Project: Coolermaster ATC-S4000 SX-1 - 11 November

Original case log in Project Log Archives

New build log discussions in Project Logs Discussions

This isn't really a full case mod, but more of a modified case build.

Thought some people may be interested so i'll post some stuff.

I've done some stuff on this already, i'm probably about 20-25% in maybe more?

So here are a few select pics, don't think anybody may be interested in all the intermediate steps.

These photos are not the final products, awaiting some acrylic and perspex sheets.

Primary loop block, Swiftech Storm on 3/8"



Coolermaster ATC-S4000 SX-1



AC Airplex EVO360, TC HE120.2 and TC Thermotube placement



AC Airplex EVO360 radiator grill and Aquastream controller placement



External CMOS safety reset switch build



CMOS reset switch and secondary loop drain port placement



Illumination of the primary loop reservoir



continuing with the build has been slow, mainly due to the fact that the acrylic and aluminium hasn't arrived by this weekend, dispite being ordered on Wednesday.

Any how, just some more pictures to pass the time away...

More braiding done, blue LEDs and a temperature sensor.



Acoustipack sound deadening foam cut to size.



Some internal shots with the Acoustipack in place.



One more...



A shot of the front as it to where the Aquatube and Aquadrive would go.



Ermmm.. a box.



This is the most interesting of things i've found so far, cathodes are now dead to me... these things are thin (~2mm tall), flexible, can be cut to size and emit a hell've a lot of light from a 9V battery.. they are rated for 12V!







And lastly, a shot of the tools, bits and bobs and stuff.



Hopefully the acrylic and aluminium should arrive by Monday, as well as my DFI board, and I should be picking up a few Panaflo fans and a couple of Ramplex coolers from a local shop too.

 

tiny update:

Drill holes in the top of my case... why? wait and see.





Sleeved my Panaflos.



Some Quiet Computer Acousti Products... absolutely swear by them, far better quality than other stuff on the market and sometimes cheaper too.





Made a mount for my Thermochill radiator from recycled 5 1/4" bay facias.



Ramplex, fits nicely over an already heatspreadered (is that even a word??) OCZ.



The plastic I ordered... and I hate them!! Not at all what I expected... Thought the frosted acrylic would be white and translucent, but it's far too see -through for my liking.



Apart from that nothing much more to add.. work is going at a leisurely pace.

I have a few un-used Aquacomputer components left over from the upgrade to A64 and this can be seen in my FS thread here...

Small update, large photos...

The only northbridge cooling block that I would fit *just* is the Alphacool one.. threw the springs away, got another mounting plate and had to use a 45-deg connector as not to foul any capacitors on my 6600GT...





Front panel and switch...





Were removed...





Leading to this...





Went to Homebase to try and find some bolt and screw fittings and came upon some 90-deg angle extruded aluminium... hmmm.. new rad mounting...









In the case for placement...





You'll understand why soon enough... working on something that involves 3mm smoked plexiglas and 3mm satin white plexiglas.

 

Project: Coolermaster ATC-S4000 SX-1



Project: Coolermaster ATC-S4000 SX-1

Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4
Update 5
Update 6
Update 7
Update 8
Update 9
Update 10
Update 11
Update 12
Update 13
Update 14
Update 15

As per the new rules:

Original build log in Project Log Archives.

New build log in Project Logs.

Discussions in this thread.

Comments welcome.

Thanks

 

Small update...

Cut the light strip up and soldered some wires on...



Soldered them series like so...



Add some power...



Stick to place on the case...



And add some more power too...



Just something simple and elegant. Still awaiting some Satin White Plexiglas which will be placed ontop on the lights to create a glowing strip of white along the top of the case and down the front.

Just an jpeg export of the front panel to be cut from smoked plexiglass, but haven't got the plexi yet so will have to wait for the final article.



The 3 on the left are for this project, the one on the right and below are simple designs for another computer.

 

I also have an AVI taken of it in the dark from my camera... it's around 5MB and may be interesting to some of you... personally, I find it quite boring, but some people may like to have a look.

download here

 

Nice.

Where do ya get those led strips from?

 

Maplin, but they are quite expensive for what they are though... they also come in blue and green.

 

Like the way you can just cut the light strips up! Certainly useful

Thought you were going to light up the rad with them, but nice glowing strips occross the top is mighty fine instead.

