Project: mk.V (a UV circuitry theme) -=[FINISHED]=-

Some progress today.


I am mere baby steps away from being finished. This afternoon I was frustrated with the ATX power cable situation so I decided to modify the stock cable by shortening, sleeving, and tubing it. The end result is actually quite nice and I like how much more subtle it is in comparison to the way it used to look. If I find the spaced exposed wire version too stressful to complete I may just stick with this one.

I'm also still tweeking and experimenting with the IDE cables. Specifically I shortened one of them by cutting the second connector off of it. I attempted to add a pin-39 dongle to the Slave connector of the remaining dual device cable, but that resulted in the Slave drive not being seen by the bios. As a result I've ordered a replacement.
Ooops
Atleast I've figured out how to tidy up those cables and it will be quick work once the new cable arrives. Below is as close to the finished product as I've gotten. From here on-in it will be nothing more than anal-retentive preening of details that only I may be capable of noticing.





I'm also seeing how well the duct(s) are working. Below are the idle temperatures after 15 minutes of settling. I didn't bother to lap the XP-120 (I don't have enough sandpaper to do so), but I am using a precise amount of AS3.
On highest fan speed

On absolute lowest fan speed

Yay! It works!

I was hoping to be done by the weekend. But my end goal is not a deadline, but a machine so perfect that I couldn't possibly dream changing of anything anytime soon. That will come about as soon as the parts arrive in the mail.

 

*BZZZZT*
"Ow..."

Sorry... drooled on my keyboard....

 

Nice I love the cable management you worked up. It has a flair that is unique and looks tasty. I love it. Looooooove it.... sorry I've been up too long so love sounds cool in my head right now.

Any way, nice work.

 

Your case almost has a bit 'Tron' look

 

this is looking amazing!!
did those molexs come with the PSU? could do with some like that, not much worse than excess cables!!
proper good job

 

No, I made all of the power cables myself.
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=80355
The PSU came with it's own cables, but I wasn't completely satisfied with them.

 

Yay!!!!!!! For all intents and purposes I am done with this project. Well, I am STILL waiting for that connector for the power cable to arrive, but that's no biggy. Everything else is 100% finished. I'll skip all of the yammering and get right to the pictures.

The Front


The Side (open)


Red lighting mode (part of the picture is obscured by my make-shift tripod, oops)

Capture Card

Inverter box and its connectors

Front intake

Video card and memory

IDE cables

ATX & P4 power cables (P4 is obstructed from view, oops)

Side (closed)


Back (I need to put the I/O covers on)


There you have it. Two packages of parts arrived today and I managed to repair the IDE cables and complete the super-frustrating ATX power cable. I am so extremely pleased with the end result of this project and it has been an absolute blast to work on it. It's been quite stressful at times and demanded the use of my experience and still developing expertise with power tools and soldering. I have exceded my own expectations in many ways and have satisfied every criterion I outlined when I started this project. This machine will keep me more than happy for quite a while.
And even more satisfying is the feedback and admiration I've received while in the process of making this machine. Thanks for following along and I'm sure I'll have something new to share sometime in the near future. When and what I don't yet know myself.

Edit; for some reason I can't edit the title of this thread anymore...

 

My god dude I envy you. You have a SEXY box sitting there. If I were you, I'd be all over that thing. jk... But really dude, that thing is freeking awesome. I love it all.



Though... One last minute thought. Have you thought about painting the blades of the CPU fan blue, and having a little UV led in there to light it up? The UV looks to be in a short supply over there...


But yeah, even if you dont. The whole thing ****ing Rocks!

 

UV paint requires a base coat of white or silver, then a top coat of clear. The resulting layers of paint would effect the noise signature and performance of the fan so I didn't bother. I really hate paint...
Thanks for the compliments.

 

I never thought I would say this but I am sad to see it finished.... No more major updates. Still freaking awsome. You should take some final pictures of it all in action and at your desk!

 

Looks very nice

 

It looks great man. Turned out way better than I expected.

 

Nicely done.
It's good to see a case that pulls off the multicolor thing.

 

Got it setup under my desk now with a KVM switch and everything.

That chair needs to be recovered.

Winamp AVS running


Underside of my desk (with screw organizer)

 

I got the security camera working with the capture card and video LCD

I need to clean up my room.

 

thats bad ass!

 

Almost forgot to take a picture without any lights turned on.

 

really nice job man

 

Wow. That is /awesome/.

 

Really great man. Gotta love the Mac Hall desktop too