[Project] Fusion Antec 900 mod (56k no likey) - Overclock.net

Run N. Gun · 10-30-07

So, I'm building a new gaming system for a friend from California. This system will be very similar to my new system (see sig), but I'm going to mod/customize his rig a little more.

I'm planning to paint the interior white, with chrome and black accents, (4) blue LED fans and (2) 4" UV lights.

Here's a list of the components (some have arrived, some are on their way):

Case: Antec 900 (custom mods: cable mgmt, custom paint, UV + ???)
Mobo: Asus P5K Deluxe
CPU: Intel E6850 3.0GHz (will be overclocked to more) :mrgreen:
HSF: Thermalright Ultima-90 with Scythe 120mm fan (in pull config)
Memory: 2GB Crucial Special Edition PC2-8500
PSU: PC Power & Cooling 750 Quad
Sound: Creative X-FI XtremeGamer
Video: eVGA 8800GTX 768MB Superclocked
HDD1: Raptor X 150GB 10K RPM SATA II
HDD2: WD Caviar 500GB SATA II
DVD Burner: Samsung 20X 203S
OS: XP SP2
===================================

PICS

Parts is parts

His virgin case on the left, my case on the right (with the PSU removed)

Measure twice, cut once

Making room to run/hide cables (you'll never see this side)

More cable management cuts

I'm gonna rip it a new one...

Time to open the paint shop:

I started primering and painting tonight.
(BTW - this primer/paint is expensive $7+ per can - ouch)

Etching Primer at work...

After sanding, I applied chrome paint on the accent areas (the PCI slot covers should look good against gloss white and the mesh on top of gloss black)

More to come ...!

Run N. Gun · 10-30-07

Update #2:

I've spent some quality time in the paint shop, this past week. The shiny parts are actually from chrome paint. Believe me, this stuff was a booger to get just right.

2 coats primer + 4 coats of gloss paint (w/ lots of sanding):

Now, I didn't like the contrast with the chrome PCI slot covers and the white interior, so I sanded and repainted in gloss black. It looks MUCH better!

Hey, It is all about the details....

2 coats primer + 4 coats of gloss paint + 4 layers of Gloss Acrylic Clear Coat (w/ wet-sanding between coats):

(bad lighting makes the screws look flat, but they are really glossy)

Today, I'll remove the tape from the top and polish the case to a nice shine! I still need to apply clear coat to the drive bays, so it'll be a couple of days before they are ready to go. I'm still waiting on the rest of the components to show up. They should be here by end of week.

=============================
Update for 11-9

I had to leave town for a few days and now I'm back. Well, time for some undo and redo....

Remember the shiny chrome paint I applied to the case top? I'm having to repaint it, this time in gloss black. It really is unfortunate as I like the look, but the paint doesn't hold up at all. It rubs off on everything. The top of the case was all taped to protect the chrome look while I painted the rest of the chassis white. When I took off the tape Monday night it took all of the chrome paint with it.

Crap. I repainted the PCI slot covers already but wasn't expecting to have to repaint the case top. Where is the Insta-paint when we need it?

Here is what is being repainted:

Yes, modding is FUN, but repainting gets old and is frustrating because now I have to mask off ALL of the rest of the case, just to paint the top. I'm going to repaint it tonight and will start applying clear coat to the drive bays.

So, the only part that will stay chrome is the 200mm fan grill. It just isn't an area that will get a lot "handling", so it should be fine.

Also, the PSU, 500GB HD, DVD Burner, UV lights, UV Paint and 8800GTX Superclocked card arrived yesterday.

I'll take more pics tonight.

Update 11-12-07
Some assembly required....

I have begun the assembly, here is how everything is going together.

Here is the fan grill that I painted chrome. I really like the contrast and it won't show dust like a black grill would.

Lining the holes with rubber grommet-ish material to prevent wires from being cut as they get pulled through the case.

And this is why I like modular Power Supplies. UGH - I gotta hide all that mess!

