[Laine]

When InWin first released their 901 I think almost all of us had one idea or another about how we wanted to make it into our own.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of these dream cases.

Here is my take on the 901, and my vision of what it could be. Thank you for dropping in, and welcome.

First impression of when I got it about 6 months ago, I was blown away by the attention to detail in the machining.



First actual modification, converting the case to mATX or something along these lines.









In my defense, there was no mATX model, and the 901 was a little big for the form factor it houses.















And some test fitting to see if it actually works.







Here is where the idea is born. Since there is glass all around, a very good oportunity to display as much of the hardware as possible.



Slotted out a space in the tray for the bracket.











Sadly the paint on the inner part of the case basically falls of just by looking at it. Looks like a basic paint job. No powder coating, no primer or etching base coat.





The storage stack I used in the aircooled version, not sure if it can or will be used in this project.





The Asus Xonar STX actually fits, and is screwed in place.







The old molex splitter I used to ease cable routing with a non-modular PSU. One molex converts into two molex and one 3-pin fan connector.





Got some paint onto the main structure of the case, respraying the original parts and the conversion.



It's not a factory look but it will work.

 

[Laine]

- Continuing -

The real beginning of this project, the watercooling part.

EK PE-radiators have a finish very closely matching that of the InWin.

Another comparison of the paint.

The slot up front nicely fits a slim fan on the radiator without losing too much function, pictures is an Scythe slim, but final product will feature proper Prolimatech slims.

And my absolut favourite part of this case, the modular design. Conincidence or not, it's possible to split this case up into four major parts.

1) The thick aluminium frame itself, 2) the upper compartment where most of the hardware resides, 3) the PSU-area and 4) the front part where the radiator is located.

The upper compartment while thinking of ideas. Looks a bit steam punk-ish doesn't it?

Many reservoirs were tested, many failed - No but seriously, this one matches the finish quite well. In black POM of course.

As for sleeving, a simple MDPC-X black and grey.

Many choices for this one, both reservoirs and pumps. Think I might be an Aquacomputer fanboy, there are a few signs of it, haha.

Aquacomputer Kryos will be cooling the CPU, I went for the cheapest version. It looked to have the largest hole spacing for fittings and a fitting colours scheme.

Something every mod needs, a Laing turret D5-thingy.

Finally settled for the Aquacomputer Aquabox Professional and made a plate to separate the reservoir-pump-housing from the rest.

It's a dummy GPU with an EK Thermosphere mounted on it while the wait of a GTX970 continues.

No paint on it yet, just a quick vinyl wrap to see how it looks in black.

The second radiator needed a some room to breathe, so I made a modular mounting plate.

The edges are a bit uneaven and needs more filing, but this is how it looks from below.

I wanted these radiators to be level, it drove me mad.

A quick flip of the plate later and it seems to be corrected.

A bit early to be celebrating with light design, but time is short on this one.

Thank you for coming this far! And for those of you who just scrolled down here, I can't blame you.

See you in the next part, and if you have any questions or pointers, do feel free to express them.

 

[Laine]

Not much interest in an 901 mod it seems, haha. :-D

Continued on last night and today, the bottom compartment got the parts fitted correctly and the divider for the reservoir got mounted properly.
Sorry about the dust and scratches, all case parts will be re-coated in black once everything fits.

Here is how the PSU will be placed alongside the radiators.







And on to the front panel!



A black Aquabox is on it's way, although the white on looks pretty cool too.



And a glimpse of the new pump.



Due to the size restrictions, I opted to change the D5 to a DDC.

 

[sourdoh]

the mod looks great so far! i thought about buying this case for my current build but decided to have a scratch build instead. subbed

 

[DaniyelFPS]

Looks awesome! cant wait to see it done. i have also build a inwin 901 rig, still trying to figure out a way to cool the gpu more. Maybe u have any ideas?

 

[Laine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdoh

the mod looks great so far! i thought about buying this case for my current build but decided to have a scratch build instead. subbed

Thank you for your kind words, sourdoh!

Both sound like great ideas, you can't go wrong with any! Do you have a link to this scratch build, would love to check it out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniyelFPS

Looks awesome! cant wait to see it done. i have also build a inwin 901 rig, still trying to figure out a way to cool the gpu more. Maybe u have any ideas?

