Project: Frozen Sun

[CerealKlr]

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/TBCS_Group/imagispire/worklog/frozensun%20copy.jpg



Call me Ishmael... or Josh, which is a bit more accurate. I'll be keeping this log. My father and I have just finished our A+ Certification classes (computer hardware technician courses), and decided it was time that we put our new skills to the test. At first we were only planning to build our own computer instead of buying one, but when my father happened across ModWalk, we decided to see what we could do!
To clarify, this is first and foremost a performance PC, we're just making it look as good as it runs. Unfortunately, neither of our schedules permit the beautiful metal and acryllic work i've seen on so many other cases, but we plan to make up for it in light show and paint job.
We're planning to run Frozen Sun so cold you can make icecubes in it (for overclocking) and the light show is going to be stellar! (pun not intended)


Parts List
Case: Thermaltake Kandalf LCS. With HARLEQUIN PPG Green to Purple interior, and gloss black exterior
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/TTKLCSside.jpg

MoBo: MSI P35 Platinum (w/ Amusement Park attached).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/MSIP35Platinum.jpg

CPU: Undecided (Q6600 quad or E6850 Duo).

Memory: Crucial Ballistics Tracer 2-4GB (George Washington screams every time I stretch him a little more).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/CrucialBallisticsTracer.jpg

Hard Drive: Undecided (500-750GB single drive).

Video Card: Geforce 8800GTX (not sure which model).

Audio Card: Creative XFi (not sure which model) Can't let sound be the weak link!

Power Supply: Kingwin ABT-800MA1S ATX/BTX 800W Power Supply. Try saying that 10 times fast!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/PowerSupply.jpg
Its a shame to have to cover the beautiful sleeving they've given us, but we're looking for something that will stand out in the Blue/Green Light AND the UV light.

Wiring:
--UV Ogre (Black & Green) Sleeving
--UV Green HeatShrinkz
--UV Green EasyGrip Molex housings
--assorted other connectors
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/UVSleeving.jpg

Cooling: Out the wazoo. (Water & Fan Cooling)
--Thermaltake Aqua-Bay M5 #CL-W0103
--Flow Meter Pro Rev 3.6
--Thermaltake Silent Wheel 130cm Fan w/ 120cm Fan fitting
--Evercool Personal Computer Air Conditioner
--(plus the built in blowhole, rear exhaust, and radiator fans)
--Video Card Cooling Block
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/VidCardWaterBlock.jpg
can you say 'oooh shiny'? (the rest of the pictures are grouped with the lights below).

Lighting: UV Set & Blue/Green Set
--Logisys CFL UV Cathodes
--UV Lazer Light
--Molex LED mods
--assorted others
--blue Cathodes
--green spot lights
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/FansUVlights.jpg

Due to our schedule, were probably only going to be able to work on the mod during the weekends, but be sure to check in often, and thanks for the interest!

[p0Pe]

well.. you certanly got som nice hardware:D

just a note: buy 2 harddrives... if you have a single drive you will have to split it into 2 particions to avoid loss of all data dou to a format c: and i think this will be a shame, so buy a 10.000 rpm drive, and a 750 gigs for storage

its a nice case, mod it proud:p

[CerealKlr]

Thanks for the advice Pope! The reason we're shying away from RAID though, is that it actually doubles the chance of loss (assuming your using Disk Striping), or if your using it only as backup, we put our heads together and decided that anything on the HD that we dont have on a seperate backup disk probably isnt worth the money necessary to back up. Really, its an issue of cash, we're already over budget! My father and I were joking the other day, and he said we'd better buy a "Card Board Box, Family Size". When I asked why, he said, "To live in after I sell the house to pay off are computer!" :)

[p0Pe]

who said anything about raid:P.. just buy 2 hdd´s:D a small and a FRIGGIN big one:D i have 1.7 tb myself.... you can never get enough;)
dont know how many times i have lost importent stuff due to a format:D have a small 40 gigs for OS, and a 500/700 for the rest:D you arent gonna regret it:)

and btw - you hardware makes me drewel:bunny: especially love the psu!:D

[CerealKlr]

Yep, we picked through everything to choose are pieces parts. In related news, I have recieved confirmation that are piece de resistance is en route! Thats right folks, we have aquired our very own Sunbeam Lightbus! Straight out of New Zealand actually, its one of the last of its kind on the market since it was removed from production. Its going to be the main controller for all of our light schemes! By the way, if anyone knows a mod for the lightbus to make it software driven, i'd love a link. The patterns it comes with are pretty tricked, but I wouldnt mind trying my hand at my own patterns!

[p0Pe]

sounds good:)... gonna be nice to see some progress:P still going for 1 drive:p?

[Darth Dad]

Ishmael...er Josh I am your father...
No really... I am Josh's father.
I am going to be the technical support and banker on this project. Josh is going to be "MY SLAVE!" (insert evil laugh here.)

I case he didn't make it clear we are going to paint the interior of the case with PPG's Green to Purple color changing Harlequinn paint. I can't find any record of someone else using it on a case. ( Lots of pictures of it used on hot rods and bikes!)

Gotta get back to work now as this project is eating me out of house and home..

[Darth Dad]

Question? does anyone have any experience with Matrix Orbital LCDs? (Or one of the other styles). Josh and I where thinking of using one to display the flow meter readings and everything else. I think a screen showing "Coolant Flow - X.X lpm" Would be cool. Iwas also thinking that if we measured the temps going into and out of the radiator we could display waste heat removed in BTUs or watts.
Any suggestions?

[Luke122]

Welcome aboard Darth Dad!

As far as I know, that paint has not been used in a mod before, so you would be the first. :D I saw that paint in person on a Mustang GT a few years ago (dealership show car), and was absolutely blown away by the range (and saturation) of colors.

Using it on the inside of the case is almost a waste, since the internal lighting will overpower the color shift in the paint. Using it on the outside of the case would be muuuuuch cooler... just my $0.02 :D

[CerealKlr]

Do you really think so Luke? We were figuring on the change being enhanced by the lighting! On another note, following up what Dad said, does anyone know if the Matrix Orbital LCDs control code is proprietary/opensource? I've got plenty of coding experience, but i'd still like to know what i'm getting into! :)

[Luke122]

The paint isnt UV reactive, and none of the colors that it shifts between are really (in my opinion) going to be affected by the UV.

It's more likely that you'll only see the reflections of the purple UV lights in the paint. :( You could always try it to see, maybe I'm completely wrong.


**EDIT** I've emailed PPG to ask about UV and the Harlequin paint.


I really dont know anything about the Orbital LCD's, so I cant comment on that.

[CerealKlr]

Yes, I suppose you're correct for the UV light set, but remember, we're going to have two distinct lighting schemes in frozen sun, the UV set and the blue/green set. I'm hoping that the flashing reflections from the lights will cause some shift in the Harlequin. :)

[Darth Dad]

We are probabbly going to get a Crystalfontz 635 with the SCAB fan / temp unit (it can read up to 32 temps!) Because our case is a TT Kandalf LCS with doors (and a rad) over the front bays we want to flush mount it into the top of the case about 3 or 4 inches from the front.

When we started this project all we wanted was a new, decent pc. Then we thought a faster pc would be really nice. Then we thought a few lights might be cool, ohh water cooling ... mmmm...then maybe some sleeving...Oh look the last new Lightbus on the planet (from New Zealand none the less[technically is New Zealand on the planet?]) I got it! How about a LCD, no wait...we will cut a hole in the top of our new $300 case to custom mount the LCD (because we are so amazingly handy with tools!)...WHERE DOES IT END! Somebody save the boy...I am beyond saving!

[psychowit]

omw nice hardware!!!!!! 80

[Ap1thy]

damn.. wish i had a dad like that lol, could use a new gtx or 2 XD

good luck on it!

[CerealKlr]

Gotta love it eh? I havn't had much time apart from homework and programming, but i believe i'll be uploading some new pics of our progress soon.

[Darth Dad]

Hey, where are the new updates? I know there are some. (My whip arm is really tired!):rolleyes:

I'll tell you good slaves so hard to get now days... Just because he pulls straight A's in all advanced classes, just because he is a multiple Presidential scholarship award winner, Just because he is the patrol leader of his boy scout troup, just because he is writing his own AI. The boy seems to think these are legit reasons to slack off writing updates.:think:

I gotta get a bigger whip or maybe a bigger arm... yeah thats it, a bigger arm... maybe one with steroids! here slave...here slave...:eek:

[dexaroni]

Someone just let the creepy out of the bag.

Look forward to seeing some updates, just keep the slave action out of the pics please. :banana:

[The boy 4rm oz]

Very disturbing but funny all the same lol.

[CerealKlr]

Thats right folks, i'm Baaaack! And this time its personal. (Trying to see how many famous movie lines I can cram into one post).
Boy do I have it lined up for you guys! I've easily got 4 posts worth of material here, and don't have time to put it all up now, but heres a taste of what your gonna get! :D

First of all, I'd like to start off with our Innovatek FlowMeter Pro that came only a few days ago.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a004.jpg
Looks great dont it? Well, looks aren't everything, as my father and I learned. The connectors size makes it look as though the I.D. was large enough to pass enough pressure to kill a horse right?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a005.jpg
As it turns out, we were wrong. I apologize for the poor quality of the picture, but the subject was so small that we had to be close, and the flash reflected a bit.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a008.jpg
Needless to say, we'll be selling this worthless trinket on ebay, and try to recoup the loss. If you need a flowmeter for a 1:7 scale model of a water cooled computer, you know where to get it!

Next of all, our workspace!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a001.jpg
Scenic Mt. CompyutarPeeses, located convienently to the left of my chair.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a024.jpg

And thats all for tonight guys! Stay tuned in tommorow evening when I upload our adventures (or should I say MISadventures) in getting are beautiful Kandalf case naked!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Can't go past new gear lol.

[Darth Dad]

Cereal and I were very disappointed with the flowmeter. :hurt:
Yes, I knew the Germans like to use 6mm tubing for their water cooling instead of the 9 - 12mm we use. I certainly did not expect the actual inlets and outlets to be about 2.5mm ID!:?
I can't even imagine how badly using that would throttle the water flow or just how high it would raise temps!

For some reason I thought the Germans knew about liquid cooling...silly me.

[The boy 4rm oz]

It may have been designed for a split line so not to impede flow to significant components. Basically the only thing it does is tell you if the coolant is moving.

[Darth Dad]

It may have been designed for a split line so not to impede flow to significant components. Basically the only thing it does is tell you if the coolant is moving.

No... The flow meter is rated at 2800 counts per liter. This thing was designed to monitor / read out actual flow rates. Just for a very small computer!:eek:
I suppose I could run a 1/4" bypass line around it. That way flow would not be so restricted. I don't know how I would calibrate the unit to get the total flow though. (Actually I do know, it would just be a major pain!:dead:, I do this kind of stuff at work!)
I just emailed Koolance asking them the actual ID of their flow meters. They appear to be larger so maybe we will get lucky@:p

[Darth Dad]

Just heard back from Koolance...Fast response...maybe I should be doing more business with them...:think:

They claim their flow meter has an effective 10mm ID! Hot Damn!:banana:
That means minimal back pressure in the system due to the flow meter.

I think we have a winner! (thunderous applause)

[CerealKlr]

Sorry about the delay, A few pesky lines of code kept me glued to the computer last night. (stick_user_to_chair(superglue,true); ) :P
At any rate, I come in peace.... with pictures! Thats right, the nitty gritty of undressing our ThermalTake Kandalf LCS
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/TTKLCSside.jpg

First of all, we had to remove the side doors, smooth sailing.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a013.jpg
Next, we popped off the silly Star Trek top piece (considering the computer will be sitting under our desk, with only the front 4 inches or so sticking out). We're going to need to put it back on before we're done, because it leaves some mighty ugly holes in the top, but I really wish we had the option of starting with a plain top.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a012.jpg

Then, we had to remove the B-E-A-utiful front panel. This was no easy feat, they disguised the screws as rivets, which kept us searching for the better part of a half hour.
As you can also see in the picture, we removed nearly all of the plastic no-screw mechanisms in the front bay rack as well (we're sending it in for painting). The very top one is still in place, its latches were obscured by the top, which we were removing soon anyways.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a025.jpg

Now, we removed the top and bottom by drilling out all the rivets, which was a pain in the donkey. Several rivets were apparently made out of some form of diamond alloy, as they REFUSED to be drilled through (we actually broke a pretty high quality bit), while others just melted like butter. My father has more skills with the drill then I do, so I simply watched in fascination (until thin slivers of metal began flying in all directions, at which point I retreated behind the counter for the duration). You can also see that I removed all of the tension springs lining the case where the doors meet (to reduce vibrations) again for ease of painting.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a030.jpg

Successfully getting our case naked, we put a hospital gown (dust protector) over it and awaited tommorow, where we'd find some new 'sleeves for all of our wires. All hail Ogre sleeving! :D

[Luke122]

I just heard back from PPG, the Harlequin paint will not light up under UV lights. Sorry!

[Zephik]

I just heard back from PPG, the Harlequin paint will not light up under UV lights. Sorry!

