable, unmodified picture taken, so I had to borrow this from Sharka Computer. Don't get mad at me!! It's good for your business

So, if you know a bit more knowledge about water cooling than the rest, you know that standard tubing size in Europe for water cooling builds is 3/8". Don't ask me why, but I guess in America here we do everything BIG

Since I didn't want to use a 3/8" to 1/2" fitting adapter because it would restrict water flow, I decided to take the modder's route and drill and tap my own.

I did this on two of the six fitting ports for the inlet and outlet.

Next: the bulkhead passthrough--

Installed.

This is are these mystical aluminum bulkhead fittings you've kept hearing about (well ok, they're wire grips, but they save the same purpose and look cooler

)

Very sexy. Don't you wish all my pictures had this quality?! hah.

d3daiM · 02-06-07

I was also fortunate to pick up an Aqua-Computer Aquabay CrystalFontz LCD!!

First thing I noticed was this huge piece of metal on the back of the device, used for holding a pump. Of ourse I wouldn't be needing it, so I went ahead and cut it off. I also gave it a paint job.

Done.

With the LCD I can display temperatures, system info, winamp, even my folding status!!

Can't wait to see it in action!

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Project: RelatiV Mod