Case Mod - In Progress Sanctuary - Thermaltake Invitational 2016 S1 - March 2016

 
 
====Quick introduction====
 
My name is Kurt Schuff and I’m (presently) 34 years old.  I live in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest in the US, also home to one of the most amazing LAN parties ever (PDXLAN).  I’m a Software Quality Assurance Engineer by day, and a computer and gaming enthusiast all day long.
 
I’ve been modding my PCs since 1999, constantly trying out new things and loving every learning opportunity.  Recently I was blessed with a chance to do a build for charity at PDXLAN 27. I was immediately overwhelmed by the other names on the list of builders and was determined to hold my own. It was a great time to focus on what we do best and integrate wood and lighting into the case.  I took a core design element of circuit traces and managed to apply it to nearly every component in the build without making it overwhelming.   With help and patience from my teammate, we completed the build in what felt like an insanely short time period and got it to PDXLAN. The charity ended up raising $15,000 for a great cause, and I was honored to be a part of that. After many incredibly supportive comments and tons of support from the community, I once again find myself presented with an opportunity to create something amazing in the medium that I now love.
 
 
 
====This Build====
 
This build will be based on one of my favorite games: Diablo 3.  Specifically my favorite class, the Demon Hunter.  It will use a mixture of wood, metal, and some other fun elements to tie everything together and present some opportunities to try new things. 
One of the aspects I’m most looking forward to is getting some time in with the forge and anvil. I plan to hand forge a number of the elements going into the case.
We’ll also get high-tech in there with lighting schemes, laser work, and some airbrushing (another skill that I’m planning to learn during this build).
I look forward to how this build takes shape and am deeply honored to be a part of such an elite crew.  I can’t thank ThermalTake, Newegg, Asus, Avexir and any other sponsors enough for providing this opportunity.
 
 
 
====Parts List====
 
GPUs:  2x Asus 980 Strix GPUs in SLI [link]
CPU:  Intel Core i7-6700K [link]
Motherboard:  Asus ROG MAXIMUS VIII FORMULA (LGA 1151 Intel Z170) [link]
RAM: 4x4G Avexir RED Tesla DDR4 [link]
Drive 1: Samsung 850 EVO 2.5” 500GB SSD [link]
Drive 2: Samsung 950 PRO M.2 256GB [link]
Case: ThermalTake Core P5 [link]
PSU: ThermalTake Toughpower DPS G RGB 1250W Titanium [link]
Cooling: ThermalTake LCS components [link]

 

RAM!

Alright, parts are starting to show up and the work begins!! Here's a few shots of the RAM that's going into this build:

 

All the goodness from ThermalTake!!

All the good stuff I get to play with!

 

More parts shots!!!!

 

Did a quick component test to make sure things work before I go to modding on them... that RAM is so cool looking!!

 

Progress!

I really started digging into Autodesk Fusion 360 for this. Prior to this project I hadn't really used it at all, so it's been a bit of a learning curve. The modeling tools are great though, and being able generate CAM paths has been amazing (although still learning the finer points there....).







Took the opportunity to use CAM paths made in Fusion to try out some aluminum milling on our CNC. We had only done wood before this point, but since we swapped out the router for a spindle we were looking to try out some new stuff. Actually went REALLY WELL!

 

Man... technology is amazing. I love being able to work out loops and placements of stuff digitally before I even have to cut anything!

 

Spent some time on the CNC this weekend. Got the rough cuts done, and everything measures up! Just gotta do some sanding and cleanup to make them look immaculate, and then on to the next part of the GPU Waterblock Mod.

 

Did some sanding on the GPU blocks to clean up the machining marks...



And the acrylic layer! Coming together finally! 1 more thin layer to build yet.

 

That's gotta be the roughest Acetal cut I've ever seen. -Not sure if it's the lack of pass overlap or just a dull bit.
Looking pretty sweet, though.

 

Probably both. It was the first run on Acetal I've done, and a new CAM program, so it was pretty brutal. After it was done I figured it was easier to cleanup than to run it again w/ tweaked settings, but learned for next time.

 

Planning a small modification to the TT Pacific W2 CPU Waterblock. Will remove the central emblem, replace the LEDs w/ RGB ones, and mill an aluminum cover plate:

 

LEAK TESTING!!!! Assembled the main parts of the block and made sure that no leaks were exhibited while running water. After about 14 hours, it remained totally dry!



Also did a basic fit test. Sadly, that upper bracket on the GPU will have to go, as it sits right in the way of the GPU block bridge.



And lastly, laying out graphics for what to put on the remade GPU blocks!!!

 

Some quick milling on the TT end caps for my fittings... Any guesses what's next?

 

lit up hard line tubing?

looking good so far

 

YUP! I'm stoked to see how that looks. Individual RGB LEDs so I can control the entire case at will.

 

Progress continues! The next layer of the GPU block has gone from render to reality with a quick lighting test!



Detail shot. I REALLY like how this turned out.



And, of course, we have to see it in blue as well!

 

Holy smokes
Nice detail there!
Looking forward to seeing more of this build

 

wow. logo looks super. i guess my only hand worked will be a gonner in this contest.
nice progress.

 

No way... Yours is coming along amazingly! Hopefully people appreciate all the hand work and wood... I've got a little bit of wood to do in mine yet, and it can be SO temperamental. I'm still trying to get the right greywash look.