Well thats a bummer! Maybe it will still look cool? I guess thats just how it goes sometimes though. You just gotta experiment around a bit and if it doesn't turn out the way you wanted it too, then sand it back down and try again. Although that can end up being costly in both time, effort and money. *shrugs*

This has turned out to be a fairly entertaining thread, pretty amusing really. I think its great that we have a father and son project here on the forums. Anytime I mention something computer related with my father... well, lets just say it doesn't usually end well. (you wouldn't believe how ridiculously hard it was to get him to switch over from IE to Firefox. :dead:).

Keep up the good work you two, we'll be watching! :)

[Luke122]

My dad has NO clue about computers. I once found 10 new folders and text documents created on the desktop. He says he was trying to shut it down. :rolleyes:

[Scotty]

My dad has NO clue about computers. I once found 10 new folders and text documents created on the desktop. He says he was trying to shut it down. :rolleyes:

ROFL, i actually laughed.

Same for my dad, he thinks he knows, but every time he tries to fix the internet when it goes down, he thinks restarting the PC fixes a problem with the modem/router... When will he learn, oh well its 20mins he wastes shutting down and starting up a ancient PC...


Keep up the good, work, cable sleeving can be a painful, boring experience, especially when you can't figure out how to remove the connectors, or don't dare as you will have 24 wires and no clue where they go.

[Darth Dad]

I just heard back from PPG, the Harlequin paint will not light up under UV lights. Sorry!

Dag nabit!:lick:

Maybe we will add some white lights just to show off the paint job.
hmm lets see...

4 each 12" UV tubes + 2each 7 led UV spots + a 5 led UV lazer
All the blue fans + (hopefully) 2 round blue pucks (for back lighting such as behind the MB)
10 green led lazer cannons for spot lighting
Some white lighting (to show off the harlequinn paint)
lets not forget the leds in the Crucial Tracers....I am not sure if our 800 watt PSU is beg enough...:think:

Maybe This mod should be about installing a nuclear reactor in our computer...:rolleyes:

[Luke122]

Check out the PSU calculator thread I posted.. might answer that question for you. :)

That's enough lights to open a nightclub!

[CerealKlr]

It appears that i've run out of computer/log related puns, so I suppose my father is going to punnish me. Now, before anyone with a sensitive nose has to leave (because of how bad my jokes stink), i'd best hop right into the update!
Even before we began to order any pieces, we decided on our color scheme, a fairly standard green/blue mix. To spice it up, we decided we'd have to different light rigs run off of our SunBeam Light Bus, one of that last in the world! (we had to import it all the way from New Zealand)!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a010.jpg
Now, to clarify, the Lightbus can accommodate four seperate light channels, each with seperate settings, but we aren't made of money, so we're saving the other 2.

Now, the first set of lights (which we were planning on from the start) was entirely UV. We planned to completely flood our case with UV, to the point where it nearly became hard to look into. Most all of the UV reactants would be green (and only a few blues), and the power supply and various other fans would supply more blue to balance it out through their built in LEDs.

In the second set, we decided to use blue as the dominant color (the opposite of the other rig), and light key (or in other words, neat looking) elements of the computer with green spotlights. we're planning to have most of the background glow come from blue LED pucks mounted behind the MoBo (so it creates a halo outlining the rollercoaster, and you can refer to my first post for a pic if you've forgotten).

Next, we decided to find some sort of green sleeving for our wires, and of course, we bought the best we could be find (Father had to give a tearful goodbye to his last good friend, a wrinkled old George Washington for that), but the results were stunning, our TechFlex UV Ogre is beautiful when exposed to ultraviolet!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/UVSleeving.jpg
Peering throught the plastic package (or possibly cheating by scrolling down to see a poorly sleeved wire :P), you can see that it is a green-black mix, which looks een better under light. The result is going to be great!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a032.jpg

We bought all the tools we thought we needed for removing the pin housings, but it appears we were wrong... (see the tools in the picture with the sleeving). Our 20+4 pin remover doesn't seem to work on our cable! I searched google for a while, and found something that may possibly be the answer. The newer 20+4s are made to a different specification then the old Molexes, so the molex tool no longer properly catches the tabs on the pins. At any rate, other then that, its went relatively smoothly. With a great deal of tugging (and much to my dismay, one broken pin), I managed to get a pretty decent head start on the cables i've currently got on hand. We're replacing the connectors with UV green EasyGripz (again, in the picture with the coiled Ogre). We didn't buy quite enough, so I'm going to need to stop when I run out until the new shipment comes in, by then i'll hopefully get the cables on hand finished. The only other real issue we've been facing is the fact that the Ogre kits we bought come with very little mid-sized sleeving. I expended both entire rolls of it on just two of my six power supply cables! If this keeps up we'll end up selling my laptop, which would cause a bit of friction in the team XD.

At any rate, i've blabbed enough for one night, I need to go gather more pictures, and prepare to tell you guys all about our cooling rig next time!

EDIT:
Ha, it seems Dad has beaten me to telling you about the lighting, but one thing he doesn't have is a pretty picture of the lightbus, so chalk one up for me! XD

[The boy 4rm oz]

You need a different connector to de-pin the mobo power connectors.
http://www.pccasegear.com.au/prod1333.htm
Fairly expensive though, I was going to change my black ones to blue and decided against it.

[Darth Dad]

Must not beat boy, must not beat boy for extremely bad puns:eek:...must only use my mutant, super Dad steroid arm for for good or maybe winning at poker. (these things ain't cheap ya know...) Besides I've gotten pretty used to him. :rolleyes:
I can be the super hero and he can be my side kick. Just like...(who was the worst super hero side kick?)....:think:
Well I guess he does do pretty good sleeving work... ok...I won't beat him...today..:banana:

[Darth Dad]

You need a different connector to de-pin the mobo power connectors.

We actually have a special tool for the 20+4. It just doesn't seen to work too easy. The molex tool worked great on the molexes (well most of them).
But the boy and I spent a combined 1/2 hour trying to pop out a single 20+4 pin with no luck...
Josh - Please take a good pic of the 20+4 tool and display it here.
Does anyone know of a better / easy to use tool?????

For those of you who might wonder...I travel for living:eek:, I travel so much that I make road warriors look like sissies:eek:...
so when it sounds like I am giving the boy a hard time he knows it is just my code for me saying, "I care!":bunny::bunny::bunny::bunny::bunny:

[cured]

thats going to be one sexy PC how much did it cost for all?

[CerealKlr]

Well, thats a sticky topic XD. Lets just say we passed our limit by.... a bit. I believe the current estimate is about 2.5k... correct Dad? Well, I didn't need that college money... considering I was well qualified for a partial-ride into OSU in 7th grade (judging by a test ACT score). XD Anyways, i've been really swamped with homework (i figured no one on the community wanted to help me find the point of concurrence of the altitudes of a triangle in order to get its orthocenter). But, should I have some spare time, i'll get a few new pix up (one of me popping out the door springs, removing the window, some more sleeving work, and of course our current piece of... buttcake 20+4 pin remover).

[Ironcat]

Wow, I guess I have outgeeked myself here but...

LINK (http://education.ti.com/educationportal/activityexchange/Activity.do?cid=US&aId=4597)
Click on the Cabri download, it's pretty good

( It's not my fault... I build kites! )

[Darth Dad]

Wow, I guess I have outgeeked myself here but...

LINK (http://education.ti.com/educationportal/activityexchange/Activity.do?cid=US&aId=4597)
Click on the Cabri download, it's pretty good

( It's not my fault... I build kites! )

Ok Ironcat, I am officially impressed. :D
Did you already know what an orthocenter was or did you look it up?
Either way +rep for the effort...:glasses:

[Darth Dad]

New Stuff!

I gotta post a some new updates cause the boy is busy being lazy as usual. He claims he is doing homework... likely story!:rolleyes:
On top of that he has got this whole modest thing going on so he doesn't want any pictures that include him!
Anyway here is an update...

The boy removing the tooless drive holders..
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a015-1.jpg
(You can't hardly notice were the ugly truck ran over him!:))

It's nice to have lots of work space to spread out...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a037.jpg

More fidely sleeving work...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a035.jpg

But it sure makes difference when you are done!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a031.jpg

I will add more later...

[Darth Dad]

More pics of work I made the boy do...

Removing the window...

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a023.jpg

You have to be careful when popping out the little plastic rivets that hold the window in place. The boy used a small hex driver to press them out.

[Darth Dad]

We just got new parts delivered!

Santa brought us some parts...:santa:

More sleeving...




http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a022.jpg





10 green LED lazers for spot lighting.




http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a020.jpg





And the best part...A Crystalfontz 635 w/ SCAB. With a bunch of assorted cables (We got 8 thermometers!) :p
Front view...




http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a005-1.jpg



This is the 4 x 20 unit!

Back view...




http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a006.jpg



The boy and I are planning to flush mount the LCD into the top of the case about 2 inches back from the front.

Maybe when we are done with this mod we will do a review on the Crystalfontz...:?

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice work, sleeving looks good, I love the green and black.

[psychowit]

yeah! She's nice!

[Xperiment]

Love the spotlight's lots of potential for them.

[TEAMIKKE]

You are working very neat. Very good ;) Saves you a lot of time because you don't **** up things.

[The boy 4rm oz]

You are working very neat. Very good ;) Saves you a lot of time because you don't **** up things.

Haha too true.

[Darth Dad]

We hope to go crazy programming the LCD.
The boy is quite the programmer! (Who knew, like rainman or something...:D) Once the boy works his magic it should be pretty cool! Maybe we will post a movie of the various screens!

With 8 Dallas temp sensors with the LCD and all the temp sensors built into the mother board...ect we have more things wired than the CIA! :eek:
We are going to make our own water temp doohickies. (That is a technical term for those of you who are slow ;)) We will epoxy the Dallas temp sensors into 1/2" tee's probabbly using epoxy to hold / waterproof the sensors. We are thinking about 3 of them. The rest will be air and redundant hardware.

Proposed Temp Channels:

Coolant out of the rad.
Coolant out of the CPU, into the GPU.
Coolant out of the GPU into the rad.
Air into the rad (ambient).
Air out of the rad.
Air in the middle of the case (case ambient).
Case exhaust (One of the rear exhaust fans).
Maybe a redundant CPU Channel.
Along with the Koolance Flow Meter we plan to get we will be able to monitor thermal performance closer than NASA watching a shuttle landing! :eek:

Also thanks for noticing the good work the boy is doing.
(Good slaves are so hard to find nowdays...:banana:)
I actually used to be a Quality Control Inpsector at Nuclear Power Plants! :alien:

[The boy 4rm oz]

It's good to keep an eye on case temps but I think your going a bit over the top with the sensors. Also, if you epoxy sensors in to "T" joints that will create a major leak point.

[TEAMIKKE]

I like the idea but the watertemp. barly changes. I would implant 1 or 2. 1 for the radiator and 1 after or something like that. Altough I think even then there will be only a Delta of 3-4 degreas.

And you have to be carefull with epoxy indeed. I've heard many stories that it came lose after a while.

[Darth Dad]

I am not sure why, if we had a tight joint to start with, we would have to worry about leakage. :? I would think that the epoxy would be totally inert and last forever. We have given some thought to trying an acrylic bathroom type caulk. The idea being that we could always remove the sensors from the caulk if we wanted to. Epoxy is so permenant! :lick:

[Darth Dad]

It's good to keep an eye on case temps but I think your going a bit over the top with the sensors. Also, if you epoxy sensors in to "T" joints that will create a major leak point.

Isn't the whole idea of this website to see the work of people who have gone "over the top" working on their computers?

Just wait...the boy and I have only just begun!! :D:D

[Fuganater]

WOW!! Dude you put alot of money into this. I could only dream of having that kind of hardware in mine. +rep for design and +subscribe. Keep modding!

[Darth Dad]

WOW!! Dude you put alot of money into this. I could only dream of having that kind of hardware in mine. +rep for design and +subscribe. Keep modding!

Thats why I had the boy... :neutral:

To pay for my toys! :p

[CerealKlr]

Background info update:

To start with, I just wanted to clear a rumour that I heard going around.

1. He has NOT done away with me yet! I'm still alive and kicking, though his latest attempt came darn near to starving me to death! He sent me to the local torture specialist (a.k.a. orthodontist), and affixed to my mouth their latest torture device (braces). Luckily, the specialist wasn't very attentive, and left one molar top and bottom on the right side of my mouth that I can still chew with! I will shortly be releasing a list of the foods that can be eaten with two teeth.

In other news, we've decided that in addition to the computer, we will be modding my head, to go along with the braces. We're planning to include 2 250GB harddrives, a Creative speaker system, as well as a Nvidia GTS Video Card. We will be watercooling the setup, with contact points being 1) My rear molars, 2) the GTS, 3) My incisors, and 4) The CPU.
The radiator will be located on the bridge of my nose. We're going to have a Blue/Green light scheme, highlighting my toungue and chin, and a built in radio/TV setup using my braces as an antenna!

[CerealKlr]

Ok, more Pics! :D First off, heres a pic of our current 20+4 tool (thats useless)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a014-1.jpg
If you know what the problem is, or even have any ideas, we're of course all ears!

Next, its time to talk Power Tools! Get excited folks, our first official surgery took place on Sunday!

