Case Mod - Complete {Completed} Project: Gold Rush (24ct Gold)

Hello, Welcome to the logs for GOLD RUSH.

What is Gold Rush ?

Gold rush is an exotic project with 24ct gold plated fittings, Backplate, and whatever else i can get my filthy paws on
The case it's self will be, cut up, and resprayed in a white/gold flip paint.
Featuring a parallel loop and a gold mine on the shroud, this project will be a show stopper.

Special Thank You

I'd like to take this moment to thank some of the greatest people who made this whole project possible.

Alphacool - https://www.alphacool.com/
CableMod - https://cablemod.com/
Cooler Master - http://eu.coolermaster.com/uk/
ASUS ROG - https://rog.asus.com/
Team Group: http://www.teamgroupinc.com/en/index.php


Without these guys, this project wouldn't have made it past the design stage.

SPECS! We all love a good read at this part

From Coolermaster
Cooler Maser MasterCase Maker 5
Cooler Master V1000 PSU
Cooler Master Masterfan airflow 140mm

From Alphacool
Alphacool Eisblock XPX CPU - Intel/AMD - silver matte
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 280mm radiator
Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 280mm radiator
Alphacool NexXxoS GPX - Nvidia Geforce GTX 1070 M02
Alphacool Eisbecher 250mm Acetal reservoir
Alphacool VPP655 PWM - G1/4 inner thread including Eisdecke D5 - Acetal V.3
Alphacool Eisrohr 16/13mm PETG HardTube
Alphacool Eiszapfen 16mm HardTube compression fitting G1/4
Alphacool Eiszapfen angled adaptor 45° rotatable G1/4 outer thread to G1/4 inner thread
Alphacool GPX SLI Connector - Single - Plexi
Alphacool double nipple G1/4 outer thread to G1/4
Alphacool angled adaptor 45° - G1/4 revolvable - 2x inner thread

From ASUS ROG
ASUS Maximus IX CODE Z270 Motherboard
ASUS Strix GTX 1070 Graphics card

From Cablemod
Gold /White Modflex full PSU kit.
RGB-W Hybrid LED kit + 3 extensions.

From Team Group
T-Force XTREEM DDR4 RAM

Other parts
CPU - i7 6700K


Design

i've never been very good at 3D modeling software, so i do my best in words to describe the mess in the image lol.


Now a few things to point out.
The loop under the GPU will no longer be zig zagged, it will be a straight 45 degree angle from GPU to Shroud.
Around the base of the reservoir and where the fittings meet the shroud, there will be pyrite fools gold set around them, like gold is forming around a hot chamber.
The name ''gold Rush'' will be cut from the shroud, and filled with pyrite (Fools gold) for a more authentic look.

Sponsor logo's on the front will be made from real 24ct gold leaf.
The gold triangles you see on the case will be cut outs, and meshed for looks and ventilation.
The mesh will be gold too.

Time Frame
I'm guessing at 4 weeks, as this is the biggest project i've undertaken yet and by all means the toughest work yet.

Media
Over the next 4 weeks i'll be doing a VLOG of the build progress, out on the road, at home, wherever i need to go, be sure it'll be on video.
i expect 4 episodes 1 for each week.

Don't fret, as pictures will be uploaded as i go for the project logs and social media.

Teaser



All parts are on route to me as i type this, so expect work to begin in just a few days.

 

Some things arrived yesterday.

1. Gold plating solution (24ct) Strange it came with silver, maybe next builds ? lol


2. Silver Filligree corners. These will be on the SSD's / CPU Block and PSU. (Will be gold plated)


3. Edge trim. This white trim will be for the grommets where cables go, it'll replace the black rubber.
Will also be used on the shroud.


Wish i had more in, will hopefully change tomorrow, and i get start shooting the first video and show you guys some new parts

 

Things have begun to arrive.
With the help of, Fred, let's get cracking

Huge thanks to Cooler master
From the mighty Cooler Master - The V1000 PSU

















Cooler Master Masterfan Pro 140 - Air Flow fans










Should have more arriving this afternoon.

 

Another round of deliveries. As usual, fred is on hand to help out

Huge thank you to ASUS for this - ASUS ROG MAXIMUS IX CODE












ASUS ROG STRIX 1070 OC

 

Today i have prepped the motherboard and fans for painting.

These will be painted with the following effect


The fans were pretty straight forward, 8 screws per fan, and they come apart.




The motherboard was a little bit tougher as it's not just screws. there's also plastics glues to the back that need removed.
Quick blast with the heatgun and i got these off with little stress.





Hopefully be getting these done this week along side the case and some of the watercooling parts ie Rads, Res top and bottom and CPU block

 

Case has arrived!!!

From Cooler Master

The Cooler Master Mastercase Maker 5













I got to work as soon as the case arrived.
First i cut and fitted the front shroud (first of 2) You'll see what i mean later




I then cut the rear I/o Cover thingy and fitted that




Case / Motherboard / Fans and radiators are due into the auto shop on monday to get flip painted.
So my next update before then will be the arrival of Alphacool products.

