Sense and Sensibility [A Build Log]

twwen2,

Good job on the flushing. I'm proud of you.

Normally, I would prescribe what works for me, but I don't want to put you through unnecessary risk. I use a power washer on all my rads, but I'm worried about you damaging your pA120.3. My TCs have not been damaged on low settings on the power washer (its gas engined power lol) and I use that setting to blast my car wheels clean of brake dust, especially after a hard romp on a rainy day.

The outdoor tap should be plenty powerful for you. No sense being an egotistical hero (aka moron) like me :p:

Lol that power washer sounds like fun!

There's still a blue film inside the rad which won't come off, it's really annoying me actually. However after that tap blast and about 15 rinses with boiling water, whatever is coming out has already come out. I think the blue film is there to stay...:(

In better news, i recieved notification today that my backplate for the EK Supreme has been shipped, finally! Expect some decent updates later this week. :up:

Update week!

I thought i might do a quick mockup using the mobo tray, with the intention a getting the rig up and runnning on air so i could intall Vista. Sadly, that won't be happening anytime soon thanks to the designers at DFI :rolleyes:

Check it out:

The bare tray
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000146.jpg

With mobo
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000148.jpg

GPU and RAM installed
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000150.jpg

Ilove this angle, the 4870 stock cooler looks awesome if you ask me :D
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000152.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000157.jpg

CPU and cooler
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000160.jpg

In she goes...
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000163.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000164.jpg

Now one with the cooler sitting on the CPU. Those of you with a keen eye will notice that the push-pins aren't actually down. The stock intel cooler actually hits the NB cooler (also stock), ensuring that there will be no air-cooled action. What was DFI thinking...?:shrug:

Oh well i guess this rig will be a pure WC one, never to see the air of day...:rofl: man that was lame
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000169.jpg

Stay tuned, i've got heaps of updates in store for this week. It's just a matter of finding the time to write them up amidst uni assignments and part-time work!

*****

talk about bad design.
maybe you can remove the stock push pins and use the screw mounts for ek supreme?

and looking at your dominators makes me miss my ddr2s...

Mt Buller '08

I've been at the snow this last weekend, or what was left of it anyway.:D Myself and a group of friends decided last-minute to pack the cars and head to Mt Buller for a Sunday/Monday overnighter. We traveled up on the Sunday afternoon, spent the evening at a ski resort in Mansfield; drinking beer and champagne and sitting around in the spa just chatting. The next morning we got up early, and after a buffet brekky we drove up the mountain and hit the slopes! Because it is now springtime down here, there's not as much snow as during the peak season, but still plenty enough to have a day's worth of skiing/boarding. Enjoy the pics!

Two of my crazy mates, Nick (left) and Pete (right). We had just finished cooking ourselves dinner.
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85614_9239.jpg

Unloading the cars up on the mountain. We parked in the day carkpark and caught the shuttle bus up to the village. I'm adjusting my headgear, second from the right.
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...385619_768.jpg

Ben and his fiance Karina on the bus
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85620_1066.jpg

Pete and myself (left) on the bus
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85621_1387.jpg

Why do i always have to wait for the slow boarders!? Skiing FTW! :rofl:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85623_1993.jpg

We spent a good portion of the day building and using a jump on one of the quieter runs. Here's some pics of the craziness:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85625_2600.jpg

It's only a little one, c'mon we're all noobs (except Steve, pics soon!)
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85626_2951.jpg

Pete was quite happy just to watch at the start.:rofl:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85627_3257.jpg

Nick however, got straight into it!
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85628_3582.jpg

Steve got some good air too
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...385648_501.jpg
Pete says "that looks piss easy, i can do that!"...

