Project: deadmau5 PC

[Welches]

Ok everyone im new to the community and would just like to take the time to introduce myself.

I am 18 years old and have been working with computer hardware, software, and most other gadgets and consoles. Electronics have always been my life but specifically computers. So anyhoo, the time has come in school for me to do my senior project, and since my english grade is a bit low I decided to go all out on this one. I may ask for some feedback, comments, and any advice would be great as this is my first mod, but I have a strong head for this and my ideas are possible.

I am going to be using a Silverstone PS02B case

painting the main parts of the case white, with a stripe on the side that angles down in the front and then a straight stripe that will be blue with deadmau5 in white (or plexi)

a blue deadmau5 head above with a plexi window mouth possibly a UV reactive window to make it glow
eyes aswell

large fans for ears


On the front:
a 6" LCD

stealthed DVD drive

4 switch cathode and LED switch


On the right side:

2 90 degree pvc bends in the same white as the case

a clear section of tube inbetween through which the PSU cables will run through and mobo cables for the fans and cd drives, etc.

Also putting LEDs or cathodes in the clear part.


Drawings coming soon!
Hoping for a good turn out as im putting the components from the PC ive been working on since I was 10 so im making this my final hurrah for that PC and using my old case for all new components when I graduate.

This will be a quick build, as I only have 4 weeks or so to complete this or get close enough to turn it in for my project.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/prjded2.jpg

[billygoat333]

holy wow... lol first off welcome to the site.

second off...
:pics: :D

third off... please, that was a really hard to read post. spaces and paragraphs are welcome here! :) thanx.

[Welches]

The Case!
Silverstone PS02B, picked the one without the window obviously as I am making a custom mouth window:

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-163-126-S01?$S640W$

Buying the case soon, have to order it off newegg, but as most know newegg shipping is quick.
Going to the hardware store this week for parts, first steps are to cut the fan holes for the ears and paint the grills blue.

Photoshopping my project overview.


Here are some very rough sketches of my idea
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/Video3100000-11.jpg

Front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/Video3200000-06.jpg

[x88x]

Sounds interesting. What's the story behind the 6" lcd (source, purpose, etc)?

I gotta agree with bg on the pics though. ;) Whoops, you beat me to it :D

Oh, and welcome to TBCS!

[Welches]

The idea behind the 6" LCD was taken from the CaseModGod's mod guide

here's the link: http://www.casemodgod.com/ModGuides/3BayLCD/triple_bay_lcd.htm

I wanted to have it in for a TV tuner card in the case to run WMC dedicated to that display

[billygoat333]

thanx for editing your post. nice pics. I love the pac man ghost doodle ;)

[Welches]

I was thinking maybe implimenting the ghost (to represent deadmau5's song Ghosts n' Stuff) as a power and reset but I also like the idea of a key start. I am debating that one.

Also
This is the layout for the mau5 head that will be on the side of the case (but in blue)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Deadmau5.png

[billygoat333]

you could do a key start with the ghost as a plastic backing plate for the switch or something.

[Welches]

Like the idea mate!

I'll see about that one.

Edit: Love the idea, infact, I will find a clear plastic one and have it light up when the computer is powered on, or perhaps a HDD status light?

[Welches]

Just leaving this here for further reference

http://www.xenarc.com/product/images/700TSV26P%20web%20-%20front.jpg

https://www.xenarcdirect.com/product.php?productid=16136&cat=249&page=1

[x88x]

If you haven't already bought that, you might want to look at the USB monitors by Mimo.
http://www.mimomonitors.com/

[Welches]

http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/imo-pivot-touch

Looks wonderful! definitely a better find.

[OvRiDe]

LOL.. x88x beat me too it.. they are also available at ThinkGeek

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/bfa3/

Also if you want to forgo touchscreen to save a few bucks.. Lilliput has a usb model for 99.99.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/c609/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/c609_lilliput_mini_usb_monitor.jpg

[Welches]

The touchscreen capabilities would help me out more with the intended uses of the monitor itself, then I wouldnt need a remote

[OvRiDe]

Makes sense!

