Project: Page 5

[Killdrath]

For real this time. The case arrived in the mail today, and I promptly disassembled it. Plexi is on its way, so I have a few days to cut out all the fan grills, sand, and repaint it all.

Here's a couple pics of the case. I chose the new Coolermaster 690. I like the power supply at the bottom and all the mesh on the front, though it will be changed a lot.

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/1.jpg
The (short-lived) case in it's stock form.

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/3.jpg
The bottom vents for the PSU and an extra fan (the case came with a filter for this fan port)

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/5.jpg
Dual top 120mm vents. Not sure how because of tight clearances, but I want to try and fit a dual 120 rad in there.

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/6.jpg
The square opening has a mounting plate for yet another 120mm fan. This fan blows across the HDD bay, which is mounted sideways. I will probably cut out a lot of the HDD rack to allow better airflow.

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/12.jpg
The rear 120 vent, with pre-cut water cooling openings below it. These came with rubber grommets installed, but I already removed them.


I have many more pics of the case on My Site (http://www.killdrath.com/page5/index.htm). I may reference them from time to time, but I dont want to burden the thread down with too many pics before I've cut even a single piece.

[danthegeek]

That thing holds a lot of fans. lol

Good luck

-danthegeek

[armadilloben]

That thing holds a lot of fans. lol

Good luck

-danthegeek

"what nice fan holes u have grandma"

"all the more to water cool with my dear (evil laugh ensues)"

[Killdrath]

Pics to follow when I've done more work. So far, though, I've cut out the top two 120 fan grills and the plastic mesh under the metal mesh. My pics didnt show it very well, but the top two 120's had to blow upwards through 3 layers of blocking material. Not any more. However, I dont think the 120 rad will fit up there, so I may end up with a different rad layout. The slimmest rad I can find is the 34mm Swiftech, but I dont think it will fit between the top panel and the mobo. I plan to recycle some old components to test-fit.

Back to the jigsaw and dremel... (Already burnt through 4 reinforced cutting wheels on my dremel)

[dgrmkrp]

Try on of these: link (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=3985&zenid=45fb27bc0efa6139aee33eac73289d08)

[xRyokenx]

It looks like (from the bottom vents) it was meant to lay on a hard surface, not carpet as you get loads of dust from carpet... CoolerMaster makes nice cases though, I'm happy with mine.

[Killdrath]

Thx for the link dgrmkrp.

One last comment, with regards to a radiator. Is it acceptable to put the fans on top of the radiator with the rad on the intake side? With the case placement I have, the only place to place the fans would be above the rad. If I had to, I could make them as intake sucking air in from the top though. As it is, I'm going to need to find some slim fans, as standard 25mm fans are just a tad too tall.

[Killdrath]

Been a while, so a few updates.

The red plexi should be here from estreetplactics in the next couple days, and the radiator, 140mm top fans, and some UV stuff should be here from Performance-PCs in the next week.

In the meantime, I've been busily dremeling and jigsawing away at the case. The case is steel, so I've burnt through many many of the dremel disks LOL.

Top fan grills removed, as well as the one below the PSU fan at the bottom.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/21.JPG

Top and front panels with the plastic grills removed (these are hidden under metal mesh anyways.)
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/22.JPG

The grill for the fan that mounts behind the mobo... removed.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/23.JPG

You can see where I began cutting out the middle of the HDD cage to allow improved airflow from the front fan.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/27.JPG

And the pile of parts LOL.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/26.JPG

I've got plans for that plexi... hopefully I ordered enough.

[p0Pe]

would the rad in the top not fit if you put fans, or rad on the outside and made some mod to those:P... so they would blend in? otherwise like the projekt^^ and please do something more about that hdd cage:D they are so ugly -.-

[Killdrath]

This is the cuts I plan to the HDD cage. I'm leaving enough room for 2 drives on the bottom (raid 0 OS drive) and one on the top (storage drive).

http://www.killdrath.com/page5/28.JPG


As for the rad/fans on top. The rad will squeeze in below the metal top. The 140mmx20mm fans I ordered will just barely fit on the top, under the plastic upper housing and metal meshwork. The fans will be covered, but the lights will shine brightly through. The most extensive changes to the case will begin once I get the guts ordered.

[The boy 4rm oz]

This is starting to look promising, good work so far. +subscribe

[Killdrath]

Just a minor, quick update... no pics yet.