We needed to cut A hole in the top of our case for our CrystalFontz, so our first step was dressing the patient in Painters tape to prevent any needless scratching! With that done, we got the measurements, and made our markings.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a008-1.jpg
My father was the surgeon this time around (im too smart to play with power tools) XD. He got out of it with all 10 fingers... but the case wasnt so lucky. We cut a bit far widthwise, but it's an easy thing to fix(just cover the excess hole with black plastic).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a016.jpg
The result? Succcess! We relied on the slight lip of the screen to hold the display up, because the chip was glued and soldered to the faceplate, rather then bolted as we'd originally hoped. If it was bolted, we would have cut a smaller hole, and bolted it through the case itself. As is, the display fits quite snugly, and can take quite a bit of beating! Heres a view from the underside:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a017.jpg

The most important part of the procedure?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a012-1.jpg
The Taco Dip that fed my father while we worked! :p

Well, that about wraps up this post, stick around for the next update!

[SgtM]

This mod is looking good guys. +rep to both of you. Can't wait for updates.

[armadilloben]

i wish my dad cared that much about tbcs
i generally just do the stuff myself and then he just asks why i need it and then i say i dont and then he asks me why i bought it and i say why and then we move on lol i dont understand how he can stare at that dell all day long without something flashing

albeit my dad did just get me two old p3 dual proc servers from his office :santa:
yes it did need the santa....

but yeah i love the armor it was my first real im doing this by myself without dad rig and i still have the case. i cant find like 6 of those 5.25" bay cover thingeys!! lol

but overall great job on the sleeving looks great
ive been watching from the beginning its relle cool
-ben

[jdbnsn]

Header attached courtesy of imagispire.

[Darth Dad]

Header attached courtesy of imagispire.



Thank You! That looks great.


I noticed the mother board in the header is a MSI P35 Platinum ;)

[Darth Dad]

This mod is looking good guys. +rep to both of you. Can't wait for updates.



I'm impressed, we have attracted the notice of the old timers:banana: (or maybe I should have said vetrans)



Any way thanks for the words of encouragement!

[CerealKlr]

Just wanted to say thanks too! I love the header, and the colors couldnt be better!

At any rate, i'm rather disapointed about the last phase of the mod. When we made the hole for the CF (thats CrystalFontz), I was expecting my father to lose a finger or three. Since he didn't (and since i'm smarter then him) I convinced him to play with power tools some more!

The Star-Trekesque plastic top piece
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a011.jpg
This has been driving me insane for quite some time. I think it just looks silly! However, we couldn't just leave it of, because it was just covered in latching holes.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a015.jpg

However, with sudden inspiration, I realized I could avoid all of that by cutting it out! We'll be replacing it with an acryllic panel, and fitting yet another fan in, a huge blowhole, probably 140mm or 160mm! :D It'll of course be a lighted fan, so pretty colors will be coming out from under our desk! :D This is about the area that we'll be cutting and filling (and yes, the perspective is off :P)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/CompTopFixed.jpg

[Darth Dad]

Hey everyone, Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! To all our international friends out there, don't worry we love you too! :D

Any way I have a question...
The boy tells me all the really cool dads have 8 or less fingers :eek: (We are not counting thumbs seperately) and that I should try cutting some more holes in our case so that I can be a really cool dad too.

My question is in three parts;

Do I really want to be cool dad?
I there any, possibbly less painful way to be really cool?
How do the cool dads pick their noses? :think:I would really appreciate your input as this whole cool thing has me stumped!

[dexaroni]

Hey everyone, Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! To all our international friends out there, don't worry we love you too! :D

Any way I have a question...
The boy tells me all the really cool dads have 8 or less fingers :eek: (We are not counting thumbs seperately) and that I should try cutting some more holes in our case so that I can be a really cool dad too.

My question is in three parts;

Do I really want to be cool dad?
I there any, possibbly less painful way to be really cool?
How do the cool dads pick their noses? :think:I would really appreciate your input as this whole cool thing has me stumped!

1) Who DOESNT want to be a cool dad?

2) No man, cutting your fingers off is the ONLY way. Spike hair for extra cool.

3) Cool dads just cover a nostril and blow hard, sending the snot flying.

Builds looking good so far, I'll have to watch this one.

[TEAMIKKE]

You're a cool dad already! You're casemodding ;)

Don't go over the top with lighted fans though. They spread a lot of ambiance-light. I think it would be prettier if you take a simple black fan and create a fanguard of some nice UV-plexie or so and then lit that up. It's way more subtile then and as an famous modder ever said: Less is more ;)

Just a tip off course. Led-fans can also be cool! Just like you are a cool dad :p

[Darth Dad]

I am so excited!! :banana:

Yesterday I bought 2 each 2Gb (2 x 1Gb) Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500 1066 MHz Memory kits. for $159.00 total! (not to mention free shipping!)

4Gb of memory, let me throw out some memory numbers for the younger members...

My first computer had 48k!
My second computer had 64k!
My first hard drive was 60mb!
My second hard drive was 400mb!:: Doing a victory dance that totally embarresses the boy :: :p

[calumc]

Hehe that reminds me of a computer I was using in school the other day: 8Mhz processor and a 30mb hard drive!!!!
Mind you it still does its job! (it runs a cnc lathe)

[CerealKlr]

Time for the worlds fastest Update! Can I do it in 5 minutes? Lets find out!

First of all, Dad told me that the optimal radius for the window would be about 5 in. So, I brought out my trusty compass, and took a piece of cardboard, drew the correct sized rectangle, and radiused the edges to exactly 5in. diameter. Im a bit of a perfectionist I suppose. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a006-1.jpg

After I had finished drawing and rechecking, i played with hobby knives! Maybe not my fathers best decision, but I escaped without TOO much bleeding. XD
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a008-2.jpg

After I finished cutting, I popped it on the top, and without further ado, this is what the window was going to look like!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307a010-1.jpg

However, we decided to follow the old adage, "measure twice cut once," so we remeasured the template we had cut. It turns out that we were off by about a 16th of an inch! Since my 5 minutes is long since up, I finally get to say something i've always wanted to!

To Be Continued...

[Darth Dad]

Well this is a real cliff hanger....

I wonder how it will turn out? :?

The suspense is killing me.... :dead:

Oh well, you get the idea...

[Trace]

Looks good. I wish my dad case modded with me. Instead I have to fund it all and do all the work. Subscribing to this one!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looks cool. I am going to have to do something like that when I mount my 240mm radiator on the bottom of my case.

[Darth Dad]

I can't stand it anymore!
I am starting to jones.... I gotta know what happens next!
Where is that darn boy?
Probabbly doing something useless like his homework again! :eek:
I think I will go harass him about adding an update. :devious:
After all, "inquiring minds want to know..."

[CerealKlr]

Ok, time for another little update! Since the cameraman was busy cutting his fingers, we don't have any pictures of the job in progress... However, we do have a primary source of information! Unfortunately, he was killed in a tragic accident, so you'll need to settle for me. :P

To begin with, I once again taped off the case, to prevent needless scratching of the paint job. Then, I clamped it to a board, and we were ready to cut!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001.jpg


Our weapon of choice? The jigsaw!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002.jpg


Again, I used my father for the job of cutting. He's running low on fingers, so he taught himself to use the jigsaw with his feet. Since he was cutting and I holding the board stable, we couldn't be taking pictures, so all we have is the finished product!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003.jpg


The next step (which we decided on after Dad finished cutting the remains of his hand off on the sharp edges, was to sand down the cut with our handy dremel tool!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004.jpg


Here's the patient without the hospital clothes, ready to go back on the case!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006.jpg


Speak of the devil, there it is!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007.jpg
The issue is, the PSU support (the huge silver-grey thing near the back) blocks our view of the PSU, and wastes window space! Now, I couldn't have that, so my dad, drill in hand... well tongue.... proceeded to drill out its rivets. The finished result?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b010.jpg


With that done, I couldn't wait to fit in the CrystalFontz for a preview of how it would look! I was a bit disapointed when I found it didn't fit... :P Look closely at the rectangular hole for the display, and you'll see that the mounting rack partially fills the hole!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b012.jpg
Once again, looking closely, you can see the trouble areas colored with red sharpie.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b013.jpg


Needless to say, I enticed my old man with cookies and coolness to cut these last two sections out, and now we're all set to move on!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3008.jpg
Finally, like any good adventure story, the end result is awesome.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3009.jpg

[armadilloben]

were are my updates!!! the armor is my favorite all time case and i love this mod keep up the good work hey cereal do you have an aim screen name id love to talk to you about modding and stuff i think im like the same age as you im 14

[CerealKlr]

:D you can reach me at CerealKilaaa .... when I have a chance to be on that is! :P I Just got back from vacation with my family in MI.... turns out they aren't actually devils(!), which is why We didn't get much done this weekend. :P

[billygoat333]

looking good guys. :)

[Darth Dad]

It Isn't fair! :twisted:

It seems like everyone and their brother has a sponser or three...

I want a sponser too... I am a good dad, I eat my veggie's, I only beat the boy if he deserves it (or maybe when I am bored...:devious:).

I need a sponser... That boy eats like a horse, do you have any idea just how much Boy Chow costs these days? It ain't cheap, believe you me. The I gotta clothe him, sack cloth isn't good enough for the boy! :eek: He wants jeans and stuff!

All this and I gotta pay for the mods too? It just ain't fair! I am gonna beat the boy till I get a sponser!

Oh look, I forgot to take my meds today... gulp, thats better... (pretty colors)...
Never mind.... :rolleyes:

[Fuganater]

rofl crazy dude.... crazy dude

[CerealKlr]

Okay, he needs a sponsor. I think thats been established... While were on the subject, I think he also needs some new meds, and a new boy, i'm outta here! XD Ive been playing with the "properties of special triangles" in geometry lately, which has been a bit hard and time consuming. The teacher didnt even seem to get the joke when I asked how to calculate the amount below average of the triangles IQ! :P Anyways, if i get some time between finishing HW and the parade im getting dragged to today, i'll have another update. :D

[Trace]

[off topic] How old are you? Geometry? not fun at all![/off topic]

I can't wait for the update!

[billygoat333]

geometry sucks. but it can be fun, if you like that sort of thing. I want a sponsor too! :( lol. if only computers were free.

[NightrainSrt4]

Here is a really good article for you guys

Modding Sponsorship (http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2007/11/20/hitchhiker_guide_to_mod_sponsorship/1)

Tons of good information in there. Take some time to read through it all. Very helpful. Just remember, your selling yourself and your rig, so its not just free stuff.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I read that article a while ago, very helpful. Didn't help me get a sponsor though lol.

[TEAMIKKE]

Sponsors sucks!

We shoulnd't be dependent from them! I have lots more of respect for those, who can create a stunning case all by them self. Sponsors should come to you, not the other way around.

Another problem with sponsors, is that what they give you. What on earth should you do with some sponsored, turbine-noice making fancy LED-fan if you already bought all your fans? You can't ask if you can get something else. And even if you get something you actually need, would you bought it yourself in terms of quality and such? Personally I only want A-quality. Just so that I haven't got any problems if it doesn't work or brakes down after a while.

We don't need them! They need us! ;)

[Zephik]

We don't need them! They need us! ;)

Well, its true. Without consumers, their products would be all but worthless. But as far as sponsorships go, they don't really need us. Companies will still sell their products thanks to advertising and our need for their merchandise. So why do they sponsor some people occasionally? Because A.) Money doesn't grow on tree's for most of us normal people and B.) Its probably cheaper and maybe even more effective than regular advertising, such as on TV, or website ads, etc. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on "regular" advertising towards a large crowd of people, where most of those peoples probably wont even be interested in their products, they can advertise straight to many of their consumers, which would be us, at only the price of the products (or cash in some cases) they give us to use, which is probably minimal for them. So, its not really that they need us, its more on the lines of that we need them and they can benefit from that need if they so choose.

Thats the reason why I think people want sponsorships. Makes things cheaper for them. Heck, I'd slap an nVidia sticker on my project if I was going to spend as much as these guys here are any day. That, and it would be pretty cool to have someone like nVidia sponsor one of my projects. :p

Keep up the good work you crazy duo! Your project is not only fun to watch as it progresses along (which it has been nicely might I add), but also you two crack me the heck up. I don't think I have ever read such a funny worklog before, its kinda nice really. That, and the whole father/son/fathers paying for entire project thing. I am TOTALLY jealous of that! :)

-Zephik

PS - Cereal, you could probably take your "abusive" father to court if you can get some pictures of proof that he beats you. But I'd wait till this project is finished, that way you can snag it as part of your "compensation", so it'll be all yours! Muahahaha! :D JK Darth, if your son acts in any way like I do, then he probably deserves those "beatings". :p

[TEAMIKKE]

Thats the reason why I think people want sponsorships. Makes things cheaper for them. Heck, I'd slap an nVidia sticker on my project if I was going to spend as much as these guys here are any day. That, and it would be pretty cool to have someone like nVidia sponsor one of my projects. :p


You've got a point there. But I meant that people are often to reliable on a sponsor. Example: They need that part for the case. If they can't get it, they just stop with the case. That's just a shame. Go find work or something (Altough I know that's hard sometimes :hurt: ). Get the money or save something so you can get that part and you'll be a lot more satisfied than if you got it sponsored.

