CM Case Mod 2011 Competition Entry: Whaler's Heading, scratch build

[Kayin]

So, this is a mirroring of my submission for the CM Case Modding 2011 competiton.

For those that know me, a bit before I start. 2011 has been a really interesting year already. I had a son in January, and in February I found out I'm losing my sight (it's repairable, but I pretty much have to go blind before it gets fixed) and between that and my generally declining health, this will be my last case mod for a while. After my surgeries and some time with my new boy, I might be in the mood to do this again. I'm not closing the door and retiring, I'm going to take an extended break.

At any rate, I'm buckling down to make sure win, lose, or throw cats I do things you've never seen before to hardware you won't believe in ways that beggar belief. I am pulling out all the stops this time-and I am gonna have as much fun as possible doing it.

So, a few pictures, and then I'll reveal where we're heading.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03328.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03329.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03330.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03331.JPG

As you can see, this is hardcore server hardware. An Arima quad socket server board, sixteen ECC RDDR-2 PC3200 DIMMs, and four quad-core Opteron HE8437 processors form the core of this build. Currently, power is handled by the XFX 750 Black Edition PSU (I'm expecting this to change,) cooling will be custom liquid with self-built blocks, CM fans (to fulfill requirements as well as I simply like them,) Laing DDC pumps, and a few surprises in the radiator department.

Parts en route include a chipset block, GTX 470, GPU block base, and some kind of storage. Not much to go, and most is in motion already.

The case is this cabinet that everything is sitting on-once it has some feet, it should make a handsome sea chest. Planned mods are inlays of bone and corian for scrimshaw, inlays of "whalebone" (buffalo horn as they're both keratin and whalebone is banned,) knotwork beckets (handles,) and a custom window that I think will put smiles on faces. When I finish, this will serve double duty as an end table in a house full of cats, dog and baby. Therefore, this will be built to survive the next three Armageddons. It ought to be fun to do this one last time, so won't you join me as I destroy what's left of my sight-I mean throw down one last time.

The name? A reference to old map chests found on all whaling vessels. It's all the hint you're getting at this time.

[AmEv]

I already want that! Must crunch some serious numbers.

Quad-dodecacore?
*Nope. Would be sweet though.

[The_Crippler]

Sweet, bubbly Buddha, that sounds cool.

[x88x]

Hmmm, you have intrigued me, good sir. Carry on.

...this should be good.. :twisted:

[Kayin]

All right, a history lesson for those uninitiated to the concept of scrimshaw.

Scrimshaw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrimshaw) is considered to be the first original American art form. First practiced by native Americans as early as 800AD, it was named and brought to its apex by whalers in the 1800s as they worked on whale teeth and whale bones far away from home, then sold the work to supplement their meager incomes. During the height of whaling, any item possible was scrimshawed-in fact, the Pequod of Moby-Dick fame was covered in whale bone and set with whale teeth. Here's betting there was at least a bit of work in her.

Up as an example is my powder horn in progress, an item that's not actually part of the case but an example of scrimshaw work. The mistakes become a part of the character, but it's all made of scratched lines in my case. Some work with stippling (patterns of dots make by small holes) since this ws originally done with sailmaker's needles, but I work in scratches and am content with the results. YMMV, of course.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03332.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03333.JPG

For me, it's back to bed. Serious infection is limiting my time up and around, here's hoping I have a prescription for it available tomorrow.

[TheGreatSatan]

So, you can't mod in bed?

[The_Crippler]

So, you can't mod in bed?


Well, that is what my wife and I call it, yes...

[x88x]

Hmm, interesting. We can always count on you to bring strange new (to the medium) materials to modding. :D Good luck fighting off the infection.

[Kayin]

Ordering spree today, picked up a G1/4 tap, 11.8mm drill bit and a PNY GTX 470 so far today. Corian needs to be ordered, and I can start hacking at this case.

The goal is to make it seem as though there really is nothing odd about this from the outside, save the window to be inset in the top. Only there, and in the rear of the case would you see any giveaway that there is anything "different" about this chest.

At the moment, it's back to ordering. Trying to finish up everything so I can mod in peace...

[The_Crippler]

I love buying sprees. One of the best parts of a build.

