So can you guys help me along the way as I eventually mod?

[DaJe]

The main thing for me right now, is first, I need more money, so it'll take me a bit to save up enough. At first I was thinking of just getting a completely clear acrylic case, and just doing the basic flashy stuff to make it look good. But now, I'm wanting to go all out hardcore with the modding. I have never done any modifications like this to a computer before. I'll probably stick with the acrylic, but perhaps buy the acrylic and build my own. So first, does anybody know where I could buy some good acrylic at a good price? And would anyone be able to guide me as I assemble it? What kind of tool would I need for creating holes and such? I just have so many questions about everything, so I should probably just start with one area, but I don't know. I was thinking of doing something crazy, like building a subwoofer or something into the case, in the bottom front area. I don't even know where to start with all of this. I need some guidance!

[CanaBalistic]

Well, welcome to the forums.

There are tons of useful threads about acrylic. I havent used any yet in a mod but i have cut and drilled it before. A jig saw works best unless you have a drill press and a side cutting bit(not sure of the technical name). It will melt some of the plastic and it might look like your messed up royaly. Just snap off the melted plastic and you should have a perfect edge underneath. You can use a wood drill bit to drill holes.

Hang around the forums and all your questions will get answered.

[DaJe]

I plan to stick around. One thing is I don't have current access to any tools like that, and as I said, it's still going to take me time to save up enough money to get anything. Do you think I'd be able to order it from a company and also have them drill it?

[MitaPi]

Got neighbors? They are usually pretty handy for tools if you are good at buttering up to people. ^_^

Having a company do it for you would most likely cost ALOT I think. Like I said, just find a neighbor and see what he/she gots and ask him/her nicely if you can use them momentarily.

Happy Modding,
MitaPi

[DaJe]

My neighbors are really friendly actually. They often give me homemade cookies. Not sure what they might have for tools, but I might as well ask.

[simon275]

My neighbors are really friendly actually. They often give me homemade cookies.

Can I move into your neighbourhood?

Welcome to the forums.

Aycrlic can be bought at some hardware stores, art stores, places that manufacture throphies and industrial outlets.

[MitaPi]

I WANT A COOKIE! lol :D

[DaJe]

The last time, they were making cookies and called to ask if they could borrow two eggs. I got a giant plate of cookies that were made using those eggs. As for a subwoofer, what I was originally thinking was putting something big. Then I took a look at the subwoofer I use for my computer. It's JUST under the size of an 80mm fan, so I can't just directly screw it in. Might as well go for something big. It might interfere with the amount of drives I could have, and I'd definately have to make sure it was magnetically protected. Then after that I;d have to worry about pressure blowing the case apart. But if done right, it could probably move some air for cooling :D

And besides spending money on modding, I still need some to actually buy myself some new components >_>

I'm going to build a new computer, as the one I'm on now completely sucks.

[Redundant]

The integration of a sub woofer into you case is a good idea, but I think you will need a way to dampen the vibrations from it so the case doesnt get rattled apart (and will probably unplug something). Perhaps have a wooden box (do subs need to be in a wooden box?) in your case and put some kind of rubber in between your sub and case or suspend with some stretchy string.:?

You souldn't have to worry about pressure if you have fans in your case (which you should :p) because the air can escape there.

[slaveofconvention]

I'm not so sure. Subs have pretty big magnets in them - and magnets and electronics aint always a healthy combination :s

[CanaBalistic]

SubWoofer Do's and Donts...

Get a cheap sub with a small magnet. 20 oz should be small enough. Rap that maget in led (i think you can get shields that glue/bolt on). There will be a whole lot of vibrations so you'll have to do somthing about that. My sugjestion would be to raise a wooden (plexi works but wood is better for lower tones) box off the bottom of the case with some suspention (med-hard) springs. Now thats not enough on its own. You'll need to put rubber washers and gromets on every single screw and bolt (including the Mobo stand-off's). Get the lighest cpu cooler you can (stock should be allright). Watch out for big heatsinks as thier weight plus the vibrations are a bad combination. You want a seprate port for the sub facing out of the case. High pressure pushing outward on an intake fan will dramaticly decrease its life span and efficency.

