aeon.x2 - water cooled lian li v1200b

[invalid]

PROJECT: aeonX2
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/logo.jpg

Ok, I am finally moving on this project. It was started and scrapped twice. But I am here and ready to go full steam ahead.

aeonX2 will be shelled with a V1200B. It will be a watercooled project (my first) using DangerDen products.

Lets start with the basics.

The case arrives:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/box.jpg

One thing I was amazed with was the insertion of screws in the place of rivets for all the things that one may want to remove. HD cages, wheels, etc. All now have screws! My last v1000 had rivets!
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/screw.jpg
Here on the bottom all the screws
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/wheelsorig.jpg

This was awesome because the first things I needed to do was remove one of the HD bays, turn the other upside down, and swap the wheels.

First-Wheels:
I removed both wheels and swapped places. I liked the handle to pull to unlock the wheels but hate it being in back, I wanted it in the front.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/wheels.jpg
With that out of the way I moved to the bottom area. Here is how it is originally:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/cageorig.jpg

I removed the first HD cage since I am installing the rad down there and turned the other upside down.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/cage.jpg

Here is the bottom now:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/cage2.jpg

Thats it thus far. I am installing the handles next. Here they are laying on top for a test.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/handles.jpg

[invalid]

The design is all done in autocad for the side window cut out. This will be laser cut and on the final will have mesh behind it.

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/aeonx2.jpg

Big thanks to scopEDog for making it in autocad for me! Much appreciated!

[RobjaFalu]

Wow. That is an expensive case. Is it heavy!?

Can't wait to see what you have planned!

[chris_kalan]

I think you should get custom made fangrilles. The best I've seen are at this thread on the PimpRig forums. Great prices too!

http://forums.pimprig.com/showthread.php?t=57005

[RobjaFalu]

Nice find chris_kalan!

[invalid]

Nice Chris. I think I am going to commission that guy to make a 120 version of my logo for the back fan. Thanks!

[chris_kalan]

Yeah no problem. Once I saw your logo, I figured it would be perfect for the fans to seal the deal. Very nice.

[invalid]

Small Update:

Today I started on the holes for the tubing to get from the top to the bottom area. There will be three tubes going into the bottom area where the res will be.

Here is where the grommets will go:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/before.jpg

I then taped and measured the area:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/in.jpg

With that done I drilled the holes:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/holes4.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/holes3.jpg

Finally I filed down the holes edges and installed the grommets:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/holes2.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/holes.jpg

I shoved some tubing through to make sure it was good:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/tube.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/tube1.jpg

With that done I moved to the handles for the top. Off the bat the rivets on these are not even on the bottom. They protrude a little. If left how they are the handle would not be flush with the top of the case.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/handle0000.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/handle000.jpg

To resolve this I drilled out the rivets and would replace them with screws when mounted to the top:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/handle.jpg

And with all the screws in: (they will be black on the final, not silver)
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/handle1.jpg

This would not have happened if I had bought from mnpctech. But Bill is sold out. :( I was forced to go to allelectronics and the quality difference is crazy. These suck compared to his.

The top is all measured for cutting which I will do tomorrow:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/2/top.jpg

More to come. Still deciding final placement of things as my loop is still in question do to the T split and fillport location.

[crenn]

I see you have a modding cat!!

[Aero]

I have a modding cat too. Well actually Kitten...who is actually a dog. But I like her anyway.

(yeah see what happens when I name pets)


Nice mod BTW, looken good, very clean cuts, look like they were manufactured that way, keep it up.

[invalid]

Top Fillport ring installed.

I got my shipment in from mnpctech. A black ring. I also received a few surprises in the form of Diamond plate film, carbon fiber film, and the aluminum brush film. Quality stuff! Thanks Bill. :thumb:

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/1.jpg

I quickly traced out the area I wanted to cut on the top of the case.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/16.jpg

Then I cut it out with my trusty jigsaw.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/15.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/14.jpg

With the normal aspect done I moved to the unique part. This will not be for a fan, but for my fillport. My ring fillport sandwich. :)

I next measured and cut a circle the same size as the total ring in white acrylic. Its not totally solid, it lets light through.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/13.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/12.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/11.jpg

Next I measured a center point.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/10.jpg

Then I drilled a hole and inserted the fillport for a test
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/9.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/8.jpg

Then I did the same thing for the mesh
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/7.jpg

Finally I put the three together for my sandwich
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/6.jpg

With all of that set I was able to install it in the top. Here is the results:

Under-
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/5.jpg

Above-
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/4.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/3.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/2.jpg
*Ignore the one screw sticking out. Forgot to screw that one in before taking pics. :duh:

In this shot I stuck a flashlight inside facing up to show how light goes through the acrylic.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/3/19.jpg

The fillport is now complete. The very last detail is the metal screw in part. I am going to paint the top silver, or something along those lines. I hate the goldish color. Got to change that. :dremel:

[FynexFox]

Wow man, I just looked through this, I love that fillport idea, it gives it that extra umpf. very elegant indeed. I am going to be watching this, keep us updated!

