Project: Mystique

[Koradhil]

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_header.jpg

Mystique is my second project for Cooler Master. It is quite obviously based on a CM Mystique enclosure. I didn't choose a specific theme, I'm just aiming for something looking very futuristic and sleek. The hardware isn't very new, but I'm not going to use the pc much anyway.

Hardware
» Cooler Master Mystique 631 (miditower, silver)
» DFI Lanparty nForce2 Ultra B (ATX, AGP, nForce2, black PCB)
» AMD Athlon XP Mobile 2500+ (Barton core, socket A, 1.8ghz)
» XFX GeForce 6800GT (256mb, AGP8x, green PCB)
» 2x 1GB Mushkin XP4000 DDR (CL3)
» Tagan Black 480 Watt
» Densitron 4x40 character LCD (green backlight)
» Custom watercooling kit

The victim
http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique.jpg
Thanks to Cooler Master Europe for supplying the Mystique 631.

Sketches made in SketchUp:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique001.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique002.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique003.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique005.jpg

The 4x40 character LCD I'm using:
http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique004.jpg

[Koradhil]

Last week I received most of the supplies I need, so the project can finally start now.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique007.jpg

The UV acrylic, green for this project, blue for my other project.

I got a new sponsor, Starsystems.nl. They sent me two reservoirs, a Repack 5.25" bay reservoir for my media center PC and a Cape Coolplex Pro 10 for this project. Both reservoirs are made by Alphacool.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique008.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique009.jpg

This is the pump I'm going to use, a Hydor Seltz L30 II (1200lph, Hmax 1.95m)

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique010.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique011.jpg

I'm probably going to leave the cover off the pump.

[Koradhil]

Small update... I've taken the PC apart and took some photo's. The motherboard:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique012.jpg

Of course the ugly CPU cooler will be replaced by a waterblock. I'm building a custom waterblock from the base of a DangerDen TDX:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique013.jpg

The TDX was made for a socket 939 system so it won't fit on this board. Therefore I'm going to make a new cover from a 8mm thick piece of acrylic. Something like this:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique014.jpg

Here's a photo of the Black Ice Xtreme I'm going to use. I'm going to mount it externally, at the back of the case.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique015.jpg

[Koradhil]

Mini-update, I stripped down the case to bare metal.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique016.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique017.jpg

I took off the slides for the drivebays. Obviously I don't want purple in my casemod ;) I'm going to spray them black.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique018.jpg

I've made two holes in the back of the case for the fittings of the radiator which is mounted at the back of the case. I didn't have a 2cm drill but my fake dremel did the job :)
To give you an idea of the way the watercooling is going to be placed I placed the pump and reservoir in the case as well. The radiator is held in place by a piece of tape :p:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique019.jpg

[Koradhil]

Ok another mini update :)
The plexi cover for the CPU waterblock:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique020.jpg

VGA waterblock, took the base from an Asetek block.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique021.jpg

[Koradhil]

Another small update. I made a hole in the top panel for the fan and I tapped some holes for the mounting of the Radgrill. The fan will be mounted directly to the Radgrill so when I need to change the fan I can easily take it out from the top along with the Radgrill.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique022.jpg

I'm going to make a copy of the radgrill from a piece of UV green acrylic. This will go under the radgrill to get the well known glow effect. By the way, ACRyan itself is also going to make these acrylic radgrills.

I've been working on the acrylic plate underneath the radgrill. I use a figure sawing machine for cutting acrylic and aluminium:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique023.jpg

All done:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique024.jpg

And mounted, with a couple of UV CCFLs for added effect :)

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique025.jpg

The effect will be less in the end because I'm not going to use CCFLs at the grill. I'll mount a green UV LED fan (ACRyan Blackfire4) and see if that gives enough light to light up the edge under the grill, otherwise I'll probably mount some UV LEDs. Should be fine though, I tried it with a blue LED fan and that worked fine :)

[Koradhil]

I've drawn the final design for the side panel.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique026.jpg

The drawing is on the inside of the panel, so what you're seeing is mirrored.

Update: All done :)
My figure sawing machine cuts like a hot knife through butter :thumbsup:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique027.jpg

Filing...

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique028.jpg

Pics of the final result will follow asap, I'm currently working on the acryl edge that will go behind the longer hole.