But that's my oppinion off course. I can also imagine that someone, who can't afford it, would be very happy with a sponsor. And if that gives us a very good mod, who are we to critisice it then ;)

[CerealKlr]

:D Not to worry, i've already casted the line for a job that will be perfect for me! The only forseeable road block is that most people don't hire 14 year olds... :P At any rate, I realized that you all missed me terribly, so I came back. I'll endure my father a bit longer. :P

[Darth Dad]

The case went out for painting last weekend. (The only thing I am worse at than using power tools is painting!) :neutral:

We are hoping for a 1 week turn around. Maybe I should make the boy hold his breath until it gets back? :eek:

Christmas is coming up fast. The boy and I are going to have to move our entire modding operation to the spare bedroom because we normally have about 30 people for Christmas dinner. (Momma thinks our guests might not enjoy eating with all our modding stuff.)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yeah I know what you mean. I was forced to move all of my stuff into the shed. I also had to clean everything out of my room because I am getting a new bed. I wont find anything I am looking for now lol.

[CerealKlr]

I'm back with more pictures! :D Santa Clause brought us some gifts too! Since me telling you what we're going to use the parts for is boring, I've decided we can play a game of guessing! First one to guess what the parts are for wins! Every half an hour from now, I will post one picture. there are 3 pictures in all. If no one successfully guesses what the parts are for, I will keep the brand new prize corvette.

Now, heres your first pic:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/95fc4923.jpg

Good Luck!!!

[calumc]

tubing of some sort.... :p

[CerealKlr]

Nice try calumc. :P Its related to tubing though!

Okay, I gave it a whole hour! Only one guess? Well, heres the next picture!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/403eeb7f.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

Thermal sensors. Haha I win lol.

[CerealKlr]

Poop! Now I gotta return the prize corvette to the dealership (read the line about the prize very carefully)! :P Okay, well, heres the last picture. This what what the sensors will look like (plus some epoxy)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/03075a36.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

I hope this works out for you and you don't get any leaks.

[CerealKlr]

What a coincidence, we were hoping the same thing! Ha! Seriously though, we don't expect any major issues. :D Nothing much has been going down in the basement, or the "mod cave" if you will. :P We've sort of stlled out since sending the case for painting. Stay tuned though, because over Christmas break I plan to download a C derivative LCD driver for our CF and find every possible function I can use to notify my dad that I am cooler then he is! XD

[CerealKlr]

PLEASE INSERT 25 CENTS FOR AMAZING PICTURES.


THANK YOU.

:) Hey guys, we have good news and bad news... Bad news is that we've been demoted, having to work out of our spare room with only 1 table instead of in the basement with 3! :(
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b042.jpg


Good news is we started getting parts bck one by one from our painter yesterday, and i think you'll be as happy as we are with the results! First of all, he painted the entire internal section Halequin PPG! Can you say, ooh pretty?

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b043.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b046.jpg

For those of you savvy enough to see the pattern, yes it seems light DOES have quite the effect of Harlequin PPG! This is what I was hoping for, the light show will go from amazing to spectacular!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b044.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b047.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b051.jpg

[SgtM]

I'm really diggin that paint man! Can't wait to see what you do with lighting.

[Darth Dad]

The boy and I are reconsidering our purposed lighting scheme now that we have some idea what the Harlequinn paint job actually looks like... :think:

As you can see in the above pic's the appearent color changes depending on the angle you view it from. We are going to do some experiments to see if the color will change based on the angle of the lighting used. :? If we could make the paint change color just by swapping from one set of lights to another that would be cool. We will also try using various colored lights to see if that has any effect.....

I feel like a mad scientist! :banana:

Not sure exactly when we can run these tests, we have about 30 people coming over Christmas dinner! :eek:

[CerealKlr]

Well, I got yelled at for my naivety by the slave driver (above). He says I was supposed to explain how Harlequin worked to you guys in the last post. Oh well, he seems to have done that...

Anyways, in case you guys are wondering, im pushing for some servo mounted lighting to draw pretty colors on the case (black bat symbol on a purple background maybe?) :D

Anyways, later on tonight im going to choose which (of 3) programs I set aside, and start teaching myself to code our crystalfontz! :D

[Darth Dad]

Urge building... getting stronger...
losing control...

MUST BEAT BOY! :eek::eek::eek:

There... now I feel better... :p

[FrooP]

beating children is not accepted on these forums :p

[Xpirate]

Don't beat the boy. Come on man, it's the holiday season. Where's your Christmas spirit?

[FrooP]

make a christmas bulb outta him :D

[The boy 4rm oz]

make a christmas bulb outta him :D

Haha, now wouldn't that be a sight to show the family lol.

About your lighting issue. I am thinking white ultra bright LEDs in holders like the ones Crimson Sky built for his Doom 3 mod. You could than rig them up so they would spin with motors to cover different parts of the case or you could just build a relay that would make them dim on and dim off randomly, much like Christmas lights lol.

[Darth Dad]

Don't beat the boy. Come on man, it's the holiday season. Where's your Christmas spirit?

You are right... whatever could I have been thinking of? :think:

How about if I beat the boy with mistletoe??? :eek:

[The boy 4rm oz]

How about if I beat the boy with mistletoe???

Still illegal but a big improvement lol :D.

[Xpirate]

How about if I beat the boy with mistletoe??? :eek:

Santa's going to leave a lump of coal in your stocking this year.

You guys did an excellent job on that green paint job.

[CerealKlr]

Hmm, my father killed the conversation again, so I brought pictures to shock it back to life. XD first of all, i'd like to apologise for updating so slowly, as some of you may remember, i'm in the process of getting CompTIA certified, and i've got to take the final test next week. Anyways, since you probably don't care and want to see pretty Harlequin paint jobs, i'll shut up and show you the parts we finally got back from the painter. :D

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b060.jpg
Note that this is NOT plain green my friends, see below!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b061.jpg

Those two were both by me, I might add. :D As you can see, they are far superior to my fathers poor photogaphy skills! :P

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b068.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b069.jpg

Then, considering that unlike some people *cough* all of you *cough* we have lives and decided on some normal "money shots" to get the rest. :D Just kidding, we don't have lives either! XD

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b070.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b071.jpg

Then, just to show off the difference between our inside paint job and outside, we took another set of shots of the case panels.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b075.jpg

As you can see, the one furthest right (or the top to those of you who know about computers :lick:) is turned to show the gloss black exterior. The other two proudly display their Harlequin PPG coloration. :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

I love that paint. It looks so...COOL lol.

[Xperiment]

Loving the paint, really liking this project, keep it coming.

[CerealKlr]

Thanks :) I'd say I did it myself, but it would be a huge lie! XD Credit goes out to my Uncle, who owns a paintshop for cars actually. On accepting the job, he figured it would be simple. On completion, he said he'd never do it again! XD Turns out some of the parts were so small he could fit his airbrush in to get the paint right! XD Luckily, he was persistant, and you'll never notice the little flaws that were there. :)

Anyways, the next step will be me showing my father how to sell things on Ebay, so we can unload the pieces we dont need and have a little bit of pocket change again... :D The funny thing is, he used to be a used car salesman, but he needs ME to set it up for him! :P Anyways, once thats finished we can buy a few new parts we need, and while hats going through i'll finish up the sleeving (all thats left is the PSU wires, an the fan wires).

[ComputerGuru64x2]

Keep going, It looks great. I really like the metallic paint job with high gloss. Just be careful when your screwing in opticals, HDD's, etc... and such because if you tighten that screw too tight you will ruin the paint job, and I'd hate to see that happen. If you haven't already I reccomend getting some small washer to putwhere the drive holes are.
Good Luck

[Darth Dad]

XD We cheated by using the ThermalTake Kandalf LCS, which uses those handy tooless drive holders! :P Thanks for the advice though, should save some misery for anyone reading this topic! :P

[armadilloben]

XD We cheated by using the ThermalTake Kandalf LCS, which uses those handy tooless drive holders! :P Thanks for the advice though, should save some misery for anyone reading this topic! :P


i hate those things..........



actually i will agree they are tool less but they should come with a large blunt object

[dfigravity]

GO BUCKS!! I'm from Arlington/Clintonville...you guys in CBus? Beautiful mod btw! I'm excited to see how the white LED's look.....

[Darth Dad]

GO BUCKS!! I'm from Arlington/Clintonville...you guys in CBus? Beautiful mod btw! I'm excited to see how the white LED's look.....
Naw we live on the North Coast near Cleveland.....
Still root for the Buc's though.....

[Darth Dad]

It lives...

Hello to all my friends in mod land....
As you may have noticed the boy and I have not got much (any) work done lately. Well have no fear! We are about to start working on this mod again. As soon as the boy and I can can match schedules we will get to work. I have scheduled a week off work to coincide with the boy's spring break. (3/24/08 - 3/30/08 ) We hope to get most if not all of the build done then....

Anyway stay tuned new updates will start appearing soon.:banana::banana:

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yay updates.

[Enigma]

Yeah !!!
Updates would be a nice thing, and LOTS of pics.
Really love the color you are using for this mod, and the hardware "drool" !!!

[Darth Dad]

We have started....:banana:

We are currently spending money like a couple of drunken sailors on shore leave. (I know all about this because I used to be one!):rolleyes:

We may not get the MSI motherboard we orginally spec'd. They are starting to become outmoded not to mention hard to get. (They sure are pretty though.)
According the reviews I have read, the most important item for overclocking will be CPU FSB on the new Penryn quads. (Multiplier is locked at 9!) Theefore the best MB would be the new Fozconn X38 which has pulled 555 in a review I read.

If we can get a good enough deal I am startig to seriously think about dual 500 GB or bigger drives. Raid-0 of course! :up:

Anyway....gotta go... soon there will be real updates with pic's.:eek:

[CerealKlr]

Do you guys have any idea how hard it is to escape from the locked trunk of an impounded car? I didn't think so. At any rate, i'm back now, and I even got some work done on the case! :) We had two simple items on the agenda for yesterday, the Temperature sensors, and getting that darn window on!

We started with the simple stuff; we took 3 plugs from T-splitters for the hoses, and cut off the excesswith a dremel tool.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-1.jpg

The finished cut.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-1.jpg

Next, we cleaned the cut with a sanding attatchment, and scraped out the excess with a razor knife. Using my awesome knife-wielding abilities to my fullest, I deftly stabbed my father in the finger, slightly missing serious injury. It was a warning attack. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006-1.jpg

Next, we swabbed everything down with alcohol, and mixed our epoxy. We got a relatively thick epoxy, roughly the viscosity of frosting. For our first sensor, my father simply tried to mash the epoxy in with a stick. Trust me, this is NOT the best way to do it. :P Realizing this, I ran upstairs and grabbed a ziplock bag. After scraping the epoxy into the bag, my father had some initial doubts as to whether he would be able to squeeze it out of a hole in the corner as planned. As I expected, it worked perfectly... the rest were easy! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b020.jpg


Next up, the window! Since we already cut a hole in the case, we used that and the handy included washer to mark off the size of the window on the acryllic panel we ordered. Once marked, we built ourselves a hobo scroll saw (using our new vice and a jigsaw).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b013-1.jpg

Then, we began the cut.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-1.jpg

Once we had the panel out, I began applying the molding around the window. The secret-- silicone spray, silicone spray, silicone spray. Got that? :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b010-1.jpg

Finally, we cleaned it up with Windex, and we were done. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b014-1.jpg

And of course, a teaser of what is to come:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b017.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b019.jpg

Stay tuned guys! :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice window mount, good progress. Can't wait to see more.

[Zephik]

Nice window mount, good progress. Can't wait to see more.

Ditto on that! Updates can never come soon enough... ah well, the anticipation just makes it all the more sweet. :)

[cooldud02123]

wow every time i look at these case mods they make me fell bad cuz i dont think i could ever do that but u guys r good at what u do lol so i cant wait to see more

[Darth Dad]

Somebody stop me before I spend again!:eek:

I just spent $800 plus on stuff for this mod.....
Momma is gonna kill me and then maim the boy! :dead:

On the plus side we are going to have 1Terrabyte of Raid 0 storage!
Lets all say that again 1 Terrabyte...mmmmm :redface:

The only major items left to purchase is the mother board and the CPU...

Buying computer parts is like crack cocaine for the terminally geeky!:think:

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice...1TB.

[Darth Dad]

We are getting closer.....

Last night I ordered an Asus Maximus Formula X38 motherboard.
Boxes are arriving at the house almost every day.
It's just like Christmas! :santa:

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yet so far away :( lol. I love new tech.

