This project started out as adding a few LEDs and a fan until I ran across BeigeModders. I am now a member and I'm going to make this an awesome side project. I will be modding this desktop into something neat. Stay tuned for a sweet build.
I recently added a free Dell 3000 to my mini prototyping lab. I will be using it as a dedicated computer to run one of my 3D printers. This dell has a 3.2 Ghz P4 processor with hyper threading, which is perfect for what it will be used for. Ive upgraded the hard drives to have a removable 2-Terabyte Seagate hard drive to hold all of my CAD designs and files.
Why:
Being an avid case modder, I couldn't stand having a completely stock case sitting there. So I decided to do a couple small upgrades to make it more custom as well as add a little cooling for the Gigabyte PCI GPU.
And So It Begins:
••Fan Mod••
For the fan I will be using an Antec 120mm fan with built in High/Medium/Low switch. The fan was one that was taken out of my Antec Gamer 900 case. Luckily the Dell case already has some holes cut out of the side panel. This served as a great location for the 120mm fan to be mounted as it is right next to the GPU. I laid the fan on the inside of the panel and made a few marks to determine where I would drill the mounting holes.
After that I took a bit that is about 3.31mm and drilled two holes that are diagonal from each other. You could always drill out all four holes but, I've found its not needed for this specific mod. Once it was all mounted it was just a matter of plugging in the 4-pin molex plug into the PSU.
I think this mod came out well, especially for the short amount of time used to complete this mod.
LED Add On & Build:
I decided to use all scavenged materials to do this mod. Parts that were needed include: wiring, 3-LEDs, heat shrink, solder and a few hand tools. The LEDs I chose are green. I used a helping hand holder (clips) to solder each wire to the LEDs after I checked them for polarity.
I then found a resister that worked well with these LEDs. I then soldered the correct resister onto the positive lead. Once they were soldered I tested the wiring using a 12v DC adapter. I then heatshrinked the uncovered portions to protect them from being bumped or pulled.
Once I had all the wiring finished I went about taking off the front clip on the Dell tower. It has four little clips and it came off rather easy. I used adhesive backed zip tie mounts to position the LEDs where I wanted them.
After that it was just a matter of putting the front panel back on and checking everything. Here's the end result:
Once I have some more free time I will probably update this thread with new mods.
I recently added a free Dell 3000 to my mini prototyping lab. I will be using it as a dedicated computer to run one of my 3D printers. This dell has a 3.2 Ghz P4 processor with hyper threading, which is perfect for what it will be used for. Ive upgraded the hard drives to have a removable 2-Terabyte Seagate hard drive to hold all of my CAD designs and files.
Why:
Being an avid case modder, I couldn't stand having a completely stock case sitting there. So I decided to do a couple small upgrades to make it more custom as well as add a little cooling for the Gigabyte PCI GPU.
And So It Begins:
••Fan Mod••
For the fan I will be using an Antec 120mm fan with built in High/Medium/Low switch. The fan was one that was taken out of my Antec Gamer 900 case. Luckily the Dell case already has some holes cut out of the side panel. This served as a great location for the 120mm fan to be mounted as it is right next to the GPU. I laid the fan on the inside of the panel and made a few marks to determine where I would drill the mounting holes.
After that I took a bit that is about 3.31mm and drilled two holes that are diagonal from each other. You could always drill out all four holes but, I've found its not needed for this specific mod. Once it was all mounted it was just a matter of plugging in the 4-pin molex plug into the PSU.
I think this mod came out well, especially for the short amount of time used to complete this mod.
LED Add On & Build:
I decided to use all scavenged materials to do this mod. Parts that were needed include: wiring, 3-LEDs, heat shrink, solder and a few hand tools. The LEDs I chose are green. I used a helping hand holder (clips) to solder each wire to the LEDs after I checked them for polarity.
I then found a resister that worked well with these LEDs. I then soldered the correct resister onto the positive lead. Once they were soldered I tested the wiring using a 12v DC adapter. I then heatshrinked the uncovered portions to protect them from being bumped or pulled.
Once I had all the wiring finished I went about taking off the front clip on the Dell tower. It has four little clips and it came off rather easy. I used adhesive backed zip tie mounts to position the LEDs where I wanted them.
After that it was just a matter of putting the front panel back on and checking everything. Here's the end result:
Once I have some more free time I will probably update this thread with new mods.