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2246682/width/500/height/1000

Thank you, Daniyel! Very glad to see that you like it.

I found this when looking around for other watercooled 901's.


Source: http://www.chiphell.com/thread-1021457-1-1.html

He ended up using double radiators in what looks to be a plug and play setup, maybe you could take inspiration from this? I think it looks pretty neat.

Today I decided to document a bit of the process of making the reservoir holder, not much else yet sadly. Hoping to get the top mount and pump mount designed tonight.

Do keep in mind that it's all very rough right now, just to see if it actually works or not.

First off, a paper template.



Step two, replicate! I decided to countersink the hole for the screw opposing the plate to make it lay flat.





And mounted with the reservoar faceplate flush against the housing. I really hope the aluminium is sturdy enough to not flex too much, since this is not an ideal screw placement.



Cheers!

 

[DaniyelFPS]

That looks amazing

i have seen that build, but that is beautiful. Mhhh, never done water cooling before, but as u can see in my build, i got an gtx 690, dont think i have enough space to connect the tubing for my gpu under it like in the build u showed me. Correct me if im wrong, and thanks for u r reply.

 

[Duality92]

This thing is just plain beautiful! Great work so far!

 

[BruceB]

Sub'd
Really nice work, I love the Level of Detail! Keep it up

 

[theSarcoplasmic]

Subbed also! I'm building a hardline InWin 901 too right now (first computer build ever, first watercooling ever), but I'm not so gutsy as to tear the whole insides down

Love what your doing!

 

[void]

Subbed, always keen for Laine build

 

[sourdoh]

http://www.overclock.net/t/1525061/scratch-build-untitled#post_23154117

Your build is coming together. Nice.

 

[Laine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniyelFPS

That looks amazing

i have seen that build, but that is beautiful. Mhhh, never done water cooling before, but as u can see in my build, i got an gtx 690, dont think i have enough space to connect the tubing for my gpu under it like in the build u showed me. Correct me if im wrong, and thanks for u r reply.

Very nice to hear, thank you! I'd bet the GTX690 would want an 240 radiator all by itself, 360 total for the computer you have. That won't be easy, maybe you should wait for a new generation of GPUs and jump on that train instead, or maybe just watercool the cpu? Maybe you could hang a 240 out back but I think reaching the I/O panel is difficult enough as is already. I honestly have no idea, but I will have my eyes pealed for other 901 builds and keep you updated if I find anything!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duality92

This thing is just plain beautiful! Great work so far!

I'm happy you enjoy the progress this far, thank you for leaving a comment and spurring me on! I really appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Sub'd
Really nice work, I love the Level of Detail! Keep it up

Thank you, Brucie! In Win also had their eye on the details so I get motivated by just looking at what they have done from the factory. No idea they could make things like this and I really hope that the end result will harmonize with the original design.
Quote:

Originally Posted by theSarcoplasmic

Subbed also! I'm building a hardline InWin 901 too right now (first computer build ever, first watercooling ever), but I'm not so gutsy as to tear the whole insides down

Love what your doing!

That's quite a challenge you put yourself up to! I wish you the best of luck, it will look so awesome in hardline, really suits the design of the case!

I took some photos for you, showing how modular the design actually is if you were to change your mind. It's one of the easiest cases I've ever put the saw to when you take it apart.

Thank you for the sub!

Quote:

Originally Posted by void

Subbed, always keen for Laine build

Thank you, Void! Much appreciated, if there are any questions, or something you like to see done different, feel free to tell me.

I really think this 901 will become one of the classics given a few more months, there are a lot of restrictions that make builds similar, but also a lot of space to really do your own thing once you turn a few things around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdoh

http://www.overclock.net/t/1525061/scratch-build-untitled#post_23154117

Your build is coming together. Nice.

That I'll follow! Thank you for sharing!

This is how the basic modules look, and put together, make up the case. It's pretty much plug and play once all rivets have been changed to screws and nuts.









And todays work, not much and still very rough but it's something.



As I said, not pretty (at least not yet), but it actually works. Isn't that a first for me, haha.



This is the pump connection running down to the radiator, but that will be more of a focus later on.





And the end result with two of the three mounts made and fitted. No more tape to hold it up! Good thing I put protective vinyl on it, that thing is starting to get beat up.



