Project: Obsidian: A Scratchbuild "HTPC"

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2252694724_a552fe46f3.jpg?v=0

Hi I am Cheron, this is not my first case I mod. But it will be my first Scratch build case. I have been a ghost on this forum for about 4 years, And loved what I have seen and learned here. Its my turn to give something back.

To the point. I wanted to build a HTPC for a longtime, and never really had an Idea of what it should look like. but now things have changed. I don't have renders like some of you, but I have made drawings. For now I would like to show you what I have done so far.


Obsidian
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2252985118_b8ddca3d29.jpg?v=0

Short overview of the hardware:

Main board: An old Msi Board K8N Neo2
CPU: AMD 64 4000+
RAM: 2Gig kingston (didnt know I had it, but was still on the board)
GFX: NV 8500 hdmi passive cooled
PSU: Seasonic S12 350 watt (should be enough)
Some pictures of Fabrication
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2251886631_8d7deda55d.jpg?v=0
Some fresh sheeds of styrene from my local hobby shop. Those will make up the base.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/2251890293_6e895e8d1d.jpg?v=0
After I added some constructional support. I started to bondo it to make it a bit smoother.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/2251891001_7430b9ff6b.jpg?v=0
After a lot of sanding it became smooth (and i mean a lot of sanding)http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/2252690574_7357cec402.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2252691542_928ea6c2e6.jpg?v=0some work on the side panels which I cut using a scroll saw.

The next part needs some explaining.

I trying to make this PC as silent as possible. Therefor I have a lot of passive coolers inside this case eventually. Airflow is important so I thought this out.(I hope you can see it in the drawing) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/2252188171_125ed12711.jpg?v=0 It's a tunnel to redirect airflow to where its needed. (I hope it works)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2251893655_2a8a01f38d.jpg?v=0Here you see an fried MSI MB Due to Some stupid water cooling mistakes. But that makes it an ideal mock up board. The hard drive is for mock up too. As you can see on the right side. there are the first pieces of the tunnel. the marks on the left strip are future openings where air can flow in.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2251894455_7fe26ceb64.jpg?v=0Glued the sides to the base after I cut out the holes. The top of the tunnel is still lose in this stage. First i have to cut an hole for the PSU bottom fan.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2252694682_3f7eefe926.jpg?v=0The fan is in the base of the PSU. As you can see I still need to cut the hole.

But that is for an other Update.

[jdbnsn]

Now this looks like one wicked scratch build! Welcome to TBCS and feel free to post your other mods for us to see.

Jon

[J-Roc]

The HTPC craze going on right now is huge! I'm glad to see more people like myself getting into the digital entertainment segment of computer use. I cant wait to see how you mod progresses.

[Cheron]

Thanks for the positive feed back and I will show my other mods soon.

It wont be a "true'' HTPC since I wont be watching cable tv trough it. but other than that it will be a music data base and movie data base. It will be hooked up to a 26'' samsung lcd tv

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2251896151_4d1280ea69_o.jpg

UPDATE 1

First of all the "tunnel" is finished have a look http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2258201230_a73f72b4a8.jpg?v=0

After that I tested the airflow using a Sigaret(Dont go Smoking is Bad on me). And found out that it works fine and even better than expected

I also finished my Harddrive rack.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2258201944_10252696ed.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2258202612_1ab532a6e6.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2257411751_c66423bd47.jpg?v=0Added some support to the sides.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2257412385_44efc04b4d.jpg?v=0In its final position(but not yet fastend)

While I removed the mockup drives. I discoverd that it needed some more support. so I added a piece of Styrene Between the two sides.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2258209076_877a9d2b05.jpg?v=0

Thats it for today.....

[p0Pe]

nice work with the styrene m8!.. keep it coming:D

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice work, I am interested to see how this goes.

[Cheron]

I hope to make an Update at the end of the week, but I haven't been feeling right the last 2 days so I haven't really did something.
But I Did make a thread About one of my other mods. since I promised that I would post them later.

