[PROJECT] ..::. Storm Sniper .::..

PROJECT STORM SNIPER

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper00.jpg

A while ago i decided to ditch my Antec1200 which wasn't pleasing me the way i thought it would and so this new project was born. This time i thought i'd put my knowledge and skills to good use and do it properly with decent sleeving, outstanding cable routing and a nice watercooling system. I looked a bit for "the" case that would definitely please me and i came up with this one. I know what you're thinking, but each person has his/her own taste and i'm really tired of TJ07's/Lian-Li, so i picked up a case "nobody has yet".

As most of you are aware, this case was originally painted black, but CoolerMaster somehow decided to ship the final version with the interiors lacking coating. That's where i started my work, trying to make an average case something special. As this thread progresses you'll see why i chose it, it's perfect for what i need, everything has its place in here.

This is the original case:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/original.jpg

And this is the first paint work, waiting on it to dry so i can do the second pass:


http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper01.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper02.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper03.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper04.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper05.jpg

It's not even nearly done and it already looks so much better. There should be a law that forbids cases NOT being fully painted when they leave the factory :ROTF:

I am also getting rid of the harddrive cage and the hideous plastic things in the DVD bays. Those don't really work well and are bound to cause vibration noises later on. Besides that, i hate them :rolleyes:

The power supply also saw some modifications (I'm sorry PCP&C, but it's much better this way :up:):

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper07.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper06.jpg

Meanwhile the paint has dried, applied second pass, dried again and it's time to put the motherboard in the tray so i can study the water loop properly. I know the GTZ has the wrong orientation, it's been fixed already :cool:

Still considering whether i use these NOCTUA fans or something else...

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper08.jpg

Also working on this guy, i have a nice idea for it, let's see if it makes it into the project (probably will):

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper09.jpg

To end this first post, here are the pump stands i came up with (courtesy of Cisco, Inc.). These are already cut and painted, the photos will follow in the next update.

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper10.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper11.jpg

Hope you're enjoying, there's MUCH more to follow. The sleeving kit from MurderMod should arrive tomorrow (thanks again Nils), so i'm facing a lot of work in the coming days :up:

Updates soon.

Oh yeah, nice build! Didn't read everything, but very nice components you got there! ;)

nice build :)

nice idea for that psu mod!

Subscribed! I love Coolermaster cases.

looks sweet im waiting to see where everything sits

Agree ... looks great. I like to see people take on different cases - will be fun to see what you do with this one. Cooler Master has some interesting stuff out.

I am curious :)

Thank you for your confidence in me, it sure inspires me to keep going, hope i'm up to the hard task of producing a good XS build log ;)

So, here's another small update, nothing really special. The sleeving package has arrived and so i know the next weekend will be a busy one.

Nils always makes a nice drawing, couldn't help smiling when i saw this. Great package, lives way higher than my expectations:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper12.jpg

Inside, loads of work await me. You've all seen them before, but i need to practice on the digital camera :ROTF:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper13.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper14.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper15.jpg

I also put together a few of these LED + resistor combos:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper16.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper17.jpg

To use them here:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper18.jpg

After the board is in place, there's this aura effect and not too much bling (which i don't really like). I will post a few other pictures once the board is in place, i think it looks good.

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper19.jpg

To close up this small update, some shots of the finished pump holder:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper20.jpg

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper21.jpg

Nothing more for now, there will be some more stuff during the weekend, or so i hope :up:

I can't wait to see the mood lighting with the MB installed. That is going to look way sweet.

looks nice! I did that behind my mobo but I decided it didn't show up enough. Looking forward to seeing yours because I know how much work it is to wire resistors/LEDs up!

subscribed... cant wait to see more! :up:

been waiting for someone to do one of these cases

SUBd

Nice really good!

Did u drill a small hole for the LEDs on the mobo tray?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GregSG

Nice really good!

Did u drill a small hole for the LEDs on the mobo tray?

---

Yep. Small one, then larger then even larger so that the holes are even. Motherboard is already in place, drilled holes for the pump as well and working on sleeving now so that i can connect everything soon enough. Then it's the water setup.

Thanks for looking, i will have some more details and photos soon :up:

i really wanna see that aura shot :)

Thanks for the reply!

Using 3mm LEDs or?

5mm. It's getting darker here, i might add a shot in a while, after dinner :D

Working on sleeving, not perfect but much nicer than the original. It's NOT fun unlike some people say :P :P :P

Fell asleep last night, i'll post the "aura" picture tonight ;)

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper22.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NaMcO

Working on sleeving, not perfect but much nicer than the original. It's NOT fun unlike some people say :P :P :P

---

:rofl:

It's fun when its done. :yepp: ;)

Good job on that sleeving, came out great

which resistor did u put on led?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by millertime359

:rofl:

It's fun when its done. :yepp: ;)

Good job on that sleeving, came out great

---

Yeah, i know what you mean :D

Trying to improve here so that the 24-pin job looks better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by illidan

which resistor did u put on led?

---

820 Ohm, all connected to the 12v line.

Sorry for the double post, wanted to show you how the pump holder turned out.

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper23.jpg

Sleeving done here as well.

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper24.jpg

The GTZ properly assembled now, wonder if it makes any difference. I will never know because my C0 was exchanged for a D0. Different CPU, different thermal grease, too many variables :shrug:

http://www.tech-caffe.com/gfx/sniper/sniper25.jpg

Okay, back to sleeving :cool::p:

looks great

looks fantastic, what top is that on the pump?

Both alphacool parts. One is the acrylic adapter for 1/4" fittings and the other is the reservoir that attaches on top. There's also an EK multioption (not shown yet), i am considering whether i should use it or not as it helps take the air out of the loop.