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Case Mod - In Progress Project Panzerbox Mod: Tribute to Wolfenstein

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by CustomPCMAX, 2 Apr 2009.

  1. CustomPCMAX

    CustomPCMAX Computer Geek

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    Sponsored by:
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    http://us.creative.com/
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    Hi all, my company CustomPCMAX is going to be collaborating with Bill Owen at MNPCTech on custom modded gaming PC.

    The whole project is a work in progress, but here is what we have so far.

    Overview: Bill has received a pre-production NZXT Panzerbox case. His is going to be handling the modding of the case. NZXT was really cool in allowing him to get his hands on this before it is even in stores. This will be the "first EVER modded NZXT Panzerbox".

    Here is a pic of the case and a link to a video review:
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    The case is going to be modded in tribute to Wolfenstein 3D since we both have fond memories of playing this game.

    Bill just sent me some rough sketches that he and Brad (MNPCTech's painter) made for the paint job. I think it is going to look very cool!
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    A window on the left side will have logo outline cut in the center and painted...probably smoked acrylic window (see concept pic 1). The right side panel will have an airbrushed mural of one of the enemies with what looks to be nuclear powered gun, background is storm cloud filled dark sky and Messerschmidt flying over (see concept pic 2). The perforated mid section of the case will be painted German camouflage, with German cross painted over the front fan, and nuclear symbol from same enemy soldier painted over top fan. Green light will eminate from the green LED fan and green cathodes.

    So, you ask... "Nate, why are you involved in this project?"

    I am going to be providing the "guts" to this system. I run CustomPCMAX, a small Gaming PC Building company online. Me and Bill realized that we work in the same area (Mpls, Mn), so Bill was gracious enough to let me install a PC in one of his custom modded cases. This is very exciting for me, to say the least.

    Internal Components (confirmed):
    NZXT Precise Power 1200 Watt Modular PSU
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    Creative Labs - PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Championship Series
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    AMD Phenom II x3 720 CPU
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    ATI Radeon 4890 GPU
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    Corsair 2x 2GB sticks (4 gig total) XMS3 DHX DDR3 1600 mhz
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    Ultra 120 Extreme Revision A (AMD CPU Version)

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    Anyways, I think it would be cool, the Phenom will OC good (3.4-3.7 ghz average) and Radeon 4890 will be awesome.


    Future Things to See:

    • Video worklogs of the modding and installation.
      Benchmarking, OCing, gaming... all the fun stuff!

    Creative Labs is also providing me with one of their Vado video recorders. I will be using that to record my video worklogs of the hardware installation.
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    Please let me know what you think!

    If you are "digging" this mod, give us a digg!
     
    Last edited: 3 Nov 2009
  2. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    This Case Mod was done by bit-tech's MOTM Sponser, Mnpctech!
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    Customize your PC or window with custom Stickers from Mnpctech HERE

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    I'll be using the new PC Cable management clamps
    http://www.mnpctech.com/CableClamp.html

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    For the window, we used Scotch brand #4010 Super strength adhesion tape.

    http://www.mnpctech.com/scotch_4010_tape_of_the_casemod_gods.html

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    For the rear fan, the 120mm Honeycomb, Black Powder coat grill

    http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html

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    The Bullet Thumbscrews will be a great addition to the Wolfenstein theme

    http://www.mnpctech.com/Bullet-Thumb-Screws.html

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    Update 5/5/09

    After painting bullet thumbscrews
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    "Targeted" 120mm machined aluminum fan grills. These are machined from 3/16" thick aircraft aluminum. I'll be painting these today

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    Updated 5/16/09
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    The fan is finished!

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    120mm Honeycomb Mesh Fan Grill for the front of the fan.

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    Update 5/10/09

    Paint commenced yesterday on the chassis, or what I refer to as the mid section of the Panzerbox, it's welded together as one piece. We painted over the drive covers, just because it's easier to do it this way.

    Theme was inspired by this screen shot of the bad guy in the new Wolfenstein game

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    Top Carry Handle
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    Acer's P235Hbmid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 50000:1

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    Photos of the completed Wolfenstein PC system.

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    Last edited: 9 Feb 2012
    Bad_cancer likes this.
  3. Spoooon

    Spoooon What's a Dremel?

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    That's huge!
    really looking forward to this, the design for the paint job looks like its going to be amazing!
     
