Project: Helios | concept and design

[Langer]

Hello everyone, Langer here.
I'm close to wrapping up my last mod - some of you may know about it, PrometheusCU.

Being that I'm all excited about modding again I spend yesterday planning out my next build; Helios.

Some of the more unique design considerations:
- Helios will be made entirely from plated 6mm thick aluminum
- The entire chassis construction will use no screws/nuts/bots/glue/fasteners/etc
- 90degree motherboard mounting format
- The motherboard will be exposed as the entire chassis is 'doughnut' shaped
- 2-watercooling loops with 4 radiators
- Extreme minimalist design will hide ALL non-essentials


I'll leave the rest to more-or-less speak for itself:

ISO View:

Exploded View:

Open side view with cooling loops and airflow:

Open side view with cooling loops:

Open side view:

Open top view:

Bottom view:

Parts schematic PDF:

One thing that I learned this past year, and a major focus in my life at the moment, is project management. What that means is that unlike PrometheusCU this project will be planned to the T before commencement, and it will have an incredibly rapid timeline... I'll also be building 3 of them.


All the drawings were done in illustrator.
The isometric view and the exploded view were created using a projection technique as old as time itself used in perspective drawing.

Please leave your comments, suggestions and considerations.

I'm still trying to decide what exotic material to plate this beast with - if anyone has any suggestions let me know.

There's a small chance that I may bite the bullet and build it out of pure Titanium. I've been speaking around, and would be able to aquire the necessary Titanium plates for only ~10% of retail.... unfortunately that's still about $2800 in raw metal costs alone.

Speak your minds, let me know what you think.

*j

[diluzio91]

mmm... you know what looks sexy? tungsten carbide... Some of the most beautiful metal i have ever seen... no idea about price though...

[Ilden]

Like I said elsewhere, honeycomb Kevlar.

I actually looked into tungsten, but ruled that out as a suggestion when I saw the weight. A case made from tungsten would weigh like 300 pounds.

[Langer]

But it may be possible to plate a lighter metal in tungsten carbide... ATM, I'm leaning between an 8mm thick composite panel used to armour plate nuclear submarines, plated aluminum, or titanium.

Here's a preview of how it will be assembled.

Some parts fit together like a puzzle, while others will be fit together with steel dowel pins, press-fit and stealthed:

And here are the dimensions:

[Kayin]

What about some of that nickel-CF composite you have lying about? Good damn that stuff's awesome.

Trying to beat my record of most expensive material for a case?

[raistnox]

if your going for most expensive why not go for solid gold or platinum lol im kidding looks like a cool design though

[Luthien]

Fitted together like a puzzle or using steel dowels to put it all together...Interesting way to connect pieces...Cool

As for metal, perhaps you could use one metal for the main color and plate small accents with another material. I like the combination of silver (main part) and rose gold (accents).

[knowledgegranted]

Your going to want to cool the CPU first, from experience, cooling the chipsets first makes the CPU cry and unhappy.

[SXRguyinMA]

doesnt it not matter once the fluid reaches its equilibrium temp?

[Langer]

I'd like to invite everyone who is interested to follow me on my Facebook page.

Of course I will still be updating on the forums, and on my website, however the JLI Facebook page will be the best source for up-to the minute updates on my projects (new and old), exclusive info, and prize details.

JLI Facebook Page

*j