Hey guys, this is my 1st attempt at a project log, in truth, the project is already finished but I just wanted to post it anyway that way I can get ideas on what to improve or change in the future. The goal of this build was simple, due to the lack of table space, I just want to switch to an mATX platform (mITX is too small for my taste), and a larger table won't fit in my room too. Usage: This system's sole purpose is gaming, so you won't find any over-the-top component on this build. The main components I used are: Asus Maximus III Gene Intel i3 550 Processor (OCed to at least 4.6GHz @ 1.35v) 4GB G.Skill DDR3 Memory with Arctic Cooling heatspreaders 2GB HD6950 unlocked to HD6970 specs Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music Corsair HX620 PSU 1TB HDD (internal storage) and SSD (OS drive) Lian-li PC-A04 mATX Case Cooling: (water on CPU and GPU, might include the chipset later) take note that I choose the kit because of it's availability and affordability here in the Philippines, WC items here are overpriced. XSPC Rasa CPU XSPC RS240 radiator XSPC 750 Dual Bay Res/Pump combo Swiftech MCW80 (I wan't a block I can use on future cards) Bitspower fittings and rotary extenders XSPC white tubings The system will be water-cooled of course, I'm gonna be using my XSPC Rasa 750 kit, but I might be replacing the RS240 rad with an RX240 in the future. 1st off, the case had to be modified to fit a thicker rad, and also fit the other components I'm using. Changes that had to be made include: - bigger cutout in 5.25 bay for thicker rad - powdercoat black - acrylic window (purely aesthetic purpose) - PSU cover (to hide all the mess below ) - replace the stock case feet with the Lian-li aluminum ones (the stock ones were just glued on) - Front LEDs will be replaced with white for power and red for HDD activity to match the color theme Since my rotary tool is not the best tool for these changes, it means handing the case over to one the best modder in the Philippines, and that's tantric/mike (I don't trust myself with cutting up a Lian-li just yet with just my rotary tool). Other minor modding (like cutting up several mesh pieces, and cutting up part of several case fans, drilling HDD mounting holes on the PSU cover, sleeving, etc.) will be done by me. In the end, the innards should look a bit like this (if everything goes well, and minus the RN logo), though placement of some components may change: Here's the plan for the loop: Here are some pics of the case modifications done by mike: 5.25" bay cutout: Window cutout: Powder coating: New case feet: So that's all for tantric/mike's part on this mod, it's time for the small changes I made, so get ready for some crappy pics (no access to a decent camera at the time) and modifications done with a lonesome rotary tool
Here's the start of the small modifications I did, not all of them were made use of, but it was fun doing them. I'm made a cover for the HDD, I've already finished bending the mesh so all that's left to do was cut it. Looks straight enough Sanded it down for better paint adhesion After the paint job... Readying the acrylic for cutting Painted the top of the cover white And the finished product... I also modded the silverstone fm-83 fan (I wanted to imitate the CM fans Atilla used on his new project) this idea was stolen from tantric/mike, hehehe... Blades removed Finished cutting it... Finished product, but I wasn't satisfied yet... Ready to get trimmed down further... Trim done and ready for the paint job End result: I also printed a new sticker for my HX620 to match the mostly white/black theme (end result) Also sleeved the extensions and the fans... Then I also disassembled a thermaltake TB silence fan that I was gonna use as top exhaust, and painted it white... And here's the finished product also...
The day after, I tried creating my own radiator cover... I then shortened the cables for both exhaust fans, then re-soldered and re-sleeved them. I also decided not to use the mesh radiator cover I created and placed the letterings on the radiator itself. I also didn't really like the GPU RAM/VRM heatsinks that I bought, the ones I got didn't really match the color theme, and were a bit poor on performance due to their small size, there's also no other option that I could find locally. So I took a chipset heatsink from an old motherboard and also one from an old low-end gpu and decided to cut em' up... Here are the heatsinks: Here's the finished product (I still need to sand the bottom and try to get a smooth finish ) This is my work environment, hehehe... As you can see, I'm using a pretty cheap rotary tool, so cost shouldn't stop anyone from modding stuff yourselves... Here are some shots of the motherboard with the CPU block and fittings installed: I also attached the heatsinks I've cut to become VRM/RAM sinks on the GPU using thermal tape. And as you can see, here's the reason I made my own heatsinks for the GPU (to match the heatsink theme of the memory modules and motherboard) I was happy with the results...
2 days later, the case arrived, and I finally began putting everything inside... Radiator installed Here's a pic of the modded fan installed on the case... And here's a shot of the system after I installed everything (still no water and loop not yet fully attached): After that, I got lazy and discouraged with the crappy pics, I was also in a hurry to get the system back up and running so I didn't take any pictures of the final phases of the system being put together...
So let me end with the final pictures of the project, it's finally up and running and I am now gaming on it... A size comparison... that's me, and I'm only about 5'6" so the system is pretty small...
The mini-sinks were also pretty good at keeping temps down on the graphics card. HD6970 clocks @ 1.1v, fully stable and barely passing 40c, it was better than expected... That's all for now, I'm currently making some acrylic cutouts that I intend to place over the res window and the psu cover, but I might change my mind after trying them out... Hope you like it!
nice result. i like the way the heatsinks came out on the gpu. good matching and good to reuse things. i like that case. i wish they'd do an a05 with that front.
thanks! my goal was attained, small gaming machine... thanks, I never expected the heatsinks to really match the motherboard and memory heatsink theme after installation... I actually wanted the a05 before the a04 came out but wasn't a fan of it's front panel. thanks man! thanks, it was fun to work with... I am.. and thank you... it's not that expensive go for it! I would always recommend it.
This is very very clean and nice looking! If I wasn't such a sucker for overthetop mods, this is what I would want! Good job m8!
