tOb3o

Hi guys, This is the first real major case adaptation/mod I've embarked on so I might be heavily reliant on your knowledge. The plan is simple, in theory, and very clean and simplistic looking (boring to you guys). I've always had a fascination with the case mods that look as if you could walk straight out of an apple shop with or it looks so good it could have been manufactured that way. I want this adaptation/mod to fit in with the exsisting case, I don't want anything to look out of place or too extravagant. I'll be sticking with a black, grey and green colour theme with green only being introduced through lighting and subtle motherboard/graphics card highlights and details. This mod will either end up looking absolutely shocking and a complete failure or an absolute sex bommmbbb.

You might have seen the pics I rendered a while ago on the general discussion thread I started a while ago. Here they are again:



And heres the general cooling idea:


Unfortunately just after creating these images I've now lost the psd's due to a hard drive crap out on me, so thats life, but I will be addressing all major issues as and when I hit or think of them. I am planning to make a card board mock of all metal parts to test cable routing. I will have to take apart my current rig and use this as a rough guide.

Mod list:
- manufacture the metal caging units
- powder coat
- add mesh
- add fan attachment
- sort and arrange attachment to case
- mod the top mesh to accept a radgrill (hex pattern, I am aware this doesn't line up the fan holes with the thermalchill rad so I might manufacture my own grill or just live with the poor placement and tap my own holes into the rad/grill.
- minor cable management cutting and arrangment.
- cable sleeving and length adjustment, black sleeving.
- pump placement and own cage, I may manufacture another cage to direct cooling over pci and pump placement, thus hiding the pump and increasing airflow to the graphics card/s.

The specs of the new system will be, but by all means open to suggestion:

Hardware:
- intel e8600
- Asus Striker II NSE
- 4gb of ddr3 RAM (eventually)
- 260 gtx 216 core (one for the minute, funding permitting sli later)
- 6x 500gb + 1x 160gb hard drives
- asus xonar d2
- silverstone striker 1000w psu

Cooling:
- 10x nexus fans
- thermochill pa120.2
- laing d5 pump
- fuzion v2 block
- 7/16th's masterkleer tubing

Please feel free to comment and suggest!
A name would be a good suggestion...

Project started

Syrillian

The idea of "seamlessly integrated" is appealing... seems that is what you are after here.

I look forward to watching the process.

__________________
WIP: Scarab
Custom Cases:
Silentium, Halcyon, Indigo, Gemini, Prometheus, Anvil
Case Mods:
Liquid Chameleon, VF1000 LAN box

Semper Fidelis

prracer6

Kinda like Mac style

__________________

I fold for my Grandfather and family friend Jimmy (stomach cancer) RIP 11-7-08
Folding since 10-29-08 FOLD for OCN 37726

tOb3o

yea kinda like a mac style, heck I even thought that today, might try and add some hanging hard drive cages along that top bar

I also had another neat idea today to help keep the cages "in", I measured up last night, I've got the case but it looks like old or returned stock so that's going back for a replacement, but I am planning on using some motherboard standoffs - I measured up and they fit perfectly! Anyway, this will soon get the project header as I've order alot of the gear already just waiting for the last watercooling parts and confirmation from my friend that he's up for helping me with the metal work (he works with aluminium helping build and repair military and lifeguard hovercrafts so I believe he knows what he's doing )

Thanks for the comment Syrillian, I've seen some of your various case mods and input on others threads...and I think I'll definitely need yours on this one!

Oh and does anyone know what one of those "mice" sanders are like on removing scratches on fresh metal and removing powder coating?

Syrillian

Hi again.

Is a "mice sander" the same as a palm-sander, or is it a power tool? Successful removal of scratches weighs heavily on the depth of the scratch itself.

Gasket remover (auto parts) is a viable method to remove paint, but you may want to test on an inconspicuous area first.

__________________
WIP: Scarab
Custom Cases:
Silentium, Halcyon, Indigo, Gemini, Prometheus, Anvil
Case Mods:
Liquid Chameleon, VF1000 LAN box

Semper Fidelis

tOb3o

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-KA161-MOUSE-SANDER/dp/B000Y1FCB2Thats a "mouse sander"...I was only wondering in case I do decide to send this case off for powder coating or I might give a dab hand at trying painting for myself

tOb3o

The replacement case I requested was just as bad as the first...dents prangs etc, the whole friggin front panel fell off this time Screw akasa, I think ill search around save a lil more and grab another antec or equivilant standards of case manufacturer....mod over people, nothing to see, move along...

ocZcc

lookingforward to the updates

Josh

__________________
[project] modularis evolution

[project] midnight sparkle

tOb3o

There are no updates. Ive gotta find a new case now cos the 2nd one came and it was just as shocking as the first...the cheapo plastic they've used had already snapped when i opened the box! the panels were dented and dinked AGAIN and it was just pants. The feet didn't even sit straight :S so i've given up that and now i want my monies back breaks me to say it but this mod is postponed till i can get a case of similar structure to do this to...I just so wanna do this mod. Heck i might even try and build the buggar myself!

tOb3o

Right some nice updates have happened within the last couple of days...I've been in correspondance with akasa since the moment i found this case trying to find out information about it etc. Anyway, They've been kind enough to offer me a replacement side panel (i will need 2 as the side that was fine actually rattles), a new re-designed front panel and a performance cpu cooler...but seeming as this rig will be water cooled i dont see any point in asking for a cpu cooler...so i might try and ask for some cathodes or sumt seeming as i've already bought some cable tidys and paxmate from them, lighting is the only real thing i need in case mod wise...so we shall see how that goes. I've yet to inform my supplier in which case i want to ask them to hold tight on the return and see if they can give me another week or so untill the parts from akasa have arrived.