BTW I'm aware that I need a shave, I was a little lazy today (weekend right..) :rolleyes:

Here are the pictures of the result. There's still a lot to do on the sidepanel though. I'll have to buy lexan for the window and also a bunch of hex bolts to mount it all.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique029.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique030.jpg

I hope to find some time to do some modding the coming week, otherwise you'll have to wait until next weekend.

[Koradhil]

Ok that was just some catching up I had to do ;) I decided to share my worklog with you as well, it's been running on some other forums as well.

[Airbozo]

Very sweet work!

MMM and you don't need a shave till the stubble starts collecting fuzz...(or your girlfriends hair).

[Koradhil]

Today it was package day, I received 4 packages :)

Next to the NZXT Zero enclosure of which I'm soon going to write a review (for Casejunkies.com), they were supplies for project Mystique:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique031.jpg

- 1x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB harddisk (my fourth)
- 2 metres of black Tygon 8x1.6 tubing
- 10x screw fittings for the Tygon
- 3x ACRyan Blackfire4 green UV LED fan
- 1x Cooler Master green UV fan

[Lairy Fiquid]

Looking good :)
The acrylic plate underneath the grill looks top notch imo
Keep up the good work :up:

[m4gnum]

Yes, the acrylic plate really adds to it, especially coupled with the UV lighting.

[Koradhil]

I decided to take a preview-shot for you to enjoy, all fans in place.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique032.jpg

The Cooler Master fan is now mounted at the top and will be lighted by two 20cm UV CCFLs because there are no LEDs in that fan. The spare ACRyan fan will be placed at the front of the case, above the DVD writer. The DVD writer will go in the lowest of the four 5.25" bays.
The blue in the photo comes from the ACRyan fans. The LEDs in them are more blueish than UV..

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/drill.jpg

Yesterday (sat.) I got myself a new toy: a table drill. Also I bought hex bolts, a piece of lexan and some aluminum plates (for covering some ugly parts like the drivetray).

[Foxtrot9000]

nice drill press, is that the actual one? or just something for people who arnt sure what a drill press is?

[luciusad2004]

Great work so far. I have the same case but in black and i cant wait to see what you do with it. :)

[Koradhil]

nice drill press, is that the actual one? or just something for people who arnt sure what a drill press is?

It's the actual one, only this is just a picture I took off the internet because I haven't had the time to completely assemble it yet. I'll replace the pic with a real photo soon. The drill only cost me 55 euros (about 70 USD). It's not a very professional one but it should suit my needs.

[Maz]

i bought my first one back when i was in sixth grade. i saved up birthday/christmas money for it. it is even more basic than yours, but i still use it.

[Koradhil]

Small update.
First off, I've submitted this mod for the Dutch Casemodding Championships (http://www.casejunkies.com/live/index.php?upn=080004&info=14) :) Finals are on april 22, but first I'll have to make it through the pre-selection..

Back to the mod, I'm now working on a very simple fan & lightcontroller box. The controller will go inside the two floppybays and is simply a switchbox, to control the fan's voltage level (12v / 7v) and the power to the LEDs and CCFLs (on / off).

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique033.jpg

This is pretty much what the box will look like. It may look a bit long, but I've made it that way so the back is aligned with the end of the drivebays.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique034.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique035.jpg

At the back you see a molex connector for power input and 6 jackplugs for output (4x fan, 1x LEDs, 1x CCFLs).

[_ferry_]

Nice work dude!

Just registered myself as well for the dutch casemod contest. Hope to see both you and the case over there :)

[Koradhil]

The case will be there either way, even if it's not into the finals it will still be there on display.

[Koradhil]

The home-made VGA waterblock:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique036.jpg

I'm probably going to countersink the holes for the bolts in the acrylic, so the heads don't rise above the acrylic cover.

[Koradhil]

I've now installed the cooler on the card:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique037.jpg

The block is mounted with M3 hex bolts screwed into the mounting holes of a Fatal1ty VGA cooler. The block is pushed against the card by springs taken from ballpoint pens. Simple but effective :) The fact that the memory lost its cooling is not a problem, because the system is going to run Linux anyway.

Also decided not to countersink the holes because that would make the outer holes get too close to the edge.

[Koradhil]

I'm thinking of giving this mod a different name. Maybe you guys have any good ideas ?

[TheTechLife]

looks great so far :D

[Koradhil]

Today I've been working on the watercooling. I remade the cover of the CPU block because I wasn't satisfied with the last one. I chose to make it a reclangle instead.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique038.jpg

Installed it all inside the case:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique039.jpg

Last but not least, I bought an Acer AL2216W 22" widescreen TFT.

