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j0h89
09-12-2010, 08:39 AM
Heilà!
this is my first post on this forum.
Mi name is joh and I'm Italian (this is why my english is very bad :D)
I am writing to introduce my new work!
Maybe someone have already seen on other modding forums because I have seen many familiar avatars

Let's begin.

First, to understand the mod i want to explain why i made this new pc:
The computer used by me every day is:

Motherboard: Maximus II Formula
Processor: Q6600
RAM: 4Gb Dominator GT
Video Card: 8800 GTS 512
Supply: CM Real Power 620W
Hard Drive: 2x160Gb
Cooling: EK Ybris
Case: HAF 932

As you can see is a gaming machine, and so high consumption, noise and high temperatures.
But now I don't play much videogames, then I asked myself: "It's good keeping a typically PC 20 hours on 24 just to get me the facts of the other on facebook, listen to music or download from the network?"
So here come this project, a little and silent pc with very little consumes.

This PC will be as follows:
Motherboard: EPIA-en15000g
Processor: Integrated 1.5 GHz VIA C7 Nano
Ram: 1Gb 533MHz with Heatsink Thermaltake
Supply: Pico PSU 150W
Hard drive: not yet bought any case surely a 2.5 "
Case: Home Made

I called it
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyhT9asaPI/AAAAAAAAAMk/U5Igvh2yNP4/elementality.png

The motherboard EPIA-en15000g

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeLyJ23iI/AAAAAAAAACw/KRwwHPbUyRA/100_2994_800x600.jpg

It 's a 17x17cm great Mini ITX motherboard and is normally used for car computer (PC like this could also be used inside a car) this does mean that the PC will be very small (23x23cm maximum), the power could be a problem because the supply are usually quite large but wandering around on the net I came to the attention of Pico PSU, small power supply (like those on laptops) with 24-pin adapter for the motherboard.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeRln3ooI/AAAAAAAAADY/V5cJVGPNW9A/100_3050_800x600.jpg

So I bought a 150W, even if the pc but consumes much less.

The first problem was the power supply, because the supply was is 24pin and the motherboard is 20 pin, 24 pin could not be mounted because it touches the PS2 port, so I had to build a mini extension 20> 20 pin.
I then unsoldered a female connector from a motherboard burned:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeefwRs8I/AAAAAAAAAEo/9OF2d2Ojs8U/19052010234_800x600.jpg

I recovered a male connector from a power supply burned (i do not know if the my hardware characteristics of burning can define a luck or bad luck)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyedOaB5MI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Zl4V3bbXgB0/19052010232_450x600.jpg

A bit of heat shrink for a cleaner touch

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyedl0UwRI/AAAAAAAAAEk/qPf735Uxn1k/19052010233_800x600.jpg

And the cable is ready

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeRZKzJXI/AAAAAAAAADU/-7T9ccKhTTw/100_3049_800x600.jpg

Attacked the pico psu

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeSulID_I/AAAAAAAAADg/boCw0zxXAlM/100_3052_800x600.jpg

Fast and functional

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyee5RJI8I/AAAAAAAAAEs/90GQiZ4JmiM/19052010235_800x600.jpg

As I've already said the case will be home made.
I thought of different solutions but the one that prevailed was built entirely in plexy.
I was inspired by:
BluBawx Mod by E.E.L. Ambiense
So I began to create projects with sketchup trying to minimize the possible spaces at the same time make it cool.

So I started working on some pieces of colored plexy.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyePF4o8iI/AAAAAAAAADE/R_6rMCYCOVg/100_3045_800x600.jpg

After attacking a strip of paper I drew on it the first window of this case

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyef-4VKCI/AAAAAAAAAE0/mXA73Gh_WB0/26052010237_800x600.jpg

And I began to realize a rough cut of the shape ready to be refinished a couple of times to obtain the desired effect (all the mod is made with a Dremel)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyegcg1t8I/AAAAAAAAAE4/nilqCb4wyog/26052010238_800x600.jpg

After the first refinishing the cut looked like this

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeg9pp8sI/AAAAAAAAAE8/0xc5AY4S93o/26052010239_800x600.jpg

Still a bit raw.
By finishing the second the result is different. From the picture you can't appreciate because of the flash
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyejrUFnSI/AAAAAAAAAFM/4DXe_vDQQRs/26052010243_450x600.jpg

Then I reapplied the paper tape to outline another workpiece

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyekVtBG3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/H3FCRcqeci4/27052010246_800x600.jpg

Once this cut, I have drawn another one a few mm smaller on a second piece of plexy, this time transparent red

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyel8wAHOI/AAAAAAAAAFg/dT-itSsHY70/27052010249_800x600.jpg

And I also cut it

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyemYVxdxI/AAAAAAAAAFk/1GFpVpSHbTo/27052010250_800x600.jpg

These cuts are used to enter the power button on the PC that has been recycled from an old cooler master but was not good.
Here are the panel temporarily mounted almost to see the effect

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeoo_YX_I/AAAAAAAAAF0/m75OKeHZb9k/27052010254_800x600.jpg

