Hi, if this is a unsuitable section please move this to a more suitable section. This is my first mod. I have been working on a new case for my computer for almost a week now and things are finally starting to come together. I’m posting this because I think it will be interesting to get responds and tips on what I have done right and what I could have done better. So, here is what I have done so far: The first thing I started working on was the frame. I want to build a cube-like case and figured I would be able to fit everything in a 33cm cube, I would also need to have a second floor in the case. So I bought some aluminum profile cut 12 pieces each 33cm long, and then I managed to get hold of some super strong epoxy meaning I don’t have to hard weld or use screws. So I glued the frame together and managed to get a nearly perfect cube (I’m about 2-3mm off ). [Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures of me building the frame] So far this have cost me 18€ for the aluminum profile. Next I went out to hunt down some Plexiglas; since I want this to be as cheap of a build as possible I took my time finding the cheapest vendor and ended up buying a 1500x750mm piece of Plexiglas for roughly 30€. Since I’m such a cheap ******* I wanted to cut the Plexi myself. I started off using a skill saw to cut the piece in two, after that I tried to use a knife, to cut and break the Plexi into suitable sized pieces. This method worked really great for awhile and then the pieces started to break at the wrong places so I ended up finishing the last two pieces with the skill saw. [pics^] Current cost of my build: 48€ Went for a visit at my local hardware store and bought two piano hinges, four 90 degree angled metal thingies to have my second floor to rest on and 8 wagon bolts. All for the suitable price of 10€. I glued the metal thingies and the piano hinges to the frame and let the epoxy dry over the night. [pics^] Current cost of my build: 58€ Got my new radiators and nipples I ordered from www.vcore.dk 4 days ago, they are looking sweet. Then it was time to drill some holes so that I can attach the rads to the roof, to get things perfectly aligned I ended up using some fan grills taped to the Plexi, that way I was pretty sure I’d drill the holes perfectly aligned. [pics^] Now I just need to drill some huge holes so that the air can come out from the case. Found a perfect drill with a round saw-like thingy with a 105mm diameter. Fortunately this worked, it didn’t crack the Plexi but unfortunately I ran out of batteries >_<. [pics^] Current cost of my build: 58€ + 100€ for the water-cooling gear. I have now drilled all holes needed to attach the walls to the frame, now i only need to buy some nuts and i should be set for installing my computer into my case Next time i will be able to work on my case however is Wednesday, so i guess i'll post an update with pics on Wednesday night. Managed to get some pics of where I'm at right now, will most likely put the case together tomorrow (wednesday). [pics] Tomorrow, ^ that is what I'm going to work on, the middle floor. Hopefully everything will work out and I will make the next update from that computer ____________ As i was hoping Im making this update from THAT computer Its not completely done, gotta paint the walls and make a hole in the front for the DVD burner, other than that it's pretty much done Here are some pics of how its looking right now! [pics] [yay lights pics, couldnt figure out a good setting for my camera for these pics so they look like crap :/] Now that im used to seeing everything inside my computer im not sure if i will paint it or not Today i finished the front, cutting a hole for the power button and the dvd drive. Went pretty good, not "perfect" but i think i'll survive with the current looks.. [pic] I also managed to glue to right panel to the hinge, im not sure if its any strong since usually its pretty hard to glue plexi... -.-' Anyways, it seems to be working and im going to start glueing the left panel any time now, after that is done i consider this box done! [pic] Seems like im having some real heat issues with the case closed with all panels on.. Perhaps i need to make an intake or just install a second fan :/ Now im running the case with the left panel slightly open to let the GPU blow out its hot air instead of keeping it inside the case.. Anyhoo it seems that i was able to glue both panels to the case and im pretty much done (not taking the heat issue into consideration ) Case is now complete, I managed to take care of the heat issue by replacing the thermal compound on my GPU. I will possibly cut out some intake hole and add a fan to it if i feel like i need to. All in all this has been a great project and i've done something im pretty proud of. [pics] So lets wrap things up, this build has taken me about 2-3 weeks (not working every day), I've spent about 150-160€ and im more than pleased with the results. -tJev out.