[CerealKlr]

SOS! The IRS Agents just dragged my dad away. Now whos going to pay the rent on our cardboard box!? Ah well, at least I have my computer!:) We got all sorts of goodies since our last update, and we've been dying to show you it! well, my dad actually DID die, but we already ordered most of the important stuff, so the internals are on there way! At any rate, our new trinkets:

Fessor 1 UV Black Coolant
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b016-1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Feser1UVBlack.jpg
Pretty eh? Black in the visible spectrum and transparent blue in UV. :) The picture is obviously from the site itself, and split in half

Can you guess what this next item is? Don't ruin the surprise, make a guess before you read the answer!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b017-1.jpg

Its.....
A box of packing peanuts! Woo Hooo! Not just any peanuts, these beautiful limited edition package guardians come in in a neon green-tinged hue! :P

Next up, a too-many in one card reader! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b018-1.jpg

Of course, this mod wouldn't be my own without at least two ways to insult my dad without his noticing in writing, so we picked up this LCD fan! I sold him on the idea tht I would put messages such as "dad rocks" on it. More likely it'll just give a constant weight reading from a pressure sensor in the chair whenever he isn't looking! :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b020-1.jpg

Finally, the money shot. Prepare yourselves ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness the single lagest group of items in a single photo in this ENTIRE update! XD in the photo, from front to back: assorted black rivets which we may or may not use to hold our case together (i naddition to the bubble gum we're using presently of course), green hose clamps, thermal stuff, ArctiClean thermal prep stuff, and a 30 LED string, sleeved for FREE courtesy Performance PCs.com. "Sleeve it and they will come." Amen.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b021-1.jpg
Note that the rivets and hose clamps are jsut representatives of a larger number of each. :P

Until next time, CK out.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Oooooh nice. I was going to get some articlean but after seeing how well zippo fluid works I couldn't see the point lol.

[cooldud02123]

ooooo new stuff i have no idea what it dose but it is newwwww oooooooo aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

[Darth Dad]

Is it just me or is the boy starting to get a mite lippy? :mad:

This is what happens when he doesn't get beat on regular basis...:eek:

Maybe I should just trade him in... Yeah... maybe a contest...

:banana:Thats it a contest! :banana:

In 50 words or less you need to explain how if you replaced the boy you would make my life better by not needing to be beaten so often. The winner might get all the boy's computer stuff, MP3 players, Wii's...ect.:D (or he might not...):(

Void where prohibited, not available in some locations. Please drink responsibly. This add does not constitute a recommendation for replacing or beating evil children.

[Trace]

Haha very nice. I love the disclaimer, and the mod! Looking great. keep it up!

[CerealKlr]

[...Uplink Achieved.]
[Signing On...]
[Begin Transmission]
Hey guys, this is my fir-*hiss* update since I barricaded off-*pop*-room from the rest of the house. I put *crackle* a sign declaring that I wasn't hiding in my room on the door. It seems to have fooled my dad so far. I also-
[Connection Lost]

[Connection Established]
Anyways, back to the update. First off, *snap* our new flow meter has arrived, and yes, its the right *static* size.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-2.jpg

Next up, our beautiful SoundBlaster Fatal1ty Xtreme Gamer audio card!!! how can you not love it on sight? :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-2.jpg

Finally, a device who's sheer beauty has made me fall in love with it, our new ASUS Maximus Formula Mother Board!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-2.jpg
I could go on for pages and pages about how great it is, but since i'm not here to advertise for them, I trust you can find the relevant info. :) Suffice to say its super ultra high end!

Most of the rest of our system also came two days ago, but we dont have pictures yet, so i'll keep you in suspense! :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice mobo. Personally I like DFI boards better but ASUS are good quality, expensive though.

[CerealKlr]

[Uplink Achieved]
[Signing On...]
[Begin Transmission]
Josh's Log: Day 2
*CRSSSH* Hey guys, *crackle* I snuck out far after dark to snag some
*static*-ictures of the new parts. Beyold the power and *pop* -ajesty of
our amazing new computer parts!

We can start simpl-*hiss* with the nuts and bolts:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-2.jpg

Next, the pretty box says it all, Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX! Ooooh.
Ahhhh. 'Nuf said.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-2.jpg

Next up, our read and write DVD drives! (one is just read, the other
r/w)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-2.jpg

Next, a full TB of memory!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-2.jpg

And finally, a computer just isn't a computer without working, so we
bought ourselves Vista 64x OEM!

Finally, a close call with Father. I snuck downstairs for some much
needed meditation for the upcoming week and a half of dedicated building,
and he caught me in a state of trance!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b012-2.jpg
For whatever reason, he didn't kill me when he caught me at it...
Nevertheless, I shall continue hiding out 'til fu-*pop*-ther notice.

Stay *bzzzz*-ght here, we'll be working nonstop all through next week!
Expect a *crack*-date every day.

Josh, signing off.
[End Transmission]

[Trace]

I take it your spring break is coming up?

8800GTX? I want it!

[Darth Dad]

Sometimes I just can't believe how lazy the boy is....

We workrd on the mod all day yesterday. Took pictures even. I, with my very own 2 little hands down loaded said pics to our pc. All the boy had to do was update this thread.

I don't see an update, do you see an update? 1 little thing I ask the boy to do and does it get done? :(

If laziness was a disease the boy would be terminally ill! :hurt:

On the other hand I can't believe that no one has entered the contest to replace the boy. A room of his own, his own TV, $1000 worth of Mind Storms stuff, an 18 speed bike...ect ad infinitum. All that and me as a father. How could life be any better? I couldn't, that's how. The boy is living the dream and doesn't even know it. 3 square meals a day and beatings whenever he needs them. :eek: I tell you it just doesn't get any better than that! Ungrateful whelp!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Lol *rant*.

[CerealKlr]

I'm at the library. the old man got smart and took the door down... I really thought that "Tresspassers shall be hanged" sign would work longer. At any rate, we booked a solid 8 hours work yesterday, so this update may run a bit long. :)

We settled into buiness w/ the easy stuff, I popped all of the door springs back into place on the case (which dampen noise). Once I did that, I reriveted the window onto the side panel.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3246.jpg

At first, we were going to mount our LED fan on top of the case, but we decided we didnt have enough window area to spare, so we mounted it as an exhaust fan at the back facing inward.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3245.jpg

Next, we bolted together most of the case. I was pretty happy with the end result!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3247.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3249.jpg

As I slaved away over sleeving, dad mounted our wierd and very cool drive bay fan.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3250.jpg

After which, my father went mad and turned this:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3253.jpg

Into this:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3255.jpg

Did I mention he cut himself to pieces in the process?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3251.jpg

While he was going ape with the power tools, I was busy melting fingers and cutting wires attempting to sleeve too many wires to fast. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3258.jpg

Now, the fun part. If you look closely at the picture below, you'll notice ugly pieces of plast ic that look like screen protectors. Well, those are VITALLY necessary to install an ATX board (which ours is) to prevent it from shorting out. The fun part is, they are mostly transparent, small, and lost in one of over 15 large boxes full of unsorted junk!
After half and hour and a mild panic attack on my dads part, we found them, thank god. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3259.jpg

Of course, with that done, nothing was stopping us from mounting our precious mobo!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3261.jpg

bask in the glory: :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3262.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3263.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3265.jpg

Anyways, thats it for last night, stay tuned for our work today! :)

[Xpirate]

Sometimes I just can't believe how lazy the boy is....

If laziness was a disease the boy would be terminally ill! :hurt:


Quit being so hard on the boy Darth, it's Easter weekend for crying out loud.

You guys have done an excellent job on this case. It's good to see a father and son work on a project together.

[The boy 4rm oz]

It's really coming together now.

[Darth Dad]

[quote=Xpirate;179414]Quit being so hard on the boy Darth, it's Easter weekend for crying out loud.

If I wasn't hard on the boy he sleep in until 1:00pm every day. We would get no work done at all. For example we are taking today off (lazy bum) it is currently 11:30am and the boy is still asleep!:bowdown: Besides he appreciates the structure the beatings add to his life. They let him know that I love him and am thinking about him.:shoed:

Happy Easter (or the holiday greeting of your choice) to all of those reading this thread...:cray:

[CerealKlr]

<Insert Politically Correct Holiday Greeting here> </Politically Correct>!

Hiya guys, just got on the computer. My dad slipped some sleeping pills into my water last night, so I didn't wake up 'til about 11:30!

Anyways, boy do I have the motherload for you! This update is rated R for partial nudity. You guessed it in one, we stripped our GTX today! :) We also did more sleeving....

First off, my dad went outside to grab the flow meter mount I coaxed him into spray painting. I'd say it looks pretty neat mounted, eh?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-3.jpg
I do wish we had some Harlequin to slap to it rather then black though... it seems slightly out of place.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-3.jpg
If you havn't guessed, the floating circuit board top right is the flow meter's circuitry. We're probably going to mount it out of sight though, instead of somehow flying. ;)

Next up, we took our MoBo out and armored it. the CPU cooler requires a rather large support block apparently... FUN! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-4.jpg

Note to others doing this: we lined up the support piece by sticking long screws through the 4 holes it screws in at. That way, it took minimal jockying to get it lined up propely with the holes on the MoBo insulator (it was attatched using a one-time adhesive backing).

After that, we mounted our 500GB HDDs in their removable box, and mounted a giant fan on the whole assembly.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-4.jpg
Remember now, this will be a full TB if memory in RAID0! :)

Suddenly, by the pricking of his thumbs, father knew evil was afoot! He quickly scanned the basement, searching for the culprit. His eyes locked on our work tables, and then the counter. "Thats it!" he thought. "Clean, boy, clean!" He yelled maniacally. In other words, Dad was afraid of losing stuff in the mess that was now our basement, and had us clean it up before we got back to work. :)

BEFORE

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006-3.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-3.jpg

AFTER
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-3.jpg
(Yes, we blew up the counter so we didn't have to clen it. thats why we don't have a photo of it.)

Once that was done, my father and I got to do something actually interesting. If you are under 18, you must have parental permission to continue reading! We stripped our GTX to bear circuit board. :)
...
...
...Do not look further if you are an unnacompanied minor!
...
...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b010-3.jpg

Oooh.
Ahhh.
What a body, eh? ;)

However, we did have a reason to strip the card, it wasn't just impulse. :P We needed to mount our awesome plexi water block!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b013-3.jpg
You are permitted to drool.

Now, enough of the peep shots, lets get to business! First off, we had to remove the giant fan cooler off of the GTX. This was particularly nerve-wracking because the thermal material used between the cooler and the card was uncooperative (my father was scared... *poop*less as he bent the card this way and that to break the seal.) Not only was that great fun, but he also had to search for missed screws twice before he got them all! Now, for a limited time only, *offer expires when TBCS closes,* you get to see the underside of the cooler!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b011-3.jpg
Not much to look at, huh? Anyways, we cleaned the old thermal compound off the gfx card, purified its surface, and used Arctic Ceramique to bond it to our new water block, all of which went smoothly. What was less smooth was the ridiculously large number of screws that all had to be tightened equally to stop the card from warping!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b014-3.jpg

Well, my father and I were very happy with the way it looked... until we mounted it...
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b016-2.jpg

The slot is wrong way up! No one will ever know of the work we went through to beautify it! :( Oh well... theres plenty lore pretty stuff we'll be putting in!

Mounting the card at all was no fun either. After 15 minutes of playing with it, we realized the screwless card holder wouldnt QUITE fit the GTX. :( We popped it off and used the huge thumbscrews that had originally held the doors to hold the cards (on the theory we could buy more, and because dad liked the way they looked.)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b020-2.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b017-2.jpg

And finally, more sleeving. :\
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b021-2.jpg
When will this torture end!?

Whats that? You want a sneak preview of what is to come? You're dieing to see what the case looks like with a few random lights thrown in? It's your terminally ill grandmother's last wish to see it, and she won't live until next update? Well, we got to ogle it! We plugged a few random lights in, shut off the lights in the basement, and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the case. Even with only about 4 lights tossed in (out of about 30 XD) it looked awesome. You really wanna see? realllllly? Well, you better stick around 'til next update! i'm not posting it until then! :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

So that's what My GTX looks like without the cooler. Oh well I will see it up close eventually when I install my Swiftech MCW-60 on it.

[CerealKlr]

The IRS has caught up with us! Thy just reposessed our house. :'( Luckily, my Aunt and Uncle had a pad they said we could live in until we got out of this money scrape. Check out the new lair, nice huh?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3268.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

Just something I would like to point out. The voltage regulators on the 8800GTX get extremely hot, these aren't covered by the stock heatsink or by the water block you are using. The regulators are in the center of the card just right of where the stock cooler ends, they are two black squares about 1cm squared. They are just left of the 3 capacitors in a row. I strongly recommend putting a heatsink on them if you have them, I did and it has made a huge temp difference on the chips (to touch).

[Darth Dad]

Boy from Oz - Thanks for the info... I did not know that :? We will have to get a heat sink for the GTX card...

[The boy 4rm oz]

Here is a pic of what I did, it's just make sift until I remove the stock cooler to install the water block. I will be mounting 2 heatsinks instead of one. I am using a couple of Zalman heatsinks that came with an old GPU cooler to cool the RAM. If you have an old CPU or Northbridge heatsink you could mod that to fit easily.
Here is the pic:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7122/dsc01757cf5.jpg
And another:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8044/dsc01756ii7.jpg

[Darth Dad]

Ordered some small copper heat sinks from Performance PCs yesterday. Boy are they fast... I placed an order on Sunday, they shipped on Monday. I placed another order on Monday which they also shipped on Monday! :up:

When we started this mod I thought that case was huge... Now I am starting to wonder were we are going to fit everything...:cgonfused:

Just waitng for the boy to decide to get up...

