PROJECT: MM Pinnacle 300 (previously Ugly Duckling)

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Originally Posted by CptDreadFlint

I've been a big fan of your drain system and your cuts. I consider this one of those worklogs I never want to see end (selfish I know).

Always a treat to see what surprise you have for us on virtually every update.
Thanks for sharing what you do. :up:

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Thanks CDF :). It's my pleasure to share my (slow) progress and it is icing on the cake to hear that it can be helpful/interesting to others. My modding skill is obviously not setting any high bars but I do hope to get a few good ideas out there.

S_D thanks for your suggestions I'm having a look around to see what's available locally.

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Cross your fingers guys. I got my TMS-200 back from Koolance. Time to shut down and plug her in...

If I'm back in 15 minutes then everything is fine and dandy.

If I'm not...well...

Just wait longer! :D

In all seriousness I hope it works. I don't want to deal with another RMA.

a close friend of mine bought textile for background. then eventually bought a portable light box. and now considering big muslin cloth.

Okay we're good. Props to Koolance :up:, I'd expected worse after hearing multiple-RMA stories.

Here's what I'm getting on idle, with some quick and dirty auto-adjustment settings. Ambient is 29C by the way. Yes I hate the climate here.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/...1f7c0f3e_o.jpg

I'm heading to bed now but there are still some comments I want to make about this setup and how I intend to tweak it. More tomorrow.

Good to hear I that everything worked out this time... can't wait to see you tweak it some more.

I was interested in picking up one of these, but would be interested to see your review.

Also let's see some pic's :p:

Fantastic Build Kibbler :up:

i love the tube brackets - very smooth :yepp:

& a big thanks for the instructional DVD mod :cool:

lets see some more :D

Love it - need more full piccies though!!!

~Bex

JPM, Prada, and Bex: Thanks for your kind words and support. I promise there's more coming. For instance, I have a small stack of parts sitting here beside me that's going to the powder coater tomorrow.

Obligatory behind-the-motherboard-tray wire management.

That bundle coming up on the left is the ATX8pin. I'm not 100% happy with how it's crossing under the fan/pump/sensor/pwr/reset/led bundle, but I'm out of mounting points and ideas.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/...fae4291d_b.jpg

Very beautiful cable management. Nice job!

Great job Kibbs! :up:

I'm glad to hear you're up and running without incident Mate.

Looking forward to seeing the final touches you've got planned. :)

0xDB and Charles, thanks for your comments guys :). More is on the way. Dropped off some parts at the powder coater (Defu Lane, the same shop that kozato, joechuo went to. Maybe bianco and bullydog, too). I'll have them back in a few days.

In the meantime I worked on some other areas.

Took these out. So long, wheels.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/...d58399ab18.jpg

Installed some proper feet. They're at 45deg angles to each of the 4 corners. This is a lousy photo, personally I really like how they look, especially at the front.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/...81093e99fa.jpg

FYI these are the feet I used (Lian Li stock, material is anodized AL).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/...bb08114ca9.jpg

Why 45deg angles and not straight out to the side? Well like many parts of this worklog the final result is as much dumb luck as intentional design. Mountain Mods feet/castor mounting holes are drilled to some kind of industrial standard: A square pattern of 4 holes, each about 27mm apart center to center. Every set of castors I've come across in hardware stores have that same measurement. Lian Li in their usual infinite wisdom prefer their own standards. I thought they would be a drop in replacement. Instead, the holes don't line up.

Sad :(
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/...47113ac18d.jpg

But, to my surprise :eek::eek:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/...166248ebff.jpg

The diagonal is 27mm center to center. There you have it, 45deg angled feet. Dumb luck.

I went back to redo the ATX8pin. Much better now.:D
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/...7f2f5f80_b.jpg

Let's take a look at the other side. I loved Gadgeteer57's last shot so here's my amateur attempt at a wide-angle internal. Let me know what you think.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/...7c71b494_b.jpg

EDIT: Akkarin, I got your PM but "Akkarin has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her. If you are trying to send this message to multiple recipients, remove Akkarin from the recipient list and send the message again." Answer to your question is I bought them from cableorganizer.com and chilledpc.co.uk. They're probably available locally (sim lim tower?) but I haven't the time to go look.

Kibbler love the wire management.. I think think the 8 pin looked that bad in the other picture but looks even better...

Like the new feet also, matches the black aluminum look of the case.