[Kayin]

So stuff starts trickling in...

Like the rest of my block bases...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03334.JPG

A pair of new pumps...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03335.JPG

Why a new pair? For one, I had a mismatched set, for two...

There's a secret to this set. You gotta see this.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03336.JPG

All right, amps fell a bit. What's significant about that? Plenty.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03339.JPG

Impeller designs are different, for one. The blue is the new one.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03340.JPG

PCB is different. What's so significant? This requires more pics to illustrate.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03342.JPG

Old pump, the coils are enclosed and they are soldered around the edges. PCB is honestly quite simple.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03341.JPG

New pump, the coils are open and larger, there is an unused land in between the fan header and the 12v and the PCB is a lot cleaner. What's important about that unused land? PWM control. Solder a wire there and you get PWM pump control by the board. This board can honestly push all of it through the fan headers to boot-it's used to heavy loads on the fan headers. These fans ARE getting rewired to attach to the board. This will be fun....

Also, the video card came in.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03343.JPG

PNY GTX470. Not too shabby for $139...

More to come this week, I got tools in as well, and Corian, and...

[Snowman]

scuse me while I go change my pants.. check that take a shower and put on all new clothes entirely. Is the voting open for who wins so I can go ahead and vote for you now? or maybe we should all pitch in for a plaque that simply reads you win or maybe this
http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/image/composition/17852567/view/1/producttypecolor/1/type/png/width/378/height/378/winning-sheen-toddler-shirts_design.png

[The_Crippler]

I never thought I'd seen the Charlie meme bleed over into the hard-core geek world....but damned if it isn't totally appropriate in this situation.

[x88x]

Nice! I'm guessing those new "Swiftech" pumps are the v2.0 or v2.5 Laing's vs the old one was a v1.0?

[Kayin]

They're the newest revision, the same as the MCP35x. Same PWM control and all.

[Kayin]

Today, I just saw the worst EVER abuse of USPS. This is further win.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03344.JPG

What's in the flat rate box, you ask?

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03345.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03346.JPG

LOTS of Corian. About 45 pounds. Six 11 1/2"x13 1/2" sheets.

So how much does that cover?

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03347.JPG

Two sheets almost do it, and a third would finish it off. Leaving plenty of material for block tops, knife scales, and maybe even a cutting board. Not too shabby, I tell you! And, even better...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03348.JPG

Roughing out block tops begins. I KNOW it's not even, that is intentional and not a performance issue at all. I need the overhang to work on the side finish.

[StormRider]

that probably gave the delivery man a surprise :D

[x88x]

Hahaha, nice! Just a bit under the 50lb limit. :P

[Kayin]

We got home Tuesday, and this is amalgamated progress until then.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03349.JPG

Reassembling my 470 for live testing with the setup...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03350.JPG

My snortful helper here was keeping up with the shroud.

Now, for this next bit, I had to twist some arms. But...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03352.JPG

A pair of something new!

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03353.JPG

My pumps on a set of MCR-Drive radiators. They combine rad, res and pump top/mount. Great for small space setups.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03355.JPG

The reservoir end-these are sized to reach just as far down as a 25mm fan as well-making a very solid piece when fully assembled.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03356.JPG

The second fillport, this will become important.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03357.JPG

I'm about to do very, very bad and unexplainable things to this power supply. Well, unexplainable unless you know this board's secret.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03358.JPG

Also, curse you 135mm fan.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03359.JPG

And it's finally taking shape! More to come, of course, but all my calculations were correct.

I'm still recovering from major surgery on Friday, but I get something done each day. Tomorrow should see first cuts if all goes well.

[x88x]

Awesome. :D I hadn't seen any good pictures of those rads before; interesting.

[Snowman]

Kayin most awesome brother, makes me even more humble that you tossed me those cards last year.

[Kayin]

Recovery goes on, as does this case log. In fact...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20196.jpg

Motherboard tray-plywood edition. 15 holes for standoffs and a hole for SATA routing.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20197.jpg

The edges are profiled to ease routing, and the chunks will not be visible once the board is mounted-nor will this hole!