I am assuming this is going to be a work in progress since its not a completed mod. So on that note I am going to move it to the Work in Progress Forum.

[Welches]

Thank you for moving this, I had tried to delete it once I made my mistake, but I just edited it asking to have it moved.

Hope this goes well, ordering the case and touchscreen very soon! Super excited to get this project started!

I read these forums every day in school, so I will update again once I finish up my photoshop project renders. Or if anyone is bored and would like to set up how that would look in 3dsmax I would deeply appreciate the effort (if I can +Rep I will)

[Welches]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DMPC.jpg

Sloppy overview, but its an overview none the less. obviously this is not to scale, and the "material" I used for the grilles over the fans isnt the same texture I will be using, it was just for example.

[x88x]

Looks slick. Now make it real! :D

[Welches]

Update!!

Case bought: went to the Antec Three Hundred series case instead, it looked good out of the box but once the white hit it... WOW!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00560.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00561.jpg
The white looked good, hopefully the blue does too

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00562.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00563.jpg


I'll update everyone on the paint after it dries tonight

[mDust]

It's official: I went to the wrong school...
What type of class is this for? I have never seen any kind of computer modding done for a senior project or for anything else school related for that matter. I must have missed out big-time...

[Welches]

Its for english


Edit:

The paint dried this morning and I took the masking off, looks pretty slick, definitely good colors.
Still have to send out the side panel to get lasercut but I am going to be getting a 2" hole saw soon to cut the holes for my PVC

[mDust]

Its for english

:think:
This is what you're supposed to be doing?? lol

[Welches]

:think:
This is what you're supposed to be doing?? lol


The senior english project is supposed to follow the guidelines of a Career, Service, or Academic project

I picked casemodding because its something ive always wanted to try but never had the money to put into. This really gave me the necessary reason to fund the project and thus here we are.

Since I build computers for people, I also decided I could offer custom mods for people after this project. Making it a service / career project

[mDust]

Sounds awesome.

Now get back to work on the mod!:D

[Welches]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC005651.jpg

Update this morning the stripe finished drying, looks pretty good. Comments on paint color?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC005641.jpg

[x88x]

Can't really see the color very well in the lighting. Looks like a good, clean job though.

[Welches]

Took those shots at 6am when I woke up to go to school

I will take some better lit pictures later on. Sitting in school right now, 1 more hour.. 1 more.

[Welches]

Question

Is it bad luck to put the parts inside the case because you are so excited about how its turning out?

Hope not.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00574.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00575.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00575.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/jpg-2.jpg

Stealthing the drives while I wait for the touchscreen and to talk to my uncle about cutting the mouse head, need to make sure I wont have any measurement problems.. CD drive bay and all

[mDust]

To cancel out any bad luck you need good luck...which you can automatically get by sending me computer parts!:D

What are your plans for the mouse head? Are you just cutting out the ears for some gigantic fans?

[Welches]

the fans in the pic where the case is in the box are the fans im putting in the ears

[mDust]

the fans in the pic where the case is in the box are the fans im putting in the ears

Yeah, I saw that. I'm not that good of a guesser... I was just trying to get you to elaborate on your design because I didn't want to wait for it to get built. :D I'll be patient!

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

u will get bad luck, but great Ju ju. which will throw off your chi a bit, but will beef up your mojo... its all a fair balance

[Welches]

u will get bad luck, but great Ju ju. which will throw off your chi a bit, but will beef up your mojo... its all a fair balance


lol that was excellent

[Welches]

So maybe it was a bad idea, because now I cant stop using it. Im taking all the parts back out and getting right back to work after school. Hopefully the touchscreen comes in soon

I need to:
get the holes cut for the side panel fans

create the stencil for the mau5 head

re spray the case, including clearcoat

cut the 2" holes for the PVC cable management

go to radioshack (need cathode switches)



Question concerning my cathode switches. I am going for probably a half inch round switch for each light individually, how would I go about that instead of the 2 simultaneous lights going on at the same time?



