Meet Rinzler - my Tron Themed NZXT case.

Digivolution · Mar 4, 2012

***Latest changes on page 4***

I wanted to do a theme case for my new build. After looking around, I found the Black/Orange NZXT Phantom on New Egg. I thought it looked remotely Tron like and decided to take things a step further.

I started by modding the unused 5.25 bay grills by cutting out some of the grill work with a dremel and graphite cutting wheel. The first bay cap I turned into a back lit name plaque:

The 2nd I decided to do build a side USB dock, so I could close the front door and leave thumb drives plugged it. I cut off most of the metal grill work and epoxied the back end of an old hard drive enclosure I had cut down. I then bought a sheet of 8th inch fluorescent orange acrylic and cut a piece to cover the back windows. I then mounted NZXT's internal USB hub through the side of the rear corner of the case. I added a little bit of detailing to cover the female USB ends. This allows me to keep thumb drives behind the closed door and still have access to teh additional USB headers, should I need them, to access from the rear of the drive bay.

After installing the main components, I added the first of 2 of NZXT's 2 meter orange LED cable kits. And zip tied a Recognizer toy that had clear orange parts in the main body in the upper right corner. And installed the programmable usb fan with a 60mm to 80mm stepper ring.

Next onto the side case mods and the Identity Disc.

Colonel Zay · Mar 5, 2012

TRON!!!! Looks good so far - subbed!

anubis1127 · Mar 5, 2012

Nice work so far, you definitely have more dremel skill/patience than I.

Digivolution · Mar 5, 2012

@ Colonel Zay

Thank you. I've got more plans to go for this one. Hopefully it will look as the concept in my head.

@ Anubis1127: Thank you. Scale modeling is one of my other hobbies. So Yeah I use a dremel as much as most people use a toothbrush.

The one nice thing about Tron Legacy coming out a year ago is that the merch and collectibles can now be found for cheep. I did some scoping in a few hobby shops and discount stores and found the rest of what I was looking for. This is everything installed inside the case.

The Recognizer is zip tied in place with one of the LED's from the NZXT kit popped through the back to light up the clear orange bits on the toy.

I found a figure of Rinzler from the movie. The figure could light up momentarily with a button on the back. To get the figure to stay on, I disassembled it and removed the circuit board and battery case. I then dremeled out slots on either side of the back and touched up the paint on the front to only show light in the appropriate areas. The slots I made on the back of the figure allow the NZXT cable to pass though trapping one LED inside the chest and keeping the figure 'on' as long as the PC:

I then added some orange trim on a few parts as finishing touches. All together this is the result:

And with light off:

I started detailing the left side panel. I cut 4 squares of orange acrylic to make the "T" symbol, trying to figure out the best way to attached them.....

Started working on the "Identity Disc" for the right side panel. I cut a torus out of the 8th inch orange acrylic and painted the side facing the case white to reflect the most light. The stock lighting with be replace with 4' of the 2nd NZXT lighting kit. It will be permanently screwed to the side panel and light up with the case when done:

Still more work to do.....

ace ventura069 · Mar 5, 2012

looking good

subbed

Big Shabazz · Mar 5, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Zay

TRON!!!! Looks good so far - subbed!

I agree with Colonel Zay. Can't wait to see the identity disk when it's finished

Shadow_Foxx · Mar 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digivolution

@ Anubis1127: Thank you. Scale modeling is one of my other hobbies. So Yeah I use a dremel as much as most people use a toothbrush.

So like once a month? Or is that just me?

You cut the TRON logo on that 5.25 bay cover out with just a dremel??

This buld has a ton of potential, will be following

Big Shabazz · Mar 6, 2012

I would like to know what kind of tools you used on the dremel for such intricate work. I just recently bought a dremel and I'm looking to do some design work on the side of my case.

iCrap · Mar 6, 2012

subbed.

DUpgrade · Mar 6, 2012

While I'm not a huge fan of CCFLs I think you might be able to use them in your case. Found a twin pack over at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/WHITE-CATHODE-BRIGHT-INCHES-COMPUTER/dp/B000JQ17WU

TRON is such a unique movie/story, I'm curious how your mod will turn out.

Digivolution · Mar 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_Foxx

You cut the TRON logo on that 5.25 bay cover out with just a dremel??
This buld has a ton of potential, will be following

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shabazz

I would like to know what kind of tools you used on the dremel for such intricate work. I just recently bought a dremel and I'm looking to do some design work on the side of my case.

