Latest update:
Have partially assembled the first box although still have a long way to go. Have milled the top piece for the Acrylic window to sit in and the next step will be to work on the front to install the resivor, switchs, USB dock and power button. Am also interested in a digital flow readout to keep an eye on the new water pumps.
Also still need to install the radiator into the top piece.
First of all Hello. I read a bit here but generally don't post or contribute (freeloader)
However this year now that iv finally graduate and have landed a job I am pretty keen on fulfilling that childhood dream of an amazing PC. (can you tell i was a gamer...)
The first case to catch my eye was the deskcase:
And although that is great and all, it looks like a nightmare to change parts or tinker with. Also i want to run 3x24" monitors off it so a case like that would require a lot of materials and extension cables etc.
Then i saw the Ikea case:
Which looks very nice and very tidy!. So that is basically where my head is at.
The case must have the following:
- Water cooling
- Uv lights
- Enough room for 2+ graphics cards
- Built in speakers
- Support 3 monitors
- Be easy to adjust / tinker with.
The water cooling in the table case looks great but the distance is the problem. Also how difficult it would be to change components.
The IKEA case looks great and i especially love the external layout of the CD drives and switches.
My plan is to incorporate aspects of both. I plan to build the case in 3 modules, each one roughly 40cm x 60cm (working out the scales is going to be a big task). The idea being that i can work on it slowly and work with each box at a time before connecting them together.
Also id like to add a 2nd layer, with the motherboard and water cooling components on a single section that runs across all 3 boxes. This way after unplugging all the cables i could remove the water cooling and motherboard to drain and make adjustments while leaving all the components where they are.
Some of the problems are going to be:
- Import costs to New Zealand...
- Lack of space in my current apartment
- Lack of tools(just moved to this city)
Ideally everything else can be overcome.... (wishful thinking im sure)
Here is a very early plan of the case:
Oh, and yes that is 2 radiators... this case is going to be COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP (yes a stupid waste of money but its for the childhood kid).
The radiators are to scale and hopefully the rest of the components wont vary too farm that design.
One of the things i would like to do is curve the wood... however a) not particularly talented with wood work, and b) then the parts wont sit correct (adding flat objects in a curve just seems wrong).
So ideally, id only curve the wood around the speakers and keep it straight in the middle where the components will be mounted.
Here is the latest plan with a more detailed drawing in layers:
I have been ordering parts for a while now... rather expensive process but they are building up. Am waiting on the 2nd water cooling kit before i start assembling the first box as the 1st water cooling kit is currently cooling what im typing on.
I plan to get all 3 boxs together and then move the motherboard, power supply, and current water cooling system components in.
Iv gone with the Larkooler Water cooling system (yes i know its very average). After spending a weekend looking at reviews iv ordered new fans for the radiators, purchases swiftech GPU blocks and will be looking to replace the pumps with D5 XSPC pumps as soon as one of the supplier sites have some in stock and once the NZ$ recovers a bit...
For lighting i have 2x 2M blue Led sleeved cables and 8 UV cathodes with 4 adapters which ill place in each box and 2 in the center box. For USB etc i have purchased a Xigmatek Accessor Ultimate (basically a black box with USB ports in it).
I also went a bit silly and purchased 4 rocket switches with black covers and blue LED's to turn the system on and off, and to adjust the lighting. Then realized that each of the 4 adapters for the UV cathodes has a switch, so now i have 8 in total.
Over all i will be going with a blue and black color scheme (yes, probably over done but my favorite colors).
The goal is to keep it reasonably tidy.
The speakers that will be going in are a set of Logitech logitech z506 speakers, and so i will have to find some rubber insulating to line the case with around the speakers the reduce vibration.
So that is the plan anyway. Once i get the case together ill purchase the 2nd/3rd GPU and 2 more monitors. I want the case to be able to fit on a large corner desk with the monitors sitting on top and with acrylic sections to see the parts hard at work in all their glory.
Fee free to leave any comments. Iv already customized my HAF932 with blue and back although will be using a darker blue for this, so some of the new parts will need to be painted to match.
As for time frame I am looking at this as a long term goal, although im sure the child inside wants it done asap. I know i dont have space to use it until i move apartments in January so will aim to complete the case but not have it fully assembled and running until then.
Sorry for rattling on for so long, but figured a log may be a good idea as i seem to be constantly adding/changing my mind on things.
