Finished: [Mini Project+Upgrades]Blackrock Spire - Overclock.net

Fletcher Carnaby · 08-15-09

OK, this is my first attempt at a work log and my first new thread here at OCN. I think all of my ends are square, but if I've missed something please let me know. The majority of this work happened in one night, so please forgive the "lump sum" post. I really like logs done in installments, but that would have been dishonest here. I also dropped the ball twice during the photo documentation. I got really involved in the work and forgot to take pictures. Sorry

. Modding and taking pictures at the same time is harder than it sounds. That said, I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. On with the show...

Project Goals:
- Replace the stock PSU with a Corsair HX 750.
- Tighten up the cable management. The presentation side of the rig was fine, but it was at the expense of everywhere else.
- Increase airflow through removal of all plastic honeycomb and top metal honeycomb.
- Install third 150GB velociraptor

(also added another 4850 and raptor #2 a few months ago)

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After (final):

New power plant: Corsair HX 750. Wow!

Let's get rid of some of that honeycomb. I anguished over removing the stuff on the bottom, but was concerned about weakening the chassis, so I left it. Used a wire cutter on the top. Seemed like a good idea at first, but about 75 clips later...

...Mod hand. Ouch. There's another blister on my middle finger that you can't quite see here. Both of my jobs are fairly "hands on" so I was sort of surprised when this happened. And this is my "good" hand - ol' lefty has taken some hits over the years.

The shop. It's really more of a storage room for my construction stuff (hence the horrible lighting), but it works in a pinch. I live in an apartment so this is actually quite a luxury. The spire is in the lower right awaiting some Dremel love and paint. Sorry, no pics of this happening. I got lost in the work.

About half way through painting, I realized the HX 750 was about 1'' longer than old psu, blocking much of the pass-through on the mobo tray. A quick application of sharp wire cutters and Dremel extended the slot by about 3/4''. Also took the opportunity to widen the sata pass-through.

Back from the shop. Paint was the same color as before (rustoleum metallic black), so I guess this more of a touch-up. But I used the whole can. Same "dry-spray" technique that gives a slightly textured finish. Poor man's powder coat.

Cleaned-up cuts. The paint is nowhere near that grey - it's just the flash.

Murderface said to get rid of the plastic honeycomb too. I obliged. More wire cutters + Dremel to smooth out the scars. Again, no picts. I just started cutting and the next thing I knew... Came out nice though.

Picked up some R4s from Amazon for about $10/ea + free shipping.

These things are nice!

Re-assemble the rig. Removed the filter from the lower fan with Xacto and more (ouch) wire cutters.R4s installed. But the gap around the upper fan has always annoyed me...

...so how about some Wonder Foam

. Nothin' fancy, just something cheap to fill the gaps.

Cut 2'' wide strips, folded them into a U shape, and no more gaps.

Unencumbered exhaust.

Back together.

The Raptor Cage.

OK the bottom one's actually a caviar, but it sounds cool.

Drive bay wind tunnel, inside view.

Electric Mayhem!

cs maan, this one's for you.

Well thanks for checking out my post!

WorklogCreator is by CattleRustler. Thanks CR!

* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.6
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip