Hi everybody! First time here for me so, quick introduction: My name is Vincent aka Vinch, I'm 20 and I'm from Switzerland (hence the many grammatical errors you might encounter along this thread ). I'm going to present to you my first mod, titled MANICHAEAN referring to the Black & White color scheme of this mod. The rig in this case won't be anything fancy (it dates from 2011), and it won't be watercooled, since I haven't overclocked anything yet, plus my PC is IDLE most of the time... I will therefore focus on the looks, and especially on the cabling in order to compensate the lack of tubing. Components: CPU: Intel i5 2500K GPU: MSi GTX506Ti Twin Frozr II Mobo: ASrock Z68 Pro 3 RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP White 2x4Go PSU: Antec HCG 520W Storage: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1To + Samsung 830 Pro 128 Go Heatsink: Arctic Freezer 13 Pro [Currently] Replacement still undecided [*] Fans: Still undecided Fan controller : NZXT Sentry Mesh Case : Corsair Carbide 500R Advancement OP : substitution case, rear panel and some cutting Fan controller & fan mount, mobo tray and rear panel cuts Optical drive mount, inside panels & PSU shroud! Outside Trims Front and top panel & HDD mounts Outside panels mounts, some cuts and fitting test [NOTICE] First pics are awfully crappy, my apologies for that. [NOTICE2] I started this build a while back, so updates should come quickly Some aluminum! First of all, I needed a case for my rig to stay in for the duration of the mod...so I built one. Pretty basic, bench-table inspired design. Pseudo dust filter Didn't have an 6/32 tap (didn't want to buy one only for the mobo), so I came up with this solution to install the mobo using my M3 tap Time to move out! As you can see, I've already been modding around, doing some painting and sleeving and making a small cover for the PCI LED controller. I also once made a cover for the 5.25' bay, but I never installed it. I've always wanted to start modding this case for real, especially since I've seen a mod where its modder fitted a 360 rad on the front of a C70. I was wondering if I could do the same (but only the fans without the rad)... Further on, I had many more ideas and I'm now starting to make them become a reality. My goal is to build a tower with a sleek and classy design. Mod planning (a part of it) New rear, top and front panels PSU Cover Windowed side door Maybe something on the GPU ... Now time for the teardown! Starting off with the rear panel (Note: all the case is made using 1.5mm (~1/16 in) sheets, except for the front and top panel which will be made out of 3mm (1/8 in) sheets) Draw, cut, bend, repeat ( this is actually no joke, I had to make the rear panel a second time because I made it too short the first time ) I then cut some steel in order to make room for the three front fans That's it for today, thanks for tuning in. Don't hesitate if you have any comment/question/advice. See you soon for the following!
Fan controller & fan mount, mobo tray and rear panel cuts Hi everyone! New update! I started by the fixation of the fan constroller, a NZXT Sentry Mesh that I first tore down. Made some spacers using 6mm aluminum pipe, in order to set the tip od the controller at 35mm I then made the front fans mounts, I'll later put a panel on each side of them in order to have no apparent screws. But I'm still unsure if I'll keep this mounting system, as it is not really practical, plus the fan will maybe be too far from the inside panel, leaving a gap. I also want to cover the rotor of the fan later, soo it's maybe not the best solution. Anyway, time for the mobo tray. I used a part of the old tray as a mounting bracket for the new one. Now let's cut the new one. I wanted to cover the gap between the mobo tray and the right door. I first made a template out of cardboard to be sure to have the right cut. Now on the actual tray Bent Some filing later... It is not 100% precise but I'm quite satisfied with the result though. I wanted to have a perfectly flat rear panel, therefore, I needed to cut the I/O shield dierctly in it. First made a photocopy to use as a template. Result PCI out ( I'll worry about the mounting later ) PSU cut With the PSU installed, Fitted pretty well even though I had to make some file adjustments. Fitted pretty well even though I had to make some file adjustments.
Optical drive mount, inside panels & PSU shroud! Hi everyone! Update today for the optical drive mount, some inside panels and the PSU shroud! Starting with the optic mount, I used some pieces of L profile. I decided to install it inside the case since I don't use it really often (but still use it sometimes to rip CD's and such) For the PSU shroud, I used some alu panels and assembled them with some square profiles. I then made a cut to allow the drawer of the optical drive to slide out And made a little plate to fit right in I haven't made an opening for the button since the flexibility of the panel allows me to push the button "through" it. Before finishing the PSU shroud , I had to install the inside front panel. To do so I reused the rear panel that I screwed up the first time. I kept one of the bent sides in order to hide the door mount. Got some acrilyc to finish the shroud. I first made a cardboard template to avoid screwing up my acrylic panel. Right underneath it, I installed a panel of mirror Dibond. My goal here is to create a lightbox, MDPC style. I know they don't do it this way, but I had enough space to execute it this way, plus I think it's easier. Here's the first modding scar of my case, when I drilled a hole in order to hide some header cables. Decided I wanted to hide it, so I made an inside top panel. That's it for today, thanks for tuning in and don't hesitate to let me know what you think this far! Sneak peak of what's coming next...
