Project: Ioncito V2.0

[elgafas]

Greetings, this new case is the evolution from my last project, the "Ioncito", an Ion powered, leather coated, watercooled mini ITX HTPC.

Ioncito V1:

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2650/1002178800x600.jpg

The custom waterblock:

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/663/1002154800x600.jpg

This one will be my "green gaming rig", Atom 330 Ion + EVGA GT 240.

So let's start with the structure, for this I'm using 15mm x 15mm x 1,5mm aluminum angles, and scrap alu sheets I got from a factory:

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7775/1002368originalresoluti.jpg

Manual miter saw:
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6345/1002369originalresoluti.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7960/1002370originalresoluti.jpg

First angle profile with some 45° cuts:
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3424/1002371originalresoluti.jpg

Both profiles with mirror cuts:
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/6901/1002372originalresoluti.jpg

This cut is for curving the top bezel:
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7826/1002373originalresoluti.jpg

And these are for the 90° angles:
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1295/1002374originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

Bending:
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8978/1002375originalresoluti.jpg
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4656/1002378originalresoluti.jpg
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/201/1002379originalresoluti.jpg

This piece will go in the front, covering the blowhole (like in the ATCS 840):
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8978/1002380originalresoluti.jpg
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3888/1002381originalresoluti.jpg

Fileing+Sanding
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/6733/1002383originalresoluti.jpg

Some filler:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6672/1002386originalresoluti.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9107/1002388originalresoluti.jpg

Sanding:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6907/1002387originalresoluti.jpg

Primer:
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1290/1002391originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

Front and Top plates:
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2826/1002407originalresoluti.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3903/1002411originalresoluti.jpg

Sanding + bondo to fix some scratchs and holes:
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4936/1002412originalresoluti.jpg
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/5538/1002413originalresoluti.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5847/1002415originalresoluti.jpg

2 component Epoxy
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/8999/1002417originalresoluti.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5214/1002419originalresoluti.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7550/1002418originalresoluti.jpg

My super caterpillar piston weight:
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6695/1002420originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

Here you can see a size comparison between V1 and V2:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3663/1002421originalresoluti.jpg
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/1319/1002422originalresoluti.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7959/1002425originalresoluti.jpg

They are both very small, V1 is: 295mm x 315mm x 160mm and V2 is 325mm x 325mm x 190mm.

Back to the structure...

A profile to close the frame:
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1801/1002426originalresoluti.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1598/1002427originalresoluti.jpg

Copper ribbets to reinforce the structure:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3231/1002428originalresoluti.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3167/1002429originalresoluti.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3001/1002430originalresoluti.jpg
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2623/1002431originalresoluti.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8499/1002434originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

Angle reinforcement:
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9449/1002455originalresoluti.jpg

Horizontal division, mother/rad/pump/res will go on top, PSU/HDDs bottom:
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/82/1002461originalresoluti.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8780/1002456originalresoluti.jpg

Hinges for the sidepanels:
http://i.imagehost.org/0053/100_2465_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg
http://i.imagehost.org/0458/100_2467_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg

Mothertray (this piece was the most injured, needed a lot of clay+sanding):
http://i.imagehost.org/0854/100_2472_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg
http://i.imagehost.org/0160/100_2474_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg
http://f.imagehost.org/0067/100_2475_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg
http://f.imagehost.org/0859/100_2477_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg

Reinforcements + bondo... needs lots of sanding.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2395/1002509originalresoluti.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1880/1002507originalresoluti.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5259/1002505originalresoluti.jpg
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1486/1002503originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

360° view with the mothertray fixed in place:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5933/1002537originalresoluti.jpg
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5286/1002538originalresoluti.jpg
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1558/1002539originalresoluti.jpg
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/117/1002540originalresoluti.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8876/1002541originalresoluti.jpg

Just a few more alu pieces before the structure it's all done:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8558/1002542originalresoluti.jpg
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2723/1002543originalresoluti.jpg
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6127/1002546originalresoluti.jpg

Bondo:
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3999/1002548originalresoluti.jpg

This is all I've done so far, from now on you will get the "live" updates.

Thanks for watching.

[Airbozo]

Very nice! Watching this one for sure.

Welcome to TBCS!

[d_stilgar]

+Rep and welcome to the forums! This looks great!

[billygoat333]

good aluminum work! looking good. will also be keepin an eye on this build!

[x88x]

Very nice work, I've never seen bondo used to smooth out a panel before, I like it. I love the leather as well. :D What's the flow path on that custom CPU block? How does the Atom do for the gaming that you do on it?

[Mark_Hardware]

Nice alum work! Welcome to the site!

[DonT-FeaR]

i really do like this one so far mate.. looks good :)

[OvRiDe]

Gotta love a scratch build!! Very nice work. Looking forward to seeing it unfold!

[elgafas]

Thanks to all, I'm glad you like it.

Rad mount test:
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/4359/1002560originalresoluti.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3663/1002561originalresoluti.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9710/1002562originalresoluti.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3972/1002563originalresoluti.jpg

I'm having trouble finding a mcp350/355 or compatible for my XSPC acrylic reservoir here in Argentine, it sucks being in the end of the world when looking for hardware :S

[Loki]

it sucks being in the end of the world when looking for hardware :S

Damn right!!

Lol, check out this picture with attention:

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2650/1002178800x600.jpg

[Airbozo]

hehe, nice Loki!

[elgafas]

PSU plate done:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/60/1002577originalresoluti.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1160/1002579originalresoluti.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3726/1002580originalresoluti.jpg

[DonT-FeaR]

nice work mate.. loving this one

[elgafas]

Thank you.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9020/1002586originalresoluti.jpg
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7752/1002587originalresoluti.jpg
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2879/1002588originalresoluti.jpg

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

Damn right!!