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20198.jpg

Mid-sanding...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20199.jpg

Sanded and ready to go...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20200.jpg

Stained ebony to match the case...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20201.jpg

And standoffs installed. We're not done with this yet, but it'll be set aside for a bit while I work on another important part of the setup.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20202.jpg

The chipset bare, with that stupid bubblegum paste on it. I really hate that stuff. Time to get rid of it.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20203.jpg

This should do it...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20205.jpg

nForce Professional 3600 MCP-brings back memories...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20207.jpg

An one in sepia, befitting the age of this part.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20210.jpg

Now testing clearance...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20211.jpg

Clearance looks fine but the block's seen better days...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20213.jpg

Screws and o-ring removed...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20214.jpg

And it's bathtime in CLR. Even though the label says no brass or copper.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20215.jpg

That side looks better...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20216.jpg

Much better!

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20217.jpg

Cleaned, polished and reassembled. Shiny.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20218.jpg

The block itself (Mips NF4 SLI chipset block, for those wondering.)

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20219.jpg

And a final vanity shot.

Today's progress is yet to begin, but I have a busy day on the docket here too. I really need to find that jigsaw...

[The_Crippler]

Hahaha, nice! Just a bit under the 50lb limit. :P


Actually, I believe it's 70lb - which is even less abuse. Hell, I think he just proved exactly what those boxes are for, consumer side. Not our fault the Post Office is seemingly giving shipping away these days... ;)


Lookin' good, man!

[msmrx57]

That block cleaned up nice. Isn't CLR wonderful stuff? Mobo tray looks good as well. :up: Hope your recovery and construction continue to go great.

[x88x]

Actually, I believe it's 70lb
You are correct...I know it used to be 50lb...maybe went up recently?


Looking great, Kayin. :D:up:

[Kayin]

Been a rough day, so no cuts, but some real progress anyway.

The handles on a sea chest are properly called beckets, and I needed a set if I was to make this anywhere near accurate, I'd need a set of my own. I just so happen to be handy with rope.

My snorty accomplice, however, was not up to the task. He tuckered out on me early.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20221.jpg

Pressing on, the beckets start with axles, as modeled by Snort. They then have the rest of the handle built up by knotwork. Now, I don't have 6+ months to spend making 100% authentic beckets, so I improvised.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20222.jpg

Running crown sinnets make up the sides of the becket. The axle is a pair of monkey fist knots with the interposing line doubled and then whipped.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20223.jpg

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20224.jpg

Both sides done, now for the middle...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20225.jpg

A larger crown sinnet, and the ends are whipped to hide the tie knots and give the becket a finished look. It's not perfect, but it's fast and looks pretty close to the original.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/2011-03-30_20-10-03_873.jpg

Cat break. You can also see my arthritic right hand clawing up on me. Before anyone says it, I know I'm skinny. I'm also pretty ill, so it comes with the territory.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20226.jpg

And both beckets are ready for installation. That will probably come soon as I can find wood proper to use to attach them with.

More tomorrow, weather and God willing...

[x88x]

Beckets look good. Of course, idk what they're supposed to look like, but I'm guessing neither will most of the people who see it anyway.

[The_Crippler]

You are correct...I know it used to be 50lb...maybe went up recently?


The only reason I know is because of those annoying "NO WAY!/No weigh" commercials. They say the 70lbs thing a few times.

[AmEv]

Looks like someone's been knotty.

Well, the cat looks pretty pleased.

[billygoat333]

I am excited to see this come to completion. And Kayin, all the best man, you rock and are an inspiration to us all. Hope life throws you some good luck. :)

[Kayin]

This update is short, for reasons TBA after the update.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20227.jpg

Soft white pine, ready for gluing/clamping...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20228.jpg

Setting up...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20229.jpg

And one becket stay filed to shape. It's not 100% perfect, but little would have been on a hastily made chest to get a sailor out to sea-he would have bought a chest with rope beckets and made his own knotwork ones himself on his own time over the up to three years at sea.

Why only one? Why so late? Well, yesterday Asher decided to have an episode of turning blue, so we're back in the hospital for a short stay. I may still get some modding done in and around it (we all need something to occupy our minds from time to time) but he should be home in a few days.