Looks great man, that last shot is great. It needs a focal point though. Even if everything is in focus(High App), it's hard to see anything. With all the colors and wire, in addition to graphics card being directly in the middle, it leads our (mine at least) eyes directly to the back of that graphics card. I'm no pro photographer, but am only telling you what I would do :) Hope that helps?

Enjoy the Rig man.

Been following this for a long time, nice to see it very nearly finished. Fantastic work! :D

EDIT: What fan is this here?

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Originally Posted by PeterStoba

EDIT: What fan is this here?

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Those appear to be Noiseblockers.
I dig the wallpaper you're sporting, Kibs! Feels Super Mario Brother-ish. :)

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Originally Posted by jpm804

Kibbler love the wire management.. I think think the 8 pin looked that bad in the other picture but looks even better...

Like the new feet also, matches the black aluminum look of the case.

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Thanks JPM :)

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Originally Posted by Armitage

Looks great man, that last shot is great. It needs a focal point though. Even if everything is in focus(High App), it's hard to see anything. With all the colors and wire, in addition to graphics card being directly in the middle, it leads our (mine at least) eyes directly to the back of that graphics card. I'm no pro photographer, but am only telling you what I would do :) Hope that helps?

Enjoy the Rig man.

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Thanks for your suggestions. I had to squeeze me + tripod under the desk for that shot so my concerns were admittedly less on composition and more on framing what I wanted to show and not twisting my spine. I will certainly keep your ideas in mind when setting up for the final photos.

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Originally Posted by PeterStoba

Been following this for a long time, nice to see it very nearly finished. Fantastic work! :D

EDIT: What fan is this here?

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Thanks Peter, I am just as happy that it's finally up and running.

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Originally Posted by CptDreadFlint

Those appear to be Noiseblockers.
I dig the wallpaper you're sporting, Kibs! Feels Super Mario Brother-ish. :)

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That is correct. NB XL-1 1000rpm to be exact. Although by most measures a terrible performer, I chose it more for the color. It's not cooling anything in particular anyway.

very nice kibler, very clean :)

Thanks Oli4V.

Update:

Powder coated parts are back and the finish looks great. Will take and upload photos later today (going to see UP! after work first :)).

When I went to pick up my parts I saw a bike frame that someone had powder coated white, what a neat idea and I thought it looked bloody nice! If you have an old cro-moly or aluminum frame sitting in your garage, a quick media blast and powder coating will have it looking brand new.

Ok more to come.

Can't wait to see the pics.... :up:

Any chance we will see full view computer shots this time ... dying to see how the overall case with the parts looks like...

Only just found time to post in here, but truly fantastic work. Every time i go on Flickr you photos are always coming up in my searches and really are great. Kudos to you, with thanks for the eye candy, and inspirations to myself and many others.

Thanks JPM and bentleya, your comments are sincerely appreciated :).

UP! was good by the way. Go watch it.

Did I mention pics?

Radgrills from ChilledPC. When I brought these parts to the powdercoater the guy said he's never seen anodizing as dark as the what was on these grills. And he's right, the original black is a couple shades darker than LiLi and MountainMods' work. It absorbs light like a freaking black hole. So, even though they are now powdercoated to match, good job Tom. That was a very distinctive product out of the box.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/...95ec5f8a_b.jpg

Stealth plate.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/...cf96c783_b.jpg

Part of the original drive bay. MM owners, notice the holes have been drilled out much larger? That's because this part will go on the INSIDE of the case. I drilled the holes out so they will fit around the diameter of the original threaded inserts. A picture speaks 1000 words, too bad I forgot to take one.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/...b6445c79_b.jpg

Top part of the DVD drive.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/...a30c95a4_b.jpg

That square pattern is accidental, I didn't realize the horizontal grill and verticle radiator channels would form such a distinctive pattern. Haven't decided if I like it though. Those power/reset buttons are very stock, and very boring. I had 2 LED switches all wired up, then when I went to de-solder them for some adjustments, I managed to f-ck up both of them (too much heat, melted plastic base). Sigh...2 more on the way, $30 down the drain. Check out the new feet at the corners there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/...49982c2f_b.jpg

USB ports are not installed so you can see through the holes. Here the DVD tray doesn't line up perfectly because...well...the internal drive bay is not fully screwed in. I misplaced a baggie of #6 nuts. Don't worry, it lines up.:up:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/...e4fedb79_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/...1f860bbf_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/...bc3745c9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/...9c102025_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/...2de36725_b.jpg

that faceplate looks realy awesome o.o

any overall picture showing everything set up ? :P

Bravo Kibbs! :up:

Outstanding execution Mate and love the images!

