Case Mod - In Progress Project F1 Dream - Another level 10

So following on from the card a small care package also turned up from Bitspower, all the stuff I needed and the blocks for the GPU’s.

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Items were various connectors, more than shown in pictures, as well as 2 very very nice Nickel Finished In Golden reference 980 GTX blocks. I went for white back plates though so I could customise them like I have the GPU block, also got the pump heat sink and shroud for the build in white. You can view all of the Bitspower range here

So waiting on the model to cut the case, I decided to get the white back plates done why I was waiting, here is what I done in Photoshop.

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So taking that design and laying it down was not as easy as I hoped, but after a few attempts on left over gold colour backplate this is what I was left with.

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I am very happy with how they came out and the tie in with the CPU block well, I was going to add the red and yellow parts of the Lewis Hamilton 2014 helmet, but thought I have the tubing and fluid that will use that colour coordination anyway. Will be posting more regular updates as more and more bits arrive.

 

Sorry it’s been a while since an update, I have had a big delay in waiting for the model to actually be shipped to stores, now saying June!!! Such a bad delay that I thought I would get a few things done in advance and even took the opportunity to be entered into a case mod competition on another case.

Anyway I suppose I can start stripping down the case anyway.

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Having case number 44 of 500 adds to the theme a little and fits within it, having already done this in a previous build I already know it’s a very daunting task.

Not really an easy task but we have to start with the basics.​

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Also worth noting here are the sticky strips, best bet is to make sure you heat up the area on back panel to loosen the glue on the strips, which will aid in lifting the back panel off.

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Now Just a case of stripping out the front bays…

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I really hope the other half does not turn up soon. ​

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After getting this far its best to stop really, don’t want to really mark up the cut for the radiator until the model is here or I get a reply from minichamps about measurements of it, so I thought why not get to painting a few things as the warmer weather is here.

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Custom rad grills turned up also so I Thought it was time to give a few things a rub down and prep for painting.

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Primer down, and I did manage to do the single 120mm rad grill.

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So I have the colour matching to the logos on case done and I will be matching the radiator and other grills to this colour as well, then colour sanding, matt lacquering and smoothing down, so stay tuned, will be posting a few more things over the next couple of weeks.

 

Back again with a small update, had some issues but finally this turned up for the build, from OnPole.com

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It took an eternity for minichamps to get it to market, but OnPole was superb in that they got it to me within 2 days of it hitting there store, let’s take a closer look at it.

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Overall the model is really nice and I have to say minichamps have done a fine job of replicating the race car and they should of with the time it took to get to market. For you F1 fans out there, you should check out OnPole’s website for memorabilia.

I do have to say though getting the model, presented another issue, the 240mm radiator I had planned to use to mount the model above is now too small as the car over hangs it, so I still can not cut the part of the case I want due to the fact I have had to order a 280mm radiator. So I am going to have to redo the radiator again oh well.

Ill post some more pictures of the car before mounting and a few bits tomorrow of what else has arrived

 

As promised a small little update on what turned up

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Big thanks goes out to the razer guys for supplying me with the full Chroma set for this build, RGB keyboard, mouse and headset to customise how I want which is great. Let us take a look at the headset first shall we.

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The headset feels nice and robust, also I love the little slide in and out mic, not sure on the plan for this yet, but I will think of something.. next up the mouse.

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I don’t really need to say much about the mouse as the Deathadder has been around for a while, yes this has rgb and yes a fester sensor. But as most of us know this has been a tried and tested mouse for years. Ono the keyboard..

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The blackwidow keyboard has also been around for while, but in its current form it has switched over to mechanical keys.

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Razer use their own exclusive keys on the mechanical side of things.

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Little RGB light down the bottom as well as RGB on the keys.

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As expected they have a nice curved feel to them, before I pull the keyboard apart I thought I would try out the software to try out the colour combinations.

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Just for fun, but it seems there are quite a few possibilities with the keyboard setup, I like the fact you can also customise the keys to any colour you want, but also set up macros. Anyway time to strip down..

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Bottom casing with rubbers removed, Just got to clean up the glue residue and move onto the prep for paint, things are starting to happen now the model arrived so expect more updates soon.. also for those interested here is the link for the chroma products.

