Case Mod - In Progress Project: The Arsenal - COMPLETED!!!

This is a mod I have been working on for the past three days and since I am now on holidays, I will be working on the mod almost everyday! There shall be plenty of updates.

The project: The mod is designed to change my ordinary antec 900 into artwork. The sketchup is featured below and gives a better indication of my intentions than words could ever do. The artwork on the case will be a printed poly graphic from my deviant art , the rest is just spray, cut, spray cut wire and manage.



Although sounding relatively easy, the project has been anything but. The first dremel I purchased died in which case its up for warranty, had to buy a new one just to get the project started and then when I setup my computer on toilet paper, the mosfets managed to catch fire, like alot of fire, completely destroyed my motherboard and im not sure if my RAM, CPU or GPU is totally okay. (typing this from my laptop)




In any case im now in the market for an x38 mobo that I can watercool, any suggestions would be grand.

Without further a do though, heres some pics of the project at hand. All the major cutting has been done, all I need to do now is complete the paint job which will include some screen printing for the case.

 

Looking good dude. Sorry to hear about your dremel and motherboard. That was anything but Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Charmin'...

Nice to see you've got started. My advice is that you take it nice and slow - take more time to ensure that everything is finished perfectly - the extra effort really wields brilliant results. You seem to know what you're doing, so I look forward to more updates.

 

Cheeers tanvir, the fact that I seem to know what im doing is misleading Im probably needing some advice on sanding spray paint finishes till they shine, alot of the guides say wait 2 weeks drying before sanding paint, is there a way to speed that up? like constantly having fans blowing on it or anything>?

 

[size=15pt]Update[/size]

New update, new photos, new problems.

Lets start with problems, I did an assembly test to see if everything would fit together, everything bar the 3 fan radiator fits in. The 3 fan rad has bolting issues, it seems that the thread is not b3 (the standard for radiator screw ins) which is highly annoying because atm i cant seem to attach it to the computer and the b3 thread works on the other 2 fan radiator....I even went out to by b3 nuts and bolts! ARGHHHHHHH.

Im waiting for a particular thick white spray paint "montana brand" to replace the liquidy dulex stuff i currently have. Its stalled the project somewhat. Never the less, in my spare time ive been adding coats of paint here and there and its coming along nicely with each coat.

Forward! onward to the pics!



First off heres my mobo, the one whose mosfets spewed jets of electric flame...im not even joking....The mosfets were litterally shooting flames and it engulfed my thermalright mosfet heatsinks, I just dont get it. The mosfets were making contact, there was no motherboard warping that prevented them from being cooled and furthermore, STOCK P5K'S DONT COME WITH TOP MOSFETS. I essentially was cooling apart of the motherboard that even asus didnt feel was necessary to cool.


So what does one do when their asus mobo bursts into flames? they go buy a new asus mobo. I mean sure the quality of the old asus board failed but the maximus met all of my watercooling requirements and more (sound card Cheesecake). I did some research, the block is indeed copper as xs got some copper shavings out of it. There are other sources who claim its copper as well and they give some compelling reasons why, in any case the mosfets and other bits are not copper, just nickel coated aluminum. However, water doesnt touch that part so ill be fine. I might have to reseat the blocks as its a bit of a hit miss if you get one that was thermally applied properly, im hoping mines the latter, Im running on air atm so I cant tell.


Moving along though....
Heres the back of the case, sprayed white although the top and bottom will be covered red tomorrow. An arsenal logo will adorn the middle area.


The res and fan controller mounted, the fan controller is in a mad position, right next to all the radiators and fans. No 3 pin extensions needed here , the wire management will be easy as a bonus.



The CD drive! Nice and snug in that position.


Heres the whole view of the case currently, its a bit red but thats because im still waiting for my white.



Even though it looks like its almost complete, it is far from. Alot left to do and a to do list that seems to get bigger by the day, luckily I have alot of free time atm so theres no need to panic and rush the job. On a side note I tried wet sanding some of the case to get it to shine with a mirror finish but that was an epic fail, not enough layers obviously.

 

about mosfets, did you put this thermal paste on them? and covered witch one heatsink? IF this was aluminium based paste, you made a short-circuit and this is the real cause of this burs was i right or something was little different?

 

Youre probably right, i used the cheap stuff that originally came with my waterblock instead of AS ceramique....I actually never thought about it and thats really scary that you could probably burn out your entire mobo by not applying the correct thermalpaste....

 

not exaxtly correct but too much but good ceramique is important for good performance of cooling.

 

Just a quick update, Ive finished the arsenal text that is going on the back. Ive just spray painted it red and im now waiting for the paint to dry. Fingers crossed that it will turn out.





Time to spray all of that red I'll update once its all dry.

 

Just some small progress here, nothing huge. I have managed to get the arsenal words on there, now its starting to look how I wanted it.




My emirates radiator ready for some spray paint!


The next bit is spray painting players names onto different watercooling tubes. To give you an idea, the players name will be sprayed in white onto a clear tube. The water running through it however will be red, it should look nice

 

r using to reservoirs also where did u get ur sketch up parts

 

looks great.
Try to get some pictures wiht more quality next time

 

Nice work mate, But what emirates have to do with arsenal?

 

Emirates is the main sponsor.
Even the stadium is called the Emirates stadium.

 

Really!!! Wow I didn't know that. Cool

I'm not a Sport guy so forgive me

 

Nice Twist to a 900, the new layout looks great.

 

Well I finally got this mod done, thanks to flabbergast for the watercooling gear, it really came up trumps. The spray paint took the longest and the dremel work drove me insane...alas, its finally all behind me now!



And here come the pics, ill add descriptions later as im really, really tired.

 

Not my style and deffently not my team, but very very nice work

 

wats the tiny screen for on the bottom?

 

Thats th LCD post to tell me if my oc failed and where.

 

Bump!

Just created a video of my mod for those of you who wish to see a bit more detail (my photos suck) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Y8RW_87vA#