[Talon]

While I really should be working.... Ive been flicking through the works in progress. There is some great work here. I am new to modding myself and I really like the sharp, clean look you are going for!

[CerealKlr]

Well, I got held up for the last update, so i'll combine it with this one, for a [loud ultra deep announcer's voice] SUUUUUPER UPDATE [/loud ultra deep announcer's voice]

First, my dad decided to show off his newfound metalworking skills by building a UV Puck mount to light our flow meter.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-5.jpg

...unfortunately, he grossly miscalculated, it didnt work. XD

So anyways, we installed the card reader while I waited for dad to finish playing with his mount. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-6.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-5.jpg

Next, we popped one of the exhaust fans into the case. It definately moves some air! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-6.jpg

During the horrible neverending sleeving, there was an accident....
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006-5.jpg
:O :'( One of our temperature probes! Nooooooooooooooooooo!

Good thing we bought a bunch of extras!

Once that was done, we moved on to painting the T joints for the probes. Like how they look?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-5.jpg

Then, wonder of all wonders, are CPU finally got here!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-5.jpg

After that, I installed our lightbus! We tested it out for quite a while, it works pretty well! One thing we wish though, was that it would use the different channels to cover the highs and lows, instead of each channel operting on one sensitivity. Oh well. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-4.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-4.jpg

Welcome to the first national cable forest, located in scenic Josh's basement!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-5.jpg


Were on to the second half of this update! You are about to see, ladies and gentlemen, the long loooong process of lapping, and several other miscellaneous tasks! :)

Note: If you can count the number of pictures of lapping in this update you will win: one lungful of air! :)

BEFORE
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-5.jpg

This is my lapping work area, complete with a laptop with several TiVoed episodes of Futurama and Family Guy. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006-4.jpg

While i worked at grinding away our CPU cooler, dad finally got his UV LED mount right (on the third try) :P Looks pretty slick though, eh?
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-4.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-4.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-4.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b011-4.jpg
I've gotta give the old man props for that, you kn ow he deserves some rep for it (he's never metalworked a day in his life as far as I know. :) )

Back to me! I finished the first grit of sandpaper, and already its starting to shine! Wow! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b012-4.jpg

And, the next grit too!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b016-3.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b018-3.jpg

Around this point we found that circular motion works best, one set clockwise, one set counterclockwise (or as our lightbus manual form New Zealand says, "withershins"). :)

And finally, last grit, you know its amazing, here it is!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b023-2.jpg

Oooh! Ahhh!

Well, thats it for now, time to get back to work! :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

You have a lot of cables there lol. Bracket looks great. Nice job on the lapping.

[Fuganater]

Lookin' very sweet guys. But I'm curious.... why watercooling and air cooling? Extreme overclocking?

[The boy 4rm oz]

Even though you water cool you still need airflow to remove all the heat from your HDDs motherboard and other bits of tech. Your RAM would bake without any air flow around them to keep them cool.

[CerealKlr]

Hey guys, another day of hard work to show for with this update! :)

First, we took our handy little heat sinks we bout off of PerformancePCs.com, our favorite parts store. :) hey were smaller then we originally anticipated, but they made up for it in number (10 per kit)! So, we cleaned up the power controller chips on the graphics card with our ArctiCleaner kit, and went online to get some instructions for our Arctic Silver Transfer material.

My dad is a butt. (he told me not to type that while I was writing this)

Anyways, the instructions for the Arctic Silver were laughable... we'd come to expect better from them. In short, the instructions told us all about the materials pot life, and workable time, and protogelwhatsit... or rather, it told us the DEFINITIONS of all those terms, it never gave us any actual numbers! What the heck? :o Ignoring that, we mixed the material and got to work.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-6.jpg

A pea-sized amount wa more then adaquate. Then we spread it onto the two chips in question. (Seen here just to the right of the black cooling attatchment.)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-6.jpg

...and here, with the material spread on.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-7.jpg

Here it is with 4 of the heat sinks per chip.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-6.jpg

While we waited for the thermal epoxy to dry, we went right to work on the lighting, WOOt!!!!! ;) We took all of our LED strips and stared at them for a while. Unfortunately, they were covered with a nasty gooey foam adhesive strip... certianly not preferable when we're using velcro to hold all the lights! Even better then that though, the adhesive had leaked out of the foam, covering most of the light strips. :/ Anyways, a lot of rubbing alcohol thermal material remover, and surface purifier later, the LED strips were merely sticky. We mounted our only white light strip on the crossbar that supports the PSU, and then mounted a UV strip on the top of the case. We also mounted two more UV strips along the bottom of the case.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-5.jpg

We had already mounted our blue lights, so all we needed was our greens. Unfortunately, the green laser LEDs had only one molex connection per light, so they couldn't be daisy-chained without a ton of Y-splitters. Being the stickler that he is decided we would be building the Y-splitters ourselves, so we had to put that off.

Since we couldnt finish up the lights, we moved on to hosing!
Fther got this hideous pink anti-kink wrap, which i had to put on for him, but hell, this computer is gonna be worth it. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b011-5.jpg

This is a piece of our coolant circuit, sans the CPU cooler.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b012-5.jpg

Speak of the devil, it was time to load up our G0 stepping quad core!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b013-5.jpg

Then apply thermal goo,
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b014-5.jpg

and finally, finish the circuit!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b015-4.jpg

Now, I want you to look at the circuit, theres a silly error in it, which has to do with the placement of our temp probes (the silver T joints). If you can guess what it is, you will win 50 Attaboy credits to be used at any participating CKDD Retail store.

certain restrictions apply, must be 0 years of age or older to participate. Contest requires submittance of 1000 word essay or larger of the error in the coolant flow in triplicate, or entry is void. Must pay a fee of 5 dollars to participate, and must live in North Korea or Lorain, Ohio to recieve prize.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the lights! so, without further ado.

LIGHTS *flash*


CAMERA *beep* *whirrr*


ACTION *snap*


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b018-4.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b017-4.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b020-4.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b019-4.jpg

NOTE: the wiring is ONLY TEMPORARY, dont give us any gaff about it! XD

NOTE2: green light scheme hasnt been implemented

NOTE3: many light schemes will involve one or more color of lights, which you can't see jsut yet.

NOTE4: our LightBus enables us to change the lights brightness, as well as run them all according to patterns involving sound, HDD usage, CPU usage, and several other things, which looks friggin' sweet, if I do say so myself. Expect us to get some type of video recording device before this monster is done to show you. :P

Well, were off to the store to buy a funnel to put our awesome Feser One liquid into the system, which is solid black in visible light, transparent blue in UV! Until then, this has been CK, signing out. :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

Try to get blue or green anti kink wrap. The red/pink looks highly out of place.

[Darth Dad]

Well it's 12:25 pm and the boy is still asleep. I tried to wake him at 11:00 am, but he just went back to sleep.:down: Oh well I didn't want to finish this mod anytime soon:(

As you will find if the boy ever enters yesterday's work. we are currently leak testing the loop. What fun...

First we had a leak at one of the plugs on the GPU cooler.:mad: It wouldn't tighten soo we had to empty the loop and put a second oring on the plug. (yes I know that's not the right way, but it worked.) We refilled the loop and restarted leak testing.

A few hours later we found the video card was wet.:dead: After a little soul searching we once again emptied the loop and then pulled the video card and removed the cooler. Was the liquid left over from the first leak? Who knows? Anyhow we cleaned and dried the cooler and card. We pulled apart the cooler to check the gig oring. (it was ok) We checked everything tight. Refilled the loop without installing the the cooler on the video card and restarted the pump.

No leaks when I checked this morning! :banana: I was really starting to worry.

[CerealKlr]

Woe is me! Somebody shoot me now! I ought to find a cliff to walk off of! Our Feser One is trash! Talk about false advertising, with a UV puck DIRECTLY against the tube, it only gets a slight bluish tinge right where the puck hits it! How rediculous is that!? Feser One gets the official CK thumbs down. :(

Well, back to our work yesterday, Before we started leak testing, we wanted to get the SATA cables in, so we didn't have to fight our way through a jungle of filled tubes. As you can see, its a bit of a tight fit. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-7.jpg

Once that was done, we checked out our radiator, in specific, the fans.FOr some silly reason, ThermalTake gave them each a seperate 3-pin plug... We decided to ditch that silly idea and make our own single molex connector for 'em.

BEFORE
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-8.jpg

AFTER
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-7.jpg

I don't know if dad had thought that through, but from my point of view the 3 seperate fans ought to lower the ~5 volts to something a little closer to tolerable by the fans motors, I assume they were only on 3.3 for noise's sake... I hope so anyway! Of course, we didnt realize which pins did what until i stumbled over a few pages of tables in the PSU manual, so dad didn't really know that we'd changed the voltage. Oh well, they still ran fine when we tested them, so I'll assume their ok until further developments. :P

Next, we had to cut the crazy thing apart and move our temp probes to the right places. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-8.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-8.jpg
Now we were ready to "get'r done!" :)

Egor, it lives!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-7.jpg

...and bleeds.... slap a band-aid on that Egor! As you can see, there was a small leak from one of the bolts in the gfx card cooler, and as you cant see, the bolt on the opposite side was leaking too... The top bolt had some sort of o-ring malfunction, the bottom, my dad never tightened. lol
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-7.jpg

Ayways, i'm gonna get to work before my dad has a heart attack, so CK out!

[Talon]

Hey guys, nice work again so far. Just a quick question what UV lights are you using? Are you just using the led strips on the top and bottom?

[The boy 4rm oz]

You may be disappointed with the coolant colour but you wont be disappointed with its performance. Feser One is the best coolant you can get.
Linky:
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2008/02/16/watercooling_fluid_shootout/1
May I say that the LED strips may have been a bad idea? I personally would have got CCFL neons. Yeah they come with switches and inverters but I believe that the UV light is much better than a LED strip.

[Darth Dad]

May I say that the LED strips may have been a bad idea? I personally would have got CCFL neons. Yeah they come with switches and inverters but I believe that the UV light is much better than a LED strip.

We Tried both UV LEDs and 12" CCFLs the best we got was translucent, cloudy sky blue, certainly not the bright clear blue they show in their ads. :(

While I can't tell for sure about the light wave lengths they put out, the 24 UV LED strips are much brighter than 12" CCFLs. The LEDs also definetely cause the Ogre sleeving to florese (sp?) brightly.

[Darth Dad]

Hey guys, nice work again so far. Just a quick question what UV lights are you using? Are you just using the led strips on the top and bottom?

We have 24 LED UV strips top and bottom, plus a 5 and a 7 UV LED bar on the center horizontal case support and a 7 LED UV puck aimed at the flow meter. The boy swears you can get a tan if you sit to close...8)

[Talon]

Nice.. Thanks - Ive been trying to work out which way to go with a new case, either the CCFL or LED. I like the idea of the LED's as they are not so obtrusive in the case. The little strips seem to "hide" better. Thanks again

[CerealKlr]

Just to add to what dad said, when we ran our tests with the CCFLs that returned a cloudy purplish blue, we had the neon RIGHT NEXT to the tube! To the point of rediculousness. Feser has no excuse! lol. Oh well, hopefully it'll cool as well as you say, which makes it a little better.

[The boy 4rm oz]

If you don't like the colour you may as well just buy some new coolant. I will be using Alphacool Tec Protect UV Green coolant. It has no glycol in it so there is absolutely no chance of plastic deterioration. I would suggest a green coolant to go with your mod, possibly even a straight blue. Swiftech Hydrax is only $10AUD a bottle :eek: and all you do is mix it with 1 litre of distilled water, it is green though.

[J-Roc]

Are you guys going to stick it out with the thermaltake block or upgrade to somthing better?

Any block with a center inlet and some sort of pin matrix will whip the snot out of that 2lb TT block with its pathetic switch back channel. It'll still do an awsome job of cooling compared to air but there are much better blocks out there.

[Darth Dad]

Are you guys going to stick it out with the thermaltake block or upgrade to somthing better?

Yes, we know that the Thermaltake block rates miediocre at best for its overall cooling ability, but as you say it will stil be better than air cooling.:eek:
We plan to leave the Thermaltake in place until after we have the computer up, running and debugged. Then, who knows? Anything is possible!:D

[Drum Thumper]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/DT-Stamp.png

Top notch work guys, I've been following this since the beginning.

+rep to both of ya!

[J-Roc]

Hey josh, i just got finished making the frozen sun banner and thought you might like to check it out.


http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/TBCS_Group/jroc/frozensun.png

[Darth Dad]

JRoc,
That is sweet. You are quite the artist. Thanks, much man.:banana:

[Darth Dad]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/DT-Stamp.png





Top notch work guys, I've been following this since the beginning.

+rep to both of ya!