How do you feel about the optical drive look - any further plans in that area?

I don't want to be critical and of course my position is purely subjective but I wonder how it would look without the grills. I find they serve to accentuate the boxy thing. That may of course be the vibe you're going for in which case (hehe, case - get it) I'd say you nailed it. :)

Looking forward to seeing it with the power/reset buttons you settle on... the temp ones you've got are really driving the overall sense of strong symmetry... I really like the one you've got for the optical drive access... nice and minimal.

Fit and finish is spot on... well done Kibbs!

I have to agree with Blizzy and Charles - Fantastic Work Kibbler!!

I am loving the what you have done with this and I am really looking forward to seeing the final shots once everything is done!

Your shots are great as well! More please :up:

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Originally Posted by Blizzy

that faceplate looks realy awesome o.o

any overall picture showing everything set up ? :P

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Thanks a lot Blizzy, good luck working on your Pinnacle as well. If you're interested in the dimensions for the faceplate just shoot me a PM. It should be easy as pie to crank out of a CNC. More photos incoming...but I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks in September (dreamaxx I'm heading to Gold Coast!) so if the photo setup is not ready by then I apologize in advance for the long wait.

And really, I know a thing or two about waiting. This worklog was started, what, last July? lulz :D

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Originally Posted by charles_h

Bravo Kibbs! :up:

Outstanding execution Mate and love the images!

How do you feel about the optical drive look - any further plans in that area?

I don't want to be critical and of course my position is purely subjective but I wonder how it would look without the grills. I find they serve to accentuate the boxy thing. That may of course be the vibe you're going for in which case (hehe, case - get it) I'd say you nailed it. :)

Looking forward to seeing it with the power/reset buttons you settle on... the temp ones you've got are really driving the overall sense of strong symmetry... I really like the one you've got for the optical drive access... nice and minimal.

Fit and finish is spot on... well done Kibbs!

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Thanks Charles, your comments and input are very valuable as always :). Please continue to be critical.

The optical drive area, I shot for simplicity and it seems I hit it, too well maybe. I'd entertained a few ideas but in the end they were almost all dropped due to either 1) lack of proper tools and mad skillz, or 2) a busy stealth plate would defeat the purpose, like Sam Fisher's 3000 lumens 'night vision' tri-headlights (Yeah, I have night vision goggles, too. It's called a maglite, idiot).

Here's a quick chop with some of the ideas considered (some not seriously obviously...). For the grill area, cutting out the metal between fan holes...that might just work. It reduces the conflict of visual lines (strong circles vs strong squares), but it will be a lot of work with everything already installed so I'm not jumping in until I have more feedback.

I'm still on the fence as to whether or not to cut a metal or acrylic cover for the ODD tray. That was the original intention but now that it's installed, leaving it open looks good in it's own way. Kinda like factory stock, or an iMac, which I like. LCD is dropped because I knew I'd never look at it again the day after it's installed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/...ae39e4f6_o.jpg

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Originally Posted by Dangals

I have to agree with Blizzy and Charles - Fantastic Work Kibbler!!

I am loving the what you have done with this and I am really looking forward to seeing the final shots once everything is done!

Your shots are great as well! More please :up:

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Thanks Dangals, appreciate it. It certainly deserves mention that I learned many things from your worklog, too. I will keep the updates coming as the various last pieces fall into place. :)

head wound... lol... nice one Kibbs! Some days it sure feels that way, that's fo shizzle. ;)

Ok, ok, I'm really liking that front grill area now... that's cash money right there which is the best kind! I know it means more work but IMHO, I think it looks great and will be worth the effort. I mean, look at all the effort you've already put into this fantastic creation! I'd even consider rounding off those circular transitions a touch... that will really help balance the two dominant shapes.

The Optical drive thing - I hear yeah there - no stealth door cover... roger that. Maybe just getting rid of the silk screened labels... I don't know - I'd even play around with some colors just for $hits & giggles... you never know and nothing ventured, nothing gained. :yepp: My issue with the current look is the perceived conflict between the two shapes - faceplate door cutout and drive door. I guess I just like seeing tight fits (ok, let's keep it clean) with things like that... the difference in the two, especially the sides is throwing me.

Kibbs, you rule man and hope I'm not coming on too strong here... It's your thing and if you're happy, I'm happy (if that makes sense). I don't want to mess with your mojo and have to say that I really enjoy seeing things that are purposefully created and well executed... and that you've achieved in spades my friend.

Looking forward to seeing where you take it. :)