Need A little Help

[solja]

Ok so heres the idea..... I ordered a new case, the NZXT Lexa Blackline, I wanted to do a small mod on it to make it.... well "my own" you know heh give it some personality. Well I am wanting to do something to the front door of it.. I came up with a few idea and would like to hear what you guys think and I would definitely LOVE any suggestions.

Idea #1:
Some kind of design (star, pentagram, heartagram..... something) painted on and accented it with RED leds.

Idea #2:
My nick name "Blaze" cut into the door, backed in mesh then lighted with a red cathode or something of the sort.

Idea #3:
Leave it alone and not chance messing it up :p

ANY ideas or suggestions are very much appreciated. I cant really know exactly what CAN be done till I get the case (its on friggin back order atm), but if anyone has a layout or model or something of the original lexa... they are almost identical. Also I may not have to buy a red light because if I'm not mistake the front door already has a red accent light.

Much thanks to Atomic... he inspired me :D
Link to inspiration: Inspiration (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9285&page=2) :p

[Spawn-Inc]

welcome to tbcs (just incase no one else said it :up:)

out of the two idea i like the second. speaking about led you could change out the led for different colours like i have with my dvd and floppy drive (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8842&highlight=blue+led+floppy). (i don't have pics of the dvd drive but its the same concept)

you could paint the case, ummm can't think of anythngi else ATM. its 6am and i thinks time for bed.

[solja]

welcome to tbcs (just incase no one else said it :up:)

out of the two idea i like the second. speaking about led you could change out the led for different colours like i have with my dvd and floppy drive (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8842&highlight=blue+led+floppy). (i don't have pics of the dvd drive but its the same concept)

you could paint the case, ummm can't think of anythngi else ATM. its 6am and i thinks time for bed.

Thanks for the welcome :D. I was leaning towards the 2nd idea aswell, I guess a dremel would do the job best yea?
As far as painting the case or changing the led colors... ehh I love the red and black theme... its what I want to stick with tbh.... but changing the power led (if it isnt red.. its probably green) to a red on would be a nice touch :D.

[SgtM]

Welcome aboard. Changing out LED's is one of the easiest mods you can do. Yet, it's extremely effective. I kinda like the 2nd idea too.

[solja]

Welcome aboard. Changing out LED's is one of the easiest mods you can do. Yet, it's extremely effective. I kinda like the 2nd idea too.

Yea I'm like 80% set on using my nick name... I was thinking, the case is black the light is/will be red.... so should I use black or chrome mesh?

Also changing leds sounds and seems simple.... however I will probably have to wait to do that cause I dont have a saudering iron.


As far as actually cutting my nick name into the door.. I've chosen a Stencil font to keep it simple when cutting. but should I go with "Blaze" or "BLAZE"

also should I use a dremel or is there any other tools reccomended for cutting it?

[D1337]

I say Blaze, BECAUSE BLAZE, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CAPS WILL GET ON YOUR NERVES, IF NOT NOW. LATER.

I personally wouldnt put led's into the pentagram, just because imo it would give it a tacky feel, but if you want to go ahead. I would suggest trying to spice up the pentagram when you paint it buy using metal flake paint(sparkles) or doing some kind of effect. Flat red may not be too appealing.

[solja]

I say Blaze, BECAUSE BLAZE, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CAPS WILL GET ON YOUR NERVES, IF NOT NOW. LATER.

I personally wouldnt put led's into the pentagram, just because imo it would give it a tacky feel, but if you want to go ahead. I would suggest trying to spice up the pentagram when you paint it buy using metal flake paint(sparkles) or doing some kind of effect. Flat red may not be too appealing.


holy brain fart batman!!

