Circuit Box - HAF XB Mod

[SXRguyinMA]

I'm back! I'm going to be modding my HAF XB for my new rig. I've got some sweet ideas and I'm seeing some neat things being done with it already.

Here's my review for those who are interested: www.http://computersandcircuits.com/?q=cooler-master-haf-xb-review

I've gotten a little work done but I don't have the pics up yet. Keep an eye out here! :D

[Fuganater]

Looking forward to it!

[billygoat333]

Sweet! maybe you will motivate me to finish my mod that I started forever ago lol.

[SXRguyinMA]

Alright time to post some progress!

First off HUGE thanks to my current sponsors Lepa and Enermax!

Lepa supplied 5 LP70D12R fans and Enermax supplied a Platimax 1200W PSU!

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/LEPA-logo.png
http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/enermax.png

Alright small update for the first one, but there's plenty more to come.


I took out the factory mesh on the top panel and made a window for it.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/01.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/02.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/03.jpg


Next up I started getting some hardware mounted so I could figure out the routing for my tubing. The board shown here is just for mock-up.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/04.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/05.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/12.jpg


Next I drilled mounting holes for the pump mount and mounted the pump.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/06.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/07.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/08.jpg


Then I drilled holes for the reservoir mount. Being that this case is short and fat rather than the typical tall and skinny I decided to mount the res to the back panel.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/09.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/10.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/11.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/14.jpg


Here's a shot with the board and GPU's I'll be using. I'll be using my current XFX 6870's paired with their EK blocks. The board shown here I'll be using along with an i7-3770k and the EK block shown here. I still need to strip the block mounting bracket from the last mod and repaint it black for this one. I also plan to remove the MB heatskink setup and paint the blue trim pieces green to match the rest of the mod.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/13.jpg


And last up a shot of the green/black paracord I'll be using to sleeve all the cables for the mod.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/15.jpg


I've got some Mayhem's pastel mint green coolant mixed up and waiting for the build as well. I think the whole black and green theme will look killer in this.

I'm also debating on adding another 120mm rad in the floor in the 5.25" drive bays for some extra cooling, but we'll see.

[SXRguyinMA]

I've also got TLHarrell of White Light Laser designing some SICK custom pieces for this build. I can't wait!

[Stonerboy779]

I love mini builds :) got my own coming in the next 6 month hopefully still working on the cad designs as it needs to be millimeter perfect haha

Keep up the good work and thanks for reminding me I need to get onto TLHarell with my order soon.

[SXRguyinMA]

I'd like to welcome Performance-PCs.com as the latest sponsor! They'll be supplying some extra goodies for the build! If you need ANYTHING modding-related make them your first stop!

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-22/performancepcs.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

Time for an update :D

The two 6870 waterblocks were starting to get slightly stained, so I took them apart and hit them with some Mother's metal polish with the Dremel and buffing wheel and cleaned them up pretty good.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/02.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/03.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/01.jpg


I also cleaned up the nickel on the CPU waterblock as well as stripped the old paint of the retention bracket and re-painted it black

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/04.jpg


I also got my care package in from Performance-PCs (http://www.performance-pcs.com)! I got a second XSPC 120mm radiator, some Bitspower fittings and some other assorted goodies.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/05.jpg


I decided to mount the second 120mm rad on the bottom of the case in the 5.25" drive bay compartment. I'll be using a fan controller but it's short and won't interfere with the fan/rad setup at all.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/06.jpg


I also removed almost all of the 3- and 5-way snake rotary fittings to clean up the overall look. It looks much cleaner this way and the Duralene tubing I'll be using is very flexible so I don't need perfectly straight line-of-sight from one barb to the next.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/07.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/08.jpg


Next up I drilled a hole at the back of the case for the Bitspower panel fitting. This will allow me to connect the reservoir and pump through the back panel of the case.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/09.jpg


http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/10.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/11.jpg


I had to notch the motherboard tray support just a tad so the panel fitting lock ring would fit properly.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/12.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/13.jpg


Then I installed the necessary rotary and barb fittings to line everything up.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/14.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/15.jpg


I also got my i7-3770K in for the build (Thanks TGS!!)

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/16.jpg


I used my custom fan template from White Light Laser (http://computersandcircuits.com/white_light_laser_fan_template) to mark the bottom of the case to cut out for the 120mm intake fan for the lower radiator.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/17.jpg


Silly me marked the holes for the 120mm fan but marked (and unfortunately cut) the large hole for the 140mm fan. No worries though, I'll make something to clean it up.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/18.jpg


Next I made an accent piece for under the pump mount. This not only gives a little look to the pump mount it also raises it 1/8" so the pump to radiator fittings line up better.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/19.jpg


Then I sleeved the pump's wires with the black/green paracord. This was my first time working with paracord and I like it a lot.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/20.jpg


And finally I cut a small piece of tubing for the pump intake. The crystal block is a "T" style and the system temp sensor will go into the bottomside opening.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/1-31/21.jpg

That's it for now!

