CMStacker Mod

[gntlkilr]

Okay, I've had this CMStacker 810 for awhile now. So I'm gonna mod it. Alot. First here's what I've done, even tho I'm going to completely start from scratch again. Basically a paint job and a window or two. I took the CMSTACKER logo off the top front, put some plexi in there with some glue behind it to smoke it (didn't know about that whole sanding thing yet *grin*), and put a 4 in CCFL behind it and wired for my PWR LED. Bright as all get out, but still cool to me.
Lights on
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Project%20Dragon%20Eye/p1010406.jpg

Front with lights on
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1010416.jpg

Lights off
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/p1010407.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1010415.jpg


Okay, now here's the idea.

Strip it, move the power supply to the bottom, including the power suppply rack that it comes with, put a radiator on top where that crappy window on top was (bad mod, the etching was with a dremel, first time EVER, crap, but still cool for a first time to me), Res where the power supply rack USED to be, a 120mm fan (I'm thinking Hama's) on the back, 2 on the rad, and a 120 on each of the HDD trays. If you've never seen a CMStackerHDD tray, Here (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1381/cpa-86/Cooler_Master_4-in-3_Device_Module_STB-3T4-E1.html?tl=g43c239s610) it is.

So, here's a quick Sketchup, check it out, lemme know what ya'll think.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/Coolermaster.jpg

I've seen alot while cruising around the forum. Great things by everyone here. I know this mod may not seem like much, but I prefer it simple and sleek. I have access to a real metal shop (I gotta learn somehow, might as well go to a pro, right?), so the cuts probably won't be done by me, but I'll be right at the guys shoulder, learning every darned thing I can.

I also want to etch the window on the side, as well as the Res. I'm thinking I might make a custom Res out of 1/2" plexi and etch it with something. I'm still thinking of a theme here, I'm your classic computer geek, I do computers and thats about it. So its difficult to come up with a them that I'll like for awhile.

[Indybird]

Sounds like a great project, I'm interested to see how you go about swaping the mobo and psu.

-Indybird

[gntlkilr]

Sounds like a great project, I'm interested to see how you go about swaping the mobo and psu.

-Indybird

The mobo will stay the same. I thought about doing the reverse ATX, but I decided against it. I'm just moving the PSU down to the bottom. The 810 already has the back panel built in for a dual PSU setup, so I just need to move the PS tray. the bad part about it, I need to basically chop it and weld it in there. the PSU tray has got a lip for the top of the case, which the bottom doesn't have that place for the lip. No worries. I have a metal shop and a guy willing to teach, (altho that german-english thing is prolly gonna make that difficult, but I'm willing to learn anyhow!) Either way, should be a great mod, or a great time screwing up a case!

[gntlkilr]

Ok, went to the local hardware store (boo to the Base Exchange for not having decent colors, white and off-white, boo I say). Picked up a choice. Not 100% positive if I want to go with that charcoal and blue. I love that blue tho. A bit of flaking mixed in with it and it looks great, the camera really doesn't do it justice.

Example: my old dead MS Bluetooth keyboard I matched to the case before.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1011145.jpg


So here's my conundrum, question, poll, etc.

Red or blue? I love black as a base, or a dark charcoal. But the highlight color is what I'm iffy on. I'll take a pieces of metal and test out the color combos on it and post them, but what do ya'll think?

hmmmmmmm.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1011142.jpg

Now, you'll have to excuse the lack of work posted on this, i have a bit of a distraction since the 21st of June. See?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1011092.jpg

But what do you think would go well on this case? Black and what? Silver, Red, Blue, etc????

[gntlkilr]

A small update

I have the case stripped bare and the PSU tray removed, I just need to measure, remeasure, mark, remeasure, make sure of 1st mark, etc

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Coolermaster%20mod/P1011146.jpg

I should have the PSU tray mounted tomorrow if I'm allowed by the distraction and the wife. We'll see. LOL