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Case Mod - In Progress Laine's Clarity - LC'd In Win 901

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Laine, 15 Nov 2014.

  1. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    [​IMG]

    When InWin first released their 901 I think almost all of us had one idea or another about how we wanted to make it into our own.

    I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of these dream cases.

    Here is my take on the 901, and my vision of what it could be. Thank you for dropping in, and welcome.


    First impression of when I got it about 6 months ago, I was blown away by the attention to detail in the machining.

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    First actual modification, converting the case to mATX or something along these lines.

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    In my defense, there was no mATX model, and the 901 was a little big for the form factor it houses.

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    And some test fitting to see if it actually works.

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    Here is where the idea is born. Since there is glass all around, a very good oportunity to display as much of the hardware as possible.

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    Slotted out a space in the tray for the bracket.

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    Sadly the paint on the inner part of the case basically falls of just by looking at it. Looks like a basic paint job. No powder coating, no primer or etching base coat.

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    The storage stack I used in the aircooled version, not sure if it can or will be used in this project.

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    The Asus Xonar STX actually fits, and is screwed in place.

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    The old molex splitter I used to ease cable routing with a non-modular PSU. One molex converts into two molex and one 3-pin fan connector.

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    Got some paint onto the main structure of the case, respraying the original parts and the conversion.

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    It's not a factory look but it will work.

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    Last edited: 22 Nov 2014
  2. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    The real beginning of this project, the watercooling part.


    EK PE-radiators have a finish very closely matching that of the InWin.

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    Another comparison of the paint.

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    The slot up front nicely fits a slim fan on the radiator without losing too much function, pictures is an Scythe slim, but final product will feature proper Prolimatech slims.

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    And my absolut favourite part of this case, the modular design. Conincidence or not, it's possible to split this case up into four major parts.

    1) The thick aluminium frame itself, 2) the upper compartment where most of the hardware resides, 3) the PSU-area and 4) the front part where the radiator is located.

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    The upper compartment while thinking of ideas. Looks a bit steam punk-ish doesn't it?

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    Many reservoirs were tested, many failed - No but seriously, this one matches the finish quite well. In black POM of course.

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    As for sleeving, a simple MDPC-X black and grey.

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    Many choices for this one, both reservoirs and pumps. Think I might be an Aquacomputer fanboy, there are a few signs of it, haha.

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    Aquacomputer Kryos will be cooling the CPU, I went for the cheapest version. It looked to have the largest hole spacing for fittings and a fitting colours scheme.

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    Something every mod needs, a Laing turret D5-thingy.

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    Finally settled for the Aquacomputer Aquabox Professional and made a plate to separate the reservoir-pump-housing from the rest.

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    It's a dummy GPU with an EK Thermosphere mounted on it while the wait of a GTX970 continues.

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    No paint on it yet, just a quick vinyl wrap to see how it looks in black.

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    The second radiator needed a some room to breathe, so I made a modular mounting plate.

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    The edges are a bit uneaven and needs more filing, but this is how it looks from below.

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    I wanted these radiators to be level, it drove me mad.

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    A quick flip of the plate later and it seems to be corrected.

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    A bit early to be celebrating with light design, but time is short on this one.

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    Thank you for coming this far! And for those of you who just scrolled down here, I can't blame you.

    See you in the next part, and if you have any questions or pointers, do feel free to express them.
     
  3. shinji2k

    shinji2k Minimodder

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    I always enjoy your work, can't wait to see what you pull off this time!
     
  4. Hasle

    Hasle nohasslemods›

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    Looks amazing so far. So snug. :D
     
  5. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    I hope this will live up to your expectations, shinji. First man in, thank you for starting this thread off! :)

    Thank you so very much, azazel! It's actually a lot easier to build with than it might look, the modular layout makes it a breeze compared to similar cases.



    Got around to put some more time into it today, this is how the PSU will be located, only more.. actually functioning.

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    The front panel reservoir divider thingy (super copyrighted) was also fixed in place using two L-brackets.

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    I do love this white Aquabox, but it's getting replaced by a more discrete black and stainless version.

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    And a bit of blasphemy, the D5 got replaced by a DDC. It still got that AC finish though!

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    Thank you for tuning in today, work continues tomorrow I hope!
     
  6. Ygd3n

    Ygd3n What's a Dremel?

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    Looking good Laine! :)
     
  7. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    Thanks mate, good to see you on here!



    Today I documented the making of a support plate for the reservoir. No idea why though.