Here is the Fallout 2.0 Thread. (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=173618#post173618)

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2251896151_dd93b39a86.jpg?v=0

UPDATE 2

It has been a wile... But I'm Glad to say that I have done some work. Also some changes have been made. I'm no longer using a ATX Main board but an micro ATX. this will help me with my quest for slimness and tininess. But to be honest its still a big thing compared to some creations. So what have I actually done.

As you can see I placed MB standoffs and found out this ain't the way as told before.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2283727492_24b3776497.jpg?v=0

So I decided to use an Micro ATX And since i am using this I could use an old slimline case and gut out the MB tray. This makes everything a lot easier. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/2283727598_500fbd4d01.jpg?v=0
(Still the image above) After I cut it to size I took off its sharpness. and after that I test fitted it (Image below)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2283727834_629a5faf56.jpg?v=0

I made a small mock up with the actual components. to see if all would fit.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2282941293_f1c33e08ed.jpg?v=0
And discovered NO. the Hard drive rack I made earlier would not fit (Image below) because of the MB tray. so I decided to cut it off since it wont be needed any way.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2283727982_b63eeb1a6f.jpg?v=0
After I solved the hard drive rack problem I decided to do an almost full mock up to see if I would run into more problems. and lucky me I didnt.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2283728356_9a0aa526e8.jpg?v=0

So far so good. stay close and please give me feed back on this question: should I take of the spare space on the right side of the case or should I use it for 2x 80 mm intake fans running on a very low speed?


Thanks in advance.
Cheron

[Braveheart]

dang thats cool man, where did the mobo tray come from?

[Cheron]

From an Antec slimline case (http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15301#). Its actually more than just a tray, it was part of the case it self. I completely gutted it, hacked and cut till it came out. sorry no pics of that. I was so busy I forgot to take any.

[Cheron]

Its been a wile but I have news.

I needed to reinforce the bottom off the case so i decided to add 0.8 mm mdf to the bottom.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2324789054_7427dc9372_o.jpg

Also I decided to cut it to a smaller size(the green line). also I am thinking to shorten the psu main cable. (the sphere)

more tomorrow.

[jdbnsn]

Keep the updates coming, I love this mod!!!

[IndyRacer27]

I agree! It's looking great already.

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2251896151_4d1280ea69_o.jpg



Update 3

I have added a 0.8 mm MDF piece to the botom of this case as you can see in the picture below. this was done because the styrene bottom bended to much under load(with all components inside the case). this fixed the problem. what you also can see is that I started to cut the panel that will fill the gaps around the psu and the I/O panel.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/2342953634_b1e00f7182_b.jpg

In the next pic you can see what I have done to the MB tray, cut it even to a smaller size. but don't worry there is still plenty of room. for a fan ( on the right side) but first the old situation then the new.

Old situation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2282941425_6710d1b449_b.jpg

New situation
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2342123455_1192457fea_b.jpg

But now I am off and ill be posting an I/O back panel when I get back.

cheers and happy modding

[OvRiDe]

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/TBCS_Group/Ichbin/Frontpage.jpg

Congratulations! Keep up the great work.

[Cheron]

Thanks and ill make sure the updates keep coming, until its finished. ill be giving an up date later today since i did a lot of bondo'ing yesterday. and made the first step for the I/O back panel. so stay tuned.

Yours Cheron.