Mostly minor work on the case. I've started sanding down the mesh to remove the black paint, and done a test spray of my chosen color. Still need to 600 grit it and put on a second coat, then buff and clearcoat.

The radiator and 140mm fans should be here in the next couple days, along with a couple other goodies. As soon as I decide on final placement for the new power, reset and light switches I can get the main colors put onto the case. Except the side panels, of course, as I need to get a couple new jigsaw blades (my last metal blade snapped) to cut the side windows.

Does anyone know if the make the military-style covered switches as SPST momentaries? I'd like to use those, but if I cant get them in momentary, I'll have to find an alternative.

Also, I need a good temp monitor. I was thinking of using This (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5401/tmp-38/Thermal-Star_7-Backlight_Illuminated_Thermometer_Fan_Bus.html?tl= g34c137s490).

Next up: I have $550 to start ordering hardware. Gonna start perusing Newegg tonight. I hope to get mobo, CPU, and Ram to start. MAybe video card, but I doubt I'll have the budget yet since I want a pretty beefy card. Everyone think the E6600 is a good start, or should I look higher? This is supposed to end up a gaming rig.

[Killdrath]

Look what was waiting for me when I got home today!
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/30.JPG

Cut away most of the HDD racks for better airflow:
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/37.JPG

Testing placement of the radiator (Black Ice Pro II)
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/32.JPG

Holes where the power/reset/LED's USED to mount. Will have to bondo these away...
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/31.JPG

A couple shots of the first coat of paint on the mesh.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/36.JPG
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/35.JPG

Placement of the top 140mm fans. Took a LOT of cutting away at the plastic to make them fit, and I may end up having to totally re-do the top panel, as the fans do not currently line up with the mounting holes. This case just wasnt designed for placement of fans here, not that I'm going to let that stop me.
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/39.JPG

Test-firing the fans with the top mesh mostly in place (it isnt pushed all the way down as it is not easy to remove)
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/33.JPG
http://www.killdrath.com/page5/34.JPG

For the top fans, I may end up cutting away a large portion of the top of the case and making my own fan mounting plate that then bolts onto the existing top panel. The only part I've yet to figure out is how the dual 120 rad will mount and still allow me to be able to bolt the 140mm fans on top of it. Probably, as suggested by Jim Beam, drill and tap the holes in the mounting plate and screw the fans in from the top.

To-Do:
Wet-sand the mesh, paint again, then buff to a fine shine.
Bondo the front panel.
Paint all the black plastic
Paint the interior
LOTS of plexi work
Some random and as yet undetermined tweaks and special touches.

[Killdrath]

Up next:

Gigabyte GA-P35 mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050)

E6750 processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029)

Now, a bit of confusion, the board says it supports 1333 speeds, but only up to 1066 ram. Is the only way to get 1333 to run 667 speed in dual-channel? If so, how bad would it slow me down to put 1066 ram in, or should I really spend for the dual channel?

[The boy 4rm oz]

Doesn't duel channel work better anyway? Spreads the load.

[dgrmkrp]

Up next:

Gigabyte GA-P35 mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050)

E6750 processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029)

Now, a bit of confusion, the board says it supports 1333 speeds, but only up to 1066 ram. Is the only way to get 1333 to run 667 speed in dual-channel? If so, how bad would it slow me down to put 1066 ram in, or should I really spend for the dual channel?

It doesn't really work that way :) Dual channel is used to increase bandwidth: both memory modules work together, serving the processor, each controlled separately. Their bandwidth adds, not their frequencies.

You need the best ram you can buy, but in 2 or 4 modules: 2x1024@1066 MHz, for instance. But you could just buy the best ram you can. If yo want the ram to run at 1333 then you'll have to fork a lot of cash, as that is a big speed for ddr2. The thing is it doesn't have to support 1333 speeds for ram, but you can force it, more than 90% of the time. If the bios has no memory multiplier/divisor to allow the memory to work at 1333 without overclocking, then you can skip on the expensive products and buy good 1066 memory.

Hope I helped.

[Killdrath]

Minor update:
Been playing with mud, er, I mean Bondo.

Caught a good sale at the local Harbor Freight and got more dremel disks, files, hole saws, 1200 grit sandpaper, and more jigsaw blades. Not bad for under $40.

Motherboard/CPU/Ram should be here in a day or two, so I can start test-fitting pieces. A bit more filing down of sharp edges is in order, then off to painting the case.

