My Doom 3 case worklog

[specialsteve]

Ok here is what i started off with:
An Aspire X-Dreamer II (blue) i didnt think that the blue outside and cheap chrome inside would cut it for this build they just aren't evil enough colors
so this weekend i ran to the hardware store and did this to better the appearance for the true modding to begin:
http://img25.echo.cx/img25/9967/picture0381we.jpg -before
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/3420/picture0410rj.jpg -beginning to change
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/7691/picture0453zb.jpg -reassemble with new black top
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/1382/picture0479no.jpg -sexy new color side panel
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/678/picture0467mj.jpg -the front with fans in place
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/3323/picture0487po.jpg -the face plate redone
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/9391/picture0494qb.jpg -side shot with messy wires
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/4356/picture0508lu.jpg -other side panel still needs another coat i think
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/6571/picture0530rk.jpg -the top with new fan in place blowhole was already there
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/7787/picture0549xl.jpg -back together and looks much more evil than before
http://img61.echo.cx/img61/8707/picture0554qn.jpg -one with the cffl on think i need to change to red what do you think?

ok im putting in much more as you can imagine:
already on its way:
Antec 480Watt Neopower- bought from Sky
Evercool AC-Sky
Nostromo N50-Sky

to be ordered:
Gigabyte k8n ultra-sli
A64 3000+-retail
(2X)XFX Geforce 6600GT PCI-E
(2x512)OCZ Gold Series DDR400 2-2-2-8
Seagate Raptor 36GB 10,000RPM SATA
CMV CT-520D White 15" 16ms LCD Monitor 450 cd/m2 500:1 Built in Speakers 0.297mm Pixel Pitch - Retail- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16824024004



im hoping to order my cpu and mobo in the next coming months
my stuff from sky will be in the mail on monday *thanks Sky for the great products and you paid the shipping so thanks even more*
stuff for modding purposes:
im planning to do a 6 channel fanbus on one of the 5 1/4 bays
also a 4 channel lightbus on the 3.5 bay for the 4 red cffls or blue color undecided plz tell me what you think on that subjecy
cutting the predone filiter on the back and front of the case to allow better air flow
im planning to window the top of the case as well
im windowing my cd rw and painted it the cover red and am going to stealth it
im def. planning to do some major wire management eventually hopefully the modular psu will make it easier also that will keep from over clutering the wires
im getting 4 of these crazy fan grills: http://bonzai-mods.com/index.php?p=shop80mm4 expensive but worth it i think these will be something that really set this mod off
im also plan to get a Doom 3 applique of some kind
im also gonna put some 80mm rounded uv cffls in here to let all the uv stuff light up
so tell me what you all think and any suggestions on what i could do or how i could better some of plans thanks in advance to all who respond

[editted in]:also since in the game you can see into many of the machines i plan to window as many dif. components as possible and my switch to watercooling to give it a better feel as to being a doom 3 creation... what do you think? im considering windowing a HD or rather give it a complete plexi top...

[Whisp]

Im not a big fan or red and black systems but as long as you are happy its all good. For the one picture trying to show lighting and all blurry try using a tripod or a box or something so that it sits still and use the timer if need be. This will help with taking a picture in the dark of lighted stuff.

As for teh black panels did you clear coat?

If not I think if you did some sanding and a maybe an other coat of black then clear coated and sanded then clear coated yo would have a really nice finish on that case.

Other then good work and good start.


Anyways keep us updated.

[specialsteve]

yea ill try and takes as many pics as possible

[Guttenaffe]

Yea, you need to sand that case and maybe even recoat it and try to put on an even coat of paint.

The trick is not to rock your arm in so the spay does this ( but move it straight line by not bending your elbow or rocking your shoulder. You must keep the spray line | straight. Also try to over lap by about 30% to make the color even, also a 2nd coat going the perpendicular to the original spray or 45degs (diagonal) will help it look more even. Then lightly sand it with some 600 to 800 grit paper, clean it and then clear coat it.

[Frakk]

please cut those fan grills out from the front :)

[specialsteve]

thank on the painting advise ill keep that in mind, and Frakk i couldn't agree more, that is the plan, also cutting out the back ones man i need the true airflow from this, and those things completely rob me of air flow, im hoping to get a dremel from a buddy and get em out this week. i think ill sand and do so painting over as suggested.
also did you mean repaint the whole case or that one panel that got screwed up? just wondering i thought the rest look ok but i guess another eye can catch what im not thanks for the advise guys. ill post more pics in my next update which will be when i cut those things out, an possible get the clear coat in, which is in order i believe.