[Koradhil]

Just a piece of UV green acrylic between the mesh and the sidepanel...

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique040.jpg

Oh by the way I recently got featured (http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2007/02/28/project_logs_update_8/2.html) on Bit-Tech.

[Ichbin]

Congrats on the mention mate!

Clean looking mod so far.

I think you should paint something on the front to give it "Zazz" lol Somthing that blends in well with the whole project.

[Koradhil]

@Ichbin: I've been thinking about what to do with the front door but I haven't found anything nice yet.

To make the picture complete I've now also connected the fans and the LCD.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique041.jpg

The fans are now connected to 12V, but they make so much noise that I will make them run at 7V permanently. I'll leave out the switches for the fans because I won't ever switch them to 12V anyway.

[Ichbin]

Lol, is that your PSU outside the FRONT of your case?

I think the curves look really good already on that case, dont go super extra fancy on it. Just something simple that "Enhances"

[Koradhil]

Yes that is my 145 watt test PSU at the front of the case. I always use it for testing CCFLs, LEDs and fans. It has only one rail with two molexes coming out, I've cut off all other cables and fixed the ATX internally so it switches on automagically.

[Ichbin]

+rep for being a smartypants.

[Koradhil]

Nearly finished:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique042.jpg

And a closeup of the radgrill:

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique043.jpg

These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon. The case is now finished and leaving for CeBIT today. The red in the pictures is from the motherboard's onboard LEDs. I've tried to cover them up with some tape but didn't completely succeed. The red can still be seen a little bit. That will be fixed after CeBIT.
Also some other things need to be done after CeBIT. The front fan didn't get mounted as I miscalculated the location for the mounting holes. The rear fan doesn't have a grill yet and the pump needs to be replaced by a less powerful one (the reservoir is unable to keep up :rolleyes: and its also very noisy).

I will be visiting CeBIT on Sunday and Wednesday (next week). Of course I will be taking many pictures and I'm going to try to find new sponsors for my next project (a big one ;))

[simon275]

What a lovely case. I love how with your case yo use simple design elements that come out so neat and tidy as if the case was designed like that.

[Koradhil]

Thanks, that means I've succeeded because my goal was to make a very clean case and sticking with the original theme. It was not meant to be complicated, I've put most effort in the clean finish.

[Airbozo]

VERY nice and clean work! +rep

[rendermandan]

Very nice work! + rep. What did you mean about your resevoir not able to keep up to the pump? Sorry but I"m new to water cooling. Thanks

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

means the res might be constricting the flow......

[mellojoe]

Looks great!

I'd really like to see a few more shots of the interior all assembled. It looks real clean.

[Koradhil]

What did you mean about your resevoir not able to keep up to the pump? Sorry but I"m new to water cooling. Thanks
I meant that the pump sucks in more water than the reservoir can supply. It builds so much pressure that the reservoir is half empty with the pump on, while its normally full. Because of this the pomp easily sucks in air instead of water. Also the water is prayed into the reservoir like a fountain, so the water hits the cap of the reservoir which isn't completely leak free (fixed with some teflon).
There are only two options: a bigger reservoir of a smaller pump. I like the current reservoir and the pump is noisy so the choice is easy.

[Maz]

yep, buy a cheapo pot for 2 bucks and control the motors speed.

[Koradhil]

Its a 230V pump...
You'd have to hear the pump yourself by the way, it rattles like hell so I'm going to replace it either way.

[Koradhil]

Sorry for not updating the log anymore. After CeBIT I haven't really done anything to it. Last week it was at the dutch modding championship (finished 17th out of 18 but that wasn't unexpected). The case has now been sold, so this weekend I'll be taking the hardware out and shipping it to the new lucky owner. Here are the final pictures.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_01.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_02.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_03.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_04.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_05.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/mystique_800x600_06.jpg


Some CeBIT pictures.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cebit2007_01.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cebit2007_02.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cebit2007_21.jpg


And some pictures from the modding championships.

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cjlive07_10.jpg

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cjlive07_43.jpg

My next project (http://www.core-modding.nl/page.php?al=orion) is coming up very soon !

[DaveW]

http://www.core-modding.nl/datas/users/cebit2007_21.jpg

You Dutch modders got style man.

-Dave

[Koradhil]

The new project log is up: http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7871

[Eclecticos]

Never Seen this one before. I guess your puter has to be pretty spiffy to showcase it and hang with the Cooler Master Chics eh? :D

[Ichbin]

very crisp and clean mate.