Cheers!

 

[Insan1tyOne]

Absolutely amazing work. Turning an almost flawless piece of craftsman ship into something absolutely unique. Love it!

 

[DaniyelFPS]

Very nice to hear, thank you! I'd bet the GTX690 would want an 240 radiator all by itself, 360 total for the computer you have. That won't be easy, maybe you should wait for a new generation of GPUs and jump on that train instead, or maybe just watercool the cpu? Maybe you could hang a 240 out back but I think reaching the I/O panel is difficult enough as is already. I honestly have no idea, but I will have my eyes pealed for other 901 builds and keep you updated if I find anything!

Yeah alot of work and modding must be done. Have to sell my gpu first, might just get the 980, im using a h80i for the cpu, i appreciate that u will let me know if u find anything, but for now im thinking of a getting a new case, and just put the 901 to the side for now. Because now the gpu heats up abit too much, when playing bf3 - bf4 on ultra it goes up to max 79 - 82C and gets very loud, sounds like a jet is taking off next to me

could u suggest a case that will have good cooling airflow for the parts i currently have and maybe tell me if i need more parts or different, so these are the parts i have:
i5-4690k
gtx 690 4g
asrock-z97e itx mobo
coolermaster v 850w
2x4 corsair dominator ram
corsair h80i aio cooler
2x92m corsair fan
1x120 corsair fan

 

[theSarcoplasmic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laine

I took some photos for you, showing how modular the design actually is if you were to change your mind. It's one of the easiest cases I've ever put the saw to when you take it apart.

Thanks for the photos!

I definitely agree with you, the design looks surprisingly easy to take apart piece by piece upon closer inspection despite its brushed and polished exterior. I had the pleasure of running my hands over the aluminum for a little before putting it back into the closet to wait for other parts.

 

[dirty elf]

this is intriguing... subbed

great work so far

 

[MagicPuffin]

Nicely done

 

[Laine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insan1tyOne

Absolutely amazing work. Turning an almost flawless piece of craftsman ship into something absolutely unique. Love it!

Wow, thank you! :-D

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniyelFPS

Yeah alot of work and modding must be done. Have to sell my gpu first, might just get the 980, im using a h80i for the cpu, i appreciate that u will let me know if u find anything, but for now im thinking of a getting a new case, and just put the 901 to the side for now. Because now the gpu heats up abit too much, when playing bf3 - bf4 on ultra it goes up to max 79 - 82C and gets very loud, sounds like a jet is taking off next to me

could u suggest a case that will have good cooling airflow for the parts i currently have and maybe tell me if i need more parts or different, so these are the parts i have:

That sounds like a plan, I wouldn't sell the 901 either, it's hard enough to come by already. Imagine in a years time. Check out Cooltek/Jonsbo cases, they might have something that fits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theSarcoplasmic

Thanks for the photos!

I definitely agree with you, the design looks surprisingly easy to take apart piece by piece upon closer inspection despite its brushed and polished exterior. I had the pleasure of running my hands over the aluminum for a little before putting it back into the closet to wait for other parts.

Isn't that the story of every 901 owner, haha. This case spent it's first 6 months tucked away in a closet too. :-D

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirty elf

this is intriguing... subbed

great work so far

Cheers! Thank you for the sub, much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicPuffin

Nicely done

Thank you! Very nice to see more people following this!

This is the result of some Google action, guesstimating and Photoshop for reference measuring. Hopefully it's true to the actual card, still haven't got it.


This is the first graphics card I ever bought, trusty old Sparkle 8800GT 512MB, now serving as a mockup. It's been to hell and back through the years.


I got these yesterday, been wanting a set of these step drill bits for about five years now. About time!








First test with the bits.







Originally I planned to use a 45 degree non-rotary fitting, but they are virtually impossible to find locally. This might need some rethinking.

 

[Laine]

Finally the GPU arrived, and hopefully the template stayed true.

Cutting the 2mm thick stainless plate wasn't fun at all. Not doing that again if I can avoid it.



The moment of truth.



I really like this backplate, not everyone is a fan of the perforated part but I think it suits the build.





And this is where I did the modification to the water block, it actually lines up very nicely. I should have done some more research in order to save a bit of plexi overhang.