[Cheron]

I know i was planning to post the update yesterday but what i didn't know was that a long time friend was planning to stop by that day and consumed my time to make the post. No offense my friend.

but to the update.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2251896151_dd93b39a86.jpg?v=0



Update 4

Ok first of all I bondo'ed all parts to gather but still have to make it a bit smoother. As you can see i removed the I/O panel from the MB tray it self. it was an easy construction with one rived to hold it all in place. so with the rived removed I could slide the panel out. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2353660249_3c5ec5510e_b.jpg

with the I/O inner panel removed I could easily draw the shape of the I/O on to the back panel. which I then cut out using a scroll saw. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2084/2353663421_2a0b4904af_b.jpg

As you can see it was almost a perfect fit but ill be filling it with bondo to smooth it all out even more. with that done I removed it so i could draw up the hole for the PSU this will be a simple rectangular shape with rounded corners (this is still in its early stages) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2353662301_a785ac0958_b.jpgI used my dremel since I was to lazy to set up my scroll saw again.:dead:
But don't worry it wont effect the end result.

time to glue it all together. I have a real good feeling now it looks like i am actually getting somewhere. still some finishing up to do with the psu hole but dont worry it will be fine when ill be back.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/2354493852_58d85a36c4_b.jpg

this is what it looks like right now. so let me know what you think.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2353664171_c9ccf7bb2f_b.jpg

keep on modding !!
yours Cheron.

[Cheron]

here is a teaser of what it maybe should look like when done. be kind on my sketch up skills since its the first time i even made a 3d model in my life.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2363151795_b4d227be8a_o.jpg

more when the model is finished.

yours cheron.

You know you mod something. when you see it.:D

[The boy 4rm oz]

Very nice.

[Cheron]

Ok this has taken to much of my time, but non the less it was fun. I learned much about 3D modeling (in sketch up that is). Here are my final release renders.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2371150990_e184c2b62d_o.jpg
This picture here shows the look I am going for. the hole in the top cover of the case will be filled with mesh (I coudn't render it sorry) as will be the hole in the front of the case.

And a final picture of what we can expect in the future when I am turning off the lights.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2371150946_9fd94fb480_o.jpg

Till next time...

Edit: I rendered this just to show it to you with a gloss finish.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2374508245_a8a174e050_b.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks awesome.

[chaksq]

Nice I like the concept of this case. Seems to be going along nicely as well.

[blueonblack]

Nice progress, good design, and an interesting choice of materials. +rep
________
Health Shop (http://herbalhealthshop.com)

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/2251896151_dd93b39a86.jpg?v=0


UPDATE 5

First I need to tell you all that I have been stupid today. I droped Obsidian accidentally......:dead:. no pictures of the damage but the back and the side had broken off. I say had since they are back on the case and I remade the back side. also no pictures... I felt really down while repairing the case. but I have some pictures of the new back side have a look.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2382985223_d8ee5d4c7d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2383814588_f14e3ac3a4_b.jpg

As you can see I am even abit further than I was so there is still progress. I wanted to build the mold for the front. So I could bend it. but that has to wait now. also I would like to share that I have receved my order. have a look.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2383812976_9428930385_b.jpg

1x A.C. Ryan. MeshX black mesh.
1x A.C. Ryan. Black transparent 5mm acrylic panel.
1x A.C. Ryan. Black sleeve kit.

Also in the picture: Obsidian before I droped it.
what I also got is this switch. the ring around the middel lights up in green.:ovoh:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2383813864_8e6fa48053_b.jpg

I am currnetly working on a wiring diagram. I want to do something fun here. Listen up...... This is what I am planning.

1 push (mc) switch (in combination with a hidden toggel switch) for all functons exept for the Power Off function.
Just one push button will power up the pc. when powered up it becomes the button for the optical drive open/close function through a relais. and when you want to use the reset. You have to toggel the hidden switch first, before you can use the reset.

But I could also remove the toggle switch from the diagram and use a hidden push button for the reset.

Let me know what you think and thanks for the +rep.

Keep on modding!!!
Yours Cheron.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I love the idea for the switch. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Cheron]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2385211224_7e19edcbc7_o.jpg

This is the basic wiring diagram for the option with the hidden reset (or even no reset at al.) as you can see in the diagram both the power and the optical drive conector (the last is home made, more on that later) are conected to a relais and a Momentary switch(MSwitch). the relais is in rest in the diagram but when you push the MSwitch the motherboard will powerup the psu. this will switch the relais and the MSwitch becomes the open/close for the optical drive.

