Client Build Log: the GoodaFish - Overclock.net

*CyberDruid* · 11-10-08

The Prologue

My extra-patient client Havegooda has been wondering (I am sure) if CyberDruid will ever start his build...

Well actually the build is well underway...I've been modding in a secure, undisclosed location, but matters of CDPC security prevent me from telling you more at this time.

Since October 2008 Exord 57 of the CDPC code has authorized modifications into Acrylic Wonderland to kill or capture members of the Thermochill shroud assembly. Modification missions were also conducted into other areas that I can neither confirm nor deny at this time. Let's just say the Powdercoaters have been dealt with.

At this time CDPC faces a great crisis. Financial instability has devestated our ability to shore up Intel buy purchasing Nehalem components so desperately required for our ePeen. Simply bailing out the FS section for socket 775 gear has failed to stimulate our creative juices. Times like these call for Change! Change and Folding Money, preferably in small unmarked bills.

I call for full disclosure of CDPC policies and photologs! It's time that these disturbing images were posted.

Preparations

The pack of smokes give a measure as to how large a RocketFish case is.

Havegooda wanted this case to be entirely black. The door will have to come apart.

Both side panels are flawless.

The chassis and all the un anodized parts will be Powdercoated Raven Black.

Including this shrouded fan

The chassis will remain together for the Powdercoat.

One specification is lots of Hard Drives so these cannot be eliminated...they will be detained in a secret facility for modificiation by Druidic Tribunal.

The funny thing about locks...you don't need to unlock them to get at the case...just undo the screws.

That is now about ready for the powdercoating.

The TT 1200 is a big PSU. Here I am checking how it will effect the placement of the HDD caddies.

The RocketFish is a perfect match for those that want to use large radiators. The chassis conveniently uses rails up top so a PA120.3 will fit on the top panel with no chassis mod.

Several clearance issues became apparent immediately. As large as the case is the newest Graphic Cards are so damn big that you need to allow at least 10-5/8" in length from PCI backplane. I'll get back to that in a moment.

This will be a two loop case. I have found the PA160 to be a very strong performer. For the graphics loop the PA160 will be more than enough. Taking advantage of the front fan hole int he chassis a shroud assembly will act as a mount for both fan and rad.

Another space conflict: the 3.5 bay is a bit long. Although a FDD could fit in the top slot the bottom slot runs into the rad.

I made an executive decision.

Swift and decisive: that's how this mod is going to proceed.

Fitment issue solved. Now even if all that goes trhere are the stock bay leaves it'll be doing the job.

One the great parts of the 'Fish...enough room over the mobo for a rad and fans...deep fans.

All it will take is three holes in the top panel to accomplish the rad mount so I will set that aside until the prep for powdercoat is done.

That is the first phase of the HDD caddy mod.

You may remember it takes 10-5/8" for the card minimum. 1/8" short. More modding required. We will revisit this in a moment.

I labeled the case so the powdercoaters would kow which holes to plug.

You don't want to pry these off: they will warp. You want to slice through the adhesive.

This will get Raven Black. I cleaned the adhesive with Goof Off...but lighter fluid like Ronsonol works too.

I think I have about reached the max upload of pics per post...so

Pics to follow.

*CyberDruid* · 11-10-08

I nipped the HDD tower so it would slip under the Optical Bay to make room for Havegooda's ePeen.

The caddy is removable.

Using a drive to square it up.

Using rivets to hold it in place for measurements

This gains the desired clearance for the GFX cards...I mean ePeen.

Looks pro to me.

Looking factory.

This shows clearly how much space there is for a rad and fan combo up0 top.

Time for the second rad install.

Our incursion into Acrylic Wonderland provided us key elements of the ThermoChill Shroud Assembly. They will be submitted to a CDPC -approved (ExOrd 69) Watercooling Application until they submit the flow of air we require...

These photos taken from our secret Modding Camp show that Watercooling is not the inhumane practice touted by the fringe Aircooled media.

Here the shroud is being held in submission by the PA160.

After opening up the chassis

We took one of the TCS Assembly aside for special fitment over the gaping hole in the chassis...
"This is Modness"

"No. This is Gooooooooooddddddaaaaa! Much mo gooda doncha think?

After rejoining the rest of the TCS assembly we found them to have an even closer bond and purpose...

Be submitted to more watercooling action...but they don't give in.

That's a hell of a lot of color coming off that piece...

The same screws that will hold the fan in place also secure the shroud assembly to the chassis.

I then laid out, drilled and tapped four holes into the 1/2" side of the shroud so that the loadbearing elements would be directly connected to the chassis.

Picture that against Raven Black powdercoat.

With a SanAce1011

Pity they will never see the light of day.....muahahahahhahahhaa coughhax

Now you can see how it will all work.

The rad is held by two machine screws tapped into the 1/2" sides of the shroud.

BTW this is not the rad for the build...just a test lump.

Exhaust from the rad will cool the HDDs.

So that's ready to send off to powdercoat at this point.

Detail of the screws trapping the rad. Since these shots the acrylic has been polished out to optical clarity...and the amount of color it beams from the polished edges is amazing.

More to follow...so keep your tinfoil hats on and pass the popcorn...