Not sure if I'm going to hit a wall though. My girlfriend lost her job (they fired her illegally, but even with the state investigation she wont be getting paid) so I may hit a brick wall before I can get the video card and water blocks.

Anyway, sitting here waiting for bondo and paint to dry, then off to play Halo 3 til the crack of dawn. Work tomorrow is gonna suck.

[xRyokenx]

Sucks about your girlfriend losing her job... I got fired from KFC for taking too much time off for classes, and as usual, the one manager came up with BS about it, but whatever, I'm sick of fast food anyways.

The mod looks really good though. Nice job so far, and good luck with the financial stuff and all.

[Killdrath]

Man it sucks being sick.

I got my mobo, cpu, and ram the other day, and have been hard at work with files, sandpaper, and bondo, but with whatever-it-is that I got, I've been barely functional. Last night my temp spiked to over 100, lets put it that way.

Hopefully I can kick it soon and get that bondo sanded down smooth, and then cut out the side window. Was talking with Jim Beam and he basically challenged me to take my window/gear idea to the next level, so my whole window idea has been changed. I'll be cutting a big square window, for now, and then once I figure out a few things, it wont be just a plain window for long.

[xRyokenx]

Being sick does suck. I take a week to get over whatever it is enough to be functional and then I have another two weeks of being minorly sick and just being miserable.

Glad you're making progress. What kind of stuff did you get? I'm in a lazy mood atm and have a paper to work on, so I'm not gonna look for it. :F

(":F" is just a retarded looking smiley btw)

[Killdrath]

I got the E6750, gigabyte GA-P35 mobo, and 2 gigs of matched OCZ ram.

The head spreaders on the ram might have to be "recolored" hehe.

Left to purchase:
vid card (probably an 8800 GTS)
water blocks for cpu, gpu, nb.
a couple more fans
clear plexi for window

Left to do:
cut window
finish sanding down bondo
finish smoothing out the areas I cut
lightly sand entire case (durned plastic)
prime and paint, sand, paint, polish
cut fan grills/emblem (this will mount over the mesh on the front panel so doesnt have to be exactly 120mm grill size)
cut interior red plexi
put it all together, and make sure it works.

I'm sure I've forgotten some details, but it'll come to me.

[Killdrath]

Well... life sucks.

Project is on hold. Half my office got layed off on friday, and I was one of the unfortunate ones.

So, unless something comes up in a hurry (not easy in this town) I'm going to do the work I have the parts for, but the system itself will sit with no video card.

I'll continue to post pics of the work, but after a point, no more work will be possible. Not to mention that I'll be spending more time looking for a job than modding.

[Ap1thy]

just a suggestion if you want to finish this with a cheap card, an ati x1950 pro is worth checking out, or a 7900gs

sucks about the layoff though, Id be screwed with car payments and all

[alexanderH]

i'm loving the ideas you have with this case so far, I have one question however. You cut out a large portion of the HD stack to allow for air flow. I am wondering what your method is behind this because wouldn't you want cool or consistent temperatures running across your hard drives, instead of the air flowing right through the case. If you had disected them a bit more I think you would have been able to get the air-flow I think you are looking for while keeping your HDD's at a consistent operating temperature.

Great work so far, and i'll keep watching for updatess.

[Killdrath]

My thought is that I'm only going to have 2 HDD's, and one can go on top and the other on the bottom, mounted upside down. Both get good cross flow air while maintaining a good intake of air into the system.

As for finishing things, I am going to do the system as air cooled for now, though I will mount the radiator. I'm going to get a decent 8600 video card (found a few in the $90-$110 range), and recycle an old HDD and DVD (so, for now, the system will only have one HDD).

Once the job situation gets sorted out, I'll upgrade the video card, change drives (optical and HDD), and switch to water cooled.

So, game on!

[Killdrath]

Been doing a bit of work...

Marked out the plan.
http://killdrath.com/page5/40.JPG

A couple hours of cutting later. Still have to file down all the edges.
http://killdrath.com/page5/41.JPG

And pics of the bondo work.
This had some cutouts on the top that I didnt want.
http://killdrath.com/page5/42.JPG

And where the power/reset/lights used to be.
http://killdrath.com/page5/43.JPG

[The boy 4rm oz]

WOW!!!, laser cutting is cool lol.

