Old HP server case, what to do?

Recommendations:

1. Consider moving the power supply to the lower front area of the case. You can then use the old opening for ventilation or whatever you want.

2. Eliminate the floppy drive opening on the front panel. Consider replacing it with a card reader/USB ports. Easy enough if you're careful about cutting and filing to make it fit right.

3. Rework the 5.25" drive bays to place your WC reservoir and pump(s) and show them off through that front panel.

4. Instead of modder's mesh in the lower front panel, consider the idea of replacing the "bars" with ones made of acrylic, either UV reactive or clear/frosted and lighting with LEDs, and keeping the design fairly similar to the original lines of the case. Remove the metal from behind that panel to allow for airflow.

5. Looks like plenty of room in the top of the case for a 360 radiator if you lay it out right. I don't see any reason you couldn't water cool in this case, but it's going to be a little bit tight so plan and test fit as much as possible.

It has potential, I'll give it that. I'm interrested to see what you do with it. I understand you don't want to go too crazy on labor, but I don't think you will really need to. If you do put in some time, I certainly think it will be worth it, and pretty inexpensive compared with getting a prebuilt case of the same quality. So I say, go for it! If it doesn't turn out to your satisfaction, the cost is minimal, so that's good. I'm actually kind of jealous, I've been looking for a preject case to work with for less than $20, really just for fun, but have had no luck.

I like TLHarrell's sugestions, especially moving the PSU. Removing the 5.25" bay rack should give you ample space up front. It looks like a rather large mid-tower, so with those bays removed you shouldn't have too much of an issue with W/C.

One of the first things I'd do in planning is figuring out your plan for cable management. You said it pretty much non-existant, but if you want this case to really shine, you'll want to come up with a good way to compensate.

Have you thought of a side panel idea, or if you will window it?
Also, what were you thinking on collors? Make sure you paint that interrior once you get your layout set up, to give it that nice finished look!

I'm looking forward to see what you do with it, maybe you can get some good ideas for me too!

EDIT: I cant see the inside top in your pictures, but have you considered (or have the access to tools) a top cut-out for additional exhaust? It might be a decent idea, since you plan on pulling so much air fromt he front of the case. Perhaps you'd have room to mount a 360 rad there? That may be a little to much work though...
Edited by Purger - 11/8/12 at 10:49am

Mod it and make something crazy awesome!

please link the thread here really like modding old cases good luck!

i think a 1/8th is the size drill bit you need to drill out those rivets just some friendly advice
or i think bout 3mm in metric

no probs, make sure you got some pliers too, as the drilled out rivets can be annoyin (and sharp) to remove from drill bit,
eg hold drilled rivet with pliers, turn drill in reverse(left) have fun... oooh i love a good case mode tryna think of what to do with an old powermac G4 i have, hackintosh maybe?
EDIT have fun!!!