We'll see Pete :p:

Good start
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85637_6502.jpg

Starting to look bad
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85639_7245.jpg

Oh dear, what happened Pete!? :ROTF::D
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85640_7578.jpg

It's ok, he's all good. :up:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85641_7917.jpg

Nick had a real bad jump towards the end, he was pretty sore after this one!
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85655_3043.jpg

Me having a go. I'm not much of an aerial skiier :p:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85657_3760.jpg

Probably Steve's best grab! :shocked:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85659_4514.jpg

And one last happy snap of the group before we left. I'm third from the left, in between Steve and Pete.
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...85668_7925.jpg


All up it was a ripper weekend. The company, the food, the snow, it was all awesome. Man, i need to find some hobbies that aren't so expensive!!:rolleyes:

*****

Nothing beats a good ski trip. Nice pictures!! ;)

It should be an interesting week if you keep posting. ;)

nice work Twwen2 - weird about the stock cooler though...:shrug:

wish I had the time (and money:rolleyes:) to go to the snow....oh well maybe next year.

Fan wire soldering: Burnt fingers and other fun stuff!

This has been done before, but i thought i'd show how i went about it. The pictures speak for themselves, but essentially all i did was to snip the last connector off, solder it to the middle fan's wire, then snip that connector off and solder to the end wire.

That was very badly worded, so just look at the pictures. :p:

The first cut
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000189.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000188.jpg

The second cut
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000191.jpg

First join complete
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000193.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000194.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000197.jpg

All finished. Notice that i forgot to shrink one of the wires before i soldered it. I have to get my hands on some black electrical tape to clean it up. :(
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000198.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000200.jpg

The EK backplate i've been waiting on has finally arrived, so the real work has finally begun. Thanks for reading and i promise more very sonn!

*****

:woot: for update - nice work and looking forward to pics of it coming together.:up:

Nice!! Can you take more pictures of the tubing please? Oh, and a quick review of it? I'm interested in it, but just unsure at this point. Thanks

Perfect!! Thanks for the soldering/splicing pics. I had a general idea how to do it, but your step by step photos really help. Now I know the sequence to put sleeving here, shrink here, then solder, then sleeve, etc.

How did you strip the fan wires in the middle like this??
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2425/im000191gf5.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kibbler

Perfect!! Thanks for the soldering/splicing pics. I had a general idea how to do it, but your step by step photos really help. Now I know the sequence to put sleeving here, shrink here, then solder, then sleeve, etc.

How did you strip the fan wires in the middle like this??

---

Yeah that was a PITA. I used the wire stripper to cut the insulation at each end, then used a razor blade to remove the insulation in between the two cuts. It was a bit fiddly but it seemed to work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueAqua

Nice!! Can you take more pictures of the tubing please? Oh, and a quick review of it? I'm interested in it, but just unsure at this point. Thanks

---

Sure thing. My first impressions are:
- looks great, especially under UV.
- is quite stiff. others may disagree, but it's definitely much stiffer than the masterkleer and Pro-LRT that i also own.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RealRedRaider

Great Work... :up:

I sure do wish we had mountains in Texas, oh well, that's why God made Coloado, so Texans would have a place to ski...:up:

---

I wish we had bigger mountains. Buller is good for a day or two, but it's not big enough for a weeklong stay. Look out NZ next year! :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

Yeah that was a PITA. I used the wire stripper to cut the insulation at each end, then used a razor blade to remove the insulation in between the two cuts. It was a bit fiddly but it seemed to work.

---

Thanks man, I'll give it a shot.

Fans and more Sleeving

The Lian Li V350 has 3 internal fans, two intake 120mm and one exhaust 80mm. They are black ball-bearing, fast and loud. Naturally they must be swapped out for something more appropriate! :D

The new fans are these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24114
They have orange UV-reactive blades and 4 white LEDs in the corners. They fit in great with the "orange and black" theme.

