MIH

Ok, my current rig has a habit of crashing every so often, which has only happened since i installed the new GTX275 graphics card. I'm assuming that the problem is power as my current rig is using a 430w PS that came with the case. At the same time my current case is waaaaay to small as i had to move the HDs around to fit in the graphics card. Good excuse to upgrade case as well.

So, after doing some research I have purchased a Cooler Master HAF 932, and after reading some forums have decided to personalize the case somewhat. This will be my 3rd build but my first go at customizing, so thought i would share my progress and transgressions as i go.

The plan so far:
1. Repaint interior of case - black, blue and chrome (done to death i know, but what can you do if they are your favorite colors)
2. Create custom panel in front bezel to house new power & reset buttons + 3 switches to control fan lights, CC tubes and another possible lighting project.
3. Change front fan LEDs from red to blue and add blue LEDs to the other 2 230mm case fans
4. Make a contact connection to connect side fan cables to case so i don't have to unplug/plug connection whenever i take off panel (idea shamelessly stolen from Thermaltake Spedo case)
5. Sheath cables to keep everything pretty.

So not a whole lot to do...but enough to keep me busy.

As you can see i have already got the case. I will also be using a Corsair HX750 modular PSU (http://corsair.com/products/hx750/default.aspx) and i have already purchased the switches i will be using for power etc... Vandal resistant push button types (http://www.gammods.com.au/store/inde...roducts_id=378).

Thats it for now...hope to have some pictures of a disassembled case shortly...with some priming if i'm lucky.

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Swifty

Welcome to OCN!
Great choice, it's a good case and I'm interested to see your final product

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MIH

Welcome to OCN!
Great choice, it's a good case and I'm interested to see your final product

Thanks.

Ok, so I have now disassembled the case and sanded it ready for painting....the trouble i have had is finding a shop on the Gold Coast that has a good range of aerosol primers and paints by the same manufacturer.

This has meant that i have had to purchase primers and paints from different manufacturers to get the colors I want...its funny, i used to complain that it seemed too easy for idiots to get hold of spray paint and deface property but now that I want some (albeit high quality stuff) I actually find that its not so easy.

I have also cut a small section out of the case and left cover for my contact connection to eventually go, as well as cut a hole in the drive bay box for cable management.

All sanded and pretty


Cutting the case


Cutting the side panel


Hole drilled


All masked up

MIH

After having carefully sanded and masked my case i set about priming. All went well for the coats of self-etching and the first coat of std primer...then disaster struck. My highly professional and expensive paper clips that i was using to hold the pieces up gave way/let go of a piece...

Note to self....dropping a piece of steel casing from a height will damage said piece.





Time to bring out the hammer (goes with my 2 simple tools for everything philosophy "if it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape; if it doesn't move and it should...use a hammer"). Well maybe i'll use a few more...yay for rotary tools.





Not quite as good as new....but certainly better than before. Now i just have to re-sand and prime..../sigh.

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FalloutBoy

Is there supposed to be some pictures cause I'm not seeing any?

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MIH

There is....they show up in my screen....wonder why you cant see them

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FalloutBoy

Yay!! Now I can see them. Looking good so far.

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MIH

Sweet. thanks for the PM... I had uploaded the photos to OCN but had made the album private for some reason...its nice to know that private really is private and you cant even link the photos into other threads.

Checked out your project btw....very nice....I'm planning to sleeve cables also....but not sure if ill go all the way back to the PSU yet.

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MIH

K...to keep myself busy while waiting for paint to dry (not a big fan in watching the process) I have been working on my front switch panel.

I have purchased these sweet switches



And have cut out a piece of acrylic to mount them in one of the front mesh drive covers.

Note: I was planning to use the saw pictured in first pic.... i did manage to persevere through one cut before running to Bunnings to buy a $40 rotary driver....mmmm power. BTW I am soooo glad that i did...cos if i got frustrated cutting plastic by hand i wouldn't have had a hope in hell of cutting the case with that saw.



.

Now my next dilemma is the switch layout, which i have to decide on soon so i can drill holes and paint panel. My two current thoughts (in general i sometimes have more...but 2 will do for now) is to either have the switches flush along the bottom or to center them vertically. Other people's points of view would be greatly appreciated at this time. (think i am swaying towards vertically centered). This is sort of how the 2 options would look. The switches all have a illuminated blue ring around them.



Power switch will be 25mm in diameter, reset 18mm, and light switches 22mm.

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MIH

Ok...so i havn't updated this for a little bit...but at least i have been progressing. In between coats of primer and color coat i have started the job of putting blue LEDs into the case fans. The first job was to replace the red LEDs in the front fan.



I have decided that i want to be able to turn all the fan LEDs on and off so not only will i be replacing but trying to do so in a way that will allow me to connect it to my switch panel.

First up was to remove the existing LEDs. easy job with needle nose pliers and soldering iron.



The next issue was finding some wire that would fit in the existing wire channels. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING....very frustrating. What i am most annoyed about is the trusty Dick Smith Electronics that used to stock all the electronic components you could want, has sold out and is now a lame phone/tv/camera store....very generic. I ended up getting some CAT5 cable from Jaycar and pulling the 8 wires out.



NOTE: for anyone else thinking of replacing wires in their case this is the cheapest and possibly best option for getting some quality wire. The wire itself is solid core so will carry a better current and should make for slightly easier routing as will hold a bend/curve better, plus at AU$1.25/m for 8 strands beats most other wires in price.

for neatness i decided to wire the negative LED legs to the fan so i didnt have to run too many cables around.



And then it was just a case of daisy chaining the positive legs and leaving a long tail to route to the switch.



.

Also. I have finished the coats of blue...which i think turned out quite well.




Now to do the black parts and leave all to cure for about a week before i wet sand and clear coat.

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