[Killdrath]

naw, that was jigsaw and dremel.

[p0Pe]

140mm cooler FTW! :D... i have 2 myself:p... just a shame they only go with 1000rpm:/ and they are quite hard to fit in a normal case:P

[The boy 4rm oz]

A great job either way.

[Fuganater]

Nice job. Hope you find a new job soon so you can keep going.

[Killdrath]

New job secured. IT manager for one of the theater production companies here in Vegas.

Once things are back on track, I'm set to get the last of the hardware and get things rolling again. I still have some bondo work, and lots and lots of sanding to go.

Then, on to the fun parts... Like making my own gears and window etchings.

Meanwhile, I want to use these switches:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/TSW_M_TR_01.jpg

Does anyone know a source for these in momentary style? Or, can these be somehow converted to momentary? (I think I saw somewhere that the tops can be put over the top of other switches)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Cool switches, I looked at them in the carbon fiber style. Sorry I can't help you with your problem though.

[alexanderH]

New job secured. IT manager for one of the theater production companies here in Vegas.

Once things are back on track, I'm set to get the last of the hardware and get things rolling again. I still have some bondo work, and lots and lots of sanding to go.

Then, on to the fun parts... Like making my own gears and window etchings.

Meanwhile, I want to use these switches:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/TSW_M_TR_01.jpg

Does anyone know a source for these in momentary style? Or, can these be somehow converted to momentary? (I think I saw somewhere that the tops can be put over the top of other switches)

Congrats on the new job. that switch style is awesome, and your cuts in the panels look amazing so far. Good dremmel work I must say. as for a link to the switches, I have one for you. Made specifically for custom pcs. (http://www.mnpctech.com/spdprtToggle.html) MNPCTECH has some good stuff once in a while.

I hope that helps

[psychowit]

Omw!! I Love This Case And Your Mod Is Awesome To!!!

[Killdrath]

Thx alexanderH.

+rep for pointing me the right way. Kinda pricey, but I only need 2 or 3 of the momentary ones. (power, reset, and dvd eject) Might not install a reset switch at all though. Those plus a couple matching toggles for lights, etc.

[Airbozo]

Nice job! (the case and your new money making position...)

I liked the case so much I just bought one. Not sure what else besides painting it I am going to do... I will leave the drive bays alone since I intend to stuff it full of drives.

[tinker]

As far as those switches go you can get them at radio shack. I have looked at them before and I "think" the cap for it comes off quite easily. You could just stop by your local radio shack and check. It will save you shipping and a few bucks on the price.

[NightrainSrt4]

I have that switch from RadioShack for Project: Nightrain. Haven't hooked it up yet, but ya, the red switch part comes off easy and that can be attached to another switch with a similar sized hole. Ill get some pics of it taken apart for you tomorrow maybe.


And as for momentary, for my mod I just have it set up so I flip up the red cover. Flick the switch up, then just flick the cover back down. Should act just like a momentary switch and is easy to use.

For a hard reset/power off I just have to lift the red cover, flip the switch up, wait for the pc to turn off then just flip the cover back down if its being left off. Or if its being turned back on just flip the switch down and repeat the turn on procedure above.

I know, as usual I made something simple long phrased. Its really simple. And my girlfriend was happy because there is no way for her to accidentally turn on the pc or turn it off like she accidently did a few times with the momentary pushbutton switch that was originally on it.

Ill tell you how it works when it eventually gets wired up. I ran into some issues with a can of clear coat thats always worked fine, ruining my front panel. Seriously ruining it, so ive been pretty disheartened and need motivation to get back on the project lol.

[Killdrath]

A little thread necromancy here...

Project is NOT dead. I've finally managed to get a video card. Planning out how to mount the radiator and top fans, then start doing some assembly.

Something I never heard an answer on though.

Is there going to be an airflow problem if I put the radiator fans such that they SUCK through the radiator instead of pushing through it?

[NightrainSrt4]

I haven't tested it, but most people seem to suggest that having the fans pull the air through the rad cools better and seems to make less noise. I don't have any evidence either way, but thats what most people have suggested when Ive seen this question.

[TEAMIKKE]

I've my fans also pulling through the radiator and I can confirm it works better then the other way around.

[Killdrath]

Well, with that input in mind, then, I spent last night cutting plexi for mounting plates. A little more cutting work and the top of the case will be finished. I'll try and grab some pics soon.