Here's my trusty workbench with everything laid out
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24114

We'll start with the stock 80mm fan
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000227.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000228.jpg

And it's classy replacement
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000229.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000231.jpg

Another arty-farty shot. Sorry these are so pretty, i just couldn't resist.:p:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000232.jpg

About to be attached with a trick sound dampener
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000233.jpg


Then i got to work on the 120mm fans. They are held in a cage of sorts, the pictures make things pretty clear i hope. :)
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000234.jpg

Just the final shots now:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000235.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000236.jpg


I decided to sleeve the internal case wiring. I used a combination of Techflex PET in 1/4" and 3/8".

Ugly bare wiring:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000238.jpg

Much better!
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000239.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000241.jpg

And the bigger front-panel connectors:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000243.jpg

Everything back in the case
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000246.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000247.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000249.jpg

Next up I get to work on the HD4870. Think EK full-cover goodness. Yummmmmm....:cool:

*****

Great job on the sleeving. It's something I'm not a fan of lol but your effort makes me want to do the same.

Awesome work twenn2! Looking forward to more pics and progress! Might get some more work done on my case this weekend seeing as we have a long weekend in WA.

emu

nice work twwen2! :up: picking up some pointers from you... :)

I've been lusting after some blingy fans like those xigmateks (or noiseblocker/gelid/nanoxia) for a while now, which doesn't make ANY sense since I already have brand new S-Flex's. You're not helping...:( Are there any performance tests for these newer fans?

Good work twwen2! It's looking good, the fans will make a nice addition! I sleeved most of my ugly cables today. Still not to happy on my case. I'm having a look at some full towers.
Keep giving the fans more of what they want! More updates! Are you showing the problematic case design photos?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

Great job on the sleeving. It's something I'm not a fan of lol but your effort makes me want to do the same.

---

Yeah it's a PITA but definately worth it IMO.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emuexport

Awesome work twenn2! Looking forward to more pics and progress! Might get some more work done on my case this weekend seeing as we have a long weekend in WA.

emu

---

Long weekends FTW! :p: I've got a week off now but i'll be away, so no updates after tonight.:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emoners

nice work twwen2! :up: picking up some pointers from you... :)

---

Cheers, glad i can help out :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kibbler

I've been lusting after some blingy fans like those xigmateks (or noiseblocker/gelid/nanoxia) for a while now, which doesn't make ANY sense since I already have brand new S-Flex's. You're not helping...:( Are there any performance tests for these newer fans?

---

Sorry bro, i couldn't resist myself. They're orange, which fits the build theme perfect. Malik has been using them too, they look great under UV. I've no idea what the fans perform like, i've got S-Flex F's on my rad and they're great. The orange ones will only serve as in-case airflow, so as long as i can't hear them on the controller i don't really care how they perform. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by switch8

Good work twwen2! It's looking good, the fans will make a nice addition! I sleeved most of my ugly cables today. Still not to happy on my case. I'm having a look at some full towers.
Keep giving the fans more of what they want! More updates! Are you showing the problematic case design photos?

---

Good job on the sleeving, i'll have to check it out sometime soon. More updates incoming!

Yes i have been having some serious problems with the case, but i've managed to push on and have found solutions to everything so far. Pics up shortly! :up:

wonderful update!
nice sleeve job... and those fans are awesome
btw, how noisy/silent are those?

Parts underwater, well not quite yet...

A few evenings ago i felt compelled to tackle the GPU. :D
Most people comment in their logs that taking the graphics card(s) apart is the scariest thing they have to do, i can testify to that! Usually the GPU is the most expensive part in the build, so it makes for nervous times. :p:

Now i've taken a few stock coolers off in my time, but none as large and heavy as this one. I'm pleased to say it went well. :)

Stock card
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000203.jpg

All screws taken out and cooler removed
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000205.jpg

EK full-cover block installed. Sorry i was concentrating so hard on the removal and installation of the block i forgot to take any other pics of the process. But most people are familiar with the deal, and the end pics are nice too. :up:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000208.jpg

Ok, as you can see, the card is still gonna take up two slots in the mobo tray thanks to the double-width PCI bracket. But i need all four available slots, so the bracket must go. But what can i replace it with...?

