Case Mod Project Sinister Colossus: Phase One [3/5/12]

[Korvus]

Okay before I start I will state right away that this is not going to be a particularly exciting build log initially, I'm using this as a learning project. Ideas/suggestions and helpful constructive criticism are more than welcome

This project will likely be a long one, with several phases;
Phase one will be the initial setup, experimentation and operation.
Phase two will be implementing the lessons learnt from phase one, improving the look/feel of the case and upgrading some of the hardware and cooling.

Phase three will be, hopefully, implementing custom fabricated parts to further optimize.

So here's the spec:
Case: BitFenix Colossus (Black)
PSU: Corsair HX850W
Motherboard: Asus Z77 SaberTooth
CPU: Intel I5 3570K Ivybridge
GFX: EVGA Nvidia GTX680 Superclocked Signature Edition
Sound: Asus Xonar DX2
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda
Optical: Samsung BluRay

Custom Cooling:
CPU waterblock: Aquacomputer Cuplex kryos Delrin
Radiator: Phobya G changer 240
Pump: Laing DDC Pro (With Alphacool sound isolation box and top)
Res: Alphacool Bayres
Fans: Scythe Gentle Typhoon 1850
Controlled by an Aquacomputer Aquaero 5

So here we go with Phase One.

Something essential for all mod projects...

Started with braiding the cables, trying a few different styles. I'm not a fan of each wire having it's own braiding which seems to be a strange fad at the moment... I thought the idea was to make cables more manageable and tidy.... and the current fad seems anything but. [/rant]
In the case where it needs to split at the end, suggestions on which looks better (top or middle)?



Some initial cable routing.

To help work out where everything goes, I found a cheap motherboard on ebay, was an absolute bargain.

Seems legit?


Test fitting of the radiator


And an early look at the top front.


A look at my pump/top mid assembly.


And the silencing box.



SO MANY SENSORS. Not sure how I can tidy this. Suggestions?


As you know the Colossus has some very unique styling, but opaque side panels. You can get a windowed side panel but that means sacrificing some lights. Fortunately I had a spare side panel so I carefully extracted the lights and attached as so (test fitting) to the inside of the window panel. Not sure how to properly do this but will update on this when I have a better solution.

And that's it so far. More later

[Korvus]

(At current I think this thread is better moved to the Hardware Section rather than the project logs given how mod-light this project is so far Would apprieciate if a mod could move it )

Anyway.


I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SO LONG. FINALLY HAVE ONE


Here it is installed with the waterblock.


Connected everything up, gave it a leak test... and success! Everything works!


WE HAVE BIOS! Wooo. Temperature isn't insane either so here's hoping I put the block on right.

Just need to... tidy up the mess I've made building this thing now...

More to come soon!