    All very rough, but the idea is to reuse the 5,25" mounting points with a few adapter plates.

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    Countersink the hole where the screw will be opposing the housing plate itself.

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    This goes against every engineering bone in my body, but I hope the aluminium will be sturdy enough to not flex the reservoir. It was either this or a bunch of holes right next to it intruding on the design.

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    Thanks for looking, hopefully I'm back soon with some progress on the top mount and pump.
     
  8. -MisterX-

    -MisterX- Minimodder

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    Nice and tidy as usual! I especially like the angled res plate:dremel:
     
  9. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Awesome. As always.:D
     
  10. bulldogjeff

    bulldogjeff The modding head is firmly back on.

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    Very neat and tidy. Like it.
     
  11. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    Thanks, MisterX! Nice to see familiar faces on here, your latest build was great! I hope it will serve you well. :)

    Thank you, Cheapskate, and welcome back to another project! Very nice to have you here. :)

    I'm glad you like it! Thank you very much. :)



    I've been a bit on the lazy side since last time, just really working on the reservoir-pump-area.

    Love the modular design on this case, I have no idea if it's on purpose or not, but man, does it come in handy!

    Here's a rundown on the modular design of the case, I have no idea if this was intentional or not, but I'm loving it.

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    And what I've been working on.

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    This is not pretty by any standards but it functions, filing, sanding and painting still to go on almost everything.

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    And then I found some room for the pump, this looks to be a good place with fittings directly mounted on the radiator below.

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    And finally, no more tape holding things together!

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  12. craig - toyoracer

    craig - toyoracer Minimodder

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    Such innovative work and great modding so far Laine. Love the res and angled mounting plate. :thumb:
     
  13. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    Thank you for all your help, my friend! :)



    After some searching, a bit of guesstimating and Photoshop for referencing, it resulted in this.
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    And some test fitting on the mockup card.
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    I also got these, been wanting a set of step drill bits for years now!
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    First go at using 'em.

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    This was originally planned for a 45 degree non-rotary fitting but they are damn hard to find around here! I'll have to sleep on this.

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  14. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    Woho, GPU is in the house! Finally I can see if the template matches up.

    Cutting through stainless steel is always a pain, but worth it in the end.

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    And for the moment of truth, will it fit?

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    One of my favourite parts, the perforated backplate. Really gives it a mean look.

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    I could have saved a bit on the top of the plexi, letting it hang over the connectors. At least it fits very nicely around the connectors.

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  15. shinji2k

    shinji2k Minimodder

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    I've never seen a block hang off the end like that. I might have to borrow that idea [​IMG].
     
  16. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    I can't take credit for the idea, Watercool have been doing it for years with the GPU-X3, it was what inspired me when the block didn't fit in the regular position.

    I'm hoping someone with a better financial situation will do the same with some SLI action and crystal links for parallel flow. That would be a beastly thing!

    http://watercool.de/cms/forumpics/GPU_X_Core_7.jpg


    Some quick snaps of it in place.

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  17. Furball Zen

    Furball Zen Shut up and Mod

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    Your modding skills are coming along pretty fast man :) Looking good!

    Just curious why you didnt go with a single 240? It looks like there is plenty of room.
     
  18. MetallicAcid

    MetallicAcid What's a Dremel?

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    Amazing. You are still a god of modding and photography!

    Kind regards,
    Justin
     
  19. Ygd3n

    Ygd3n What's a Dremel?

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    I want your photo gear and skills..
     
  20. Laine

    Laine This and that

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    I've been doing this for the past six or so years but the last few have been important, thank you!

    I quite like the look of two single radiators, and there really aren't a lot of room, considering the layout of the rest.

    Thank you Justin! I really appreciate it!

    There really isn't a lot to it, just get a basic DSLR and start shooting!




    Sorry for the two week delay, I was at DreamHack Winter displaying this build, and ended up staying around some more. Here are some older unreleased pictures.

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    The new res arrived!

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    I think this black one fits alot better.

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    Maybe the final product will look somewthing like this.

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    A LED-strip underneath the backplate, and one up top was the first step of the light design.

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    A passthrough fitting that binds the GPU with the case and stabilizes it.

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    I moved from ATX to SFX and soldered the cables over.

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    And to make the new PSU fit the case I needed an adapter.

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    A more cleaned up version without radiator height and such.

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    A cardboard mockup of the pump bracket, lovely material.

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    Pretty close match to the mockup.

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