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Couch3ater
10-18-2008, 06:29 PM
Hey yall. I don't really know how to start this out, but I would imagine its pointless to say that this is my first mod of any kind. It's not entirely thought out yet, so suggestions on what to do next would be welcome! That being said, let's get to the case!

So. Some time ago, when I was just a wee lad, I decided to undertake the process of building my first computer. Two hours later, I had finished. That was easy, I thought to myself. A few years later I grew old of the case and purchased a Cooler Master Centurion. I love the case, and I think I'll keep it the way it is. Maybe a few minor mods here and there, but nothing major. The old case, on the other hand, was just a hunk of plastic begging to be torn to bits. So, when I finally got the courage to pick up a power tool, I happily obliged. Unfortunately, I hadn't the sense to take before pictures of what the case looked like, so, me being the creative little punk that I am, whipped up this picture. (Yes, it's horrendous...)

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/OldViewJoke.jpg

All jokes aside, the case looked SIMILAR to that. Mind you, it wasn't exactly that case. The front panel is plastic, as you'll see in the future pics. The handle was there and sat in the oval on the top panel that you will see in future pics. But, that aside, here's what I've got at this point in time.

Front w/o Panel:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/FrontView1.jpg

Note that the top panel is separating from the rest of the case. I'll have to think of some way to latch that down before finishing the case. Probably just a rivet will do the trick.

Top w/o Panel:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/TopView1.jpg

Cut with a jigsaw. Not bad for a first cut if I do say so myself. This was pre-sanding. I sanded the edges down so they are no longer as rough.

Mock Up w/ Panels:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/AltView1.jpg

Just because I couldn't wait to see what this bad boy would look like put together, I threw all the panels on there. This is pre-sanding as well, so as you can plainly see, the case WAS blue. The oval type shape visible on the top panel is where the handle was placed. That was dremeled off in the early stages of the project. I'll have another update in a few minutes or so. I need to go photograph the past week's work.

P.S. Pardon the poor image quality. I'm using my mom's crappy digital camera from eons ago.

Well... Until next time... Which should be about an hour from now. XD

-Couch3ater

SXRguyinMA
10-18-2008, 08:13 PM
looks neat, I'll have to watch this :up: and welcome :D

DonT-FeaR
10-20-2008, 02:13 AM
very neat... nicve work... welcome.. enjoy your stay :)

Couch3ater
10-20-2008, 04:09 PM
Okay... So it was a little longer then a few hours in between posts... Cut me some slack, I'm a kid. Life got in the way. Lol. Okay, so, here are some pics of last weekends work. I sanded, primed, and painted all the outer pieces. The chassis itself is currently de-riveted and on the floor in my work room. I contacted a friend about having it professionally painted. He knows a lot of people, and one of those people owns an auto body shop. So, with any luck, he'll sand blast it for me and spray with with a high gloss black. And preferably a clear coat as well.

As for the pictures that I promised:

Window:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/SideWindowPaint1.jpg

I cut the plexiglass last week. It's 1/8" thick, and it wasn't as difficult to cut as I figured it would be. After experimenting with drill bit sizes for my screws, which I haven't decided on yet, I finally picked the right one. (I may spring for Hex Heads which always look lovely. ^^)

Side Panel NUMERO 2:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/SidePanelPaint1.jpg

The gloss isn't as notable on this panel. I may sand down a bit and spray another coat of white and another layer of clear coat. I'm not too concerned about this side of the case though, considering I'm attempting to draw everyone's attention to the inside of the case.

Top Panel (Toilet Seat):
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/TopPanelPaint1.jpg

Yea... It looks like a toilet seat. Don't deny it. Hahaha. All that aside, I think this piece turned out the best of all of them. If anyone has any suggestions on how to cut a piece of 1/8" plexi to match that oval-type shape, lemme know. I'm kind of at a loss on how to do that. :think:

Front Panel:
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/Couch3ater/Computer%20Stuff/FrontPanelPaint1.jpg

This also turned out better then expected. All the drive bays will be stealthed (hopefully) with black plexi. Of course, me being on the budget I'm on can't spring for that, so I'll be experimenting with spray painting the back of a piece black and seeing what that gets me.

And, I've finally decided on the innards of my beast. Lemme know what yall think. The only thing that I can't change would be the motherboard. That should be in Wednesday, so I'll have one more thing to play with. ^^

ECS A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI
AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz 4 x 512KB
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EACS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W 500W ATX

I haven't decided on the video card yet, but I know that I'll be purchasing one along with the rest of that. All of that is subject to change. Lemme know what you all think of the setup, etc. And on a side note. Would an AM2 waterblock be compatible with the chosen CPU? And if no, what should I purchase instead? Remember, I already ordered the motherboard, so that can't really be changed at this point in time.

Until next time!

-Couch3ater

Couch3ater
10-22-2008, 04:47 PM
Minor update: Motherboard arrived in the mail today. I'll be beginning work on the motherboard tray as soon as my week gets a little less hectic.