Please do the hardware world a favor and rid yourself of the Thermaltake pump and CPU block.. Otherwise, I like the layers system!
Oww, the little orange flowers didn't stay I like it, with a little bit of cable management, if that is even possible in that style of case then it will be hot. If it was me I would have used a coloured acrylic just to slightly mask the cabling, but I am just nit picking, you have done a great job...so far...Manage those cables
Overall I really like it. You may want to consider riveting in some more L-channel to support the acrylic that the makes the top hardware layer. It seems a bit stressed.
Go orange post it flowers! The cable management is really something i can work with, although i have to say i've seen a lot worse Thanks anyways Thanks, the top hardware layer is a bit stressed indeed, and that's because i made a miscalculation on the height of the GPU. So i had to put it in the second PCI-e port and raise the corner a little. The only things that are resting on the top hardware layer are the DVD drive and the pump/tank so im not that worried (the PSU is screwed onto the backpanel).
that is a nice cube. good job on it! and not only orange flowers, but hearts! as seen in pic #8 post #1
i had noticed that but didn't pay attention to the orange stickers until they were mentioned. i went back and looked and definatly saw them then. lol So the front fan is above the drive? guess I'll wait for some pics!
Well the stickers where great for keeping track of which piece was which Anyhoo, here are the pictures with the new fan installed, dropped most temps in my case by 10degC [pics] As you can see i had to drill thru the frame to be able to fit that 120mm fan. I was about to settle with an 80mm fan but my mates kept telling me I had to use a 120mm cause they are way much better, not to mention I have a fan controller for this fan as well Unfortunately I had an accident last night... the right panels hinge lost contact with the frame leaving the right panel hanging on two M6 bolts... I quickly roughed up the surface and reglued it. Im not sure how hard the contact between them are right now but it should be better now. If you have any idea's what i could do next, shoot -tJev
looks like there is quite a bend on the middle shelf...... might be worth doubling up on the thickness of the perspex to give it a bit of extra support.... good work though
Thanks yeah, one corner had to be raised 8mm to supply clearance from the graphics card, seems like I miscalculated the height of the graphics card.. Im not sure if it's enough of a bend to damage the plexi but for now I will let it be, cause of I change it I will have to change the front and back panel which is just a whole lot of work im not ready for right now.
Hi good work so far ,here's a bit of advice - I am busy building something very similar.My frame is also made from al. L channel - to make things easier for me I also glued it all together with epoxy but only to keep everything in place while i drilled the holes for screws/bolts and nuts. Due to delays it stood in my garage for a number of weeks.Eventhough all the L channel was sanded for painting and the cube felt quite strong after gluing - it had all fallen apart therefore I suggest you reinforce all your corners with some type of hardeware screws,rivets etc. I also had a second tray that sagged - used 16 pieces of channel apossed to 12. Thanks
What glue did you use? Mine is designed to glue car roofs to the body, its supposed to be strong enough.
It is not a question of how strong the glue is it is the fact that ally oxidizes very fast and the glue sticks to the oxide and after awhile the bond between oxide and metal fails - this was told to me by the technical consultant at the factory where the glue is made after I queried the failler with them. I used "fast steel" which can even be used for repairing engine parts - used on steel and cant even be removed with hammer and chisel.This might just be my bad luck or wrong choice but might be something to think about. Good Luck! Thanks
Oh, well what you say makes sense. I'll have to investigate a bit further into this matter.. Thank you, really, for letting me know about this. @ Mankz. what cpu block would you recommend available on this site http://www.vcore.dk/shop/eng/cpu-25c1.html ? EDIT: Im thinking about buying EK Supreme, what kind of pump would it require? I would like to be able to run both CPU and GPU later on. EDIT2: Seems like this hinge idea is going to the garbage can, im going now going to try to melt a piece of plexi and bend it so that i can use one piece to cover three walls (front and sides). Hopefull this will look better and make it easier for me to paint the thing.