Stay close more to come.

Yours Cheron

[a.Bird]

brilliant.

[Cheron]

people I am putting Obsidian on hold. why you ask?....... after numerous attempts to make a nice rounded front for this case I have given up. at least for now. I just don't know how I can make it happen.

Ill be making a start on my next case. It's my old "modded" lian li case called warlock which ill be resurrecting. but more on this later.

I hope some of you can help me out here.

yours Cheron.

[chaksq]

Oh too bad I would have liked to see this one done. How were you trying to make the front. Bend something into a round shape? I would think it might work out if you carved the front out of foam and then put bondo or fiberglass over it and sanded that to a nice smooth finish.

[TheGreatSatan]

Great work so far...

+Rep

[Cheron]

finally an update. the last time I made a post in this thread it wasn't really assuring that I would finish this mod. but we are back on track and slowly Obsidian is moving towards the finish. so this is what I have done.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2412217347_9f5175c293_b.jpg
As you can see we now have a "nice" rounded front. I know it needs a lot of work from here but we are back on track. thanks to chaksq


Oh too bad I would have liked to see this one done. How were you trying to make the front. Bend something into a round shape? I would think it might work out if you carved the front out of foam and then put bondo or fiberglass over it and sanded that to a nice smooth finish.

I tuned out to fiberglass it with a styrene skeleton. the inside isn't the most beautiful. but It will do.
Now on to sanding :suspicious:

more to come. stay close. as you can see I might need you.

Yours Cheron.

[alphastryk]

looking good...

[gntlkilr]

I'm digging this. The flow is alot like one of my ideas. But I'm liking your idea alot better. Nice!

[chaksq]

I'm glad to see you decided to continue the project. I really like the concept of it. It looks like that front is off to a good start.

[Cheron]

People what I will show you today is a render of a changed design for Obsidian's front.

The original:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2374508245_a8a174e050_b.jpg

The new and simplified version:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2442578199_952a7baee9_b.jpg

As you can see (if you look hard). I changed the dvd drive stealthing front. to something a bit smaller. also I added the bulgin switch in the model(the one I showed you earlier). The old blow hole looked to small when I removed the Obsidian logo from the front. So I made it Bigger. It will be fitted with a 80 mm fan just for the good looks and some extra fresh air.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2442728399_f65814d2fb_o.jpg

Why change all this? Yes I Know loved the old setup too. Only the front i made from Fiberglass isnt to good for the cut out logo so I had to remove it.
otherwise I would weaken it substantially.

No pictures on the actual build right now but ill be sure to post some in the up coming week since I have been due for some time now. but I can tell you all that the sanding bit is going well Its a lot of work but its coming out really fine. still a bit bumpy but we will straighten them out.

Hope to be back Soon with pictures.

Great modding
Yours Cheron

[The boy 4rm oz]

Those designs look fantastic. I like that mesh window/vent on the front, a perfect piece of detail.

[IndyRacer27]

I'm glad you are continuing with it, it's looking good.

[Computer-Geek]

Very nice renders :D looking forward for more progress

[modaholic]

Very Impressed! Lovin it so far dude! Keep it up!:up::up:

[Cheron]

Ok small update for you all out there watching. I finished the first step in my sanding job, so now is the time to start cutting some holes, as seen in the renders. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2465741582_b392d7e3b5_b.jpg.

I hope you still like it.

happy modding

yours Cheron.

Edit: Sorry for the slow progress but I am working on something interesting in secret. so keep an eye out for post/threads from my direction.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice smooth front. It's really starting to look like your CADs now.