Any and all suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated
Edited by K41Nnz - 8/11/12 at 3:48am
Have partially assembled the first box although still have a long way to go. Have milled the top piece for the Acrylic window to sit in and the next step will be to work on the front to install the resivor, switchs, USB dock and power button. Am also interested in a digital flow readout to keep an eye on the new water pumps.
Also still need to install the radiator into the top piece.
First of all Hello. I read a bit here but generally don't post or contribute (freeloader)
However this year now that iv finally graduate and have landed a job I am pretty keen on fulfilling that childhood dream of an amazing PC. (can you tell i was a gamer...)
The first case to catch my eye was the deskcase:
And although that is great and all, it looks like a nightmare to change parts or tinker with. Also i want to run 3x24" monitors off it so a case like that would require a lot of materials and extension cables etc.
Then i saw the Ikea case:
Which looks very nice and very tidy!. So that is basically where my head is at.
The case must have the following:
- Water cooling
- Uv lights
- Enough room for 2+ graphics cards
- Built in speakers
- Support 3 monitors
- Be easy to adjust / tinker with.
The water cooling in the table case looks great but the distance is the problem. Also how difficult it would be to change components.
The IKEA case looks great and i especially love the external layout of the CD drives and switches.
My plan is to incorporate aspects of both. I plan to build the case in 3 modules, each one roughly 40cm x 60cm (working out the scales is going to be a big task). The idea being that i can work on it slowly and work with each box at a time before connecting them together.
Also id like to add a 2nd layer, with the motherboard and water cooling components on a single section that runs across all 3 boxes. This way after unplugging all the cables i could remove the water cooling and motherboard to drain and make adjustments while leaving all the components where they are.
Some of the problems are going to be:
- Import costs to New Zealand...
- Lack of space in my current apartment
- Lack of tools(just moved to this city)
Ideally everything else can be overcome.... (wishful thinking im sure)
Here is a very early plan of the case:
Oh, and yes that is 2 radiators... this case is going to be COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP (yes a stupid waste of money but its for the childhood kid).
The radiators are to scale and hopefully the rest of the components wont vary too farm that design.
One of the things i would like to do is curve the wood... however a) not particularly talented with wood work, and b) then the parts wont sit correct (adding flat objects in a curve just seems wrong).
So ideally, id only curve the wood around the speakers and keep it straight in the middle where the components will be mounted.
Here is the latest plan with a more detailed drawing in layers:
I have been ordering parts for a while now... rather expensive process but they are building up. Am waiting on the 2nd water cooling kit before i start assembling the first box as the 1st water cooling kit is currently cooling what im typing on.
I plan to get all 3 boxs together and then move the motherboard, power supply, and current water cooling system components in.
Iv gone with the Larkooler Water cooling system (yes i know its very average). After spending a weekend looking at reviews iv ordered new fans for the radiators, purchases swiftech GPU blocks and will be looking to replace the pumps with D5 XSPC pumps as soon as one of the supplier sites have some in stock and once the NZ$ recovers a bit...
For lighting i have 2x 2M blue Led sleeved cables and 8 UV cathodes with 4 adapters which ill place in each box and 2 in the center box. For USB etc i have purchased a Xigmatek Accessor Ultimate (basically a black box with USB ports in it).
I also went a bit silly and purchased 4 rocket switches with black covers and blue LED's to turn the system on and off, and to adjust the lighting. Then realized that each of the 4 adapters for the UV cathodes has a switch, so now i have 8 in total.
Over all i will be going with a blue and black color scheme (yes, probably over done but my favorite colors).
The goal is to keep it reasonably tidy.
The speakers that will be going in are a set of Logitech logitech z506 speakers, and so i will have to find some rubber insulating to line the case with around the speakers the reduce vibration.
So that is the plan anyway. Once i get the case together ill purchase the 2nd/3rd GPU and 2 more monitors. I want the case to be able to fit on a large corner desk with the monitors sitting on top and with acrylic sections to see the parts hard at work in all their glory.
Fee free to leave any comments. Iv already customized my HAF932 with blue and back although will be using a darker blue for this, so some of the new parts will need to be painted to match.
As for time frame I am looking at this as a long term goal, although im sure the child inside wants it done asap. I know i dont have space to use it until i move apartments in January so will aim to complete the case but not have it fully assembled and running until then.
Sorry for rattling on for so long, but figured a log may be a good idea as i seem to be constantly adding/changing my mind on things.
Any and all suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated
Edited by K41Nnz - 8/11/12 at 3:48am