Koolance to the rescue!!! :rofl:

Yep, that's right, koolance make a single-slot bracket for Radeon cards. It's actually for the x1900 series, but ATi haven't changed their DVI port arrangement since.

The old and new brackets
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000212.jpg

New bracket installed
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000214.jpg
Walla! :up:

I decided to install my CPU and NB blocks while i was in the mood...:ROTF:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000252-1.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000254-1.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000258.jpg

I almost couldn't get the Supreme on. With the EK backplate installed under the mobo, the screws weren't quite long enough to allow me to screw the top nuts down. However i persevered, and after much cussing and pain i got them all on:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000259.jpg

Here's one of my favourite pics so far:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM100272.jpg

Now in my jubilation i whacked the GPU into the mobo and went to slide it into the case to take some happy snaps, and to my dismay i found this:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000252.jpg

Yep, that's right. Your eyes do not deceive you. The GPU block is too tall to slide the mobo tray in. DAAMIT!

"oh well", i hear you say, "you'll just have to install the card once the tray is in the case." Unfortunately it's not that simple. The internal HDD cage is the same height as the offending bar, and so card won't actually ever fit int the case! :eek:

So in my desperation last night, i decided to do some Xtremely noob case modding. Hey, everyone has to start somewhere! :p:

First to go was the HDD cage. Removing that involved drilling out the rivets that attach it to the case frame.
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000269.jpg

Then i grabbed my trusty hacksaw and attacked the frame:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000274.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000273.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000270.jpg

Now the card will slide in nicely :)
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000275.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000276.jpg

Unfortunately removing part of the frame has weakened the structural integrity of the case, but i found that once the mobo tray was installed with its thumbscrews it held together nicely. It's wasn't gonna fall apart or anything, but i could tell the frame was a little weaker. I'm not really worried about it, it's not like i'll be sitting on the case anytime soon...!:p:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000277.jpg

Here's a few more shots of the mobo & GPU inside the case. The pictures demonstrate just how much room i have to work with.

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000278.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000281.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000283.jpg

Here's a good side-on perspective
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000284.jpg

And a few more arty shots:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000285.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000286.jpg

That's it for tonight folks. I'm quite pleased with my progress so far, and am almost ready to install everything and plumb the tubing runs etc. Unfortunately for you guys, i'm going away with my family this next week, and so there will be no more updates until Friday at the earliest. Sorry for the delay, but one must live a family life too :D

Thanks once again for reading, i hope you guys are still enjoying the log.

Cheers :toast:
Tom

Awww... you should have sawed off the video card rather than the beautiful case :p:

Don't you hate it when stuff is made for the lowest common denominator instead of compatibility with the high end stuff? lol :)

looking good bro! too bad you had to hack a piece of the lili case

I think I'll go for this case in my next build, and this log surely has given me some great perspective!

Nice work :up:

Looking forward to some more updates when you get back:yepp:

Nice job! Yeah once you start cutting the crossbeams, you begin to realise how light and easy to damage aluminium is. =X

Taking off the mammoth GT200 heatsink took me some time. It was hard to get the top and bottom to actually split. A flathead screwdriver was my saviour =D.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IanY

Awww... you should have sawed off the video card rather than the beautiful case :p:

---

Never!!!:shocked: R3 would have had to shoot me :ROTF:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emoners

looking good bro! too bad you had to hack a piece of the lili case

---

Yeah i'm actually a bit dissapointed with the case. Don't get me wrong, it's simply beautiful, well built (quality wise) and did i say beautiful? :D

There's just been one too many times where i've found my self saying "FFS, what the hell were Lian Li thinking when they designed this part or that part..."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lagaaja

I think I'll go for this case in my next build, and this log surely has given me some great perspective!