I'm almost able to go a full day without painkillers after having surgery a week ago. I consider that progress. Call it what you will.

Safe sailing until I get back, and if not, I'll see you in Fiddler's Green.

[xr4man]

here's hoping for a quick return home for little snort.

otherwise, i guess your glued together blocks of wood look good. lol.

[x88x]

:eek: Yikes! I hope he come out ok. Let us know what happens. Good to hear about your surgery though.

[msmrx57]

Hope everything turns out good with the little guy.

By the way your deck railing looks a lot like ours. :)

[billygoat333]

Like everyone else said... Hope everything turns out ok!

[Kayin]

We're all back home, safe, happy and snorting. Was a simple BPD attack. Scary but manageable.

And with no further ado...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20230.jpg

Both stays shaped properly...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20231.jpg

and stained to match...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20232.jpg

And black blobs on sticks...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20233.jpg

New jigsaw!

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20235.jpg

The top hole cut, as well as most of the back done.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20239.jpg

All right, it's chemistry lesson time. Fastest way to increase surface area on a waterblock using only household chemicals is...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20240.jpg

First, water to passivate the reaction...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20241.jpg

First we pour in ammonia to cover, plus a bit-not much, a millimeter or two over the top of the blocks.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20242.jpg

Next, household peroxide. Trust me, this will be fun.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20244.jpg

The solution starts to bubble...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20245.jpg

Really going now...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20246.jpg

Almost there...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20247.jpg

And passivated out. Notice the blocks are darker?

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20248.jpg

And the base on #3 shows before on the left and after on the right. For comparison I disassembled my MIPS block.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20249.jpg

One cleat on...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20250.jpg

Remember our black blobs? They're plugs for countersunk holes. Just adds some completion in there.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20251.jpg

The other side on...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20252.jpg

And plugs in place.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20254.jpg

The motherboard tray fits well enough...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20255.jpg

As do the radiators. The tray needs to have some trimmed off the front though... Also, notice the PSU? There's only 12v wires. The board actually converts its own 5v and 3.3v onboard. Nifty, no?

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20256.jpg

Starting to come together...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/Picture%20257.jpg

And initial test fitment of the hard drive cage. It works well where it is, just needs to be trimmed down some. That'll get done in the next few days, so I can transfer off my info from my i7 machine, DBAN the drives ( I always do it, it just makes for cleaner installs from one OS to the other) and start assembling in the case.

Large update, but it's finally coming together now.

[msmrx57]

Glad to hear it was something manageable, still scary.

The cleats and rope work look great. This is really coming together pretty quick. One thought I had looking at the pics would be to age the rope somehow. It just looks a little too new for the overall look. Just my 2 cents.

[Kayin]

That's in the works, but the original beckets would have been painted in place, so I'm planning to do the same. For that, they had to get in place.

[x88x]

Great to hear everyone's ok.

Stays look good, and the MBB stuff looks like it's coming together nicely. OOC, what power hookups does it get?

[Kayin]

A 16-pin and an 18-pin. If anyone can point me to those connectors, I'd gladly redo the wires to fit them-jamming 3 EPS12v connectors and a PCI-E connector into the socket is a pain.

Also, if anyone could point me at them, +rep.

[diluzio91]

im confused, why were you reacting the blocks with ammonia and hydrogen peroxide?

Cu+NH3+H2O2 == H2O+NH4 + CU... or am i missing something....

[blueonblack]

im confused, why were you reacting the blocks with ammonia and hydrogen peroxide?

:stupid:

You mentioned increasing surface area, but it just looks shiny. I like shiny, shiny is good, but..... ??

[x88x]

I'm guessing the solution etches the surface of the copper ever so slightly, increasing the surface area. I assume he'll be lapping the contact surface again, since it will also be pitted now.

[Mysteriphys]

awesome build so far, hope all is well, and thanks for the home chemistry lesson! :-D

[Kayin]

All right, back with more.

Sorry it's been a few days, we get a 5GB/month cap out where we live. We already made it for the month, so I had to borrow the library.