Run N. Gun · 10-30-07

Update 11-19-07

I have spent most of yesterday working on this new system and here is what is finished:

Some UV painting using ClearNeon paint on some of the components and case
Installed CPU + Heatsink & 120mm Fan onto mobo
Installed Motherboard into case
Installed 2GB Crucial Special Edition Memory
Installed 8800GTX Superclocked
Installed X-FI Fatality ExtremeGamer card
Connected PSU cables to components
Installed UV memory/PCI socket protectors (not impressed so far)
Modded A.C.Ryan 2x 4" CCFL UV kit

Still need to do:

Paint side panels
Paint 120mm fan grill black for rear of case
Install 120mm fan into side panel
Splice and solder 6" extension to power/reset/hdd led cables.
Install top of case (has 200mm fan + power switch, etc)
Cover some of the PSU wiring with sleeving or wire loom for UV mod.
Install ACRyan 2x 4" CCFL UV kit
Secure PSU cables to rear of case

On to the photos:

I like the contrast between the black and white.

The top is not secure, just checking out what it will look like when finished. Drive bays are installed.

Front of the case is simple with only a DVD 20X burner installed on top of the drive bays with 2x 120mm Blue LED fans. I intentionally want to keep the top of the case open and easliy accessible for future additions. Remember, this isn't my system, as I'm building it for a friend.

Last shot before the mobo gets installed

Here is the stuff I'm going to use for the UV mod. Blue, Purple and White UV Paint that goes on clear. I've never used it before, so we'll see how it goes.

Ahh, I see the wife took a candid of me painting the tops of the capacitors on the mobo. I used the flashlight to figure out which one I had not yet painted.

The Ultima-90 Heatsink mounting kit interferes with the mobo heatsinks, you can see the the holes don't line up. So I took a dremel to the edge of the mounting brackets for a perfect fit. I had to do the same mod on my personal system as well, so this went pretty quick.

I spent about 5 hours yesterday working on the system and here are pics of the mess I made. I like to spread out....

mmmm...bare socket on the ASUS P5K Deluxe waiting for a chip.

The E6850 Dual Core 3.0GHz...naked.

No bareback lovin' here, folks. I applied Thermal compound Artic Silver 5 to the E6850 to mate to the Ultima-90

Ultima-90 installed

Ultima-90 and Scythe 120mm fan in "Pull" configuration.

Mobo is installed and here is a pic from the uber-dusty top of the case (without the 200mm fan installed)

Memory....

Motherboard is installed.

Egads, I have to hide all these cables?!

Stay tuned for more pictures over the course of the week.

phospholipid · 10-30-07

that's a pretty sweet rig you got going there ;[ i wish i had the money for a new mobo/ram. sigh, subscribed though!

wire · 10-31-07

Nice work so far. Keep updating us and good luck for the rest of the painting.

Run N. Gun · 10-31-07

I learned a lesson yesterday - DO NOT spray clear coat on the chrome paint. It turned it to ordinary silver. ACK!

So, I sanded it down and repainted it with chrome. It is back to shiny! Lesson learned.

Sum0n3 · 11-01-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Run N. Gun

I learned a lesson yesterday - DO NOT spray clear coat on the chrome paint. It turned it to ordinary silver. ACK!

So, I sanded it down and repainted it with chrome. It is back to shiny! Lesson learned.

I was going to post about it the other day, but it slipped my mind. Now without clear coat, "chrome" paint will be fragile and easy to scratch. Chrome paints are not the best to use, unless you're using something like the kit below. It's a bit pricey(or more like obscenely expensive for 3 cans), but it's the only way you're spraying on chrome(that will look like actual chrome)

http://www.alsacorp.com/killercans.htm

Alsa Corp paints FTW!

Run N. Gun · 11-01-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sum0n3

I was going to post about it the other day, but it slipped my mind. Now without clear coat, "chrome" paint will be fragile and easy to scratch. Chrome paints are not the best to use, unless you're using something like the kit below. It's a bit pricey(or more like obscenely expensive for 3 cans), but it's the only way you're spraying on chrome(that will look like actual chrome)

http://www.alsacorp.com/killercans.htm

Alsa Corp paints FTW!

+ Rep! You are exactly correct Sum0n3, the chome paint does come off on my hands when I rub it, even days after painting. Thankfully I painted parts that shouldn't be touched very often, if at all. That Alsa paint does look really cool, BUT... $115 for 3 cans is a little over the top!!

I do appreciate the heads up on the product, though. If this system was for me and I really, really wanted the chrome look, I *might* consider it. (then ebay the remaining cans....)

Run N. Gun · 11-05-07

Added 2nd update to work log.

Rick Arter · 11-05-07

Nice paint work the light colors can be hard sometimes. Nice cable management idea cant wait to see more.

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[Project] Fusion Antec 900 mod (56k no likey)

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