---

Sweet, i look forward to seeing it. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dangals

Nice work :up:

Looking forward to some more updates when you get back:yepp:

---

Me too! Sorry everyone for the weeks delay, i'm so close the finish line was in sight...:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

Nice job! Yeah once you start cutting the crossbeams, you begin to realise how light and easy to damage aluminium is. =X

Taking off the mammoth GT200 heatsink took me some time. It was hard to get the top and bottom to actually split. A flathead screwdriver was my saviour =D.

---

Yeah alu is fragile, but nice to work with because it's so soft.:yepp:

And lastly i'm honoured to have the stamp of approval from R3. I thought you might like my choice of waterblocks lol :up:

R3 woud have lectured you into the virtues of importing a MM case lol

That EK GPU block is a sexy little number

a showcase of ek wbs... and of course your workmanship Tom :up:
nice touch on the stoppers for the gpu wb... now i wish i got some of those as well.
hahaha

hey bro, nice update! lol im seeing doubles "glancing over to my mobo"

thanks for getting that koolance single slot bracket, was wondering if it fitted or not
im just going to cut mine but i was still wondering lol

more updates! :up:

FULLY SICK SUBWOOFER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome work twenn2!!!
loving the pics. Natural light seems to work well with your camera.

hopefully i'll get some work done on my mod! Have a uni assignment to do that I have been putting off!

you on WCG yet? I just signed up.

emu

Yes those dreaded uni assignments =XXXXXXXXX

Prepared to be diagnosed with a new disease. Also expect a phone call from someone around your dad's age if you slack off crunching.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IanY

R3 woud have lectured you into the virtues of importing a MM case lol

---

ha, never!!!! They're too expensive anyway :eek:. This case only cost me $150AUD, it's gotta be the cheapest all-alu Lian Li on the market i reckon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YugenM

That EK GPU block is a sexy little number

---

Sure is, i just hope the acrylic doesn't crack on me. In my ideal world i would have a nickel block with acetal top, but EK don't do that combo and they don't offer replacement tops yet either.:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bianco

a showcase of ek wbs... and of course your workmanship Tom :up:
nice touch on the stoppers for the gpu wb... now i wish i got some of those as well.
hahaha

---

Thanks, what stoppers are you talking about?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by evil-98

hey bro, nice update! lol im seeing doubles "glancing over to my mobo"

thanks for getting that koolance single slot bracket, was wondering if it fitted or not
im just going to cut mine but i was still wondering lol

more updates! :up:

---

Yes, i was really excited when i found the bracket. Perfect fit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emuexport

FULLY SICK SUBWOOFER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome work twenn2!!!
loving the pics. Natural light seems to work well with your camera.

hopefully i'll get some work done on my mod! Have a uni assignment to do that I have been putting off!

you on WCG yet? I just signed up.

emu

---

:ROTF: What subwoofer? :D
Glad you like it!

Don't mention Uni assigments, i have four due the week after this, three on the friday. :mad:

I'm so glad the pics turned out ok. I've said before that it's just a POS (translated as Piece Of :banana::banana::banana::banana: or Point and Shoot. :rofl:) HP camera, but as you say it needs the natural daylight to produce pics of any real quality.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emuexport

you on WCG yet? I just signed up.

emu

---

I wish i could, but i don't have intraweb access in my room. The only PC with net access is the lappy in the lounge, and it struggles just running IE in windows XP! :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

ha, never!!!! They're too expensive anyway :eek:. This case only cost me $150AUD, it's gotta be the cheapest all-alu Lian Li on the market i reckon.

---

Yeah there is quite a price jump from mATX/ATX to full towers =X. My cases sell for $118 now. Cheap is so delicious.

Great work!!

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000275.jpg

OK, you fixed that little problem, but what if the tubing is attached?

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...d/tubing02.jpg

That's a very valid question.

The 4870 is gonna be in the furthermost PCI-E slot, so on the far right of that picture. I'd hope that the tubing could be pushed down to clear the frame. Note that this would only be an issue when i want to slide the mobo tray in or out of the case. In both these scenarios the loop would be dry/drained, thus reducing the risk of a leak due to my fiddling/pushing on the tubes.