[specialsteve]

Ok so i ran out to the hardware store today! :D i was looking around check out stuff for my case, when this caught my eye:
http://img143.echo.cx/img143/1092/picture0562lk.jpg -sexy kinda lol
http://img143.echo.cx/img143/8217/picture0571ye.jpg -the right brush for this canvas!
http://img143.echo.cx/img143/9681/picture0586ux.jpg -dif. attachments
http://img143.echo.cx/img143/7098/picture0592iq.jpg -flex shaft
i got this whole setup at my local aubuchons today for under $30.00 not a bad deal if i say so...
now i also check on the prices of few things im gonna get next for this mod
Plexi for top window mod and redo of the crappy factory sidepanel window and replacement of the plasic version of the plex on the front panel with real stuff... what do you think
im also thinking im gonna do some hot swapable leds inspired by a fellow modder: Defyant on CMG i think im gonna kinda borrow the idea or tweak it a lil dont know yet i dont have a sodering iron, will be getting one soon along with some lesson from the tech guy at school or my dads friend who is a machanic, which ever is easier...
what do you guys think?
also i need a few more tools eventually but i needs money for it so hopefully i can make some money somehow... change seems to buy me stuff lately
the plexi is $12.49 a sheet smallest (20''x28'') im thinking 2 sheets of this should more than cover it and few other lil mods, anyone know where i can get cheap but quality leds? i was think radioshack would have everything i need... any comments and/or suggestions are very welcome and wanted... thanks

[Guttenaffe]

Radioshack rips people off, there are tons of Webpages out there, I normally use http://www.superbrightleds.com

[specialsteve]

thanks thats very useful *adds to favorites*

[Crimson Sky]

Hey this is awesome--another Doom3 mod--keep up the good work. Get us some good pics and we'll give you some front page pimpage. :D

[specialsteve]

:D cool im gonna work on this all thru summer so def. will get some hot pics for ya's!

[specialsteve]

Also these lil goodies are in the mail to me from Sky:
http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=148+0669&sk=MC51419 -to be painted a dull metal color maybe gun metal...
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=24480 -big thanks to Sky for the price this was sold to me at. http://www.antec.com/pdf/flyers/NeoPower_2.pdf
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=107727
also next on my list with plexi/lexan, im hoping to get some stuff for the "plug n play" leds soon, also i need an 80mm holesaw, so new nice drill bits, get a drill gun from my dad or use my grandfathers drill press to counter sink the the holes for the plexi to mount to my case... also is it advised to get uv red cable sleeving or will the blue uv kit i have now look ok? jw BTW thanks Crimson on your advise on looking for online mod services that do custom etching, ill look around online and in town i think we have a sign shop who might be able to do the etching for my window as well. in other news this weekend im hoping to have the front and back pre cut filters in my case out, along with getting the hole for my top window mod in, but i wont know what happens til weekend.
peace,
~Steve~

[specialsteve]

ok well im think about a 5-6inch lcd coming out of a drive bay right now not sure how to truely go about it i have some how to guide of it done to research and eye ball first a 5-5 1/4 inch lcd would probably be fairly easy as far as fitting it into a drive bay but i have read the guides on how to do this and they arent easy as they look... also i dont know where im gonna get the money for this yet, so its a summer deal once i have a job again, im thinking the 5 1/4 or 5.5inch lcd is gonna be the way to go cause 6 inches and i have to do many mods to the monitor itself and my case that i dont know if i wanna do yet if i can avoid them, on another note my psu, ac thing, and gaming pad should be arriving soon. any comments/thoughts/suggestions on this monitor mod are very appreciated, also links to sites that sell lcd screens, not computer monitors, similar to the one seen in Crimson Sky's doom 3 case... i will post some pics of progress tonight but its very little as i need some cash for tool accessories... peace,
~Steve~

