Project: Infernis

[Vertigo]

Hi guys, I've been lurking for a while now and planning my first big project. I wanted to make a serious gaming rig, with some video editing capability and as it seems is the goal of most modders ... make it look cool. So, I went through a few initial design ideas, decided to go with something fairly generalized. Tribal, Skulls, and Flames. Black and Red paint scheme. Right now, I'm waiting on a lot of parts, but I wanted to get this up here, to get things organized as I work. Hope you guys enjoy.

[Vertigo]

PARTS LIST
Case: NZXT NEMESIS ELITE BLK Black 1.0 mm ALUMINUM ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Power Supply: XG VORTEC PSVO-600 ATX 600W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, FCC, UR, TUV, and NOM
Monitor: (x2) SAMSUNG 920N Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 700:1 0.294mm Pixel Pitch
Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
Memory: (x4) OCZ 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory
Video Card: BFG GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual GPU PCI Express
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 7.1 Channel
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

MISC.
» SONY Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner
» Saitek PZ30AU-RED RED 104 Normal Keys 4 Function Keys USB Wired Slim Eclipse Keyboard

[Vertigo]

New Side window, from FrozenCPU.com
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/side-window.jpg

The etching on this turned out sick. I'm putting some dark window tinting on the back, and adding some leds to the side to make the design glow.

[Vertigo]

I've been breaking down the case, I'm mounting a plastic skull to the front door. Which is why I chose this particular case, I think this door will fit well with the tribal work and skull. Here's a couple of pics of the case coming apart, sorry if they're a bit grainy, need a new digi cam.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-06.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-07.jpg

[Vertigo]

Now, to find a skull. I'm going to try to find one of those plastic skulls they use in Biology labs at school, something like that. I thought since Halloween's coming up, I might have an easier time finding something workable, but so far no real luck.

[Airbozo]

Here is one for cheap. Jaw moves, skull cap comes off...

http://www.sargentwelch.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_WL98116%5FEA_A_Skull%2C+Budget_ E_

or this one is smaller and cheaper;

http://anatomical.com/product.asp?pn=WCPS

[Vertigo]

Hey thanks Airbozo, I think I might grab that first one. Just need to double check the dimensions first.

[simon275]

That case is spiffyness. Good to see some more darker cases after seeing TheGreatSatan care bare computer over in the project gallaries forum.

[Vertigo]

I got a surprise at the door this morning:

4 FAN ROSEWILL RFA120L-R RED 120mm RE
3 FAN FILTER THERMALTAKE|A2374 RTL
And a blowhole for the top, pre-cut for a pair of the Rosewill fans. I'm using the USB ports, mic/headphone jack from the top part of the case, putting at the front of the case, the display I'll be using in another mod. Time to break out the dremel and get this blow going.

[MitaPi]

<on topic> dont you just love surprises at the front door!?? :D </on topic>

<off topic> That is a sweet sig! </off topic>

-Mita

[Vertigo]

Found a couple of skulls.

My eventual goal is to do a second computer in a custom comp desk I'm working on to go along with this. So, yes, need several skulls.

I'm picking up some Bondo and a new Dremel next week, till then working on spraying the chassis and intial roughing/sanding of the door.

[Vertigo]

MitaPi:
Thanks for the compliment hehe.

Anyhow, sorry all for the lack of updates lately. I've been busy with school, and due to some surprise doctor bills had to eat computer building funds. However ... I should be getting a check either this week, or early next week. So, I'll be ordering the rest of the components next week, and a new digital camera as the old one has died RIP.

I'll be doing some dremel/bondo work this weekend. And final painting assembly through the week. Expect pics very soon.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Man good choice with the case. I personally have an NZXT Lexa but i did have a long hard look at the nemesis elite. The NZXT cases are well put together and look good when they are but when u start taking them appart they look really tacky lol. I word of warning, watch out for the crappy hinges on the frint panel. Mine broke within a week and the place i bought it from wouldnt replace it so i sent NZXT an email and they got me a replacement.

[Vertigo]

So, I made some headway. Got a skull mounted to the door. I chose this case specifically for the door. Got some bondo on there and did some sanding with my new Dremel. Got another round of bonod and sanding (hopefully) before the door is ready for paint.

pics soon

[Vertigo]

Ugg

Ok, since I can laugh at this, I thought I'd share.