 

So despite temps hitting over 32 degrees here in the uk over the last few days I have given myself a deadline for the build and had to work in the heat. So It was time to do a few things, including cut the main outer panels on the level 10 mobo section

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Tape down, mask on and lines drawn and ready to cut.

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The width is due to keeping the main frame of mobo section hidden (were the bolts go) I had to repeat this process with the L section too.

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With the l panel I wanted to keep the lines, but remove the mounting areas for the GPU cover.

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Now that’s all done, it is time to spend quite a few hours with the file, before preparing for paint.

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I know working with the case I should of normally taken my watch off ect, but due to these pieces being painted there is not much point so even if bits of paint flake off, it does no really matter (hence the use of normal white tape instead of Green or yellow masking tape.

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Also had to cut a few small pieces I needed to make a cover plate for the mounting of the radiator and also a strip for the radiator. I have had to change the radiator out for another due to the fact the models dimensions were larger than quoted to original so other rad was smaller.
Also here Is a sneak peak of the PSU cover I have (thanks to Primochill).

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That’s today's post, watch for some more soon.

 

So yesterday was pretty productive, first I spent over a few hours rubbing the cut panels down, phew it was hot to so had to jump in the shower twice I got that sweaty.

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Still got to go other it with some 1200 to do final prep for paint , but its too hot for that, so off I went to my zen master to sought out the keyboard and mouse (my airbrush mentor)… ekkk boy was I way ahead of myself here… I would not even attempt to post the results up here as my mentor did warn me not to attempt anything small and detailed yet, but lets just say I had to re rubdown the mouse in the heat and ended up having to let him do both after suffering hand cramps from all the rubbing down I done yesterday.

Anyway enough of the hand cramp crap before you lot start commenting it was from watching stuff on the internet here is how the mouse and keyboard frame turned out.

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Mouse and keyboard are themed around lewis Hamilton's helmet to tie in with the theme…

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I cant believe how nice it came out to tie in with the mod, but then I suspect that’s down to the master (I bow down to your teachings and knowledge).. things are starting to move along on this build now, just need to get cpu bought (don’t tell the misses how much it costs though) to start the main loop.

 

wow thats a good job!

 

Cant take credit for the mouse, I needed help with that as I am still learning to use Airbrush after years of using cans.

 

dude this is sick!!! mod as well as the list of sponsors. only one u miss is Intel

 

Thanks, but intel are no joy at the moment, so big chunk of budget going on 5960X

 

Just a small little update with some pics of the keyboard close up.

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As you can see from photo, what you cant see from the first ones is the keyboard is covered in flakes all over, here are a few more shots.

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I think it looks amazing and the issue I have is that I think I am addicted to flakes, I have to say despite the price of them, they do add something to the paintwork... ill leave you guys with another sneak peek.

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Now looking at the mouse a bit closer you may notice the edges are not smooth, this is because they guy that is teaching me redone the mouse after my mess up on it, but he just smacked me in the face by saying you need to learn more first and redone all artwork on palm and button section of the mouse in flakes (red HAM is done in red metalflakes only) enjoy for now

 

Another small little update for you guys, some goodies this time, big thanks goes out to hyper X team for supporting me with these goodies.

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So memory and SSD wise going into this build we have the 256gb Hyper X predator M2 SSD drive, this is standalone rather than with pcie adaptor, the good thing is the MSI X99 Xpower AC contains a M2 turbo slot, which should theoretically provide much higher speeds with this drive than the actual pcie adaptor and I cannot wait to see it in action. The memory is a Predator - 16GB Kit* (4x4GB) - DDR4 3000MHz CL15 Intel XMP and finally the 2X SSD’s are HyperX 256GB versions.

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Due to the motherboards layout of the M2 slot I am going to have to cover the current logo on the Predator M2 SSD otherwise it will look upside down in case, a Minor thing, but if I can see it, then it simply will not do.

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Both the SSD’s will be covered, too and again, maybe you will see them maybe you will not, but it still matters to me, if I know it is there it is not good enough.

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MMM memory and some bitspower boxes, could only mean one thing.