I feel like I have won an Academy Award!:banana:
"I want to thank all the little people (like the boy) who helped make all this possible.8)

Speaking of the lazy boy we have had an update waiting for him to enter it since Sun night!:eek:

Obviously beatings alone are not enough....:devious:

[CerealKlr]

Woot, TY to everybody who suffered through are dry humour and the long wait times between updates! +REP to J-Roc, not only a cool guy but an awesome artist! And of course, TY again to Drum Thumper :) might jsut sneak a REP in there for the handy stamp! :P I'd especially like to thank my mom, for understanding my long hours, working on the computer or on my laptop. :P The Mod is going to go through another extension (Spring Break is over i'm afraid) but i'll do my absolute best to keep working on it at any rate! :) Anyways, one update from Spring Break left from Sunday! XD

First, we cracked apart our GTX from its cooler, to be absolutely certain there was no liquid left trapped between it and the card. As you can see, our thermal material bonded well!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-8.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-9.jpg

Then we popped it back into this here mess of cables (and BTW, those SATA cables were a real issue, kept popping out! XD
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-8.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-9.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b005-9.jpg

"In the end, it was the common Birthday party that killed the computer, for humanity had won its place on Earth through millions of years of festivities, and the computer died."
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b006-8.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-8.jpg

The computer retreated back to its home in the cold depth of the excersize room, never to be heard from again.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-8.jpg
:P

Until next time guys, give it a week or three, be patient, you havn't seen the last of MEEEEEE!

[985323]

Nice Mod keep it up,+rep to both for being awsome

[Darth Dad]

I am both shocked and amazed that we are the TBCS headliner! :banana:

I never would have considered the boy and I to be in the same league with some of the past headliners. I am not sure we are worthy...:bowdown:

I am so happy that I may lay off beating the boy for the rest of the week! :bash:

It will be a week or so until we work on the mod again. Tomorrow we are having a party for my daughters 10th birthday and next week the boy has Science Olympiad state finals in Columbus, Ohio. After that we will get back to work.
I really want to get this thing up and running!:banghead:

Well thanks again!

[CerealKlr]

Hey everyone! We stole some time today to work on the mod again! :) I was hoping to put the pictures off until tommorow (3 days of camping tires me out!) but after seeing the pictures, i've decided that would be a criminal act. Anyways, today we cleaned up a ton more wiring, permanently emplaced most o our lighting tracks, and tossed a couple of our fireflies into molex connectors, so without further ado:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-9.jpg
This is Scott. Hear him roar. Thats right folks, i unhelmeted Darth Dad! :)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-10.jpg
This is the Machine God. Hear it roar.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-9.jpg
Black, cold blood flows through the monsters veins. Fires alight its inner flesh as sparks jump through its organs. Fireflies consume it from the inside out. In oher words, we sorted out the lights and added the fireflies. :)

Now, i'm not sure if any of you recall that we used a modular PSU. The issue was, 3 importanct cables coming out from it were NOT modular, so could not be sleeved. Originally, this was a weakpoint. We turned it into something to be flaunted. :) Of course, i have but to hands as I tried to wrap the gorgeous EL green wire around, so tie wrapping it was a nasty (tasting) process. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-10.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b007-9.jpg

And, the computer without somebody standing right over it. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b008-9.jpg


Now, the moment that you've been waiting so patiently to see, LIGHTS.

CAMERA.

ACTION!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b009-7.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b010-6.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b011-6.jpg

*drool* :)

Well, at any rate, i'm off to bed for tonight guys, hope you enjoyed those pictures as much as we did! :) i'll be back later with more when it comes, so don't forget about us just yet! )

[Fuganater]

Lookin' really sharp with those lights. I was thinking about using a UV light since I have some UV reactive stuff in the case but I don't think ti will look right. I'm gonna pull my UV light off my wall and put it by the case and take some pics.

Keep up the work you 2!!

[Chaos Theory]

ooooo, bright.....

[Darth Dad]

You guys should have seen my electric meter when we fired that sucker up... It was spinning like a propeller! :eek:

Next - Whoever invented the SATA connector should be shot... repeatedly. They are 90 degrees out from the plane the drives are on and there is nothing to hold them in place. When you run 5 at one time like we did they keep pulling out for no appearent reason and plugging them back in is a bitch! :mvad:

The good news is we can see light at the end of tunnel. (I think it might be the 4:15! :eek:) Only 2 or 3 more good work sessions and we will be ready to fire this puppy up! I can't wait!:yellow_green:

[Fuganater]

Your STAT connectors don't have clips?

[CerealKlr]

They have the clips, but the SATA ports do not :(

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Sure a lot of lights in there, but it's still tasteful somehow... Most mods can't pull that off, but you guys have done it. Kudos to you.

[Darth Dad]

Sure a lot of lights in there, but it's still tasteful somehow... Most mods can't pull that off, but you guys have done it. Kudos to you.
We don't plan to run all the lights all the time. You guys need to see the Lightbus make the lights dance.:banana: It also makes all the lights totally adjustable by bank.
Banks = UV, green, blue and white.
The boy is trying to figure out how to transfer a movie of the lights from our video camera to this thread. If any one has it down pat give the boy a shout...

[Fuganater]

Youtube.com

[Luke122]

Or revver.com

[Darth Dad]

The biggest problem we have right now is hiding the wiring. Who knew that in this great big case that space to hide the wiring would be so tight?:ovoh: Hiding the wiring is like trying to herd cats. the wires don't want to stay, the connectors keep coming loose and my personal favorite, after geting all the wires hidden, the connectors connected and everything ty wrapped neatly, the damn case covers won't fit over them so you have to start over! :banghead:

[The boy 4rm oz]

I route cables as I go, the installation process takes longer (a good few hours, more with water cooling) but it looks much neater in the end. You should have waited until you had everything, did a test fit, modded the case a bit for optimal routing then sent it off for painting. Oh well, too late now. A downside of using UV reactive sleeving is it just makes everything stand out way too much and makes it look messier than it really is.

[Darth Dad]

You should have waited until you had everything, did a test fit, modded the case a bit for optimal routing then sent it off for painting. Oh well, too late now. A downside of using UV reactive sleeving is it just makes everything stand out way too much and makes it look messier than it really is.

The problem with test fitting when you are trying to build a cutting edge mod is that it won't be cutting edge when you are finished. We had that problem with the Video card and the CPU. We bought the EK cooler for the video card when we started this mod back in Nov of 2007. That kind of locked us into a 8800GTX. If I would have / could have waited 3 more weeks I could have got the next generation quad CPU. Buying early is the kiss of death for a cutting edge mod! :dead:

Another downside to sleeving is that sleeved wires / cables take up more room and are less flexible. If we were doing it all over we would wait until we ran each cable and the only sleeve the visible parts. :no:

20/20 hind sight sucks!

[The boy 4rm oz]

I know what you mean about pre-purchasing hardware. I managed to get my HDD before the rest of my tech cos I had the money. I got a 320GB WD HDD for about $140.00AUD (not too bad at the time) and now they are about $90AUD, I could have got a 500GB for the same price. I also made the mistake with my 8800GTX, it cost me $840AUD and by the time I FINALLY!!! got my DFI mobo (huge back orders on the 680i DFI mobo's) the cards had dropped to $700AUD.

I wasn't having a go at you, I know it can be hard (and expensive) to get all the tech in one hit.

One bit of advice I have for you is this. I would remove everything from the case. Then install the PSU and hide as many cables as possible and route the ones you have to use (route under mobo if you can). Then install the mobo, CPU, water block (no tubing) and RAM, connect all the required cables and try to hide some as you go. Then install the GPU and route cables. Next do the same to the CD drives and HDD's. Finally you do the W/C loop.
I found by following this process I make the PC's I build a lot neater.

[Talon]

I have said how much I loved this project before, but seeing all those lights and sleeving WOW!!! I hope you dont mind but I think I use a similar design for my new beast as well.

[armadilloben]

u know guys soon were gonna have the exact same rig

im getting water cooling in may/june ive already got like 50 bajillion uv ccfls in the case and the same lightbus u guys use (what do you think about the hdd activity sweet eh?) but im getting the software usb fan controller soon for pump and fan control when i get the wc parts

but otherwise i absolutley love the paintjob
great job guys

[Darth Dad]

I have said how much I loved this project before, but seeing all those lights and sleeving WOW!!! I hope you dont mind but I think I use a similar design for my new beast as well.

Go for it! :up:
The boy and I are just pleased that most everyone likes our mod! :freakedout:

[Tarenmor]

You guys have a friggen awesome mod. =D In fact, One might even say that you have a 1337 mod. I love the lights, and I love the UV reflective. it's a SUPER BRIGHT case. Are you guys going to be putting it on the left or right of your monitor?

[CerealKlr]

Back in black my friends! Well... flannel, but that doesn't have the same ring to it. :) Anyways, step by step, wire by wire, the cables are dissapearing from our case, and things are starting to work. :)

First off, we had to rework a couple of of the plugs on our UV light string, which we ran up along the drive housing. :) (note, in my favorite warm and comfy flannel. Our basement is always cold.)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b002-11.jpg

However, we quickly found that there were problems with the silly FireFlies (the LEDs the fit into the molexes). After some expirimentation and guesstimation, we realized that was because of poor contact between the pins and FireFlies. The fix was easy though, i figured it out with a few of the homebrew sensors i work with in Mindstorms robotics: just wrap some loose wire around the connection. :)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b001-10.jpg

Needless to say, it works like a champ now.

Anyways, my dad wasn't kidding when he said we had a lot of wires to hide. the picture below shows it MAYBE 50% complete, if i'm feeling generous.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b003-10.jpg

And of course, we talked early on about making a skirt to hide the cut marks where our CrystalFontz CFA-635 LCD goes, so, here is the basic parts:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b004-11.jpg

Of course, we're planning to buff it out and shine it up until its purdy and seemless first! :)

Anywas, thats all for tonight, if we get any work done on the weekend, i'll let you know! Until then,

Peace. -CK

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice work.

[CerealKlr]

Hi again! I waited until you least expected me, and popped up with another update! :) Most of our work was dealing with cables again. In this episode, you will see the dashing duo: Cut apart one of their only 2 Molex modular PSU cables, build a homebrew SATA extension from an uber fancy kit, and hide more wires! :)

Episode 12: Cuttin' it Close
As our cheerful companions walk through the basement towards the computer, a thought strikes Darth. "How about we pull out one of those nifty new kits and build that SATA extension for our drive bays?"
"Thats a great idea!" Says the awesome and incredibly good looking CK.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3434.jpg

However, as Darth rips open the packaging, CK is struck with an idea. "Shouldn't we use our second molex rail for this? It wouldn't do to overload it!" Darth agrees, and the second rail is fit!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3435.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3436.jpg

As CK holds the slack from the excess wire in his hands, CK jokingly tells Darth to grab the wire cutters. To his great surprise, Darth dad does so! They cut off all the extra wire on the string, leaving only enough to strip and fit a new connector to. Have they made a terrible mistake!?

They try the connection and...


...failure! It works :( Oh... wait, no thats a good thing! Success! :)

Now, the partners set to work measuring out locations on the long length of wire that comes with the kit. "Slack is for squares!" They think. They snap on the 90 degree slide-on SATA connectors and admire their work.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3437.jpg

They snap it on, only to find that its a perfect fit! Woe is anyone who hasn't done this! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3438.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3440.jpg

The handsome handimen walk off into the setting sun, eyes bright with hope for the future ahead. Stay tuned for the next episode of Saving Ryan's Privates--- umm, no I apologize, that was my last narrating job. [TAKE 2] Stay tuned for the next episode of sackwars. CUT! [TAKE 3] Stay tuned for the next episode of Dude, Wheres My Balls? Mmm... wow, pretty pisspoor jobs i've had (and horrible sexual innuendo laden puns too!). Is it too late to snap violently and go on a killing spree? Well, so long as I have a good reason I suppose.

For a sneak peak at the next episode, and the narrators excuse for killing the production team, visit this link! vvv
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/29/national/main4056750.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4056750

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks awesome. I never thought of doing that. I may have to make some for my next mod.

[Fuganater]

Thats pretty cool if you don't have enough SATA connectors. Good find on the kit :D

[Darth Dad]

I gotta find a way to keep the boy from eating so much sugar with his boy chow!:lick:

There is no other way to explain his ramblings.....:?

"Thats a great idea!" Says the awesome and incredibly good looking CK."
Obviously he is delusional.


"Slack is for squares!"
Or maybe just plain old psycho!:devious:

Either way the boy need professional help!

[J-Roc]

I dont mean to pry but when can we expect another update?

[Darth Dad]

Maybe as soon as Sunday night....
I travel for a living which makes it very hard for the boy and I to get together to work on it! :mvad:

Believe me, no wants to see this mod finished more than I do, but there always is something else thats needs my time. Last weekend we had a suprise birthday party for Mama. This weekend if the weathers nice the boy and I need to clean out the garage....

It really drives me nuts:banghead:

[Darth Dad]

Just got done working on the mod. The boy will try to write the update on Tues or Wends.
This mod is taking way longer than we thought it would when we started. We have reached the point where we are starting to mod previously modded items. The worst case so far are the molex power runs. We are redoing significant portions of them to streamline the wiring.
RANT TIME :eek:
Speaking of streamlined wiring how come every example of how to hide / route wiring on the entire internet is done using a computer that has grand total of 4 wires?:think:
Geez we have 6 wires just going to the Crystal Fontz SCAB unit!