However, if worst comes to worst i'll just have to install the card with the tray already in the case. I'll see how i go.;)

Thanks for ruining my evening! :(:p:

Lol, J/K:up:

I was just reading through all my sub'd threads for the 1st time a a week or two and was really enjoying seeing everything you had got done so far, then that 1st shot where the card with block on it wouldnt fit it in appeared and i shouted nooooooooo! I felt real empathy for ya at that point.
Glad you got it sorted, excellent pics with lots of nice details. really looking forward to more.:up::D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

Thanks, what stoppers are you talking about?

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haha. these ones
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000275.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

I wish i could, but i don't have intraweb access in my room. The only PC with net access is the lappy in the lounge, and it struggles just running IE in windows XP! :rolleyes:

---

I wasn't going to comment on this but we are so different. I pay for our internet access so I have it coming straight to my room.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by affiliate13

I was just reading through all my sub'd threads for the 1st time a a week or two and was really enjoying seeing everything you had got done so far, then that 1st shot where the card with block on it wouldnt fit it in appeared and i shouted nooooooooo! I felt real empathy for ya at that point.
Glad you got it sorted, excellent pics with lots of nice details. really looking forward to more.:up::D

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Wow it's great to see everyone getting involved. :) I promise there is more to come, you'll just have to look forward to next weekend.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bianco

haha. these ones

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Ah yes, the exquisite BP plugs. Very nice i must say! :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

I wasn't going to comment on this but we are so different. I pay for our internet access so I have it coming straight to my room.

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The joys of living at home with strict parents.:rolleyes: I know they just mean good for me, but sometimes i wish i was treated like an adult more often. On the whole i love my family, they mean everything to me.:yepp: Just little things like that which get on the nerves every so often.

lol I have cat6e cables running through my house. Wife doest mind too much as everything works! atm;) :D:rolleyes:

uni sux! whouda thought one degree wouldnt be enough!!;)
Only good thing is I'm not paying for it (work sponsored):cool::D

what are you guys studying? (besides XS!)

More pics!

ohh and where is that subwoofer!;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emuexport

lol I have cat6e cables running through my house. Wife doest mind too much as everything works! atm;) :D:rolleyes:

uni sux! whouda thought one degree wouldnt be enough!!;)
Only good thing is I'm not paying for it (work sponsored):cool::D

what are you guys studying? (besides XS!)

More pics!

ohh and where is that subwoofer!;)

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Haha, the sub is under the desk. Just a little logitech one, still fully sick bro tho :rofl:

I'm studying IT with a Security major at Monash Uni. Hacking and other fun stuff. :D
And in my spare time (or is it the other way around i wonder...) i study XS! :p:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RealRedRaider

Twwen....

You hacked a LiLi...:ROTF:

As IanY stated, if you wouldve bought a MM case, none of would have occured:ROTF:

Between you and Momo, I'm seeing some outstanding LiLi builds lately...:up:

Just remember that MM are Ascending to take over the World...Bawhahahahaha

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I wish i didn't have to hack such a fine case, but one must do what one deems necessary, for the greater good.:yepp:
:ROTF:

And true, i would have no space problems in a MM! But i can't fit an MM in my little room, nor can i afford to import one.

Sweet.....
You solved about 6 problems I was going to be facing with my next build....

So THANKS!!!:up::up:

Build is looking awesome so far!! Nice work. And, thanks for the great pics on the fan sleaving....

breezyjr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

That's a very valid question.

The 4870 is gonna be in the furthermost PCI-E slot, so on the far right of that picture. I'd hope that the tubing could be pushed down to clear the frame. Note that this would only be an issue when i want to slide the mobo tray in or out of the case. In both these scenarios the loop would be dry/drained, thus reducing the risk of a leak due to my fiddling/pushing on the tubes.