Outside Trims So those big L's (Rest In Peace) are going to take place on the outside of the case. I had them made by the place qhere I bought the aluminum, they're 8mm thick. I started by cutting them to the needed dimensions. And then prepared the mounts using L profile I cut installed some narrow alu sheets for LED strips to take place later. Since I had to drill some holes in the inside front panel in order to fix the "big L's", I drilled at the same time the holes to mount the fans and gave up my previous idea for that. I used the scrap of the "big L's" to make the rear feet no, sorry, that's way too ugly. Let's try with some L profile cut to the right size. That's better Didn't see it at first, but the fixing of the LED mount overlapped the holes meant for the fan controller, I had to redrill some holes. Also had to remove the LED of the fan controller Quick preview with some fans I had (not the definitive ones) Time to start the top and front panels, first cuts... The following ones in the next update. See you soon!
Front and top panel & HDD mounts So as promised, the nexts cuts in the front and top panel! Front panel first Drill, cut, file, repeat... Top now Got some more acrylic I reproduced the cuts of the top and front panel to make 2-layers panels that will be backlitten, in order to have slightly glowing edges I'm not making the outside panels mounts right now, so in the meantime, I made the HDD/SDD mounts. I had these 2mm steel cables lying around. I'm an electrician and I must've copped them from a lamp I installed. Had the idea to use them to mount my storage on. I first cut some backplates to properly hold the drives I then made some parts out of 12mm square profile to pass the cables through This is the part that holds the cable at the top of the case. I don't have any CNC but this should be OK. Now the bottom part. I tapped holes perpendicularly to the ones the cables pass through, in order to use headless screws to secure the cables. It woks the same way to hold the drives onto the cables The final result! (not sure if I will paint them though) This log has now caught the present advancement of the mod, so the updates will now be less frequent. Thanks for tuning in .. Have a nice day/evening/night depending where you live[emoji14]
Outside panels mounts, some cuts and fitting test Hi folks! Time for an update! I taped the acrylic and metal panels and sanded them to get a 45° cut, so I could have a proper joint. I bought these clips for the mounting of the panels Bonus question: Do you know what this is? Fixed the mounts with tape on the panels to test them. I am going to glue them once I'll have the paint and the gluing done. Quick preview I retrieved some mesh from the original case, to put behind the cuts of the outside panels I then made the cut for the top exhaust fan and for the CPU backplate Also I got some packages in the mail today Some tools, standoffs, LED's, switches and a Noiseblocker eLoop B12-3 Why only one fan you ask me? Well I was about to buy five of them, but then I saw a review saying the fan was great but made a droning noise when used in pull setup. Therefore I only bought one to check if the noise would be present in my front air intake...and unfortunately it was even though the space between the fan and the mesh was about 5mm. So now I have to go look and find another fan model. Any recommendation? I was thinking maybe about the Cryorig's or maybe Noiseblocker Mutliframe (already have one but it seems it's more meant for silence than performance) Anyway, in the meantime I did a fitting test now that I have the standoffs. Had to cut the PCI bracket for the GPU to fit in. I am really relieved that the I/O cutout came out right (not totally perfectly though) I made a bracket to maintain the GPU now that there isn't any more PCI bracket. Couldn't test with the GPU since I disassembled the case for paint and won't reassemble it until the paint is done, but it should be OK. I made the cuts for the LED switch and the reset button. I then started preparing the parts for the paint. DAT feeling when peeling the protection screen! See you soon for the paint! If you have any advice/comment, I'll be glad to hear them!
Case is looking good. Spoiler I'd guess a little neon bulb. At first I though it was mounted to a fuse block but I am less sure of what the lamp is mounted to now.
Thanks Nice try, but this is not a neon bulb. It is mounted in a small plastic case and connected to 2 connexion screws.
Looks like a reed switch. I guess there is going to be a magnet on the panel that actuates it when closed and opens the circuit when the panel is removed. Or vice-versa.
that sucks that fan looked pretty nice was planning to buy that fan but i will mostly use it in push so might still. pretty sweet build you got there.
It is indeed a Reed switch, but it is not going to be used the way you described. Thanks Yeah I was quite deceived because I really liked its look (plus it is well rated in many reviews)