Ola Gents, Just clarify, I cut the metal mesh with the dremel to make room for the orange acrylic square. The Tron logo was embossed on the square before epoxying it in to the bay cover. I then hand painted the black onto the acrylic using Games Workshop paints to mask the light outside the letters.

For tiny detail work I use a trimmed down graphite cutting wheel and small grinding tips on a dremel flex shaft.

Digivolution · Mar 6, 2012

Got the 'Identity Disc' mounted on the right door along with the trim finished. I hand cut a little light cycle at the end of the trim to finish it off.

I just need to get it in place and light it up.

roleki · Mar 6, 2012

Insofar as a case can be beautiful, this is. The only question is: does it fight for the Users?

Big Shabazz · Mar 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digivolution

Me gusta.
Very nice work my good sir

anubis1127 · Mar 7, 2012

very cool.

Digivolution · Mar 7, 2012

Thanks gents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roleki

The only question is: does it fight for the Users?

It does indeed...

Here are some pics of it all together

...And some of it lit up:

And in place, it looks cool sitting in the office with the lights out:

I want to replace the three 120mm fans with orange LED light fans, but when I called NZXT they are on back order until April. So I will swap them out later.

DanielMysterio · Mar 7, 2012

Get your system under Water

. Orange UV coolant or Tubes will look awesome

wireeater · Mar 7, 2012

Wow man, amazing work.

ace ventura069 · Mar 7, 2012

nice job mate:thumb:

FourDoor · Mar 7, 2012

Nice clean work with the identity disk there...

Gardenfan · Mar 8, 2012

Hah, I was listening to the soundtrack when I came across your post. I think it goes without saying that this is an epic build, nice job!

SmasherBasher · Mar 8, 2012

Wow this one caught me by surprise. Very well done.

Colonel Zay · Mar 8, 2012

Am I the only one amazed by that heatsink? lol

Great work man - that Rinzler figure is just sick after the work you did with it. The identity disc came out very smooth.

I'm not sure about putting in water cooling though, I think that would give it too many curves when The Grid is more about 'hard edges' or 'PCB' type appearance.... unless you do some serious tube management to give it a nice crisp look. Either way man - nice work!

Big Shabazz · Mar 8, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Zay

Am I the only one amazed by that heatsink? lol

Hehe. I noticed, but I thought the awesomeness was implied.

snoball · Mar 9, 2012

I want one... so nice. Awesome job man.

Digivolution · Mar 9, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireeater

Wow man, amazing work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace ventura069

nice job mate:thumb:

Thanks gents.
Quote:

Originally Posted by FourDoor

Nice clean work with the identity disk there...

Yeah, the lights argued with me going into the disc, but it was worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoball

I want one... so nice. Awesome job man.

Thanks it was a fun project. Makes me want to do another theme case.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardenfan

Hah, I was listening to the soundtrack when I came across your post. I think it goes without saying that this is an epic build, nice job!

Must have been karma with you listening to the soundtrack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmasherBasher

Wow this one caught me by surprise. Very well done.

Thanks! As a mod here, you had to have seen dozens of cases, so coming from you I consider that quite a compliment.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Zay

Am I the only one amazed by that heatsink? lol
Great work man - that Rinzler figure is just sick after the work you did with it. The identity disc came out very smooth.
I'm not sure about putting in water cooling though, I think that would give it too many curves when The Grid is more about 'hard edges' or 'PCB' type appearance.... unless you do some serious tube management to give it a nice crisp look. Either way man - nice work!

Thanks. The disc and figure added a lot of fun to the build. A friend pointed out that someone could do a Kevin Flynn version with a white Phantom, Kevin Flynn figure, and white Identity Disc. I told him I'd love to see it. I think he was hinting I should make it for him. LOL

I agree about the water cooling. I don't have a lot of experience with anything other than closed liquid cooling systems, like the one in this build. It would be hard to make look angular without some custom acrylic work on my part.

.
Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel Zay

Am I the only one amazed by that heatsink? lol

Click to expand...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Shabazz

Hehe. I noticed, but I thought the awesomeness was implied.

Click to expand...

.

I guess it's the little touches that help.

I did find a matching wireless mouse. It came in yesterday:

I couldn't find an orange back lit keyboard, So I'll end up going with a red back light one...

Meet Rinzler - my Tron Themed NZXT case.

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