  4. jhanlon303

    jhanlon303 The Keeper of History

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    I need to visit Hank more often! Nice fan.

    john
     
  5. CustomPCMAX

    CustomPCMAX Computer Geek

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    That fan is going to be killer for cooling. And the green LED is going to glow nicely through the perforated mesh exterior.

    Here is a little bit of an update to the plan to help visualize the final work:

    A window on the left side will have logo outline cut in the center and painted...probably smoked acrylic window (see concept pic 1). The right side panel will have an airbrushed mural of one of the enemies with what looks to be nuclear powered gun, background is storm cloud filled dark sky and Messerschmidt flying over (see concept pic 2). The perforated mid section of the case will be painted German camouflage, with German cross painted over the front fan, and nuclear symbol from same enemy soldier painted over top fan. Green light will eminate from the green LED fan and green cathodes.
     
  6. jrs77

    jrs77 Modder

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    Case is looking good, but it's again too big for my taste, like all standard mid-towers on the market. 24,5cm wide, 44,8 cm tall and 45cm deep is definately something that you don't wanna place on your desk.

    Why is noone making these things smaller? :sigh:

    However, looking forward to this, as I've played Wolfenstein on and on some 15+ years back in time... damn I'm getting old :sigh:

    Funny fact about Wolfenstein 3D... it was banned in Germany, but still everyone had a copy of it :hehe:
     
  7. craigbru

    craigbru Cramming big things in small boxes since 2006

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    You know guys, I'm really looking forward to this case mod. Every time I speak with Johnny (NZXT), I tell him how much I love this case. There just something about it. Clean, yet very functional... I'm going to have to get myself one of these at some point. :D
     
  8. Mokey Mokey

    Mokey Mokey What's a Dremel?

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  9. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    If you recall in the review I did (above), the PSU is located on it's side, behind the left access panel... To avoid the "PSU in yo face!" in the window,.. I'll be using smoked acrylic for the windows, and painting the PSU to help conceal it.

    The window borders will have a weathered armor look, either 1/2" diameter carriage bolt heads epoxied onto the panel, or I'll attach the window with screws... my supplies on hand will dictate which effect I go with

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  10. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    I made a paper template for the Wolfenstein logo, I use this to mark the location for where I will cut the outline border in the center, and the real one will be painted later.

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  11. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    2 windows will be cut, with logo in center

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    1/8" thick Grey Acrylic for windows, Dark Gray (2074) "Transparent" from Delvies Plastics
    http://www.delviesplastics.com

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  12. tominated

    tominated What's a Dremel?

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    great concept so far. really looking forward to this!
     
  13. tjay@TJ

    tjay@TJ Minimodder

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    loves these case. great to see one modded.
     
  14. .Fatality.

    .Fatality. What's a Dremel?

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    as always awsome case! and i love the theme!
     
  15. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Thank you for watching and posting your comments guys :)

    I'm using a 1.5" reinforced dremel cutting disc and tungstun carbide "barrel" engraving bit to cut the silhouette of the logo in the Panzerbox left access panel.

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  16. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    Some cheapy kitchen drawer handles from Home Depot, I'm painting them, then installing them on the access panel for a more field type equipment look

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  17. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    I pre-installed the 250mm cooling fan from performance-pcs in the top panel today, I wanted the mounting holes made before the chassis is handed off to Brad for paint.

    NZXT's mounting location for included 190mm cooling

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    These 2 pop-rivets fasten on the perforated top panel, they prevent the 250mm fan from sitting flush and center,
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    I'm cutting notches in the 250 cooling fan's frame, so it will seat over the rivets
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    2nd rivet we need to clear.
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    A notch cut the frame of the 250mm cooling fan
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    Heres the location of the new mounting holes for the fan. (5/32 drill bit)
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    10/32 x 5/8" black oxide socket head machine screws
    http://www.mnpctech.3dpixelnet.com/picture_library/wolfensteincasemod.casemodblog9q.jpg

    Now the fan seats flush and center beneath the top perforated panel.
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  18. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    another shot of the 250mm cooling fan.
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    The silhouette cut-out for the Wolfenstein logo (painted later)

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    Temporary paper template for logo location
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  19. Spoooon

    Spoooon What's a Dremel?

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    I can't decide if i like the top cooling fan or not lol but i do love that side panel, that is going to look amazing when it is finished, actually the whole case will by the looks of the plans!
     
  20. mnpctech

    mnpctech bit-tech sponsor

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    The top perforated screen will airbrushed camouflage like the enemy soldier uniform pictured here,
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