Ps: it is a bit dirty but you know how much dust is attracts by plexy

I then repeated the same steps to create the space for the reset button


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeqaHni5I/AAAAAAAAAGE/R-RxW3VGc7Q/27052010258_800x600.jpg


After a lot of tests I was able to recreate the back cover

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyetgfS8NI/AAAAAAAAAGc/qwXcpShIGNI/06062010309_800x600.jpg

Finished

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyewzbKD3I/AAAAAAAAAG0/_TSpnuG_Ch0/06062010318_800x600.jpg

He didn't come fine but is not easy to work with the dremel on plexy and very small spaces

Part of left side panel

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyexXpba5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/RAgeCUQ8zOA/07062010319_800x600.jpg

With the same method used previously I made a hole for a fan on the red plexy

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyexzcCd-I/AAAAAAAAAG8/vyCZEfeuY9A/07062010320_450x600.jpg

And the black cover

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyeyRqyaqI/AAAAAAAAAHA/vxRtbNgVzPs/07062010321_800x600.jpg

Finished with red plexy

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyezZZWqSI/AAAAAAAAAHI/E85Zq7NbzJo/07062010323_800x600.jpg

The right panel.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye1vTvOaI/AAAAAAAAAHY/d_ty-h1aOqU/08062010327_800x600.jpg

compared with the first to see if they were equal

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye2cT1eNI/AAAAAAAAAHc/PvG2XIp9hU4/08062010328_800x600.jpg

the difference

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye25eG7fI/AAAAAAAAAM0/MSWHB3utFp0/08062010329_450x600.jpg

The difference between the first and the second is made for the airflow

particular:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye3cf5keI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-F2Zxfz5qgU/08062010330_800x600.jpg

after I've finished the panels i glued all:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye64DLVqI/AAAAAAAAAH8/MppxMB_UJvo/19062010342_800x600.jpg

(Note the "weight battery" to keep the panel straight .... very useful to make modding the battery)
I must say that despite doubts about the strength of silicon, contrary to expectations, keeps very well.
Meanwhile, I realized the support of the case. In this photo you see the first painting

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye7L2QXRI/AAAAAAAAAIA/x6mZx_hc2bU/19062010343_450x600.jpg

Finished

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye72R5cEI/AAAAAAAAANE/HRGZbnWWAnU/19062010344_800x600.jpg

Here it is in particular

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye8NBF1LI/AAAAAAAAANM/EWHqi1bK_Fg/s640/19062010345_800x600.jpg

So I decided to mount the legs to the case, and also make the holes for the motherboard.
here is the result

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye8gOHJLI/AAAAAAAAAIM/0ZWPkLn86m8/19062010346_800x600.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye9Bvo4xI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/GFKjbDBvBL0/19062010347_800x600.jpg

PC installed with the base (it is very dirty, needs a wash)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye-SuBZzI/AAAAAAAAAIY/FMNIVZXfYj0/19062010349_800x600.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye-w6urzI/AAAAAAAAAIc/1zS63iB7weY/19062010350_800x600.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye_JWqWzI/AAAAAAAAAIg/FpSCff40-qI/19062010351_800x600.jpg

I made the hard disk support in plexy. I cut the plexy and I put 4 screws to secure it to 'Hard Disk.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIye_mzUYjI/AAAAAAAAAIk/wkK90ySbDS8/23062010364_450x600.jpg

I decided not to put the HD attached to the plexy to facilitate the recycling of air

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfAHkhQXI/AAAAAAAAAIo/X-z0bRsxtPY/23062010366_800x600.jpg

In the case, the HD goes between the motherboard and the right panel pc,

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfA_hKNDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Y587CV3Cjro/23062010367_800x600.jpg

To cool the pc I had put fan so I created a support for the fan side:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfB9Kp2eI/AAAAAAAAAIw/nvHzYaHEnBg/23062010371_800x600.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfC6KXYAI/AAAAAAAAAI0/QtpzJHdq9Ig/23062010372_450x600.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfDs6y34I/AAAAAAAAAI4/SjJFI0BCmm4/23062010373_450x600.jpg

PS: The fan is 40mm

After a long search I found the buttons

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfEB6UnoI/AAAAAAAAAI8/huw88b6ggZY/04082010432_800x600.jpg

So I started sleeve some cables

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfQtfo2vI/AAAAAAAAAKU/NMMyr4DulW8/20082010480_800x600.jpg

in particular

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfSMk5I_I/AAAAAAAAAKY/SAufXF6ry5o/20082010479_800x600.jpg

and the SATA cable

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfNO98rHI/AAAAAAAAAKA/bUx2zLDyeHg/20082010487_800x600.jpg

Mounted

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfS0c9aHI/AAAAAAAAAKc/SDBcdCIbMR4/20082010485_800x600.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfT9nJqXI/AAAAAAAAAKg/T0CIhSBxu-I/20082010486_800x600.jpg

I made the bracket to close the case.
The bracket was mounted on the back of the case

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfWEGOScI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_e_C7IjJTX0/b%20%281%29_800x600.jpg

and I painted the top panel

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfUaya8KI/AAAAAAAAAKk/6e_WkxJGrwY/b%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