After a breif proof read, a sealed box might be a better idea but it should produce more vibrations.

Keep all that in mind when you build...

[DaJe]

This is my current subwoofer being used with my computer.

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT5086.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT5087.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT5088.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT5089.JPG
http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/PICT5090.JPG

What I like about it is that is doesn't make a loud thumping bass. What it does is it just kind of completes the whole circuit of sound. I can't really say what I'm trying to, but I like it. I was thinking about doing something bigger. And if this one was the same size as an 80mm fan, I'd be right on it, but it's JUST a little short. Though if I built my own case, I could size whatever size hole I want, wherever I want. Also, about magnetic protection. What I was going to say is that some speakers (especially ones that are meant for computer use) already have magnetic protection. Well, it looks like this one does too. It has no magnetic attraction at all, not the slightest bit. So it seems ideal for use I suppose.

Another thing I wanted to do, was to put a red light around the whole outside of the speaker. But I was thinking maybe I could find a light that could change to whatever color I wanted. Can anybody help me with putting some sort of light around it? Not sure where I'd find one.

[Redundant]

I know there are some "3 in 1" leds that have the primary colors in them so, if you use 3 POTs to mix the intensities of each one, you can make many different colors. I can't recall as to where i saw this though... they look like a regular LED with four legs coming out (Gnd and the 3 seperate led legs)

[DaJe]

Would there perhaps be some sort of light that could be like a solid tube and go comepletly around the outside of it? How about EL wire? What is EL wire exactly though.

[.Maleficus.]

I guess it's like glowing wire kinda. I've never used it, but I hear it's not too bright (I don't know if you need bright, I didn't have time to read this all).

[DaJe]

Any idea how it works? And does it have to be plugged int anything? Or does it just naturally glow. It seems pretty bright to me http://xoxide.com/5ftredelwire.html

And no, I didn't specify I need it bright, but it would still probably be nice to have something really bright.


I still have't really come up with a theme for the whole thing yet either. I wouldn't mind doing something big. Anybody have some ideas to throw out?

[.Maleficus.]

Our wire is also brighter than most market EL wire and comes with a molex connector.
About a theme: Sorry, I'm at a loss here (as my current project has no theme also lol).

[DaJe]

Molex conenctor eh. Oh well, it will still do. Once I start getting a few ideas, I'll write down and draw everything I think of. Then from there I can grow it big.


OKAY. So I'm back. I have inspiration for a theme. Starcraft. Guess what I played for more than 3 hours when I got that idea. I'm thinking protoss, though a Terran style building could be good too. Maybe if it was protoss it could be like a fusion reactor. I'm thinking of blue and plasma. I have ideas now ^_^!

If I went that way with the Protoss (Or even better, Xel' Naga), then when it starts up, this sound would play http://codeinsurrection.com/music/UTmWht00.wav (especially if it's Xel' Naga). That would be a great thing to have the subwoofer for. I should just take my current one and put it in. But then what if I wanted new speakers. I guess it would still work.


Rather than double or triple post, I'm editing. Anywyasm, I'm back again, with an idea. To model it all after the Xel'Naga temple. Incase some of you have no idea what it looks like, watch the video here www.codeinsurrection.com I have so many ideas on what to do now. I'd just need a lot of help if I were to actually make it look like the temple.

[DaJe]

Could someone try to help me find pictures of the Xel'Naga temple? Right now all I have to go on, are that video, and this image

http://codeinsurrection.com/pics/forumtemple.jpg

[The Black Pumpkin]

Well, here's one, but it's only a profile.

edit: nvm, it was the overmind instead. :rolleyes:

[DaJe]

I actually have the cinematic DVD, so I looked at a full screen higher quality version of it, which I can pause to look at for any specific scene. I also took about 100 screenshots of it. What would be a good case to use as a "skeleton"?