Excited nwo it's all finally moving along.

 

A couple more updates today

Cut and fitted the real tray plate



I then curved the front shroud to show the PSU.


Running out of things to do for the time being. Need the case all painted before i can continue.

 

Update: Case and other bits are going in for a re-spray today, so i pushed on with the shroud, getting it finished.

lazer cut this one, as i don't want any imperfections.

 

Bigger update due tomorrow. But today i decided to scrap the window the case came with, and cut my own frame to allow more of the shroud to show.




Its measured to perfection, so just a case of screw on and be done with it lol.

Genuine 24ct gold leaf sheets arrived.
This is the same gold we're going for on the fittings.



Tomorrow hopefully the case will be returned completely transformed.
Until then...

 

I AM SO PROUD!!
PROUD to bring these photo's to you guys and girls!
Absolutely over the moon with the paint finish.

It's rare for me to imagine something, and actually have it, EXACTLY as i imagined. This is a rare moment.















let me know what you think. I personally love it.

Parts in photo
Cooler Master Master Case Maker 5
Cooler Master Masterfan Pro 140 Air Flow
Cooler Master V1000
ASUS Republic of Gamers Maximus IX CODE


Edit:
White window frame has been added to the case


Changed the gold vents on the top to gold


Currently adding my gold filigree corners.
not sure where else i'll put them lol

 

VLOG Episode 1:
Due to everything being cut down, i will only do 2 episodes.
Second episode will cover a full timelapse of the hardline watercooling AND a timelapse of plating the fittings.
Will include other mods.

 

Today, i've almost finished the shroud, need to let the glues fully dry before i continue with it.
Need to fill some gaps and then seal the pyrite nuggets into the shroud.

Fred as always helping out.




And a video here, showing you exactly how it was done


here's another video of the paint effect up close

 

Minor update today

Using 24ct gold leaf, i covered the front logo to make it stand out more. 
It's a little rough due to the gold leaf being incredibly difficult to work with on an embossed logo.
Will be much easier for sponsor logo's later. 

 

Watercooling is finally in the UK, got an actual date now, (Monday)
So i thought i'd share some pictures of the painting at it's white coat (before the gold was added)
and some other pictures of the finished stuff in a more accurate lighting.







And these with some sunlight and a white flash




off to enjoy ''For Honor'' for the weekend, will check back on monday with some updates and some watercooling

 

Today is a good day! Alphacool delivery has arrived
Huge thanks to ModMyMods, Alphacool and AquaTuning for the support.

let's kick things off with a picture of everything together in all it's glory!



And onto the individual parts (some will have GIFS)

Unboxing video


Alphacool 45 angled adapters




Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 280mm Radiatior




Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 280mm radiator




Alphacool VPP665 PWM Pump




Alphacool GPX SLI Connector




Alphacool Eisbecher 250mm Reservoir




Alphacool Eisrohr 16/13mm fittings




Alphacool Eisbaer Solo (CPU Block / Pump Combo)




Alphacool Eisblock XPX CPU block




There are some other stuff here too, i'll update as and when i can, going to be very very busy over the next few days while i wait for the GPU block to arrive, i will be gold plating around 20 fittings.
Anything extra will be put into my partners guardians of the galaxy cooler master 25th anniversary project. Logs should be up soon for that too

 

Updates!!

i've begun work on the parts i want gold that cannot be gold plated.

So first things first, i stripped down the CPU block


I then prepped the block with a white coat before going over with gold. This was to allow the gold to be lighter.



i then went ahead with the gold on the block head


Once dried, it cleaned up really nice




i kind of liked the stands in white, so i've kept them white, will need another white coat later tonight, but not rushed




I also done the reservoir top and bottom using the same technique.


Radiators are up next, but will need to do this another night.
So far i'm impressing myself with this.

Clear silicon mold will be made for the ''ACOOL'' logo on the CPU block to allow it to really brighten up.

 

BIG UPDATE!

This weekend i spent 7 hours, gold plating all the fittings from Alphacool.
7 HOURS!!! I was feeling exhausted by 2am this morning.


So here's the fittings


Chrome stripping took the longest, so i didn't video the whole process.


After chrome stripping them, we left them in water to avoid oxidisation.


We got bored doing them 1 by 1


So once they were all stripped properlyt and the chrome had gone leaving a yellowish nickle colour, it was time to start the exciting part







Will polish up the gold later tonight when i can work up some energy.

 

whoa that plating looks reallt nice

 

Thanks

Will give them a polish later tonight before fitting them to the system

 

update: Watercooling

It's been a little while, but everything is here now and i can crack on and get this build finished over the next week.

GPU Block arrived




I started getting the loop lined up using scrap tubes, to get the size right.






Next thing i done was re-spray the GPU block to a nice shiney gold to match the CPU Block.






i then messured and cut a 20mm hole out of the shroud for the passthrough.







Now that was done, i needed to fill the loop and test for leaks.