PROJECT: JUST FOR STARTERS DAY 1: This is my very first Project, I wanted to start with a Project like this because I wanted to learn the basics of Computer Modding without using very expensive kit just in case it went completely wrong. As I didn't want to spend much money on this project, I started looking for hardware when my cousin said that he started a project about 5 months ago and gave up so he gave the case and all the hardware for free , I said "Ding dang do!! that'll do for me". Specifications of the Computer - AMD 64 2800+ Gigabite GA-K8VT800 Motherboard Kingston 512mb RAM Nvidia 6600gt Maxtor Diamondmax 40gb IDE hard drive Sapphire Theatrix Theater TV Card From looking at other projects on this forum, I was inspired to start with watercooling as well. I found a Asetek waterchill cooling set-up which said this is the best kit to start with so I brought one for a very small price of 60euros (without radiator). (Sorry for quality of images as I have reasonably crappy camera ) This is the CPU Block mounted - The Antartica Block cost too much so I got the standard one, it looks great. This is the VGA Block mounted - Looks brillient About last week I ordered a Single 120mm Radiator as the case is short of space (picture of case later in post) then, Early this morning, I woke up to find at the "Postie" had dropped off a parcel. and to my surprise they had sent me a dual 120mm Radiator for the same price . I'm soooo Happy I then connected everything up so I could leave it running for a day to check for leaks. and Good news so far as it has been going for about 4 hours now without any leaks but keeping my fingers crossed for the moment. Now onto the case - I don't know what type of case it is but its reasonably old but has enough room for all components and watercooling equipment (well, i hope anyway ) Here are some pictures: I will also be modding the front panel (sorry only image is of the back at the moment - i'll get a better one in the future) not sure about the design yet but I'll think about it tonight. Planned for Day 2: Order Cable Braiding + Fans extra Mod PSU with window (so its ready for braiding) Begin Panel Design (maybe some dremel action ) See you tomorrow
Thanks for the comments and a small update - I have ordered the final items required to be able to finish the project 1m squared of Mesh 0.5m squared of Lexan (or Plexi) Chrome Spray Paint (I'll show you later what I hae done with this) Grey Primer Black Spray Paint Laquer and from Aqua Computer - 2 Silver Titan Fans 2 120mm Fan grills An 80mm Fan grill (For the Back of the case) UV and Yellow ccfl lights Yellow Cable Braiding Total Cost 126euros See you tomorrow
Day: 2 Sorry for the update being a couple of days late but with Bank Holidays and May Day, time has been a bit sort as I visited family etc but I was awake at about 4 o'clock in the morning and as our nearest neighbors are about 1km away, I began to start some modding. First on the list was the PSU. I wanted to get everything ready so that when I recieve the cable braiding etc I can get it finished quickly. PSU Modification: My idea for the PSU was that the top and right-hand side will have mesh and I will add a 80mm RED led fan so that the red light glows from the mesh. Well anyway, I began to markup the top ready for cutting After the top was cut, I marked up the side. (The PSU is a little dirty, this is because the heat from the dremel seemed to make the glue from the tape stick so I'll clean it off when it has dried because it is easier to get off then) Then some of the dremel action This is what it is like now. When the mesh is delivered, I'll cut some mesh and glue it in, so thats the end of the PSU Mod. Panel Design and Cutting of Case: When the case arrived, there as a couple of things that annoyed me. Firstly, the paint job was awful (Sorry Jacque if your reading this), it was what you call (orange peely) and was heavly scratched on each panel as well which was a bummer. There is also about 8-10!!! layers of paint meaning that I would have to remove all layers of the paint and back to the metal so that I will get a better finish. Well here is the case in the current state - I have cut and drilled the mounting for the dual radiator as this is the only place it would fit ( well just about with alot of dremel action sorry no pics). The case window is fugly, this will also be changed in the future. The sheep had a look at it - they said it was looking better The back fan grill was cut out by my cousin, looked like he had used a spoon Straight away after I took the photos, I ripped of the side panel with the window and measured and marked it for cutting - Sorry to skip forward but I have cut the top panel, sanded it down with a Black and Decker Powermouse then with some 180/240/400 wet and dry so this panel is ready for when paint arrives - The front panel needed some work aswell and I finalized the design which will also feature some mesh. Some dremel action later and here is the result - Well thats it for this update, but The watercooling loop worked fine for 18 hours with out any air bubbles or leaks Planned for Day: 3 Finish side panel with window (ready for painting) Cut Mesh Maybe some Primer on panels (MAYBE) if I can be bothered See you soon OldY
Yep, looks like vomit to me, the Molding was burnt on a bonfire and I did the Bit-tech voodoo dance which should help me get a good finish
You have made agreat start. That's really looking sweet, with some small touch-ups it will be great. And the sheep picture made me laugh...alot Keep up the good work. Oh, when you do a leak test, you normally fit the components then route the tubing. Then REMOVE the components keeping the loop intact, and then perform the 24-48 hour leak test.
Thanks for the comments @zr_ox - Thanks for the tip , I'll do it again just to make sure. I don't want to break anything. Also I have mostly finished the panels, and they are ready for a coat of primer which I'll leave overnight. Hopefully there should be an update early tomorrow. Over and Out OldY
For a first time modder it seems like you've done a lot of reading 'cause you are braver then I was the first time I modded my case. Good luck and can't wait to see the end result!
Day: 3 The First delivery arrived but only the plexi and paint arrived, no mesh . Well, I will just have to carry on until it arrives. Onto the first bit of modding. After consulting the sheep on what to next, I decided to get more advice from the goats on what to do next - they just gave me the stare so I left in a hurry Well on to the modding - Painting the Panels: All I can say is that I hate painting - too time consuming but I guess to get the best result you have to wait till the paint has dried for a day then begin on the next coat. Here is the top panel in all its primed glory. (I put on 2 coats yesturday) The finish after the second coat was great - Before I could paint the panels, I needed to sand all the layers of paint away and back to the metal to give a better chance of getting the finish I could get. I used a Black and Decker Powermouse which I borrowed from an English neighbour of ours - it would take too long with just wet and dry. As you can see I'm not very patient. I then began on the top panel again and tried out the Black Paint I got. Looks good after some wet and dry then another coat. I will leave this to dry for a week now to make sure that the paint cures correctly. While most of the panels were drying, I began to cut the plexi for the side panel. Uncut Cut Then with some standard bolts I attached the plexi to the panel - C'est super - with that done I moved on to paint the Front panel Needs abit more work to do but I'm tired and hungry so I bid you Good Night and keep on truckin See you soon OldY Planned For Day:4 Paint any panels that need it including laquer If mesh arrives cut some mesh Work out how to mount hard drive
Sorry for the lack of updates but work is getting busier ( I work at an estate agency) so there have been some late nights but I have been working slowly on the project. I have put the computer back together and the water cooling is keeping the temp of the cpu at 30 degrees under load 23 degrees idel which I'm happy about. The main problem is that my package from Aqua computer hasn't arrived yet but they said it should be with me within a week or so. The painting of all the panels has been compeleted and also the psu. When the package arrives expect a very large update. O, also I need some help with my internet connection (wanadoo) and steam as these have been giving me some problems as I havent played on Half life 2 for about a year now and I am getting angry at the computer. You can find more info about the problems in the Tech Support forum on Bit-Tech. Any help will be appreicated. Thank you OldY
