Case Mod *** PHINIX AURORA *** - 29/04/2013 - update time !!!

[phinix]

Aurora - (plural: aurorae or auroras) is a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere (thermosphere). The charged particles originate in the magnetosphere and solar wind and, on Earth, are directed by the Earth's magnetic field into the atmosphere.


Hello everyone and welcome to my new project log!

This time I would like to show you something different. It won’t be a scratch build, like all my previous projects. This time I’m going to mod a case!

I hope you liked my Cube and Nano Tower and now I’m hoping you are going to like what I’m about to start. So let’s see what’s brewing shall we?

PHINIX AURORA

It will be a case mod, based on Lian Li A04, a micro ATX case. Reason I picked this case is that it is one of the smallest mATX cases on market – it doesn’t have any particular feature that I was after. It is simple and easy to mod - this is why you can do basically anything with it

I haven’t done any case mods before, so it is going to be a challenge for me, but also a good fun.
I have some ideas what I’m going to do to this little case and would like to share them with you guys... again!


Main ideas:

• Color scheme: white and blue, pure aurora
• Shape and size: very close to the size of the case itself:
(W) 188mm x (H) 386mm x (D) 460mm
• White powder coating and painting
• Blue and white acrylic elements
• Customised side panels and front panel
• Watercooled CPU and GPU
• Internal “power chamber” including PSU and all wires and power junction
• Custom made drive cage
• Custom Interior lighting


Hardware (may change during the project):

• i5 2500K OCed to the limits
• mATX motherboard
• 8GB of RAM
• GTX670 graphics card
• modular PSU
• 2x SSD and 2.5” HDD for storage


Watercooling:

• CPU block/pump
• GPU block
• Double radiator
• Reservoir
• Blue tubing
• Compression fittings
• Temperature sensor + lcd display
• Blue coolant



First phase has started - I'm gathering all hardware and items. It will take a while, but couldn't keep this project hidden any much longer

So again... JOIN ME IN THIS NEW CRAZY MODDING RIDE !!! :



My Phinix Aurora Project is sponsored by:


MAYHEMS



Mayhems kindly supported me with the following items:

• Mayhems MHE240 LE Quad pass double radiator
• 2x X1 - UV Blue Coolant
• Blue 10ml Dye
• UV Clear/Blue 10ml Dye

COOLER MASTER



Cooler Master kindly supported me with the following items:

• Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 850W modular PSU
• CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Keyboard
  

ENERMAX



Enermax kindly supported me with the following items:

• 3x 120mm Cluster fans
• 1x 80mm Cluster fan
• 3x 120mm Lepa Casino Blue fans
  

MNPCTECH



Well known to all of us, professional modder Bill from MNPCTECH kindly supported my project again, by sending me these items:

• Mnpctech Machined Aluminum "Diamond Knurl" PC Case Feet
• Mnpctech Machined Billet Aluminum Fan Grill Blow Hole Kit 120mm
• 16x Blue Anodized Case Thumbscrews
• 80mm Chrome Acrylic HC Fan Grill
• PC Mod Digital Thermometer

HINDLEYS



Hindleys is a huge design and technology supplies shop, where you can buy all the kind of materials, tools, electronics, hardware and consumables and all the craft and design products.
They kindly supported me with the following items:

• Aluminum sheet 2mm 1250mm x 625mm
• 1m long 20mm thick fluorecent blue round rod

GIGABYTE



GIGABYTE kindly supported my Aurora project with their Z77 mATX motherboard - GA-Z77M-D3H.

EKWB



EKWB kindly supported my project with their nickel/acetal water block for GTX670 with a nice backplate.



SCYTHE



Scythe kindly supported my project with their newly announced Scythe Kaze Station II fan controller!

[phinix]

Shortcuts to all stages:

• Introduction
• case presentation
• main planning sketches and making of drive cage part #1
• drive cage part #2
• making of motherboard rear panel and "power cage"
• making of opal acrylic power cage support frames #1 and #2

[phinix]

LAST STAGE PHOTO

February 2013

[AnG3L]

Here (first as some guys in YT say) to express my enthusiasm and reserve a front seat with the best view. Oh wait I forgot the beers!!! Mod bro, MOD!!!!!

[Gtek]

Very good. subscribed.

[Editor22]

ooo a new Phinix build... Subbed

[Combatus]

I haven’t done any case mods before

Not many people of your modding calibre can say that! This should be interesting indeed!

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by Editor22

ooo a new Phinix build... Subbed

Very happy to catch one at the begining.

Mod on phinix.

[Spreadie]

After your last project, I can't help but watch this with great interest. Looking forward to it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[phinix]

Thank you guys!
I'm happy to see all you guys are going to watch it, all "usual suspects" are here, I can start then!

Originally Posted by Combatus

Not many people of your modding calibre can say that! This should be interesting indeed!

Cheers Antony - I'm not sure about that calibre, but if you say so, I trust your judgement

Originally Posted by Spreadie

After your last project, I can't help but watch this with great interest...

Thanks - NOW I feel the pressure!
I hope you will like this one too

Thank you all again, I will be back with first photos this weekend.
The main "victim" is here, I will introduce "her" this saturday

[Mankz]

2. Your first post must contain pics of the actual mod in progress. If all you have is an idea, you don't have a log. If all you have is some conceptual sketches, you don't have a log. If all you have to show is a heap of parts, you don't have a log. This forum is purely for concrete work in progress - the other modding forums are more appropriate for concepts and thoughts.

Move to modding for the time being, and subbed

[stonedsurd]

YES!

[Cheapskate]

Poink!*

*Typical cry after a instinctive one-shot kill in a FPS game.
I saw the name of the poster, and automatically "Poinked" as I clicked the link. I guess I'm trying to say there was no hesitation or thought about clicking.

[Evenge]

Phinix modding Lian Li case? Quick! Where's popcorn!

[Beriphent]

phinix, I loved nano tower so much. It was such an inspirational and top-notch project. I can't wait to see more work from you!

[SB-1991]

Not seen your previous work, but judging from everyone's comments I'll sub and enjoy, might give me some ideas for a new build.

[phinix]

Thank you all for a warm "welcome back"
I'm so happy you are going to watch this one too, hopefully it will bring you all as much fun as Nano Tower and Cube!


OK. As promised, here are the first photos.

The victim....












Victim's insides...;P








Internal drive cages must go, I won't be using them at all.




Those tool-less screws are pretty handy...




These needed a bit help with screw driver...



..aaaand they are out!



This support bit is going out as well, but I will use those holes for mounting power chamber cover...




On this photo you can see how deep the radiator will go. 60mm thick one of course, will be mounted verticaly.




Here you can see how high those 120mm fans go. As you can see top dvd bay bracket will also have to go. Radiator will take up a bit of that space later on. Rest of that are will be reveiled later




Those top switches are mounted to the dvd bay so I left the bay inside, till I'll be ready to rip those buttons out....



That is it for now.

[Nanosec]

Sub'd

I can't believe they actually build cases with top mount connections, with no dust cover in sight, have to think the unused ones would get full of dust in no time.

[matiss]

*squeezes in in the first row*

Now this one can only be good

[Mechh69]

Well for once im not late to the mod party. This looks like it's going to be an interesting mod. Subbed and waiting for surgery.