I was sanding the bondo around the skull with a dremel and managed to breath in a bunch of dust thru an openning in the mask. But, I didn't think much about it. I adjusted my mask and went back to work (got a lot accomplished actually) then I went to sleep. Woke up this morning with the worst feeling in my gullet ever.

The reader friendly version? I wretched hard enough to pop a blood vessel in my right eye and had to get my stomach pumped.

Moral of the story:
Safety first.

LOL, I'm takin tonight and maybe tomorrow off on the case till I'm feeling better. But, I think the case itself will be ready very soon, and as as soon as the rest of the parts I've ordered get here I'll be able to make room for the new desk and computer, and actually use the thing. P.S. I'm going to revise the parts list on the first page, I copy and pasted from a text document that I edited over 2 days. And I made changes without realizing it before I posted it here.

[Vertigo]

Parts list revised: link (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showpost.php?p=48132&postcount=2)

It's looking like the thing won't be up and running until next week, I was down for a couple of days after the bondo fiasco. I'm also trying to find a new camera to take pics, I'm thinking of getting a new Cannon Powershot, probably in the $200 range. Any suggestions?

[Crimson Sky]

Bucky's Bone Yard (http://anatomical.com/bcategory.asp?c=7)is another kickass place to get bones and other goodies at reasonable prices.

check out the clear cast skull, imagine it with red and yellow lighting inside:

http://anatomical.com/images/250/CS-20CL.jpg

[Vertigo]

Ah that's nice ... I sense a new clear case mod in the future.

[Vertigo]

Finally some more pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-09.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-10.jpg

More soon.

[Vertigo]

And here's the list copied from the invoice from NewEgg:

MS WIN XP PRO W/SP2B SINGLE PACK % - OEM (Qty=1, Price=$139.99)
CPU AMD|A64 X2 4600+ 2.4G 939 1M R - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$232.00)
SNDCD CREATIVE|70sb061000000 RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$71.99)
CABLE HD|IDE SATA 18" 2H RED% - OEM (Qty=1, Price=$2.99)
HD 250G|ST 7K 8M ATA100 ST3250824AV - OEM (Qty=1, Price=$77.99)
KB SAITEK|ECLIPSE SPECIAL RED PZ30A - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$39.99)
MTR SMSNG|LCD19"8MSDsub 920N Black - Retail (Qty=2, Price=$419.98)
MOUSE LOGITECH|G5 LASER USB RTL - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$45.99)
LOGITECH X-530 BLK 5.1 SPEAKER RTL - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$59.99)
VGA BFG GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual GPU PCI Express - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$529.99)
PSU XG|PSVO-600 600W RT - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$84.99)
MEM 1G|OCZ 184P D400 OCZ4001024PF R - Retail (Qty=4, Price=$463.96)
LITE-ON SOHC-5236V COMBO BK RTL - Retail (Qty=1, Price=$25.29)

Wife and I are off to see The Prestige (again!) and look for a new computer desk and chair, I've been on a laptop with a wooden tv tray for the past year and a half LOL.

[Vertigo]

Here's where I'm at.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-11.jpg

Gotta finish the front bezel and window. Then I'm just waiting on the rest of the components I ordered to get here.

[progbuddy]

omg thats crazy. I love it. Anyways, since I'm a huge critic, I gotta say things about it.

The only thing I could think of is more color in the paintjob. Black would look awesome with a silver stripe. Other than that, great job on the lighting. Nice, clean look.

[Vertigo]

Thanks progbuddy. I've still got some work to do painting wise but here's the update. I should be sitting on an empty case for a couple of days till NewEgg gets my parts here, had a BIG problem with my account / order, but it's all worked out now.

More Pics!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-13.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-14.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-15.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-16.jpg

Bezel is cut out, grills are ready. Door and bezel are primed ... then a storm started brewing so I decided to pack it in and finish painting tomorrow.

[simon275]

Looking good so far.

I love the fans ontop of the case

Nice mask! lol..........