[SXRguyinMA]

Minor update time.

I got a Bitfenix Recon fan controller to keep the system cool

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/01.jpg


Next I swapped the small piece of tubing leading into the pump for a Bitspower crystal link to clean things up

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/02.jpg


Then I got some sleeving done. I sleeved the 120mm and 80mm Lepa fans as well as the wiring for the front panel buttons and LEDs. I also removed the wiring for the front panel audio as I will have no use for it.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/03.jpg
http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/04.jpg
http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/05.jpg


Then I cut out all the plastic honeycomb mesh that's molded into the front panel. I'll be keeping the steel mesh that covers the intake but I wanted that plastic stuff gone.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/06.jpg


Lastly I drilled and mounted a 16mm Lamptron switch. This will turn on and off the case lighting.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/2-9/07.jpg


That's it for now!

[dooglo]

This is looking super. Will this be your main rig or just another mod? Looking forward to see more.

D.

[SXRguyinMA]

Thanks man :) Yes this will be my new main rig, replacing my Maximum Security mod which up until now was my main rig lol

[SXRguyinMA]

Update time!

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/04.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/01.jpg

I started off by sleeving all of the cables for the fan controller.


http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/02.jpg

Next I tackled the vortex in the reservoir issue I was getting. I decided to cut a small piece of acrylic and thread it into the outlet.


http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/03.jpg

And it worked beautifully :)


http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/05.jpg

I also scooped up a G1.Sniper 2 from Lee Harrington for the build, this will fit the theme much better.


Next I designed and made the circuit board that will read and display the coolant temp and flow rate. I designed it in Eagle CAD as i do all of my boards. I decided to make it single-sided to it'd be easier to etch and solder together.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/07.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/06.jpg


I printed the board layouts onto inkjet photo paper with a laser printer. The small boards on the bottom are for something else - I'll get to that in a bit.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/08.jpg


Then I placed the printed side down on a piece of single-sided copper board and ran them through the laminator a few times to transfer the toner to the PCB.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/09.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/10.jpg


Then they went into a warm etchant bath until all of the exposed copper was dissolved.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/11.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/12.jpg


Then I trimmed the control board to it's proper size.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/14.jpg


Next I drilled all the holes and soldered in the components. The ribbon cable is going to connect to the board that will have the LCD mounted to it which I still need to make.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/15.jpg



Now most of you probably know that the G1 series of boards come with green LEDs in the heatsink assembly. Well Thomas is cutting me out some custom GPU backplates along with all the other laser-cut parts so I figured I'd like UV LED's to light it up rather than green ones. This is where that small board comes in. I picked up some 0603 SMD UV LED's and resistors and made a replacement PCB for it. These things are TINY!

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/13.jpg


Here is the board I made next to the one out of the board - looks like I measured the LED spacing correctly.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/16.jpg


And a couple shots with the new PCB installed into the motherboard.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/17.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/19.jpg


And a shot of it with my UV green fan template lit up.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/3-3/18.jpg


That's all for now!

[d_stilgar]

That's looking really sweet. Can't wait to see more.

[SXRguyinMA]

Alright it's been a while but I've got a small update. I swapped the Primochill LRT tubing for some E22 10/12 solid tubing. I think it looks much better.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/01.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/02.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/03.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/04.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/05.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/06.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/07.jpg


I ran out of the E33 tubing so I just used a BP crystal link fitting for the return line to the res.
http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/08.jpg

And a preview of one of my fan grills from White Light Laser
http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/9-8/09.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

OK so it's been a LONG time but I've been working on getting this done. She's 99% - almost done :D Time to post some long-needed updates!

Here's all the goodies I got from White Light Laser:

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/04.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/05.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/06.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/07.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/08.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/09.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/10.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/11.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/12.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14/13.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

Next up I got the side panels done. I measured and cut out the panels for the windows

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/01.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/02.jpg


I opened up the lower guide track and slid a white LED strip into the track to light up the window etchings.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/03.jpg


Then I filed the cuts smooth and put some edge molding on then mounted the windows with 3M VHB tape.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/04.jpg


Next I got to work on polishing the GPU blocks and the EK bridge link block and got the blocks mounted.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/05.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/06.jpg


Now for strange unknown reasons EK chose to NOT put a G1/4" threaded hole on the bottom side of the bridge, only the bottom right side. Well that's useless isn't it? With the way the flow is set up I need the flow to enter the left side of the bridge and exit the right. This is due to the universal GPU blocks having a dedicated flowpath.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/07.jpg