[specialsteve]

ok heres some semi done pic of my windowed cd drive i painted it and started cutting the window, but ran out of cut off wheels for my dremel, so ill have to run to the hardware store eventually and get some more, also i did random engravings, i still have to add a few one being TBCS, and gruntville basically im sucking up to all the forums im on lol... so here are those:
http://img155.echo.cx/img155/1958/picture0610hs.jpg
currently engraved into is Doom 3 in the middle CMG, and my CMG sn Modch1ld, i used this one cause it was the shortest and easiest lol...
im really more focus on my lcd mod research here are some of the lcd's ive come across so far:
http://www.lcdracks.com/panels/vlcd5vp.html
http://www.lcdracks.com/panels/vlcd4p.html
http://www.apollodisplays.com/T050Q1U1.php
http://www.apollodisplays.com/kitstype1.php?partnum=F-51167NCU-FW-AB
i dont know if they'll work or not tho, im really lost about what type im gonna need, i know i want a res. of 640x480 if possible, but i can only find that res. in 6in lcd or bigger, im trying to get a 5.7in or smaller smallest being 4in because it'll make it easier to install in a single drive bay so that it'll pull out like a draw and the lcd will pop out kinda... if you have any advise on this subject plz feel welcome... i dont really know how im gonna wire it up either might be some soudering involved... plz tell me what you think so far, peace
Steve

[specialsteve]

Ok i got my cable sleeving on my psu done last night along along with installing the evercool ac. unfortunately me being the senseless ass that i am especially at 1 in the morning i put the digi cam media card into it reader backwards and fuc#ed the card up and lost basically all of my pictures so heres it was left sry:
http://img243.echo.cx/img243/1783/picture1048nc.jpg - sleeved goodness
http://img243.echo.cx/img243/3777/picture1059mf.jpg -more sleeving
http://img243.echo.cx/img243/8463/picture1063mp.jpg - more...

im gonna sleeve my fans to night but i need more heat shrink tube (small), ill try and post pics tonight or tommorow if i can get the camera to work...
also im planing to gets some krylon fusion paint to paint the evercool ac a dim greyish gunmetal color to make it look better for the theme, also hoping to cut the hole for me top window this weekend along with getting my cd window in, and maybe even some plexi...
plz tell me what you think.
Peace,
Steve

[MrSlacker]

wait, how the hell did you manage to stick mem card the wrong way? i thought it only goes in 1 way.....

as for the case, looks good so far

[specialsteve]

i stuck it in backward plus this stuff isnt really new the cam was retail at 1k and it only has 2.3 Mega Pixles so... thanks i have to repaint later after some cutting for the top window and so on, plus the some small areas are scratched and the paint came off nothing really visable, so when i redo im gonna do a couple more coats take my time the a clear coat.

[specialsteve]

ok i got 4 of my 6 fans sleeved last night. and will do the other 2 tonight if i have enough sleeving left i may need to get another kit... im hoping to have pics tonight.
also im gonna get more cut off wheels this weekend so that i can finish the cd drive window and maybe do my top window, but im might wait and do that with a jigsaw if it is easier that way.

[specialsteve]

Ok so im hoping to get the front and back filters cut out this weekend along with finishing windowing my cd drive, im also hoping to cut the hole for my top window mod this weekend as well.
i should be ordering some hardware soon if my tax returns ever get here next on the list is mobo and cpu.
tell me what you think and im also hoping to have some pic. update tonight.

[specialsteve]

*bump* i need to update my hardware list... :D

[specialsteve]

bumpage any one have any advise on where to get quality lcd monitors cheap 15-17inch

[kuhnkejer]

i like it so far. Not to be an a@# or anything but next time you paint use some wet sand paper and make it look better. http://case-mods.linear1.org/case-mod-101-how-to-paint-your-computer-case-part-1/
use this webpage it shows how to get a great paint job with spray cans. other then that cant wait to see more keep up the good work

[specialsteve]

im repainting cause i still have a few cuts to make and i havent done a clear coat at all and i did it in windy conditions ive learned that patience in a virtue and a airbrush would be nicer lol thanks for the link
this is my first mod by the way dont know if i mentioned that

[specialsteve]

bump plus i think im ordering my mobo tonight! so YAY! ill let it be known when i do

[Frakk]

bumping with some progress would be a little more appropriate dont u think? :D

[Whisp]

Plus what 2 pages of logs. not like people wont find it and usually its only a couple spots down until he bumps.

Quite comical lol

[specialsteve]

sry i have progess just my camera is DEAD so i have nothing to document with im sry soon i hope soon plus im unemployed currently cause i quit so i could focus more on school so i have no real money to do this with right now, but you wait once summer hits this thing is gonna be my priority.

[specialsteve]

bump changed the hardware list alittle... ^_^