[Cheron]

first a picture.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2471241305_a68357dfe8_b.jpg

As you all can see I have cut my holes except one the hole for the power button.
It still need a lot of attention but we are getting there. I have added a DVD player for you to see how that looks. look below [V]
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2472064108_92b3d3ccc0_b.jpg


Things I am going to do first from now on.

Add support for the top lid.
Add the cowling right in front of the DVD player.
Make the top lid.
Use some filler to smooth out everything I added to the case.
Build fan mounts for side and front fan.
Cut mesh to size for trial fit.
Prep for paint.
Paint.
Install mesh I cut earlier.
Install all hardware.
Wire the DVD/Power button permanent.
Wire management
Tweek software controlled fans. for noise less operation.
And finally enjoy what I have build.

As you can see there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Keep on modding.

yours Cheron.

O.... and remember What I said earlier About something Called warlock.:think:


Ill be making a start on my next case. It's my old "modded" lian li case called warlock which ill be resurrecting. but more on this later.

also I would like to share that I have receved my order. have a look.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2383812976_9428930385_b.jpg

1x A.C. Ryan. MeshX black mesh.
1x A.C. Ryan. Black transparent 5mm acrylic panel.
1x A.C. Ryan. Black sleeve kit.

look close...:suspicious:

[Tavarin]

What's warlock doing in the corner?

And great work so far on obsidian, keep it up.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice work on the cuts buddy. Looks great.

[Cheron]

What's warlock doing in the corner?

Warlock has been playing HTPC since I started on Obsidian. it was sitting next to the T.V. I was hoping some one would recognize it. I posted somethings on that mod way back under a different name, back then it was named Vision(and I never really completed it). also my name was different I cant recall what it was.

Originally Vision was a 3200+ AMD athlon with 1 gig ram and sli'ed NV6800GT's all water cooled. But vision slowly evolved in some thing less when my MSI neo4 diamond Mainboard fried itself and one of the GFX cards with it. By that time I Played World of Warcraft (thats when it chanced name: Warlock.)so one of the two 6800GT's would do fine. but I brought Warlock Back from the Dead. This time with a simpler Mainboard. and a 4000+ AMD Athlon and nowl 2 gig's of ram and the one remaining 6800GT. This worked for some time but eventually you stop wow(a clear minded person would I think). And then you find out the world has changed around you. (damn what happened!:?)

I could not play the new games on highest(or even high for that matter) any more.:? I needed something nicer a 8800GTX. whooo.... That was a upgrade. but the case itself looked how shall I put it like this -->:dead: so that brings us to the (not so) secret (any more) project. Called Warlock's Resurrection. more on this soon.....

For now you all have to do it with my progress on Obsidian. That one is only 14 steps from the finish.

Yours Cheron.

[Cheron]

This Project is going on hold for some time.... don't worry it will be done in time.

Instead ill be making a thread about Warlock.

Obsidian isn't Dead I promise you that, only Warlock has more short term future.
As you all know Obsidian is an scratch build case, which takes a bit more thought. and since I made a mistake cutting the top Lid (which I cut 2 cm short) I decided to use that pannel for things on Warlock and Ill order some new acrylic for Obsidian later, till then ill be working on warlock.

Yours Cheron.

[Dane Bramage]

very impressive work. i'm glad you didn't give up on it.

i especially love your air handling system. quite smart.

i look forward to seeing it finished.

+rep for tenacity.

[Cheron]

I am just her to let you all know this one hasnt died yet and i have ordered some new stuff for this build. more comming soon.

Yours Cheron

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yay!!!

[Tavarin]

Can't wait.
Oh, and happy birthday

[Cheron]

I Have put this to rest.... I aint saying its dead but don't have to high hopes...

Yours Cheron.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Damn this mod was looking fantastic. I hope you finish it.

[Dane Bramage]

oh man... sorry to hear that. you were my inspiration... oh well.

hope you find your way back to it sometime. it was looking mighty kewl.

[DonT-FeaR]

that sucks this was lookin fresh man