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Scratch Build – In Progress The Hikari Project - Full aluminium ATX case

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Hanshin, 29 Mar 2015.

  1. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Hi Bit-Tech!

    This will be my first buildlog here, so I hope you'll enjoy it!

    I'm Hanshin, a french computer enthusiast living near Osaka, Japan.
    I've been thinking of a project for some time, a scratchbuild project: The Hikari Project!

    [​IMG]

    Made possible by my sponsors EKWB, Corsair, Hardware Labs, Cooling Lab and Pexon PCs! :D

    Thanks to Chris for helping me with the CAD side of the project.

    For some time, I've searching for the perfect case for me that would be defined by the following criterias:

    - Simple/minimalist aesthetics
    - Uniform aspect and color to give a "monolith" aspect
    - Capacity to build an efficient watercooling system inside
    - ATX capable
    - Easy to work with

    After a few monthes of reflexion and designing, I came to a final idea. Let me introduce you the Hikari Project.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    "Hikari" means light in japanese.
    This case will be made in 5mm & 2mm Aluminium (5052 and 6061 alloy), laser cutted and powdercoated!


    This is the hardware that will be used:

    CPU: i7 4790k
    Mobo: Asus Z87 Maximus VI Formula
    RAM: 16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 2400MHz
    GPU: Evga Titan X
    PSU: Corsair AX1200i
    SSD: TBA

    And the watercooling gear:

    CPU Block: EK-Supremacy EVO
    GPU Block: EK Titan X waterblock
    MB Block: EK-FB KIT ASUS M6F
    Radiators: AquaComputer Airplex Radical 2 360mm radiators x2
    Fittings: EK-HDC fittings
    Tubing: EK-HD tubing
    Pumps & Top: TBA
    Reservoir: TBA
    Fluid: TBA

    I hope you will enjoy this buildlog and see you soon for a new chapter!
     
    Last edited: 28 Dec 2015
  2. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Here are some renders of the case (sorry about the quality, I'm still a beginner). I'll try to not spoil every details to keep some surprises for after. =00=

    [​IMG]


    As you can see, the case is divided in two chambers. The radiators, the PSU and the pumps will be mounted in the bottom.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    On the rear side of the motherboard, as I'm concerned about great cable management and ease of work, I tried to let a 5cm space. There will be a window on that side too, as I really want to expose the work that will be done there (and thanks to Pexon PCs, it should be awesome!).

    The case itself consists in more than 42 pieces of aluminium (I use different alloys for the panels and mounting parts), for a total weight of aproximatively 25 kgs. Here is a preview of the cutting files:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    The production of the case has already started, and I hope to be able to show you more really soon!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  3. TheL4mka

    TheL4mka Minimodder

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    Nice renders! I love scratch builds :D Looking forward to this! :thumb:
     
  4. Ocelot

    Ocelot Minimodder

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    What's the Japanese word for tank? :D

    I'm kidding of course. Promising renders!
     
  5. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Thank you! :)

    It's essentially for protecting the hardware from my wife when she goes berserk! :D

    Thank you for the nice words!
     
  6. Vognen

    Vognen Minimodder

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    Looks interresting! I'll be keeping a close watch :)
     
  7. Bartacus

    Bartacus Minimodder

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    Subbed!
     
  8. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Thank you for the interest! :)

    Time for today's update!

    A mysterious box from Amazon US was waiting for me today when I got back from work! I wonder what can it be? :p

    [​IMG]

    Time for unboxing!

    [​IMG]

    It finally came! I wish NVIDIA would sell it directly in Japan like they did for the US but I guess the wait was a part of the game. redface.gif

    [​IMG]

    This card is really a beauty! I can't wait to put it on the bench to test it!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Nice cooler, but with the help of EKWB, it shouldn't be on air for too long. =00=


    Some other parts for the build made their apparition too!

    [​IMG]

    I just need the RAM to come and I should be able to begin hardware testing.

    The case should be ready very soon too, So I hope I'll be able to show you more soon!
     
