New to modding, a few options.

[Jaffee]

Hey all, first post here.

I'm looking for suggestions for a first case mod. I'm going to be buying a Lian Li 61B USB (Can't beat the 4 USB ports up front) and would like to put a window on the left side and up top. The interior case lighting will be green and UV cathodes, and I'll be using Green UV reactive cable management wrapping and heat shrink wrapping.

I was also thinking of doing something like a glowsign with neon green plexiglass behind the motherboard tray by cutting my name in that panel and putting the plexi behind it. Anyone tried this before?

My other idea was to completely convert the case, but I have no idea what the design would be.

Thanks for the help in advance.

[DaveW]

My advice would be to avoid putting green cathodes in the case with everything else; Illuminating green with green, and having green UV...I think the overall effect would be unpleasant. I'm imagining it without the green catohedes and in my head, it works nicely.

Hope that helps.

-Dave

[Jaffee]

I see what you're saying. So perhaps just UV Green Reactive stuff, and UV cathodes?

[DaveW]

Yeah, i think that would look a lot better. You have to be careful with vivid colours like green, orange, red, pink, etc.

Sounds like a good idea, so what's the design? You got any models or sketches, or is it all in your head?

-Dave

[Jaffee]

I've always liked the way uv cable management and liquid cooling looks like veins in a case, so I wanted to make the case a "monster" so to speak. I know I want a window on one side and a window up top. Then I was thinking maybe cut a word in the other side of the case and put uv green plexi behind it so it looks like a glowing word. I'll show you what I mean..


It's in my head atm, going to do a little side view right about.. now.

[Jaffee]

Alright, I have a direction for the mod now. I have dubbed this the "Metal Monster." Here's what I came up with.

The case will be covered in Diomand Plate Aluminum Film, like this:
http://photos-322.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061322_3457.jpg

I want to incorporate 2-3 of these machine-billeted fan covers. They're hot.
http://photos-233.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061233_9825.jpg

I will be putting these handles on the top of the case as it is a LAN PC.
http://photos-232.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061232_9516.jpg

There will be a window on the side that looks like this:
http://photos-243.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061243_9493.jpg


Inside, there will be UV Cathodes that illuminate UV reactive green cable sleeving. These will be the "veins" and "guts" of the monster.

Now for the tricky part. I want to put Showerhead hoses exiting random points in the case and going back in at random intervals. Here's a picture of the showerhead hoses and their application in another case.
http://photos-245.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061245_54.jpg

If you look carefully, right above the motherboard tray there's a wire coming out of the PSU that goes into what I assume to be a water-cooling device. The wire is wrapped in the showerhead stuff. That's what I want it to do, only OUTSIDE the case.

My last problem: Which case to go with. Do I go with the sexy, new Lian LI PC-V300:
http://photos-242.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061242_9135.jpg

Or the more tried and true PC-6x Series tower:
http://photos-244.facebook.com/ip002/v45/94/86/13746106/n13746106_33061244_9846.jpg

Bear in mind, the PC currently resides in an Aspire X-Qpack, so it is a mATX PC. Either case will work, but which will I get more effect out of?

[Cevinzol]

You might want to use real diamond plate rather than a printed film.
I've seen it sold at hardware stores and home centers.
The reason is that diamond plat has quite a pronounced texture which the sicker version wont. The Illusion will be lost very easily as soon as anyone looks closely at the case and having your hard work called "fake" can be a let down.

[Jaffee]

That's true, but there are 2 caveats. 1. The weight of the case with 2 layers of aluminum on it, and the price of the aluminum itself. I've seen the aluminum online go for about $80 for a sheet barely big enough to cover the mid-tower. I'll certainly consider it though.

[gaz_the_chav]

It would be worth it. Try and goto your nearest fabricator as they can give you a cheaper price! Plus get them to bend it for you aswell :P