Lol, check out this picture with attention:

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2650/1002178800x600.jpg

talk about a shameless plug! lolz
nice work!

[Loki]

talk about a shameless plug! lolz
nice work!

:D elGafas and I joined efforts for a Ion and Nvidia grills kit for Ioncito V1.0
http://a.imagehost.org/0893/100_2050_800x600.jpg

[elgafas]

Assembly test:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/685/1002589originalresoluti.jpg
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1151/1002590originalresoluti.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/287/1002591originalresoluti.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4033/1002592originalresoluti.jpg

[DonT-FeaR]

i like :) looks like its gunna be a nice fit

[elgafas]

Thanks!
Teaser:
http://f.imagehost.org/0022/100_2605_Original_Resolution_800x600.jpg

[elgafas]

Motherboard cooling mod:

The mod consists in replacing the factory thermalpad and thermal compound. For this I used Tuniq TX2 and a 0.75mm copper sheet.

It's really easy to remove the heatsink, just remove the 4 screws from the back and it pops out.

Here you can see how the factory compounds look like:
http://f.imagehost.org/0465/100_2619_800x600.jpg

Closer:
http://f.imagehost.org/0052/100_2620_800x600.jpg

After cleaning the factory stuff we proceed to replace both compounds.

Tuniq TX2 and copper sheet in place:
http://i.imagehost.org/0941/100_2621_800x600.jpg

Now the temps (It's really hot in this room couse it's summer, 35°c)
Before the mod:
http://f.imagehost.org/t/0757/antes_de_tuniq_330.jpg (http://f.imagehost.org/view/0757/antes_de_tuniq_330)

After the mod:
http://f.imagehost.org/t/0053/despuesa_tuniq_330.jpg (http://f.imagehost.org/view/0053/despuesa_tuniq_330)

[elgafas]

Here's a short Ioncito v1 introduction video I just made:

uAZ3xUCQqKc

[elgafas]

Here you can see the result of hours and hours of sanding and fixing scratchs and holes... smooth and rounded bezels/edges.
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2852/1002700originalresoluti.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2023/1002692originalresolutid.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8840/1002693originalresoluti.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4725/1002694originalresoluti.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/4230/1002695originalresoluti.jpg

I just love the effect of Enermax Cluster's white light on the hardware.
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9666/1002696originalresoluti.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5259/1002698originalresoluti.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3958/1002699originalresoluti.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/14/1002697originalresoluti.jpg

[elgafas]

Rad grill:
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5893/1002657originalresoluti.jpg
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9069/1002658originalresoluti.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2774/1002704originalresoluti.jpg

Needs fileing and sanding.

[Waynio]

Oh eh, I really like what you done with the angle bar, never thought of working an angle bar like that before, impressive :).
And never thought of smoothing out a rough panel like your did neither, your a very resourceful modder.
Hell yes I'm impressed with this work :) awesome scratch build elgafas, and good to see a bit of tag team between you and Loki :D:up:.
Looking awesome +rep :).

[Loki]

awesome scratch build elgafas, and good to see a bit of tag team between you and Loki :D:up:.

Yeah, but he has more money to spend in fancy hardware than I do :P

[elgafas]

Cause I rock and you suck.

[Trace]

This is a good looking build!

[elgafas]

Thanks Trace!

Pump, Delphi DDC1A-VC:
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2411/1002730800x600.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1057/1002731800x600.jpg
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3336/1002734800x600.jpg

Blue led + Blue UV water:
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6029/1002738800x600.jpg

A few pics of the sidepanels while I lethercoated them:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3148/1002757originalresoluti.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/5093/1002760originalresoluti.jpg
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6614/1002761originalresoluti.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3558/1002779originalresoluti.jpg

[x88x]

Very nice. What kind of leather are you using?

[elgafas]

Thank you, it is a fake leather, I don't know exactly what kind... I only know it is some kind of plastic.

[x88x]

Aww, so nothing to piss off PETA with? :( Oh well, if v1.0 is any indication, I'm sure it'll look great! :D

[Loki]

LOL, no PETA activists agains IONCITO... are you shure?? I khow that you're using cat's bodyFat to make that glue...

[TheMainMan]

Nice temp drop with the new thermal compound! This is going to be a nicely pulled off and good looking machine if you keep going as you have!

[elgafas]

Thanks!

Some pics of the inside + the folds to hold the acrylic window.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2125/1002849originalresoluti.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8393/1002850originalresoluti.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6649/1002851originalresoluti.jpg

[x88x]

Interesting; so the plexi windows is just held in by those folds in the leather?

[elgafas]

Hello!!

Well, as you can see, I'm not dead. I had no time to update my projects cause I moved out from my parents house and got a new job with a case and hardware manufacturer (designing cases, testing hardware, benching and overclocking :D)

Now I'm back in business and I'm gonna finish this soon.

I ordered a 80gb Intel SSD and a couple of WD 1tb green HDDs to upgrade this rig.

HDD rack:
One of the holes looks like sh!t cause of a bad bit I used:

http://j.imagehost.org/0552/100_3197_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0556/P1080617_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0962/P1080618_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0857/P1080619_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0660/P1080621_800x600.jpg

[x88x]

got a new job with a case and hardware manufacturer (designing cases, testing hardware, benching and overclocking :D)

That == AWESOME. Congrats dude.

[elgafas]

That == AWESOME. Congrats dude.

Thanks!!

http://j.imagehost.org/0938/100_3200_800x600.jpg

[elgafas]

http://j.imagehost.org/0685/100_3203_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0910/100_3204_800x600.jpg

http://j.imagehost.org/0708/100_3205_800x600.jpg

[x88x]

Interesting. HDD mounts, I take it?