  9. SiberianGhost

    SiberianGhost What's a Dremel?

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    Scratch build + aluminum = awesomeness thing will happens!

    Subbed

    Sent from a parallel universe
     
  10. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Another mysterious box, from Tamiya this time, came today.


    [​IMG]

    Can you guess what is coming? A little hint.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Time for the weekly update!

    So, as you can guess, this time, it's painting time!

    In combination with the Tamiya paint I received earlier, I will use High Finish brushes from Tamiya too.

    [​IMG]

    Time to get that motherboard naked.

    [​IMG]

    The shield will also have some "treatment" after!

    [​IMG]

    So, after masking some sensible parts, I started painting the RAM slots and the first PCIe slot.
    Working with high finish brushes like these ones has the advantage to be able to work very precisely without having to use a lot of masking tape.
    I have been doing some model painting in the past with brushes so I had some experience before, but you have to be careful of overpainting and let the paint (especially enamel paint like this one) cure properly.

    [​IMG]

    First coat done (the Sata ports have been done in gunmetal color, but I decided later to do everything in matte black).

    [​IMG]

    So while the paint was curing, I had the time to take care of another package that came recently. :lol:

    Corsair Dominator Platinum 2400Mhz

    [​IMG]

    And light bar upgrade kits.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    They look really nice but I had to do something with the color.

    [​IMG]

    So after a few days, I was able to do four coats of paints for all the slots. The result looks really nice and resistant!
    I gave my airbrush some work too, by painting the shield in matte black. Here is the Maximus VI Formula Black Edition!

    [​IMG]

    I decided to do the Sata ports in black too, as I wasn't satisfied by the finish I had with the gunmetal paint. So I had to sand it down, then paint it with my airbrush for a way better result (I don't know why it looks irregular on the picture though) .

    [​IMG]

    I couldn't resist so I tried to fit the RAM and it match perfectly! So happy of the result!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    That's all for today!

    Oh, I think something is coming soon too. :naughty:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Bartacus

    Bartacus Minimodder

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    That motherboard looks fantastic! Stealth mode is a great look. :)
     
  13. SiberianGhost

    SiberianGhost What's a Dremel?

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    You didn't have any problem when reconnecting the RAM and GPU?

    It's a great idea and more accurate than using cans.

    Waiting for more!
     
  14. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    I was able to really work well with those brushes in the inside of the slots so the connectors were not covered by paint.

    If you really look closely (and by closely, I mean with like with a magnifier :naughty:), you can see some imperfections on the inside of the slots. But I ordered something that should take care of it!

    I used an old graphic card and an old ddr3 module to test fit and scrap the paint excess in the the slots before testing with the real hardware. Being doing some benching since yesterday and had no problem so far so I'm really happy with the result!

    Thank you for the comments, guys! really appreciate!
     
    Last edited: 12 Apr 2015
  15. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Today, a new package arrived from Slovenia!

    [​IMG]

    A big thanks to [​IMG] for supporting this build!

    [​IMG]

    Some teaser shots.

    Supremacy EVO
    [​IMG]

    EK-FC Titan X
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    EK-FB KIT ASUS M6F
    [​IMG]

    EK-FC Titan X Backplate
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    EK-XTOP D5 Vario
    [​IMG]

    EK-HDC Fitting 12mm
    [​IMG]

    EK-AF Angled 90°
    [​IMG]


    Stay tuned, more goodness to come soon!
     
  16. SiberianGhost

    SiberianGhost What's a Dremel?

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    Waiting for more!

    That EK things looks sweet
     
  17. Hukkel

    Hukkel James' minion

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    That ASUS black edition motherboard looks great!
     
  18. Hanshin

    Hanshin What's a Dremel?

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    Thank you guys!

    Time for a little teaser.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. SiberianGhost

    SiberianGhost What's a Dremel?

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    We need more of the case, looks amazing.
     
  20. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

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    Japanese Build log! yay!
     

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