So I picked up an 11.5mm plastic drill and a G1/4" BSPP tap from McMaster and made my own hole.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/08.jpg


Now the topside of the bridge block has one threaded hole recessed into the block while the other is not. Presumably the recess is for the plug to sit flush once it's installed. However this needs to be my exit and because of the recess I can't install a fitting here. So I took the Dremel out and milled out the recess enough to allow the installation of Bitspower's new rigid tubing compression fittings.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/09.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/10.jpg


After that was done the blocks were all mounted and I got to work redoing the tubing to and from the GPU's.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/11.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/12.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/13.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/14.jpg


I also picked up a green Bitspower LED station to make hooking up all my LED's easier. I wired the ground on the LED station's Molex power to the switch I mounted in the front panel earlier. This allows me to turn off all the lights if I want.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/15.jpg


Then I installed white LED's into the CPU block, GPU blocks and the bridge block.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/16.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/17.jpg


And here we are ready to fill!

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-7-14-2/18.jpg

Next update coming tomorrow :)

[msmrx57]

Glad to see you back on here. This is looking great. That acrylic is sick.

[SXRguyinMA]

Thanks man :D Yea I've been crazy busy with work, school and life in general lol

[TheMainMan]

Wow, this thing is slick! I love the green on black theme.

[blueonblack]

Awesome work as always my friend. Can I safely say this project is your longest ongoing?

Also, what are those fittings you're using with the rigid acrylic? When I put together the parts for my current build all I could find were fittings that just screamed rigid acrylic, like the Revolvers I'm using or Monsoon's Chain Gun fittings. These you have look like standard compression fittings. I like that!

[SXRguyinMA]

Wow, this thing is slick! I love the green on black theme.

Thanks!



Awesome work as always my friend. Can I safely say this project is your longest ongoing?

Also, what are those fittings you're using with the rigid acrylic? When I put together the parts for my current build all I could find were fittings that just screamed rigid acrylic, like the Revolvers I'm using or Monsoon's Chain Gun fittings. These you have look like standard compression fittings. I like that!

Yea it's by far my longest LOL. The fittings are the new Bitspower rigid tube compression fittings: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_346_393_1285&products_id=39664 They won't work with the Primochill tubing, only the E22 stuff or any other 10mm ID/12mm OD acrylic tubing. I went with them because I hated how big and bulky the Primochill and Monsoon rigid fittings are.

[blueonblack]

The fittings are the new Bitspower rigid tube compression fittings: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_346_393_1285&products_id=39664 They won't work with the Primochill tubing, only the E22 stuff or any other 10mm ID/12mm OD acrylic tubing. I went with them because I hated how big and bulky the Primochill and Monsoon rigid fittings are.

That's what I like about them too, thanks for the link!

[SXRguyinMA]

I filled the loop with Mayhem's Pastel Mint Green. I like it but it's a tad too light for me - I was looking for something a little bit darker...hmmm...will work on that later. ;)

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/01.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/02.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/03.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/04.jpg


And here's how it looks with the white LED's in all of the blocks

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/05.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/06.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/07.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/08.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/09.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/10.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/11.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/12.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/13.jpg


Now while I was taking those last pics I noticed this side of the 5.25" drive bays was in need of something so I made up a cover panel out of black acrylic to make it look better.

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/14.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/15.jpg


Then I decided that the translucent green accents inside weren't as lit up as I'd like from the white LED's so I decided to add a pair of UV LED strips to either side of the top window. It worked but it had the side effect of making the Mayhem's Pastel Mint Green look almost white :O

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/16.jpg

[SXRguyinMA]

So back to the light green issue...I had a bottle of Primochill UV Brite Green dye so I decided to squirt a bunch in - I ended up using just about the entire bottle (which dyes a gallon of coolant) but it turned out perfect and now the UV LED's actually make it light up green instead of turn a pasty white color :D

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/17.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/18.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/19.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/20.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/21.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/22.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/23.jpg


And with the top panel on and UV LED's on:

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/24.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/25.jpg

http://www.computersandcircuits.com/images/mods/circuit_box/4-11-14/26.jpg


I like the way the UV LED's light up the top panel etchings purple as well - it sets it off nicely. Next update will be the final update with the final pics!

[TLHarrell]

*drool*

[Stonerboy779]

That's amazing looking absolutely love the stuff that was cut for you by TL and that uv green is just right.

[SXRguyinMA]

That's amazing looking absolutely love the stuff that was cut for you by TL and that uv green is just right.

Yea TL did a GREAT job - it looks so sick!

[985323]

This looks absolutely Amazing! Great work!