Before i put photos of the pc closed, I would post some photos of the interior, I have tried to hide as much as possible the cable, it was quite difficult because of the limited space

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfVLl7oUI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Z1AIZvgH4Lo/b%20%283%29_800x600.jpg

j0h89
09-12-2010, 08:40 AM
Here it is the case with the panel mounted


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfYN53vGI/AAAAAAAAAK0/YGeVw1Z-dxo/b%20%284%29_800x600.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfZFJWWgI/AAAAAAAAAK4/rVhhZgXcWVE/b%20%285%29_800x600.jpg

In this photo you see the size compared to a PC mouse

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfXMS3twI/AAAAAAAAAKw/2aY_3Qb0Qok/b%20%288%29_800x600.jpg

In these last two pictures the case is leaning sideways (i can also remove the legs to put case in this way)
Photos with reflected mouse

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfagfwEyI/AAAAAAAAAK8/XMMBAOjyrXY/b%20%286%29_800x600.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfbUDwNeI/AAAAAAAAALA/suD6KiklB84/b%20%287%29_800x600.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyffmlJ2yI/AAAAAAAAALE/uCTVsTXOeOQ/c%20%281%29800x600.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfnL2w4NI/AAAAAAAAALc/jfQqqIPv8Qk/e%203.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfkc6XiKI/AAAAAAAAALY/Dsmkvzt0iBs/e2.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfpRQ1-LI/AAAAAAAAALg/EgNfIA5NQxU/e1.jpg

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana:
And now ... The Elementality Pico Mouse

Initially it was like this:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfsYzwkiI/AAAAAAAAAL0/4Bz2nzxW69A/e2%20%281%29_800x600.jpg

And had a blue LED

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyftGS2YWI/AAAAAAAAAL4/_jyNIRYDboU/e2%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

Now it has red LED

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyftu0e6jI/AAAAAAAAAL8/eMZ9DXpTIhM/e2%20%283%29_800x600.jpg

Now it is:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfp5Tkp9I/AAAAAAAAALk/4lONW0QlOHw/e%20%2816%29_800x600.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfqPIGxCI/AAAAAAAAALo/xh7PhbBKwqA/e%20%2818%29_800x600.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfrfd2YFI/AAAAAAAAALw/kryCp74nS94/e%20%2821%29_800x600.jpg
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfuUSgStI/AAAAAAAAAME/B765jlqw4q4/f%20%282%29_800x600.jpg

Right side, grill.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfu7ggAxI/AAAAAAAAAMI/nye3f9NQO3s/f%20%284%29_800x600.jpg

Front.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TIyfvyZkE0I/AAAAAAAAAMM/NO_9pxoCWtg/f%20%285%29_800x600.jpg

Thanks for watching. I will post final photos too.
Probably it's not beautiful like other case in this forum but I like it :D and I'm so satisfied of it because is all made by me using only the Dremel

j0h89
09-26-2010, 11:35 AM
And now...

final shoots
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kWyIm-pI/AAAAAAAAAbA/uD6rHraKqJ8/z1.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kW2CRMeI/AAAAAAAAAbE/-FS_3mCDob0/z2.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXHVkuOI/AAAAAAAAAbI/AQAnnRYRzl0/z3.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXMKtuWI/AAAAAAAAAbM/pq86x0QR_S8/z4.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kXQmaZfI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/b4KKkY6LjhA/s1024/z5.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H383pAwbZHE/TJ9kh6PXeII/AAAAAAAAAbY/GQVO9gyVbF0/z6.jpg


Thank you all!!

j0h89
02-12-2011, 03:19 PM
I see that pictures are down so i re-upload the final ones.
This are from "Picasa" so i don't know if you can watch it. If aren't visible i will upload in another way.
ps: sorry 4 my bad english.
Right panel wit mesh \ air exhaust
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZKutPE6I/AAAAAAAAAL0/R6qd7zov5mo/f%20%284%29_800x600.jpg
Front panel with red window.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZLUdMItI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ei0odzcT8rs/f%20%285%29_800x600.jpg
on/off and reset button
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZMk7r9nI/AAAAAAAAAL8/oU8QDsr1x1M/z6.jpg
Internal CPU fan particular
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZOrjw2wI/AAAAAAAAAMA/1xH65WZ_NlM/z5.jpg
The case and the Elementality Pico mouse
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZRJAxybI/AAAAAAAAAME/SV9CsyxJPZE/z4.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZS-GtVcI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SRbd_hyB8gA/z3.jpg
From the inside
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZU-hIqMI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/uTJpbjVeMhQ/z2.jpg
Without top panel
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZWUlmKPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/T0c7mhumrwM/z1.jpg
only the case
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZX-4HnRI/AAAAAAAAAMY/AaOTmIzXtic/z7.jpg
case and mouse
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZaPf2AqI/AAAAAAAAAMc/DZ54U1ngCqs/z8.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_7JldPOnTKPA/TRdZcI387gI/AAAAAAAAAMg/cAD-yKHkD_M/z9.jpg