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OMG 1 hour later (yep it took that long as one side of the spreader was stuck to stick almost like it was cemented there, I had to be so careful with this, heating up spreader with hair drier why feeling modules temp to make sure both did not get to hot, lift up a small piece then reheat again.

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Bitspower spreaders ready to be attached, so as normal had to do some cutting with the heat pads.

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Finally we are there, now these will be put under some memory Waterblocks so they wont be visible in build, but as it’s a dedication build to F1 and lasts years F1 champion and constructor champions, I thought I would just add something, again maybe not visible when built, but I will know its there.

Now why I was attaching bitspower items, I thought I better get the GPU blocks on the 2 Nvidia 980 GTX cards.

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As I showed in the pictures before, I went with the Gold style block and the white backplate.

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This was the original design, but I did decide to change one thing for the GPU backplate that will be sitting on top.

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How about some Heat reactive material for the Nvidia claw  I love the way it reacts to heat now before I move any further at this point I need to check some clearances in the rig so lets get these cards and motherboard in and work out the layout.

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Ha ha ha that moment you realise the GPU will not be able to fit in the top slot oops, ok time for a quick rearrangement.

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Now that’s better, now let’s see how it hooks up in the case

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That’s better, gone a bit over the top with the Primochill raceways, but it’s just a test at the moment, let’s throw some connectors on there

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Just messing about checking connection options, waiting for the gpu multilink to turn up so I might as well move onto another piece to do before continuing on.

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So a big thanks goes out to the guys over at Primochill for the couple of custom plates I have received the first one is to cover the PSU mount, I’ll show the second one once I get onto it, for now though I need to do some cutting to the case, time to whip out the dremel and one of my smaller used cutting disks that’s worn to a small size.

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Scary moment taking a Dremel to this case, but it needs to be done as I need whole in this area to allow the rad inlet and outlet pass through the case to be routed around the back of it.

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This is the mock up plate in place (what the radiator will be mounted too, although raised above), just have to work out tube placement when the pass through connectors get here, this is a tight case to work with from the beginning but I am attempting to keep the tubing inside despite the two small pipes that will come out of the rad into the pass through connections.
That’s all for today but will be back soon with more updates as I try to get this ready for insomnia 55 to be in exhibition area.

 

Impressive job mate

 

Thanks hard work though

 

Impressive work. Loving all the attention to detail

 

Thanks, still more details to go and more hours work

 

Another small little update for you guys,

The panel I cut out for mobo section are finally ready, the lacquer has hardened so time to get a few little bits done.

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Ermm it looks the same, well in fact it is, it’s the closest I could match to the case, although saying that there is one slight difference in the panels.

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Yes its metallic silver rather than a flat powder coat , so really all that’s left to do is mount the pieces onto the case with the window risers.

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Now they were ready to go, also as I have the mobo tray out, I thought I would go ahead and put the Bitspower SLI bridge in place, with the CPU block.

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The loop is not final as I am experimenting still with it, although I have to first organise the mounting of the rad on the gold plate on the case as well as mounting the pump, res and f1 display into the ODD, remember its going to be quite a task on this as I don’t want the loop to hang out the case, but also want a way to insure I can take the mobo tray out still without draining the system. Stay tuned for more updates soon.

 

Tiny update, please ignore quality of the pics as I took them on phone, first up mock fitting the radiator to see how it sits.

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It’s only a mock up (support brackets were made from a bit of hard line tubing temp to get the right size for the job), going to replace with carbon fibre effect steel ones, you may have also noticed the pump and res mounted in ODD bay, this is done like this so I can still open the bay to fill ect ect. The mount is temp (behind pump and res) why I wait for real carbon fibre panel to turn up.

Also, you may have notice the rad has 90 degree connectors, well the tubing will be coming around the side and going into the connectors behind which then passes into the case will go through inside and pop out the motherboard section. This should give you a rough idea of what I am trying to do.

Before I go, I’ll leave you with a shot of how the etching on the back panel is coming along.

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So far so good, still some other things to add in there, but these are smaller and smaller things to do and with everything going to plan, I just need to ensure I nail it.

Back soon with more on this build.

