[case mod] The "Silent but Deadly" Bitfenix Prodigy

Gday all

OCN's would know me from previous builds , CM690 "Razor" (aka "The mint pattie") CM690II "Hades" and the 600t "Scout" mods. The bug has bitten again.

Well, I'm now outta work, made redundant last week.

But all is not lost!

My Missus has wicked wicked nasty plans for me. Do this, do that! etc etc. (ya know how it is). But in between chores and tools down for "it's to wet" or "it's to windy" or "it's to hot" etc etc, I plan to use some saved up cash and some redundancy to build.................*drum roll please*...............

The "Silent but Deadlly" aka "S.B.D" aka the "PHWOAAAR! Who farted?" Betfinix Prodigy build.



STAY TUNED!

To save on the post double up and save OCN space please refer to my OCAU build log thread.

Feel free to comment here or over at OCAU if ya a member.

cheers Bob

The Plan

Case: Betfinix "Prodigy" Great review here.
I initially wasn't looking for a case or set up like this. I was looking for something smaller than my T600, ATX yet still be able to hold my H100 cooler and new GTX690. When Googling this case came up and I was like "nah", did some research and I was like ***! :wired:

It was a great find, the cases were popular and people were doin all kinds of "crazy" in them. There is a awesome Owners club here at OCN.It has introduced me to M-ITX and was surprised at the capabilities of these boards. Though lacking in features they look to match the big boys in OC and benchies. I could feel a "challenge" coming on. :thumbup:

What will I do to the case?: SFA if I can help it. If you have clicked on my previous builds which are in order, you will see a progression. Away from the "bling" and onto the "sting". I am honestly so over the cutting, sanding, painting etc etc. I feel I am reaching a zen of minimalism and clean lines. Also tired of the "bulk", the Prodigy has come along just at the right time for me.

I am keen to start the case mod, I would like to hold out for the new coloured range to be released. In Blue, Red and Orange which I would probably choose (cause they are new). Though am still attracted to the minimal B&W, which I'll probably get cause I am IMPATIENT!. :lol: Heres an overview of what I wish to do:

1. Remove HDD cages ARGGGGH I hate hate them. Good idea but clog up air space. In my last 2 builds you see I have replaced them with 5.25 drive cages. Not such luck with the Prodigy. Not to worry hve some ideas, more on that later.

2. Hopefully the only major chop chop and it's only removing and replacing rivets. Remove the front chassis panel complete with 5.25 bay and turn upside down. This allow me to (a) keep the bay for a device at bottom and make a "platform for mounting other "stuff" (b) makes room for a top 240 rad (c) allow a 200 or 140 rad in the front.

3. Swap the side panels. By doing this the i/o panel will be on my side and low noise as there is no perforations. Remove the 2.5 drive holders and put some sound proof material on both. The perforations being on the other side will be close to fresh window air waiting to be sucked in. If anyone see's me starting to talk about putting in a window, please feel free to grab me and "smack me around the chops!" :lol:

CPU: I7 3770k
Mobo: Asrock Z77E-ITX
GPU: GTX 690
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 620W Modular
Mem: 16gb 2400 yet to be deciced
Storage: 1 x 256Gb OCZ Agility 4 / 1 x WD green 2TB
Rads: 240 / 200
Pump/Res: DDC / EK-DDC X-RES 140
CPU block: Heatkiller Rev3.0 LC
GPU block: EK or XSPC

Mods

Adding X-fi to the build - One thing I am going to miss by going Mitx is sound. I have grown accustomed to my Fatal1ty X-fi Titanium and Roccat Kave headphones.

Not to be discouraged I set about a search for solution to no avail. I sent out the call to OCAU and thankfully fellow member sammy_b0i coming to the rescue and pointing this item out to me. Awesome champ :thumbup:

Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro

Mod the USB cable with one of these so it can go straight to mobo header.
Put in 2 RCA to 1/8 adapters.

Put a hole in the side panel for the knob and some double sided tape on the box.

WALLAH! one Mitx with semi onboard X-fi. :thumbup:



Wiring and Cabling aka "Operation Cellar Dweller" aka "The Sump!" - There are a lot of great prodigy builds out there, but what craps me is still the cabling in the builds. Even if pretty they are still bulky. I want MINIMUM.

Alrighty, they say a lot of great thought happen in bed. Well I had one this morning.

Where do we put **** we don't want seen in a house? I thought an attic or a cellar, then I had the idea. Put in a cable sump. run all leads and cables directly from source to bottom of case and run to location and up at location. Then cover. It may even all be possible to run a water line or 2 with drain. Suffice to say I had Morning WOOD! :lol::thumbup:

Get one of these biscuit trays, drill, paint black. WALLAH!
Edited by bobbavet - 10/23/12 at 10:30pm

BAM! Ever seen one of these? :thumbup:

Koolance 280 fan shroud. Increase in case area & cooling, keep bay below, it's black and looks cool. SHAZAM!

Props to this guy @ 11:45 You tube here

Yeah couldn't find a min pcie to Pciex1 adapter or extension. Mate if ya could find something I could use it would be awesome. I would double side tape My Fatality in the case. :thumbup:

THere is plenti of Pciex1 > Mpcie but not vice versa .Might do some more searching now.

I found a good DIY here but 2 probs.

1, Its a bit beyond my capabilities though I would pay to have it done.

2. There are issue with the OS and on board using m-pci extension. IF it does not decect a boot drive or a compatible wi-fi card in the mpcie slot it will disable the port. So you have to boot then hot swap the cable.

3. I think you need addition power for a proper pcie1 decive.

Wonder if there is a usb3/2 to pcie1?

"PM2-C PCI-E / Mini PCI-E Adapter" found this here which is exactly what I'm looking for here. But then have to find a pcie extension. 25 each and ya have to buy min of 3. :shock:

Now I know what they are called I can chace them down, found some shop on Google. Here it looks to come with a 5/12v connector for the pcie power supply. So yeh looks promising. Thanks for the push. One less mod I might have to do :thumbup:

Heres a pic of one in use. now to find a pcie extension lead.

An Ideal solution for me would be a usb2 > pcie1.

I would really like to give a HUGE! thankyou fellow OCAU member "BelowAverageIQ" for giving me a kick along in the WC department.







AWESOME CHAMP! :thumbup:

Thanks. I like that PSU ya got.

Just get the PSU bay extender. The power source I am going to use is 160 and will easily fit in the bay. But I am still going to get an extender and will be able to bolt my ssd on the inside of the bay instead of the outside.

Good morning all

Forgot to mention a couple of days ago I scored 3 of these Corsair 140's off the forums.

Busy night of bargain hunting on the forums again last night. Scored these:

ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX Mobo
G.Skill F3- PC3-12800 (1600MHz) DDR3 ram (2x8GB)
Demiflex 240

Mobo is exactly what I was after. Ram not the colour or speed (2400) I would like, it was part of the package deal and will get me off the ground without ripping my old rig. Also picked up the demi to go inside the case where the side perforations are.

Now I need. :

3700K Cpu
650W Silverstone Strider PSU
2TB HDD
256gb SSD
Black 90 / 45 deg connectors
White tubing Not sure on id, will get back to ya's
Black moders mesh approx 250x250mm.

If anyone has / knows of these fs, please get in contact.

Going to place a add in the WTB section.

IS there anything to gain/loose with going WD Green or blue for the 2TB? They all are sata3 7200rpm, it's just the power states of them isn't it?