Darryl_Licht

OK, this is my first attempt at a worklog here, so be patient please. I have already put the PC together and performed many mods, so I will get the images and text up here ASAP!

Here is my initial parts list:
Gigabyte 3D Aurora 570 case
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
Asus P5B MB
Intel Core 2 duo E4500 CPU
4 GB Geil DDR2 800MHz ram
Seagate 500GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
Samsung DVD/CD SATA burner
old PCIE 16 video card

I ordered the last few parts from Newegg, and the case arrived 2 days prior to rest of the order. This gave me time to install power supply (Silencer 610) and dress the cables out.

I have built many, many PCs over the last 15 years; but this is the first case I have ever owned with a "window" on the side. So the cleanliness of all wiring will be very important.

Most people who have dressed and hidden their cable do so by using either zip ties and stick on zip tie anchors or tape. Both limit your ability to easily reconfigure the wiring and since my budget will only permit me to do this project over time; reconfiguring everything as I add mods is IMPORTANT!

After much thought I came up with the idea of using self adhesive velcro tape and regular non-adhesive velcro to secure the power cables I wont be using to the back of the MB mounting plate.

Here are a few photos:



It works perfect; if I need to change, add, or move anything it will be very easy to do so. And everything fits with ease behind the side panel!



I have already decided this will be the way I do every rig from now on... so easy to add or change anything!




More on the initial build as I get more free time!

Additional mods I have already completed to be posted:
Acoustipack noise insulation installation
Gigabyte fan replacement
CCFL Install & switch mod
Front fan and case mod (needed more airflow over warm HDD bay)

miggs78

That is a very neat idea, I have been using velcro for the past few times, lets say an year, but only to mount stuff, like adding a pump, reservoir. Attaching fans where I can't use screws.

I may have to copy your idea if you don't mind .. Subscribed to see the rest of the work. Good Luck

Darryl_Licht

OK, again I am posting this stuff after the fact, so I will try to be as detailed as possible for the noobs! srry geeks!

Once I had dressed all the cables as well as I could I awaited my shipment from newegg, who else?

Here are all the innards, ready for the build:



More pics of my components...
NOTE: I initially built system using an old Diablotek GeForce 6500... only PCIE16 card I had! I later added an 8800 GTS!







Some of my stuff for more cable dressing, even though my PS came already sleeved... most of it was at least. That's another future mod... to completely sleeve all PS cables. I just need to find a quality Molex pin removal tool! Any suggestions???



First thing with this case is to install drives... Samsung CD/DVD first.



Very easy drive install thanks to tooless case...



After you slide drives in flush with front of case, simply move locking slider forward and lock it into place into place by moving this button upwards.



Next up is the media card reader which ended up being a DOA!



I used shrink tubing over all the front panel wires... what better way to hide all that psycadelic spaghetti?



Ready for the installation of CPU, CPU cooler, and RAM...



Budget kept me limited to a E4500 2.2GHz... Future mod: Q6600 or? Make sure to not touch contacts on bottom of CPU, line it up correctly and then lock it into place.



Geil RAM next... again I started initial build with 2 x 1 GB 800MHz, I have since doubled to 4 x 1 GB! Thanks newegg!



Make sure to clean top of CPU with alcohol before you apply thermal paste.



Ready to install Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 with AC's MX2. Make sure to clean off bottom of Freezer Pro 7 first... I used alcohol and a razor blade! Even though the MX2 is not electrically conductive dont over do it!

NOTE - Future upcoming mod: LAP CPU AND BOTTOM OF AC Freezer Pro!



LOOKING GOOD!!!!!!! Wow all that time dressing cables appears to have paid off!




ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Successful boot!




I will post my first actual mods when I have some more time...

the_milk_man

Wow, those cables are so clean and not cluttered!!!

Great job so far.

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Darryl_Licht

Thanks!

SlyFox

Looks amazing!! Good job, now lets see some pictures with the window on there. Btw, where did you get the velcro adhesive straps? Or are those self-made?

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Darryl_Licht

The adhesive velcro was 1" tape off the shelf from Home Depot! The strips I used over the wires are actually old velcro cable ties I had laying around. Later I will change the top "strips" to 1" velcro non-adhesive "sew on" tape from a fabric store. That way the sizes will match!