[invalid]

Thanks Fynex. Updates coming!

[FynexFox]

Yeah NP, I like how your going with slick, savvy, and elgant casemods here. Sometimes simplicty is whats best. Nice case choice BTW. I hope to see more fabrication!

[invalid]

Teensy Update:

I worked on the template for my T line holder. I didn't want to see the T line at all so I worked it into a non visible spot. But to keep it there I needed something to hold it.

First off, here is my loop plan so it can give a better idea:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/4/loop.jpg

You can see the T line. It is behind the frame on the other side.

Here is the pump sitting where it will be installed:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/4/pump.jpg

The top tube in that picture leads to the T behind the cage. And here is the T installed with the template holder.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/4/tport.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/4/tport2.jpg

The final one will probably be black or white acrylic. As you can see from my diagram the top will be an IN from the rad, and the bottom is the OUT to the pump intake.

Starting now on the window cut out and planning. :)

[crenn]

I would recommend putting the fill port on that line. Water is more dense than air so the air will raise. Using that logic you know where to put the line ;)

[Hammerhead]

Looks very good Invalid, everthing is nice and clean...the way it should be. I like
your choice of hardware so far.
DangerDen has good stuff so I'm sure you will come out fine with the water cooled part.
Keep it up.

[public_eyesore]

nice, very clean

[invalid]

Finally an update:

I got all the wiring sleeved and lengthened to how I need it. I installed a switch underneath for the lights. There are 3 uv cathodes.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/switch.jpg

Also in the mail I got my custom logo fangrill just have to shine this baby up and get some mesh behind it:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/fg.jpg


Anyways, the first thing I did was cut a piece of black acrylic to cover the bay areas:

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/in3.jpg

I will remove the covering later on of course.

I also cut another black acryl piece for next to the motherboard. Later this one will have an applique of the name on it full size.

in its spot
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/in2.jpg

The window itself I was going to go normal with. A top and bottom area with no molding. I made the initial cuts and then started filing and sanding the edges
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/cutwindow.jpg

A test fit brought some problem areas to my attention which I then focused on fixing
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/windowtest.jpg

Once all done I had to get rid of the ugly silver in the window. Basically even when you cut black cases, the edges underneath are silver. This is fixed with a sharpie permanent black marker.
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/black-silver.jpg

With that done I installed the acrylic. I am using black tint acrylic. Here is with some of the doublesided tape in place
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/window1.jpg

Top installed
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/windowtop.jpg

Bottom installed
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/window.jpg

On the case with no lights
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/win_dark.jpg

On the case with light on behind
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/windowtint.jpg

I also did all the tubing and its ready for a water test starting tomorrow.

Pump and T Line placement (The tubing is not how it is in the final):
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/pumparea.jpg

Other side view of same area
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/otherside.jpg


This was before I finished though, so the route of the tubes is different.
Here is how it is now ready for the test tomorrow:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/5/final.jpg


Things should be totally done sometime this week/weekend. All depends on work as usual. While it seems I am a slow modder, the truth is time just isn't there.

[crenn]

At least we know there is a man behind the camera XD

Good work so far. Interesting fix for the window...

[marquee]

I have idea for you. Hot water goes up, and cold water goes down. Use that to make the tubes go into rad and comin out the other way.

[invalid]

Thats how it is now. Hot goes in the top and cold comes out the bottom?

[OvRiDe]

I have idea for you. Hot water goes up, and cold water goes down. Use that to make the tubes go into rad and comin out the other way.

If hot water goes up and cold water goes down.. why does ICE float???

Boggles the mind don't it.. heheheh

[AceX]

Ummm... I almost want to dignify that with an answer, but I'm too tired/lazy...

[public_eyesore]

density

[OvRiDe]

Yah yah yah.. I know it was a joke. note the "heheheh" at the end.. I didn't say it was a good one.. BUT I bet a few of you went "hmmm" at first.. :D

[Varock]

I know I did...

went back, found my physics & chemistry textbooks and pondered it. Then remembered watching Mr. Wizard answer that question on PBS years ago. ;)

[invalid]

I see what you mean now. In my initial drawing of the loop I had hot going in the bottom. In the final though, the hot does indeed go into the top.