With no further ado...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03426.JPG

Cutting corian for waterblock tops...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03427.JPG

Drilled for screws...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03428.JPG

Base mounted...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03429.JPG

Pegs test fitting...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03430.JPG

And it works. Yes, it's missing inlet/outlet. That comes in a bit.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03431.JPG

More on my mounting there...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03436.JPG

Two...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03437.JPG

Three...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03438.JPG

And all four mounted to the board. Picked up new screws today to mount the block tops to the bases with, so the pegs will fit more uniformly.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03440.JPG

And mocked up with the chipset block. It's coming together, slowly but surely.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03441.JPG

Legs for the monster...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03442.JPG

Mounted-the hole in the base is one big intake. It intakes from the bottom and should exhaust from the rear when I finish that part up.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03446.JPG

Tops drilled and tapped. Told you I would...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03447.JPG

A pause to mock some things up...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03448.JPG

If I run it this way, all fans are motherboard controlled...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/DSC03449.JPG

And my top window-a 13x19 slab of 1/2" acrylic. In other words, coffee table material.

Well, today the weather isn't cooperating, but I should have more to show in a day or so. Up next is cutting and fitting the corian for the top, scrimshawing it and the block tops, and waiting on my fittings, tubing, VGA block, and lighting to come in. It's all tested, and it works just fine. Also, I have to figure out where to stuff my 2 1TB HDDs. Not as big an issue as it sounds, though. I think I already have the perfect place.

Remember, red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.

[x88x]

Looks like some nice progress. :D I can't wait to see what you're doing with those WB tops.


we get a 5GB/month cap out where we live.

Ouch! ...I think I would blow that away just with my normal browsing habits...not to mention anything else.. :whistler:

[AmEv]

Is it just me, or are your pics down?

[x88x]

I think he accidentally posted two repeat posts without pic links. Go up to post #45 to see the post with pics.

[AmEv]

Yep. Triple post.


Not helping his data cap......


Free PCI slot for sound, Kayin?

[Kayin]

Yup, cheap X-Fi for sound, unless someone can hook me up with better for like five bucks. Budget is tight on this one, and I dunno how it will do in Kubuntu...

[TheMainMan]

A 16-pin and an 18-pin. If anyone can point me to those connectors, I'd gladly redo the wires to fit them-jamming 3 EPS12v connectors and a PCI-E connector into the socket is a pain.

Also, if anyone could point me at them, +rep.

I couldn't find the connectors but I found someone who did. Check out this (http://67.90.82.13/forums/showpost.php?p=4764755&postcount=476) post. There's a bunch of people on that forum with the same board but only that poster seems to have the connectors.

[xr4man]

i believe these are what you are looking for

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=WM3707-ND

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=WM3708-ND

double check to make sure the proper pins are keyed before you take my suggestion though.

[Kayin]

Ordered, and +rep.

Also, I got a new cap, so I'll be updating shortly. Still got more progress for you guys!

[xr4man]

glad to help.

i actually found those lat week sometime when i was looking for a cheaper alternative to buying atx connectors from the usual computer modding websites. basically, the atx connectors are no cheaper from the electronics houses and they only come in white there.

[Kayin]

Then you'll be glad to know vinyl dye will change their color very well.

However, white is actually what I wanted...

[Kayin]

All right, I'm finally back, after a cracked bone in my arm and FTP wrangling-there is no rest for the wicked...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/066.JPG

If you want your sleeving to look like rope, then you need rope. Or bricklayer's twine, as is the case here.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/067.JPG

And it's on pretty tight, as you can see here.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/068.JPG

The power supply, sleeved in twine. You'll notice the molex and sata connectors are sleeved as though they are knots...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/069.JPG

More detail on that.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/070.JPG

All the PSU leads whipped together to ease handling under the tray...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/071.JPG

Rough cut to accept the motherboard tray and show how the interior is setup.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/072.JPG

Giving the radiator the same treatment...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/073.JPG

Test fitting as I go...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/074.JPG

And more test fitting...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/075.JPG

A mock-up of the view through the window...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/076.JPG

And aging the beckets and sleeving. On a whaling vessel, all rope would have been tarred, and therefore all of this is coated with wood stain in a color approximating pine tar.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/077.JPG

Without flash showing more of the true color, as well as showing the parts the stain wouldn't reach, just like a regular one.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/078.JPG

Radiator sleeving coated...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/079.JPG

The other side coated...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/080.JPG

The PSU cables coated...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/081.JPG

A scrimshawed water block, ready for leak testing...