I have more time on the pooper at test depth than you have in the Navy boy!:eek: (Old navy rant)

Anyway you get what I mean. If they want to show how to do it properly, maybe they should not be using an age 3 and under example.
RANT COMPLETE

[CerealKlr]

*BOOOOM!*... *BANG! WOOOOOOOSH* With a cataclysmic explosion, half the bulkhead of the space station ripped away and the air quickly vented, leaving our heroes exposed to the cold and silent death that is space. However, rather then dieing, Josh woke up, shook the muzziness of sleep from his head, and went back to writing this update. :)

First off, as dad said before, we were rather angry at our bulky PSU cables, so we decided to cut another cable up, as before, in order to use the kit pieces again and save space.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3461.jpg

We did learn a snazzy trick though... there was a collar meant to hold the sleeving on the PSU port side of the wire! Needless to say, couple that with our experience with sleeving, and the finished result is nearly professional, if I do say so myself!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3465.jpg

Next, the molex string we chopped that wire up for in the first place. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3466.jpg

Note the lack of focus in this image. Finally, an example of my father NOT being excellent w/ a camera! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3467.jpg

And of course, a decent pic.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3469.jpg

This is a fine pic of myself turning one of the full PSU molex wires into a single plug, as above. Of course, any pic with me involved is going to turn out well. :P
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3471.jpg

Meanwhile, back in the Bat Cav- I mean, Computer, Dad was installing our spot cooler!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3472.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3473.jpg

Finally, e mounted our molex strip and called it a night!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3474.jpg

Thats all for now! :)

[Fuganater]

Great to see you 2 back at it! Keep the updates coming guys.

[985323]

nice work, keep it coming you two,i like the green color sceme.

[J-Roc]

Sweet update Boy Wonder but Riddle me this, will it run like a bat outta hell or fizzle and pop like a freshly cracked can of coke?


Have you got it running yet? Any issues?

Looks awsome guys! You dont have far to go but keep up the good work!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice work on the molex cables.

[Darth Dad]

Just got done working on the mod...
We won't do a full update though...:(
Just cleaned up some more molex cables.
Moved the Crystal Fontz SCAB to allow better access.
Installed a wireless network card so we can access the internet from the basement.
We are getting pretty close to being ready to fire this bitch up!:banana: Just a few more hours of work before startup.
Maybe as soon as Saturday....

[CerealKlr]

This is Modder Joshua Cole, reporting LIVE on FROZEN SUN!!! *Loud cheers from imaginary crowds* We have her up and running! :)

Now, lets take you through the events that lead to this ground-shaking moment in history. XD First, we knew we would need to get online to download appropriate drivers and patches, so before we fired it up (though my trigger finger was mighty itchy!) we installed our brand new wireless card (its temporary, and will be replaced by a brand new cable modem later on when Frozen Sun moves to the office).
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b021-5.jpg

Then. we started the computer up, and built our RAID 0 array (two 500GBs) Note the name for the volume name. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b022-4-1.jpg

Once that was done, we loaded Windows Vista 64 bit, which went smoothly, no RAID drivers needed.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b024-1.jpg

We started Vista w/ two 1 gig sticks of RAM, and once it was working, placed our other two in.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b026-1.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b027.jpg

However, our CPU was a real drrraaaaggggg, running at only factory speed.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b030.jpg

So we sped it up.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b028.jpg

And sped it up some more. :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b029.jpg

Now thats what i'm talkin about! :) We also changed our memory speed from 800 to 1066, but that was in BIOs, so no flashy pictures there. :P

Sometime soon I'll take some pictures of this bad boy crunching S.T.A.L.K.E.R. so you can see what it can do! :) Anyways, thats enough for now, i'll fill you in as more fancy subsystems come available! :)

[The boy 4rm oz]

YAY finished at last.

[Darth Dad]

YAY finished at last.

I wish....:no:

Still got a fair amount of work to do. The job I currently am not looking forward to is cleaning the case. Getting rid of all the dust, building debris and fingerprints... what a pain in the butt that will be!
Vista 64 loaded up flawlessly... unfortunately everything less was not so smooth. Our firewall doesn't do 64-bits!:cgonfused: so we are running windows firewall. Still having some issues with virus protection. Anti-spyware / spam programs look ok.
The boy is having trouble trying to get this unit (Vista 64) to see our older pc's (XP Home) on our home network. (I wonder if I beat him harder, would these issues go away?):suspicious:

[The boy 4rm oz]

I should have said, YAY up and running at last lol.

Have you updated Vista to SP1? Microsoft added a fix to make compatibilities on networks better between XP and Vista.

For virus protection on my Vista 64bit machine I use AVG Free Edition, works great.

[Darth Dad]

Danger! Will Robinson! Danger!!:shoed:

Appearently we have a hard drive about to fail!
The S.M.A.R.T. software wants us to backup our data as soon as possible.

We have a new drive on it's way from WD. :(

I will have the boy suply more info...

[Fuganater]

What did you guys use to OC? Just the BIOS or that ASUS program?

[CerealKlr]

We used the program *flinch* DON'T HURT ME, I'M JUST THE MESSENGER! =D I know we can squeeze more out of it with finesse and keep the voltage lower for cooling, but that comes later, when everything else is done. As is, i'm pretty surprised it could jump as high as it did using just the AIBoost! :)

Anyways, sorry it took so long to update, I was rockin' out with my band! Check out our HOT base guitar player!
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b011-7.jpg
(Thats my baby cousin Adrianna, with her Hannah Montana guitar). :P

Next, more news on our upcoming Hard Drive failure. Its kinda creepy really.... (My Computer can see the future!)
0.o At any rate, We ascertained that the issue was most likely just the SMART program that comes with new HDDs warning us that the drive simply isn't up to snuff. As Dad said, we RMA'ed it and will be swapping them as soon as it arrives.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b013-6.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b016-5.jpg

We're considering emptying the water cooling loop during the down time so we can do some resleeving of the temp probes as well.

Since I don't believe I've showed you guys pictures of our 4 1gig Crucial Ballistics Tracers in action:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b014-6.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b015-5.jpg
You're welcome. :P


Finally, we've been banging our heads together over our CF-635 LCD display, or more specifically, how to program it. While WInTest worked, nothing else seemed to. After roughly a day and a half of work (punctuated by loud screeches of frustration of course) We finally got LCD Smartie running.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/Pictures092307b017-5.jpg

We can't seem to extract Crystal Control 2 on Frozen Sun, and can't seem to even run the extractor on my 32 bit Vista laptop or our 32 bit XP. :'( If anyone has any experience with this, we'd much appreciate some help!

[Darth Dad]

It Appears that the problem with CC2 was with their sever. Just tried downloading and installing to our old pc with no problems:yellow_green:.
Will try on Frozen Sun shortly...

Still waiting for our new HDD to arrive... Kinda on hold till then.:pissedoff:

[dexaroni]

Did uh... you just say your cousin was hot?

Anyways, build looks great! Look forward to seeing it when you get it all cleaned up.

[CerealKlr]

Hey guys, sorry about the wait... between the ending of school, a 2 day stay at Kalahari, and a 3 day canoe trip, its been kinda hard. :) Anyways, some more updates. :P

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3543.jpg
This is what will keep our RAID array cool (like me).

Then, our LED fan, which I finally got around to programming.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3544.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3547.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3550.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3552.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3555.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3545.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3546.jpg
(I realize some of them are a little hard to read, the messages tend to drift slightly which screws with the picture).

Then, our CrystalFontz, running off of Crystal Control 2,
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3556.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3557.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3560.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3562.jpg

Of course, our rig couldn't be deemed "working" without some serious game testing! :)
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3564.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3565.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3566.jpg

Our Post LED.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3568.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3569.jpg

And finally, just a case shot.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/CerealKlr/Computer/DSCN3570.jpg

Well, were starting to reach the end, some cleaning, some more uploading, and we;ll be good to go I believe! :)
Until then, Peace!

[Fuganater]

Good work fellas. Can't wait to see the outside.

[armadilloben]

good job on finishing guys

u guys did so many things i did at one time or another its pretty creepy actually lol

first is that i think you should get a 3rd or 3rd and 4th drive and do raid 5 or 0+1 raid 0 is very fast but i made the mistake of using it as the boot drive and when a drive fails you are screwed
no recovery methods what so ever.
oh and also dont use the software for your overclock it problably will not read the frequencies and voltages correctly use bios to overclock instead dont be scared worst case scenario is not your computer blows up its your computer doesnt boot and you just do a cmos clear and then it boots

impressive oc by the way +rep ive got an amd athlon 3600x2 brisbane stock speed is 1.8 oc'd to 2.8

[Darth Dad]

Spent last night stress testing....:eek:

First we had to find the proper speed to use as our everyday overclock. After some playing around we arrived at 3201MHz. Why 3201 MHz? Just kind of by accident really. It's reasonably fast and we can achieve it with 1.325 volts Vcore and be stable.

This config was able to run Prime 95 (64-bit) for 8hours 53 minutes with no errors!:banana::banana:

Thats good enough for me.
We will post some screen shoots soon...

[CerealKlr]

Hey guys, just stoppin in to tell you that i cleaned the computer preparatory to moving it upstairs! I'm wagering that Dad won't check this before he sees the surprise i've added to the case. However, in case he does, I cant tell you what it is... so just hold on! 1 more day and i'll be able to tell you... and possibly even show you! :)

[J-Roc]

You guys rock! WTG and congrats on completion!

Your reservoir looks a little low in the last set of pictures.

[CerealKlr]

Hey guys, just got back from two parties in a row... grueling work mroe then happy fun! :) Anyways, I attempted to surprise dad, but his analytical thought processes (or just his incredible denseness/gullibility) ruined the effect. The surprise was that I had hooked the LightBus into the computers sound loop, and configured the light channels to "dance" to music! :) The effect was quite nice, and it even had some unintentional benefits (such as flashing everytime I fired a round in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.) :P

[DonT-FeaR]

omg muzzel flash!!! sweet

[Freakout]

That is so cool +rep for you guys.

[CerealKlr]

Wow! Great to see TBCS back up and running! Its been ages! At any rate, best not to let Dad know its around again... Just recently, when installing Beowulf, a new 500 Gig harddrive to be a linux server for the household, I made The Mistake. When attempting to worm my way between lines of coolant and the incredibly sharp passive coolers on the various chips on the Video Card, i accidentally knocked a SATA cable loose. It'd have been fine if i'd just slowed down, but in trying to put that one back, i knocked out another... until they had all been removed and I couldn't keep more than 2 of the 5 in at a time... In case none of you have yet noticed, SATA connectors are much looser than the old PATA standard. >.<

At any rate, i gave up and took the computer downstairs, again returning the basement (previously in use for prototyping the product line my start up company will be releasing in a month or two) to a computer modders dream. I had 2 large tables in an L with enough boxes full of goodies to build myself a computer out of resistors and wires situated in front of a decent TV with a nice speaker setup. I decided not to be half assed about it, so I slid out the video card and removed the CPU cooler in order to get the coolant loop out of the way. Big Mistake number 2. In no time I had Beowulf installed next to Irving II, our Windows 2x500GB softRAID 0 array, and had the entire case cleaned and ready. Deciding I really needed to reapply the thermal compound since we OverClock our computer so high, I cleaned it all off. By this point, it was very late on a school night, but I reallllly wanted to get the basic setup for Ubuntu 9.04 out of the way before bed. Big Mistake number 3. While hastily searching for Thermal Compound, I found something labeled "Thermal Aluminum" by the makers of the fancy stuff i remembered us buying. Something struck me as amiss when I realized it was a binary agent, but I dismissed it as being some form of advanced chemistry or other...


...3 Strikes and you're out. The CPU cooler is now epoxied (and incorrectly positioned, at that!) to the CPU and motherboard. The CPU receives no cooling now, not even passive. We've underclocked it to about 1.8GHz (from our stable 3.6GHz) in order to let Mom continue using it as an email machine until we get time to properly fix it. Unfortunately it seems the damages are coming out of my paycheck. >.< The good news is, my triple acts of complete idiocy coincided with the release of some very nice i7 Chips and MoBos... Upgrade time! New specs are tentative, but it's looking like 12GB of ram, 4.5GHz with 8 logical cores.... W00t. =P Good thing i've been saving up! :banana:

[985323]

What do you mean "back up and running"? weve always been here

[CerealKlr]

Well then no for no apparent reason Lorain County had been cut off from TBCS for about a year, or the site was down every single time we checked it, which was quite often once we noticed we coudln't reach it anymore.

[985323]

hmmm, thats odd. Anyways I guess a welcome back is in order then.
so Welcome back

[The boy 4rm oz]

Welcome back mate. I was wondering where you and your dad got to after finishing your mod. Sucks about the CPU cooler, if you heat it up with a hairdryer or just by letting it run it should loosen itself enough to be removed. I have just gone through a complete rebuild of my PC so I understand how annoying the little mistakes can be.

Anyway, good to see you back.

[dfigravity]

Welcome back!! I too was cutoff from the site...it was a dark time in my life, but all is well now that I can get my daily TBCS fix :) Any new pics or movies of the lights/lightbus?

[DonT-FeaR]

welcome back

[Snowman]

ABSOLUTELY love this mod now idea how I missed it but I love that paint, and my jetta is in serious need of a new skin but I can only imagine how much that stuff costs.