Update coming.

[invalid]

I had nothing but trouble with the blue uv dye I used. So much so i decided to empty it all and start over with green.

Still bleeding the system but my god what a difference guys. I will never again even attempt blue uv. Only blue uv tubing itself.

Here is the green:
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/watergreen.jpg

[montmorency]

coming along nicely. keep up the good work. very sleek and stylish.

[public_eyesore]

wow, thats looking crazy. I love mods like these, which really arnt different in ideasbut reall stand out with details and profesionalism

[invalid]

so true public.

I've never been a modder who was about breaking new ground. I've instead been someone who wants a clean and professional case. I am an inspiration modder. I get inspired and then create. I want to thank you for bringing attention to that fact. :)

[onelegout]

Im sure Ive said this before but this has been a big inspiration for me! I will definately be looking at watercooling for my new project now that ive seen how awesome this looks! :D

[invalid]

Ok the water is all done.

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/2.jpg

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/3.jpg

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/4.jpg

The inverters for the cathodes on the other side of the cage hidden

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/5.jpg

Light placement
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/6.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/7.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/8.jpg

Lighted now
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/9.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/10.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/11.jpg

The top ring with lights inside
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/12.jpg

Front view
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/7/13.jpg

[snickells]

This is an amzing example of a clean profesional rig. Id almost expact to see this in a corprate boardroom running the AV gear. I absoloutly LOVE the fill-port up top. Its just so well done. As many have said before, this rig inspires.

Steve

[tybrenis]

Great work so far, looks very very promising. It's hard to make a nice case like that any better, and you've done it.

[invalid]

I decided to hell with waiting and used this as an excuse to get a new motherboard today.

Right after I got back from buying it I started the hardware install. The mod is not done, but its finally at the part where I can use the PC.

I brought down the current comp for the swap:

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/1.jpg

The video card ready for waterization
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/2.jpg

Heatsink underneath
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/3.jpg

And the glory below
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/4.jpg

The new motherboard installed
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/6.jpg

Installing the block
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/7.jpg

And the gpu block next
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/8.jpg

Farther back view
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/9.jpg

Angled view
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/11.jpg

Full view with black acrylic now showing
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/12.jpg

http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/13.jpg

The case with window side on
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/16.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/17.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/18.jpg

The case in its new home
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/19.jpg

Booting for the first time w00t
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/20.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/21.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/26.jpg

Inside powered on
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/22.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/24.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/25.jpg

With the door on
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/27.jpg
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/8/28.jpg

Well thats where I am at. I am also happy to announce that even though I am cooling a GPU and CPU with a small rad my temps are 6c lower than before on the cpu and 5c lower on the GPU. May look to add a second rad in the future.

This mod is almost done now. Whats left is a front LCD, side logo and lettering in Aluminum mounted to the side, and appliques on the inside black acrylic.

Til then.

[tybrenis]

:eek: :omg: :eek: :omg: :eek: :omg:

Very impressive, looks beautiful.


Thumbs up.

[public_eyesore]

....so.....beautiful...

[invalid]

Here is two videos.

1. Shows the light through and then how it goes dark when the switch is flipped
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/w1.avi


2. Shows the difference between how much light comes through the side window vs how bright it is inside
http://www.aeonx.net/mod/w2.avi


The quality is not great, this was done with my digi cam but it does help get a good idea.

[OvRiDe]

Nice job.. Looks great

[Nawl]

BWOAh ! :eek:

Clean, professional, AWESOME :D

[Yuki]

nice work!!!! :D

what kind of pump do you use?

[Jetty_200]

whoa that looks sooo nice...i wish i had one :D how many cases have you modded b4???

[Linchpin311]

this looks great!! you do wonderful work, its so clean.

and i love thoes custom fan grills....keep up the fantastic work.

[invalid]

nice work!!!! :D

what kind of pump do you use?

Thanks. Pump is a DangerDen D5.



how many cases have you modded b4???

3 Before this one. :)



this looks great!! you do wonderful work, its so clean.

and i love thoes custom fan grills....keep up the fantastic work.

Thanks!

[wingman358]

Looks sweet, man. I really like how this mod implements simple ideas, but in a very clean and sophisticated manner. Comin' along just fine.

[Tortilaman]

I really want to eventually do a mod myself, and I really like the idea behind this mod. Black, with simplicity. there are two things I really like in perticular about this mod, the fill valve, and the fact that there is a split between the top and bottom. Great job :D Keep up the good work

[The boy 4rm oz]

This is awesome i was thinking about watercooling my own rig but mabye later on down the track, i just need the cash 2 upgrade lol. Once again a very very nice job.