[Vertigo]

The case is pretty much done, I have a pair of grills to cut out of some round mesh, but other than that it's just some fine detail stuff. I met my goal of getting the case together on Halloween. Thanks for the support guys, my parts are on the way so I'll have some action shots this weekend with my new Cannon Power Shot, which will be much better quality.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-17.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-19.jpg

And last but certainly not least, I'd like to introduce my lovely assistant and wife. Thank god she didn't kill me for messing up the apartment so bad while I worked on this.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-20.jpg

[Vertigo]

Just got off the phone with NewEgg, the rest of my parts will be here Friday (tomorrow)

EDIT: Parts were held up, got the optical drive, but everything else is on hold till Monday. So I'm going to give the case a once over tonight and tomorrow put it all together.

[Vertigo]

Ok, I got all of my parts in yesterday (except one very important one) but the computer is together, and after a quick run to a local shop, more like waiting for them to open this morning. I have it installing windows now.

Here's the problems I ran into during assembly.

First off, the Nemesis case comes with a power supply, but I wanted something beefier and SLI capable since I planned on getting a nice video card and possibly going SLI in the future. So I ordered a 600w Vortec PSU, which is beautiful btw, and perfect for this build. Except for one little problem, it's twice as long as the original PSU. Meaning that I had to remove the blow hole with the 2 fans from the top just to get the thing in. The wires are nicely wrapped, but don't detach so you're left with a rats nest of cables to "hide"

The other problem is that none of the hardware I ordered came with an IDE cable. NONE. The motherboard didn't even have one. I ended up scrounging one up, but it was too short to fit the hard drive and CD Rom in their awkward positioning. So I popped out the HD, and set it in one of the 5.1 bays so I could atleast hook it up and install windows.

Well, unfortunately...

The Motherboard would only recognize 1 item per cable.

In my frustration the IDE Cable perished.

I even went so far as making a midnight run to Wal Mart for another Hard Drive. And it didn't even have an IDE in it. So, this morning I got 4 of the little things, used 2. And Windows is now installing. I got some pics I'm uploading now. And I'll get more after I get some final modifications done after work this afternoon.

[Vertigo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-21.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/Pic-22.jpg

[GT40_GearHead]

looks great dude, you did a nice job
i realy like the skull

ps: try to take some better pics (sunlight does wonders)*hint*hint*

[Vertigo]

Thanks, oddly enough I took those at during the day lol. The problem is the camera, but I plan on fixing that shortly.

[Vertigo]

Update: After I hashed out the problems with my video drivers, I decided to give 3dMark and Doom 3 a go.

DualScreen Setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/3dMarkScore-DualScreen.jpg

SingleScreen Setup:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/vertigo_038/Computer/Infernis/3dMarkScores-SingleScreen.jpg

And she performed well in Doom3 on Ultra High Settings and max settings in FEAR.

[simon275]

You use dual screen YAH! I am not alone. Nice 3D mark scores I am jealous. But I love my 6800gt.

[Vertigo]

Right now I have it set to use one of the 7950s per screen, I LOVE the NVIDIA controls for this card. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM. But, I've also found that there's a setting to have the full power of both cards running to 1 monitor for games, and have this switch when you load say Doom 3, FEAR, etc.

[Vertigo]

Ran a test to compare single monitor use to dual monitor use. The way I have my system set up, each monitor is it's own desktop. I display a game by default in my left monitor, in fullscreen mode. The way I've set this up, I can have GAIM or Photoshop, or Firefox, whatever in my right screen with no problems. So, I decided to see how much of an advantage there was to focusing all of the power of this dual 7950 card to a single monitor. I put the results in the post above to compare. I also ran an Aquamark test using my standard dual monitor setup after seeing the 3dMark results.

AquaMark Results Link (http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/AquaMark3Scores.jpg)

[Vertigo]

Oh jeez, I just realized I never posted clearer pics with the new camera as I promised.

http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.01.jpg
http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.02.jpg
http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.03.jpg
http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.04.jpg
http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.05.jpg
http://files.frashii.com/~horaxe/files/gal/comp/infernis/gallery/c/infernis.06.jpg

[DaveW]

That new camera makes a whole heap of difference. Nice one!

-Dave

[ChadB]

Wow....that looks awesome 8)

[Durrthock]

Love the look of that thing.
Good Job