Case Mod - In Progress [MSI PRO MOD - S3] Project RX-0 Psycho Frame

Long time no post

Hello Bit-Tech Fans!
I just want to share to you my latest projectfor MSI Promod Season 3 Called Project: RX-0 Psycho Frame.

And here's a quick sketch of the project.




The Components:

 

Before going on to the actual case mod I wanted to first try out all the components and stress test each one of them to make sure every component is working.

brains and brawn: Intel Skylake i5 6600k




MSI Z170 Krait Gaming Bootup Screen


a quick view of MSI's latest UEFI bios screen for the Z170 Krait Gaming

 

Time to start modding!

But before we go onto the actual modding, I want to do a quick review of the case.

the case that i'll be using for this project is the newest addition to Thermaltake's Core Series.

Thermaltake Core V31




The case is a typical midtower case offering form Thermaltake, I was actually surprised to see that it was bigger than most midtower
cases I have been used to working on in the past.

 

You had me at "RX-0."

 

one of the feature the I really loved about this case, is the removable top panel. unlike most cases top panels that are permanently attached using rivets.
you can remove the top panel of this case by simply removing a few screws.

 

before continuing with the actual modding, I just wanted to do a quick unboxing and presentation of the component's
that will be used on the build.

great stuff from thermaltake.





Thermaltake Ring 12 fans.




Thermaltake Frio Ectreme

 

continuing on with the product and parts unboxing...

Presenting the MSI Z170A Krait Gaming Motherboard

 

i had problems mounting the cooler the first time because the stock RAM heatspreaders were hitting on the fans. time to void the warranty.




a couple of minutes under the heat gun to soften up the adhesive on the thermal pads.




done!

 

ust trying out a different orientation for the PSU and also planning to shorten the wires before sleeving them.

 

before doing any major modifications on any case. i like to strip it down and dis assemble every panel of the chassis. it's makes the planning, layouting and cutting process a lot easier.

 

more updates. just finished making the aluminum support bars for the top panel.

 

test fitting the parts.


i also made a new custom mount for the PSU, using the scrap metal parts previously removed from the case.

 

and a quick final check to see if everything lines up properly. before i disassemble the case again and send it to the powdercoating shop.

 

as you may have noticed I scrapped the original design. and decided to redo the entire case design. and do a sort of freestyle modding to the case. this gives me
freedom to do anything with the case.

after getting the case back from the powdercoating shop. I tried mounting all the parts again for another test fit. removing the stock heatspreaders from the RAM free's up more space to fit the cooler.


this cooler is huge! almost occupying half of the entire motherboard.

 

using spare parts from another case and spare acrylic pieces, I tried making a custom case feet.








looks like this could work

 

working on the custom aluminum profiles for the side panel hinge mechanism.


obligatory cat pics in the background.












sanding down the aluminum. this removes the clear anodized coat so that the paint would stick a lot better.

 

CUSTOM SIDE PANELS
the side panels were made using several layers of lasercut acrylic sheets.












the unicorn is starting to take shape.

 

the sliding hinges makes the side panels open and close without any problems. this also gives the side panels a sort of
"winged effect".




MSI Krait Cheesecake!

 

here you can see the details behind custom the side panels.




sexy back.


i disassembled the panels and prepped them for painting and some decals.




and for a quick preview

 

playing around a bit...