And while I have a good bit more progress, I'll let this ride for a bit for an update. I may upload more later today.

[msmrx57]

:eek: WOW!!!! Sleeving all the cables like that must have taken a little time/patience. Looks absolutely amazing though. :up:
This just keeps getting better and better.

[Kayin]

So far there's a literal half mile of twine in this mod.

[Snowman]

Mod looks great although I do have to point out your lack of mod partner snort.

[msmrx57]

So far there's a literal half mile of twine in this mod.

:eek: GOOD GRIEF!!!! That makes my fingers hurt just thinking about it.

[AmEv]

And that's just an understatement..................

[Kayin]

Snort's headed into the hospital tomorrow to repair a new inguinal hernia-he had a bilateral repair, but the shunt put pressure on the right side, and it reopened.

As you can tell, we've had a long run of it.

As to the rope, it was almost all by what little feel I have left as well. I can actually sleeve and play video games now. Well, move some, sleeve some. It's pretty fun.

[xr4man]

ohh, poor little snort. here's hoping all goes well.

[Kayin]

Back at it again, trying to get all my progress uploaded before we go tomorrow.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/001.JPG

Getting ready for something...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/005.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/006.JPG

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/007.JPG

Whatever it is, it involves thermal pads.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/008.JPG

If you guessed waterblock, you got it right.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/009.JPG

Doesn't look half bad, either. My original plan was to make the top from 1/2" Corian like the CPU blocks, but honestly I have a better plan for this. You'll see.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/010.JPG

And here's another nice seldom-seen item-8x1 fittings, these in copper.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/011.JPG

Fittings on blocks, and the second scrimshawed block is visible. It's a whale.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/012.JPG

Ready to make these right for this board-it's a pain jamming in all manner of strange connectors, sometimes backwards.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/013.JPG

Got the PSU colored up and ready to install...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/014.JPG

Masterkleer 8x1 blue tubing...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/015.JPG

Chipset block with fittings, checking for length of tubing...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/016.JPG

Crabs.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/017.JPG

Sleeved and tarred liquid neon tubes...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/018.JPG

Brass, mocked up for the back panel coating. Will be cutting I/O and finalizing PSU mount this week hopefully, and this will be tacked down with brass nails.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/019.JPG

The liquid neons alone...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/020.JPG

And with the crabs, as they're chipset coolers and a light source as well.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/023.JPG

An in progress of the interior...

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/024.JPG

The better idea I had. There's a dead spot of light in that area from the neons, this fixes it and makes the card look cool.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/026.JPG

Gluing up the corian to the top. Yes, it looks ragged. That's intentional-remember the edges of the block I posted first? I'll be having fun with the aging on this top when I get to scrimshawing it.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/kayin/CMcontest/027.JPG

And a more lined-up picture. I still need to stain the interior of that cut and clean it up a bit better, but I had to get everything attached and aligned before I started putting things in final place.

If the cracks end up too bad, I'll fix them with white caulk when I waterproof the window. This WILL be an end table, after all...

All right, I'm tired, the cat is hyper and Snort is having a deep, serious conversation with Mr. Bumpy. I'll see you all next post. This finally gets me up to date. The end is in sight, just need to keep my wits about me and my head above water.

[msmrx57]

Looking good. Thoughts and prayers for the little guy, hope all goes well.

[TheMainMan]

This build is looking great, love the multiple ram coolers as a light source.

[x88x]

Sorry to hear Snort's having more problems; I hope he comes out of this round ahead as well. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

The sleeving and blocks are really interesting. How are you doing that sleeving, btw? I assume it's not just twisted around it? The lights give it a really neat touch. I like it. :D

[Kayin]

http://casemod2011.coolermaster.com/profile.php?u=248&c=2

Voting is up, go vote for me!

[Snowman]

i have tried voting several times keeps telling my the verification code is incorrect sorry
http://knoxware.org/snowman/Pictures/wtfvote.PNG

[Kayin]

I'd try a different browser, it happened to Luthien.

[x88x]

Vote'd