Another Question:

Where can I find a cheap piece of 2" clear PVC?

[x88x]

Question concerning my cathode switches. I am going for probably a half inch round switch for each light individually, how would I go about that instead of the 2 simultaneous lights going on at the same time?
Are the two CCFLs powered off the same inverter? If not then it's easy. If yes...that makes things difficult.

[Welches]

Are the two CCFLs powered off the same inverter? If not then it's easy. If yes...that makes things difficult.

if I had another inverter it would probably save me some time but basically:

I have 2 static CCFLs powered off one inverter and one sound reactive CCFL that I am hoping to mount in the PVC cable management system.

I suppose it wouldnt make a difference if they were set to different switches or not, I may just have a set of reds to go with my set of blues (maybe some UV ones too?)

[Welches]

A slight update for the day

Got some more painting done!

I like this look

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC005961.jpg

PS

The Mimo was ordered and shipped, whould be here on sunday!

Whos excited? I know I am.

[Welches]

This is (atleast the version I have) a to scale repreasentation of my pannel template. Hopefully it measures out right

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/PannelTemplate.jpg

[x88x]

Paint job looks good. Are those going to be 120mm holes?

I'm excited to see the Mimo, I haven't actually seen anyone get one yet.

[Welches]

Paint job looks good. Are those going to be 120mm holes?

I'm excited to see the Mimo, I haven't actually seen anyone get one yet.

They are 135mm by 135mm, they didnt actually say on the packaging but I found it on the microcenter website. I just eyeballed it in the store and figured they should be ok.

I didn't even know the MIMO company existed until you brought it up, im really glad you did because im super excited to play with it before it goes into the case


On a side note, even if I mess up the case
I still have the iMo pivot!

[x88x]

I didn't even know the MIMO company existed until you brought it up

It's not surprising. They've only been around for...I forget exactly, but I'm pretty sure it's been less than a year. They get good reviews, but I haven't seen one torn apart yet. :twisted: I haven't been able to justify the cost of one yet. ...though, it would be pretty awesome to have one on Faust...hmmm...

[Welches]

but I haven't seen one torn apart yet. :twisted: I haven't been able to justify the cost of one yet. ...though, it would be pretty awesome to have one on Faust...hmmm...


Well then I shall document the process as well as I can for you so you can get a good understanding of it. Hopefully its not too big a pain in the arse but god knows.

Thats why I originally went for the bulky one, because I knew itd probably be easy to tear apart. But I really like the look of those Mimos.

Thanks a bunch for the sauce, + Rep for that one

[Welches]

it took about an hour to mount the mimo in my Antec 300..

Im in love.

Pictures and videos coming soon.

[Welches]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJfDd_hibvo

[x88x]

That is pretty awesome. How'd you go about mounting it in there?

[Welches]

That is pretty awesome. How'd you go about mounting it in there?

it was actually very simple.
as you can see the Mimo has an uneven back, which didnt take much work to get into the case.

Heres the back of the mimo
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00616.jpg

And the simple dremel work it took to center it and fit it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/DSC00615.jpg


All I had to do to mount it was use some double sided tape, however, im converting to some high strength velcro so the monitor could be removed and used elsewhere simply

[Welches]

As part of my project I am required to do an interview. I just threw together a few questions. Anyone willing to help me out please feel free to reply.

What is the best part about casemodding?

How do casemodders use their abilities outside of their own personal use

What is the secret to the dremel? How does one perfect the art?

What is the best casemodding resource (parts, tutorials, tips and tricks, etc.)?

[x88x]

What is the best part about casemodding?
I imagine this will be different for anyone you ask, but for me it is the act of creation. Too many people in the world today go through their entire lives just using stuff that other people have made, but actually getting down and making something with your own two hands...that, I think, is one of the best feelings in the world. Another facet of that is that because you made it yourself, exactly how you wanted it to be, you can be assured that your case is unique.


How do casemodders use their abilities outside of their own personal use
Hmm, this is an interesting one. It depends on which abilities you mean. I would have to say though, that most of my case-modding-abilities are generally only used for either my personal projects or helping others with theirs. Unfortunately, it is pretty rare that my job and this hobby intersect.