 

Yeah, I was thinking along those lines too... but this was the main agenda, it's not finished yet though, some plexi still needs to be cut and then i'll have to see to those rads.

 

Scha-weet! Those light strips behind some frosted acrylic is going to look very nice!

 

Getting me one of those light strips, nice find. (Saves me risking cathode
invertors )

Oh, and really nice log

 

Gotta love this case, can't wait to see some more updates.

 

Yeah, those light strips are great, I finally got the plexi... but the light effect is not what I was expecting... kinda dissappointed in-fact
May have to abandon the light strips idea and go out and get some EL sheets instead... sigh! more cash needed then, as EL sheets are $$$
Updates on the crap-ness of the effects soon.

Another downer is that I accidently drilled a hole through my HE120.2 radiator! O_O Goddammit!!
That either means a crappy looking weld-up job or an excuse for a new radiator (and of-course more money spent!) The Thermochill PA120.2 radiators should be released this week, so i'm tempted just to not bother fixing the radiator and the new revision.

This rig is just a black hole... keeps sucking in my money! Better finish up soon!

 

Another small update...

I have finally got the perspex I wanted... a 1x1 m square smoky black sheet and a smaller satin white sheet.

I tested the satin white perspex sheet with the LED light strips and the results are rather dissappointing, the effect was for a long, wide glowing white strip flowing parallel along the top of the case... instead, it has turned out to be a series of white lines not impressed, this means I may have to turn to idea no.2 and get some EL sheets in white instead, but they are £££ of money, so that may have to be post poned until a later date as more important parts are needing my attention first.

White satin perspex with light showing through... not happy as the diffusion of light is not what I expected. Got to think of a solution, other I will dump this idea in favour of using white EL sheets.



Lights turned off...



Changed the orientation of the pump, this was how it was before, with the Aquastream outlet horizontal and pointing inwards towards the back of the case...



Didn't like it thsi way as it was wasting space, so I did this...



Wide shot...



Basically rotated the pump 45 degrees to have the outlet pointing downwards instead... had to cut a slot out of the drive bay to accomondate it... looks cleaner in my opinion.



That's it for this update.

Oh.. something crap-tastic occured today too... I drilled a hole in my HE120.2 radiator
That was fun! I don't think I can be bothered to fix it, the radiator has been in two rigs already and isn't in the best of states anyway, so I think I may wait for the new Thermochill PA120.2 radiators and buy one of them, or just find another HE120.2 cheap around the forums.

 

Oh... and i've just entered this too.

 

Mods are like that... mine certainly is.

Still, perfection costs. You should know however that EL sheet isn't all too bright. Before you splash your cash you may want to explore alternatives.

 

Yeah, I knew that they were not going to be as bright, that's why I used the light strips first... not sure how I can do what I want to do with alternative lighting, unless I get more light strips and place them together (denser) to get the light to diffuse.

Anywhoo... some good news today, my RMA'd 6600GT is back and the store says that they haven't got my model in stock anymore... so they offered an alternative or a refund. I've decided that i'm going to get a 7800GT by adding some cash ontop of what I will be getting.
The downer is that I bought a 6600GT PCI-e Aquacomputer all-in-one water block... waste of a block and money again!.. this thing hasn't even touched water!

If anybody is interested and wants it, send me a PM and i'll let it go as it serves no purpose to me now i'm upgrading to a 7800GT.
(I also have a 9800Pro AC waterblock, a twinplex chipset block too if anybody is interested?)

 

Had a think about it. If you want the whole perspex to light up you'll have to edge-light it with CCFLs. You may also need to have a reflective layer under the perspex, althought the bare aluminium may be enough. It's the only way...

 

hmm.. edge lighting may pose a problem as I don't have enough space...

I have thought about drilling holes in the perspex and placing 3mm LEDs inside as to create more diffusion of light, but decided against it as it would pose more work for not much benefit.

It's either going to be EL sheeting or a completely different idea on how to use the existing lighting I have now.

My front panel should be finished by Monday, so that means that there is one less thing to work on and worry about and I can concentrate on figuring out the extra aesthetics.... although the PSU cables need chopping to size and re-sleeving and a need to search for a new radiator too.

ps. Nexxo.. when are you going to update yours... your rig is always an inspiration (meaning = great place to steal ideas!! hehe)

 

When I have some money again.

As you know I have a pristine S-4000 here, ready to be modded. So feel free to steal some of my ideas, while I steal some of yours.