The case has a window on the left side.... the right side is plain.... the Door should have "Blaze" like we have described it with the mesh and the light.... the right side should have a HUGE pentagram..... now to come up with an effect... maybe a blood drip effect... or maybe like you said just red flake paint..... this is going to be interesting :D :up: :banana:

maybe even instead of a pentagram.... maybe an Anarchy symbol... who knows... possibilities are endless

ok this is the last time I'm going to edit this comment I promise... scouts honor :D heheh

I've decided to go with the "heartagram" which represents "pure love" and "pure evil" so there we go.... and this has went from "small mod only on the front door" to OMFG I NEED heartagram fan grills hehe

[Crazy Buddhist]

... "Blaze" .... maybe an Anarchy symbol... who knows... possibilities are endless

you could make it into blAze on the side/front with tha A the Anarchy Symbol

[solja]

you could make it into blAze on the side/front with tha A the Anarchy Symbol

I used that idea but customized it... it shall be like this.....
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7145/blaze1lb8.png
painted on the side of the case..... the door will probably stay stock... I am still in need of some heartagram fan grills though... any idea where to get some... or maybe someone can make some for me for cheap? pweaseeeeeeeeeeee :D

oh and just in case you guys dont know what a heartagram is.... http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2034/heartagramul7.jpg

[calumc]

if you have a coping/scroll saw and some files you could make them yourself from red acrylic and put some leds in them

[solja]

if you have a coping/scroll saw and some files you could make them yourself from red acrylic and put some leds in them

wow man great idea.... but I dont have a coping saw and after ordering computer parts for my current build I'm on an extremely tight budget heh. I have a skill saw, and a hand saw... and umm a jigsaw... and a reciprocating saw..... thats about it as far as saws go heh... I could probably get my hands on some red acrylic if you think any of those types of saws would work

[calumc]

well a coping saw is basically a hand version of a scroll saw, you could probably get one for not much over $5

[solja]

well a coping saw is basically a hand version of a scroll saw, you could probably get one for not much over $5

heh.. I'll try to borrow one from someone if I cant I can do without cause like I just bought $1,300 worth of parts for a pc, plus I gotta pay bills and feed a family, also I dont have a use for a coping saw (other than this mod) so like it would be kind of pointless :( oh well he maybe after I get caught of from this setback I'll buy one and the acyllic and be set :D

[Spawn-Inc]

Thanks for the welcome :D. I was leaning towards the 2nd idea aswell, I guess a dremel would do the job best yea?
As far as painting the case or changing the led colors... ehh I love the red and black theme... its what I want to stick with tbh.... but changing the power led (if it isnt red.. its probably green) to a red on would be a nice touch :D.

is this (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25332&vpn=LEXA-BLACKLINE&manufacture=NZXT) the case?

i thought it was this (http://www.atlasinformatica.com/img/cajas/Tabla%20NZXT/lexa.jpg) one.

i like the red black theme too, i didn't realize your case was already black. on my case i'm going with blue and black.

oh i forgot to add if you need led check out lsdiodes (http://www.lsdiodes.com/). they have great prices $0.45 LED's with a base shipping cost of only $2.00 plus re Led's every 10 you get up 50 i think.

[SgtM]

I'll second Spawn's recommendation of LSDiodes.com. Great company, $2 shipping anywhere in the world, and cool freebies.

Robots WILL kill you.

[solja]

w00t my neighbor has a coping saw and says he will let me use it :D so the heartagram grills shall be made muhuhahahahahaha


oh i forgot to add if you need led check out lsdiodes (http://www.lsdiodes.com/). they have great prices $0.45 LED's with a base shipping cost of only $2.00 plus re Led's every 10 you get up 50 i think.


d00d thats wicked.... and soooooo cheap... now if only I knew how to solder hehe.. sure I could learn though... cant be that hard... can it? that will definitely be an add on for later though... I will buy a soldering kit and learn on crap that dont matter and get good at it before I come anywhere near my pc with it heh

[Redundant]

sure I could learn though... cant be that hard... can it?
Soldering isn't exactly rocket science.

"Soldering in a nutshell"

Melt some solder on both components you want to solder together. This is called "tinning." Using solder and flux can make it easier. (or you can look for rosin core solder which is more common.)
Put the two tinned components to each other and lightly touch them with the side of the tip of the soldering iron.
Safety: DO NOT breathe the fumes! Be careful not to burn yourself!

And that's pretty much it. A 15-20 watt soldering iron is good for LEDs and circuit board components while a 30-50 watt one can be used for larger wires, and a 70+ watt one can be used to solder copper pipes together. Using a highwattage one for small components will probably damage them. I'd say, for LED's, 15-30 watt would be your best bet. :up:

[solja]

Ok I made a couple pics to show my basic ideas of my mod. Granted the artwork in the pics isnt the greatest heh but all I have is MS Paint so bare with me.

this is the case in top view
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/Blackline11.jpg

inside of the case
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/sideopen.jpg

back panel
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/cageoff.jpg

right panel
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/caseside.jpg

now I just need some ideas for the window... I have an idea but I need some opinions :D

Window Idea:
put the following window decal in the top righthand corner of the window (it comes in ANY color I want and thats what I need help with)
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/82_1.jpg
so the question is what color should I get the decal in.... remember the case will have red lights inside (and I dont really want to etch it because etching is permanant and like yea...)

