[Project] Build Log: Arcane - Overclock.net

Zero4549 · 03-29-09

**This is a build log for an entire computer, not only a case. If this is the wrong section I am sorry. Feel free to move to wherever is more appropriate**

As you may already know or have guessed, Arcane is the name I have chosen for my next computer.

Arcane will be a high end multi-use Core i7 based system housed in a CM HAF 932 and cooled by a combination liquid and air cooling.

I am currently waiting on a few last components to arrive in the mail and my SSD boot drive to be restocked by newegg.

That said the HAF is here an I picked up a can of black Plasti Dip today so I'm ready to get started by "painting" the ugly grey interior a beautiful textured matte black. In addition to looking great the plasti dip should provide some noise and vibration dampening effects.

Unfortunatly, It rained all day today and I was unable to do my paint job but the forecast for tomorrow shows sun and I plan on using it. Wish me luck!

(I have no idea where my camera is. Hopefully I will find it soon, otherwise you'll just have to deal with these blurry phone pics

)

Choggs396 · 03-29-09

Looks like a promising build! Keep us updated.

BlankThis · 03-29-09

Noice

I'm looking forward to this

~B~

Rick Arter · 03-29-09

Should be a great mod build log let me know how that Plasti Dip is and how easy it is to work with got a can and wanted to do similar treatment to a few things. Subscribed!

GeforceGTS · 03-29-09

Heatkiller 3.0

I realy like the look of that block, I was going to sell my V2 and buy one before i've even got my first loop set up, looking forward to more pics and I hope you find your camaera

Zero4549 · 03-29-09

It's starting to dry up outside so it's time for some plasti dip. I've found my camera but it appears someone has jacked my xd card. I've borrowed another camera but it does not have a usb connection so I will have to upload the pics through a laptop which had a card reader later.

While you're waiting, here's a link to the specs

EDIT: I got a hold of said laptop, here are my initial photos

Zero4549 · 03-29-09

Took it all out and gave it a nice textured coat of plasti dip. It's supposed to take about 4 hours to dry, unfortunately it started raining again and I had to bring it inside. Hopefully this will not cause any complications due to moving and poor ventilation. As you may have noticed in the last set of photos, I have blocked off a good portion of the interior from the paint. These areas are not visible when the case is closed and likely would not benefit from the sound/vibration dampening properties. Avoiding these areas allows me to easily prevent any installation complications. More shots to come once the stuff is dry.

For those of you wondering about how this stuff applies, it is excellent. No running, no bubbling. The instructions call for 14-16 inch spray distance but I found 6-8 inches to work just fine for thicker application. Note that I used only the spray type so far. More info once it dries.

Zero4549 · 03-29-09

Well its dry and it looks and feels great. It's a bit on the thin side however (very similar to a lightly applied coat of typical spray paint) and I may remove some of the tape I applied and give the entire case a quick thin overcoat tomorrow. No time for pics now so I'll update later when I get a chance.

EDIT: Pics added

Zero4549 · 03-30-09

I woke up early this morning and gave it another thin coat, this time with most of the tape/paper removed. It's about dry now and looks even better. A couple tips for those who intend on using plasti dip:

-It drys VERY quickly in the cold, so quickly in fact that after a few min I had it drying on the spray head and causing it to squirt more than spray. On the up side, this could be a wise way to add extra texture and noise dampening properties providing you already have a smooth coat applied.

-It's very tough, flexible, and doesn't fall off. It will bend and stretch rather than scrape off. That said, be careful if you use tape like I did to mask off certain areas. If the coat is too thick, it will stay attached to the tape and start peeling away from the material it is sprayed on. Use a knife to cut the rubber along the edge of the tape before removing it or remove the tape immediately after applying the paint.

-The thicker an application, the smoother it's surface will be. If you want texture and a thick coat, use several thin layers and provide time between each to dry.

In other news, my RAM arrived today. The stuff is fricken huge! for a size comparison I captured an image of them over my laptop... Yes, three DIMMs laid out together are the size of a small laptop!

Oh and by the way I've thus far used maybe 1/2 - 3/4 of a can of spray applied Plasti Dip.

Zero4549 · 03-30-09

Mini update: All dry and ready to move on. I've reassembled the case (with exception of the fans that would have blocked the radiators) and took a few pics to show it in its assembled form before I load up the components. Also because I am replacing the fans with radiators, I have a few extra silver colored screws. I hit em with a quick blast of plasti-dip to color them black to match the rest of the case as they will be on the exterior (and maybe even make them slightly vibration resistant?

). They're drying up outside and hopefully will be ready soon.