Darryl_Licht

OK, I did this mod 2 weeks ago and was so stoked at the outcome! Some other members had asked me to help them with a tutorial on this so here goes...

I love the 3D Aurora, but like many here I was unhappy with the air intake at the front of the case. The filter is useless except as a blockage to airflow, and I wasnt to pleased with the airflow from the stock Gigabyte LED fans.

In addition the LEDs on the rear fans put a big ugly 3x3 foot blue X across the wall behind my PC in the office. So I went online and ordered some new case fans: 2 each Actic Cooling 120mm PWM fans and 1 each Noctua 120mm NFP12.

Step 1 - Remove both side panels



Step 2 - Remove all 5.25" and 3.5" drives from their external bays. Trust me you wont be able to easily remove the front of the case or replace it if you skip this! It may be easier to just push the 3.5" drive in, as I did, instead of removing it completely!



OK, OK yes the switch you see in the pic above is for the lighting mod I just started... I will post more on it as I get time!

Step 3 - Release the 6 clips holding the front of case onto the chassis and remove the front.
There are 3 clip on each side, 1 at top, 1 in middle, 1 at bottom! Here are some pics of the clips...



Step 4 - Release the front fan by pinching the clips inward on either side, trace wire and unplug, then remove fan assembly.



Step 5 - Remove dust filter from fan cage by following these steps:

5A - Flip fan and cage over and remove the fan from plastic fan cage by releasing clips that hold it in.



5B - Remove glued on dust filter by turning cage over and gently poking your finger through the filter, releasing glue.



Now completely remove filter and discard.



Never being satisfied with anything stock, I had to go further. So I quickly grabbed a pair of diagonal cutters (dykes) and cut out the aluminum grate behind the fan.

I didnt have enough time to remove all components so that I could cut, drill, and grind. Later mods will include removing the rivets and cage completely then cleaning up the cuts and finishing the aluminum cage out completely!

I KNOW IT IS NOT PRETTY... but it sure did improve my airflow... HDD temps dropped 25-35 degrees F!!!



That's all I have time for today... I will try and complete this modlog later tonight!

Gremlin

Nice work so far

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Darryl_Licht

Lets look at that last ugly hole picture and brainstorm...



There are 6 rivets apparently holding the aluminum fan cage to the rest of the system chassis, they will have to come out to clean this piece up. Hmmm I wonder if I can also address all the air leaks here in this area? Perhaps I can utilize screws instead of rivets here on reassembly?

When you put your old or new fan back in upon reassembly of the case, make sure you check the airflow direction arrows located somewhere on the outside of the fan.

This is the Noctua NF-P12 fan below and the arrows are difficult to see in this picture. Make sure the airflows from front to back of your case.



Replace the fan into the plastic fan cage, thread and connect the fan power, and you are ready to replace the front of the case. Here you can see the odd Vortex-Control Notches on the blades of the Noctua. It is a very quiet high flowing fan, but too ugly for most modded cases! No problem as a hidden front fan!



As for the rear exhaust fans I chose to use 2 120mm Arctic Cooling PWM fans. Yes I know its getting dusty in there!



More pictures and ideas...



This pic above gives me an idea or two... I may be able to recreate that blue tinted front in other colors or materials? I hate how bright the HDD activity light is and may want to add ESATA up here. The LED light is so bad that I have disconnected it! The blue plastic piece appears to snap out, but alas I would have to dissassemble the front of case completely and that will have to wait until later. Hey what about the mesh down at the bottom lets get a closer look at that...



That mesh looks easy enough to replace! I may have to try that later also! Not sure what effect it might have on the custom logo projector! I will need to teardown the entire front to change the mesh and add or change the USB/1394/Sound setup.



Above is a closeup of the power and reset switch area... I dont really like the appearance of these, may have to mod them later too! I wonder how much room is in that area of the chassis? Below is the back of the same area!





Now there is plenty of room to replace the switches if I decide to later! Or maybe just change the LED color?



I will be posting my lighting mod next and just to get you all ready heres some of what will be going on...

Hmmm nice VERY bright blue LEDs!



That custom projector up front isnt very bright... perhaps it could use some assistance? Below is a close up of the LED "projector" bulb...



I tried a quick test...



Hmmmm interesting effect if you dont get both bulbs aligned the same... looks cool!

That's it for now! CHEERS!!!