[solja]

ok so no one likes my idea? lol

[Crazy Buddhist]

ok so no one likes my idea? lol

Your idea's are great. Really slick :)

The decal might look good really polished up like a mirror ... the only shiny thing there with all the red led's and reflections of black and red parts shining in it.

Keep the pics coming :up:

CrazyB

[solja]

thanks for the kind words.... as soon as I get my case the modding will commence. lack of a digital camera kind of prevents me from making a "true" worklog but I will definitely be posting pics of progress and ofc the final pic.

[SgtM]

I agree.. definitely polish the heartagram. Sounds like a fun project.

[solja]

so should I get it in like a chrome finish for a very shiny effect?

[Spawn-Inc]

not sure its been said yet but to get that fan grill nice and shiny sand it up to 2000 grit then for a mirror finish use polishing compound with a dremel and pad attachment if you have it.


i don't understand this picture

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/atbsolja/sideopen.jpg

turning the hdd rack 360 degrees won't do anything.

[Crazy Buddhist]

so should I get it in like a chrome finish for a very shiny effect?

I think that would work really well :up:

CrazyB

[solja]

turning the hdd rack 360 degrees won't do anything.

haha sorry I was tired when I made that pic.... I meant 180 degrees....

[Bucko]

haha sorry I was tired when I made that pic.... I meant 180 degrees....

What will that do? Wouldn't it be easier just to turn the drives around if you want the cables on the other side?

[solja]

wow.. I really should go back to bed... 90 degrees and thats my final answer... yes I'm sure *waits patiently* w00t I just won a million dollas :D lol

turning it 90 degrees (gah I really showed my stupidity) will make it where the front fan blows directly onto the hard drives instead of having to blow through those holes in the cage :D hope I havnt cause to much confusion

Edit:

Sorry again for the confusion and me showing my stupidity (I was really still half asleep)

Anyways now for the update, I called the merchant I ordered the case from today and they said they are getting a shipment on the 6th of August (monday), they were not sure how many are being delivered so they told me to call back Monday to check if I was guaranteed one out of this delivery. Hopefully I will be getting the case some time next week if all goes well and I get one from this shipment. Rest assured the cans of paint are ready... willing... and waiting for this baby when it comes out of the box.

[Redundant]

wow.. I really should go back to bed... 90 degrees and thats my final answer... yes I'm sure *waits patiently* w00t I just won a million dollas :D lol

Turing the HDD cage 90* will put the power and data cables in the air stream which will block the air to the rest of the case. So now the HDDs are a little bit cooler and the rest of the case is hotter. I think you'd be better off leaving it how it is made. ;)

[Spawn-Inc]

Turing the HDD cage 90* will put the power and data cables in the air stream which will block the air to the rest of the case. So now the HDDs are a little bit cooler and the rest of the case is hotter. I think you'd be better off leaving it how it is made. ;)

i don't think it would block it anymore that the holes, after looking at it i have the exact same hhd rack, 3 1/2" and 5 1/4 cage. since i've already painted mine i'm not going to worry, also i have a 250mm side fan. but if i was back at the painting stage i might have changed the hdd rack too. i don't like the small holes for it. once i get around to ording some fans i might get a extra to put there.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Turing the HDD cage 90* will put the power and data cables in the air stream which will block the air to the rest of the case.

I figure it's a toss-up. I prefer having them oriented in the usual way and tucking my cables out of sight. However, I've got the same HDD setup as solja's case in my main rig, and I just turned the HDD so the cables are on the non-windowed side. Looks clean and doesn't block airflow any more than just the HDD cage would.

[solja]

well guys, the mods are done. some of the ideas got canceled due to me not liking how it looked or inability to actually do it. I will have pictures as soon as I can, trust me guys it looks pretty damned good :D I will post it in the worklog section once I get the pics developed and loaded up

yea yea I know the routine
:pics: