Project: Dark Carbon

[rendermandan]

Thanks guys.

As promised, here is the progress report.

I mounted the fan controller in the bottom chamber.

I also started to mount the black plexi over the red plexi.

I started with the front panel.

I then added a CF panel for the dvd drive cover.

I also mounted my new shiny WD 750Gb hard drive. in the hot swappable tray.

I also noticed that one piece of my tubing that makes a 180deg bend had a slight kink in it. It wasn't huge, but enough to cause some flow problems. So I installed some wire around the tubing.

I got the rest of the black pieces polished and installed too.

I installed the power and reset switches on the front of the case.
The led light ring on the power switch will fade in and out when the case is off all the time. then when the power switch is hit. it goes solid.

the resest led ring is basically the power led so it will only be on when the computer is on or in standby mode.

Lastly, I made some CF panels to cover the holes in the top of the fan and hard drive boxes.

Sorry, but thats all I have to report today.

I'm getting very close to being done with the computer, but I am going to be modding the keyboard and possibly the monitor and mouse.

Its not over yet...

[SXRguyinMA]

that thing looks MEAN! I actually like how you can see the slight focusing of the LEDs on the plexi edges, makes it looks neat

[crazybillybob]

LOL, well, monitor and mouse huh?

-Not sure how to do the mouse though. You can't bend real CF in multiple directions. Even though the stuff is .015" thick, it will still only bend around 3/4" dia.

Umm isn't "Real CF" well a Fiber therefor it will wrap around bends tighter then 3/4" you just have to.... you know wet it with resin, and cure it and all. It's more work but wouldn't it be worth it ?


(Really I'm just busting your chops, the OEM look Goes great with the case.)
Nice touch with the fan and HDD caps, little things like that make this mod Great! Keep up the good work!

CrazyBillyBob

[rendermandan]

Umm isn't "Real CF" well a Fiber therefor it will wrap around bends tighter then 3/4" you just have to.... you know wet it with resin, and cure it and all. It's more work but wouldn't it be worth it ?

No biggie,

I was referrring to using the ultra thin sheet I purchased rather than custom forming some fabric and mixing resin. -I might try that later on.

When I get the sheet, I'll give it a shot and see how it turns out.

[jdbnsn]

I'm not sure what you had in mind for the keyboard and such, but if you were thinking of totally covering it I think it would look overdone. I would consider making roughly 2 inch horizontal stripe of CF across the keyboard instead which might have a better look, just my opinion though. The Mod is otherwise looking outstanding Dan!

[DonT-FeaR]

/\ agree with all of the above....

you went above and beyond on this one dan like always!

[KiLLERMAN21]

Seriously, I am going to kill you for that case.

Really, it looks abosolutely killer, definately one of the best mods going round IMO. Awesome work Dan.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Coming together really well mate, looks beautiful.

I have the same mouse as you, G7FTW!!!, you know they aren't making them anymore? I want to get a second for my laptop but can't find one at the usual places I shop here in Australia. You should totally do the keyboard to match. The gen1 G15 looks amazing as CF so the new one should look the same.

[rendermandan]

Hey guys, the Ultra Thin CF will be delivered tomorrow. So should be able to get some work done on the video card. In the mean time, I worked on the case a litte more.

I polished the edge of the window.

Then I mounted it to the top CF Panel.

Here is what it looks like on the case.

I also pulled the paper off the bottom cover.

I picked up some rubber grip feet to use.

Next I figured I'd start tearing apart the keyboard.

Most of you know what a G15 V2 keyboad looks like.

So after removing what seemed like a million screws. I got the trim piece removed

I found the led lights that light up the keyboard.

Just my luck, Surface mount LED's. -Not fun to replace.

I also pulled apart the led portion and founds some more Surface mount led's.

I'm not going to be able to replace those.
So the keys will have to do.

I used some more of those red led light strips I used on the computer to change the color from amber/orange to red.

Sorry this shot is a little over exposed. It really doesn't look that bad.

Next I made a template from the trim piece by first taping it to a piece of thick construction paper.

I traced around the openenings and cut it out with an exacto knife.

Here is the template over the trim piece.

It fits pretty good.

I'll used this template to cut the piece of CF once it arrives tomorrow.


I also filled the liquid cooling system with some red coolant.

Thats all I got done this weekend.

Later,

[jdbnsn]

Oh hell yeah that is going to look nice! +rep Dan!