What is the secret to the dremel? How does one perfect the art?
A steady hand and lots of practice.


What is the best casemodding resource (parts, tutorials, tips and tricks, etc.)?
TBCS of course! :D (Though I suppose I might be biased on that one. ;) ) For parts, I don't think there would really be any one 'best' source, just because of the huge variety of things that people use in their mods. Some other good sites for knowledge resources are bit-tech.net, extremeoverclocking.com, and hardocp.com, to name a few.

[Welches]

Thanks a bunch! Emailed that straight to my teacher.

[Welches]

Some better quality shots for everyone

more work to come. Stencil needs a little work because I need to raise the mau5 head. really squeezing by here on room with the HD bay. The stencil is showing how the holes in the case will be cut, the black-ish gray areas are going to be blue, and the white is obviously white.

More to come guys, even though im turning in the project soon, I am going to continue working on it over the summer. Hoping to finish this one out right. More paint and clearcoat (finally) coming too!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0061.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0066.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0067.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0065.jpg

[Welches]

A bit more progress

Fan hole #1 Dremeled:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0074.jpg

in all its hole-y good-ness
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0075.jpg

peekaboo!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0076.jpg

this is an obvious one
need to correct my screw holes. I tend to mess those up, whats the best way to do them?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0077.jpg

Apparently they did have LEDs I was just too blind to notice

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0078.jpg


and last but not least


the demented smiley face.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0079.jpg


I know you can make the deadmau5 eyes using Styrofoam, but I need to give them an odd shape. How would I go about making 2 flat lit up eyes like the ones shown in my template?

[x88x]

Do you want light to shine through them? If not, Bondo! :D Holes look good, btw, now get yourself a good handfile and spend some quality time together. :P

Oh, and for fan screw holes, I find that using the fan as a template works quite well.

[Welches]

well yeah, thats what I did for the drawings, then I pushed a mark into the tape using the drill bit on my dremel but im looking for something fool-proof

I spent a littttle time with the handfiles, but it definitely needs more. Just glad im making progress.

[x88x]

You could always just clamp the fan on there and use the fan as a guide for the drill. I've done that a few times. Just...be careful. ;)

[Welches]

Might try that tomorrow

another problem is I think I have to remove the rear fan and dremel out a part of the case support to fit the fan into the hole. Hopefully this doesnt cause too many problems.

Im thinking about putting the right fan venting air in and the left fan venting out so that the zalman cooler can suck in the new air and blow it out the other side. Would this work or is that a dumb theory


edit:

it only gets more demented doesnt it?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0081.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nelly1432/IMG_0080.jpg

[StormRider]

your pirate mouse is coming along very well

[x88x]

Yeah, that should work, just make sure the fan on the CPU HS/F is blowing the same way.

[Welches]

Yeah, that should work, just make sure the fan on the CPU HS/F is blowing the same way.

it exhausts out the back, so I dont think there would be a problem with it exhausting out the side instead

(I just wish I could have both)

[Welches]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs001.snc4/33400_1344640773038_1141801452_31878455_2728647_n. jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs172.snc4/37956_1344641173048_1141801452_31878459_6814187_n. jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs070.snc4/34848_1344641293051_1141801452_31878461_7221791_n. jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs170.snc4/37854_1344641413054_1141801452_31878462_3894138_n. jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs102.ash2/38440_1344641533057_1141801452_31878463_6938418_n. jpg

[StormRider]

It's alive. IT'S ALIIIIIVE!!!!!!(this thread, I mean:D)

[Welches]

just a few shiny pictures, I dragged the box out of the basement as of this month to start using it again, which means my interest in completing it has risen again. This is just a teaser so far, I plan to push out some work on this soon enough.

Oh, and since the start of this build I have seen Deadmau5 live twice, I have some new ideas that I need to work on (Deadmau5 has a new helmet. New helmet, new things to work with) and get good ways to go about it.

Once I get some renders done I will show you guys where im planning on going with this one.