 

Sorry about the lack of updates guys, got quite a bit going on including a planned move of home to a bigger place (from 1 bed flat/apartment to a 2 bed house with garden), which off topic means I can only get better with my modding as I now will be able to build a little workshop…

Anyway back on track and first up, I have to say thanks to MAX keyboard for the custom key set, I did want white, but system is not quite ready for that yet so they were kind enough to supply some of their transparent keys for the keyboard.

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I only had a few keys customised though, but love the result.

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Minor customisations, but I still like it, but of course I will be even more happy once the white backlit keys are ready to be made.

Moving onto the main rig I decided to start doing the hardline, it has been a mad process, due to there being two pipes that are long, twisty and go from inside the mobo section, the return from GPU going out through mobo tray opening along the inside of case to the back of the pass through at the back of the radiator. Then the last tricky one will be from the back pump, all the way from the pump in the ODD bay, out through the gap in this section and along the inside and out into the tray to the memory block.

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Thank god for the Primochill bender, made process a lot easier, anyway here are some pics of how the inside of the motherboard tray is looking.

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I may make changes to this, but its roughly what it should be, I know the 2 pipe in from mem block is not something that makes sense really, but I like how it looked so I will be keeping it.

There are a few other things I need to test out with this plan, but for now I like it.

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Now why I am here I just thought I would quickly test rad grill/model mount to see roughly how it looks.

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Looking at this, despite the writing on the model being the right way up, I am not 100% sure it looks right so Ill flip it around to see what it looks like.

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Ermmm, see not 100% sure on placement up or down, what do you guys think?.

Before I leave you today to get stuck in with some more pipe bending let me just show you how the engraving is coming along.

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Slowly but surely she is coming together, one thing that is on my mind is my own deadline of the 20th to finish the build to get software ect installed to be on display at i55. Let’s hope I match the deadline.

 

So have been quite busy with the project, so I’ll just run through the things I have done.

So as we have seen the poles for window mount on the case, let us attached the windows to it shall we.

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One simple task out of the way onto the next one, this time it was back to finishing the loop.

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So on this build, I wanted no angle connectors inside the motherboard section and also want to ensure that the tubes were one piece, boy did I not realise what I had let myself in for, do you want a clue… well here are the total tubes including the bends for the build.

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So tubing aside its going well, although I have to say its been a bit down heartening knowing that I have to pull all the tubes out to give them a polish after mocking up. Let me show you why. By using an earlier pic before final tube was put in place.

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This tube end to end is one piece and runs along the back of the case inside, now look at all the bends after I remove the tubing.

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I can tell you straight taking these out and putting them back in was a complete nightmare and a almost like a brain puzzler time to move on from the puzzler now.

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Second on the agenda was the front plate for the odd, I had a piece of dark smoked acrylic lasered with Mercedes logo, but there was an issue, due to the way the ODD bay opens, if this was fixed to the ODD it would interfere with the correct operation as the edge would just hit the case when trying to open. Simple solution is to grab out the dremel and table router accessories.

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With the 45 degree angle router part in the table it was just a case of taping up the surface that was going to be flat down when using the router and sliding it through the end result is this.

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As you can see there is now a 45 degree angle on the edge that sits near to the main part of the case which will make the bay still open as intended.

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Faceplate on front of the ODD, not final though as I plan to blacken it out so it’s not transparent, and yes that is the F1 style rpm, gear and info device that reports cpu usage, temps ect.

A couple of other things what had to be done were done, first lay down the vinyl for the build, this luckily for me is a simple one as I have a plotter to do this.

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List of participants that helped to create this rig and build…

Now for the vinyl from nose cone from last year’s champion winning team and driver

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I am starting to love the way this is coming along, but before I leave you on this post, I think I should show you the amazing piece of hand engraving done, remember like all my previous builds I am lucky to have a wife that is very artistic when it comes to engraving.

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All done with 1000s of dots to create what you see, simply amazing, here is the picture she used for reference.

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You can see her art on www.xtreme-etching.co.uk. Sorry about late posts it has been hectic around here, but I will keep you updated on the progress as much as I can as I reach the latter stages of the build now.