However, if worst comes to worst i'll just have to install the card with the tray already in the case. I'll see how i go.;)

Thanks for ruining my evening! :(:p:

Lol, J/K:up:

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:D
My V350 build is going to be pretty much the same, although I will use a much bigger radiator.
First I watch you making mistakes and such so I wont have to make them :up:

@twwen2 : where will the rads go by the way?

I love Lian Li cases too, especially this one for a small and powerful rig. It's nice to see you having fun with this build. If you just bought some parts and put it together in one night we wouldn't get nearly as much enjoyment out of it. :)

It's nice to see your hard work and to see it all come together. Keep it up. :clap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Breezyjr

Sweet.....
You solved about 6 problems I was going to be facing with my next build....

So THANKS!!!:up::up:

Build is looking awesome so far!! Nice work. And, thanks for the great pics on the fan sleaving....

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My pleasure, i'm glad my log is helping others out. :yepp:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ownage

:D
My V350 build is going to be pretty much the same, although I will use a much bigger radiator.
First I watch you making mistakes and such so I wont have to make them :up:

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Hah, is that how it is then! Twwen2 the guinee pig! :p: That's all cool, i'm good with that. It's satisfying having to solve each problem as it arises.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emoners

@twwen2 : where will the rads go by the way?

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The mighty PA120.3 will be mounted somewhere on/under my desk. I'm actually having a hard time working out how i can do it, so if anyone has any suggestions, fire away. :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueAqua

I love Lian Li cases too, especially this one for a small and powerful rig. It's nice to see you having fun with this build. If you just bought some parts and put it together in one night we wouldn't get nearly as much enjoyment out of it. :)

It's nice to see your hard work and to see it all come together. Keep it up. :clap:

---

Thanks for the encouragement! It really takes huge discipline on my part to resist the urge to just throw it all together here and now and get it up and running. But i love reading a good log and wanted to provide the same experience for others. Plus i get great feedback and suggestions this way too. :up:

XS FTW!

how about something like this?

http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/gal...b/v350b-07.jpg

from MDPC

Ahh, you see i already have a PA120.3, and i'm not buying another rad. I think you'll understand that the PA won't be going inside the case anytime soon! :ROTF:

The same exact thing happened to me except I was in my supra and I was run off the road by some dumb blonde in an AUDI A4, I spun around twice and BONKED the center divider (ruining a $2000 bumper and cracking an $800 BBS rim) She claimed UP AND DOWN that because she didn't hit me it wasn't her fault, but the judge saw right through her and sided with me, I'm not sure about how things work in Australia but with how :banana::banana::banana::banana:ed americas justice system is and the fact that I was fine without a witness, you should be compensated. Were you wearing your leathers?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HaCKs

The same exact thing happened to me except I was in my supra and I was run off the road by some dumb blonde in an AUDI A4, I spun around twice and BONKED the center divider (ruining a $2000 bumper and cracking an $800 BBS rim) She claimed UP AND DOWN that because she didn't hit me it wasn't her fault, but the judge saw right through her and sided with me, I'm not sure about how things work in Australia but with how :banana::banana::banana::banana:ed americas justice system is and the fact that I was fine without a witness, you should be compensated. Were you wearing your leathers?

---

Wow same scenario. Yeah i had my top half on, helmet, jacket & gloves. Was only wearing heavy jeans and sneakers down below though. The jeans didn't last long, let me tell you. :shakes:

Sneakers stayed on somehow though! :p:

I'm hoping (and quite confident) that with my witness stement and legal backing i will be fully compensated. It's all in the hands of the legal clinic now.:yepp:

I'll never ever get on a bike without full leathers. My father was a turn medic at Leguna Seca when he was younger and I grew up hearing about people getting burns under their leathers.

***Ok guys, just a little heads up***

As you can tell, i'm back from my little holiday. Tonight i thought i would set up the tubing runs and get that all sorted. Well it turns out that the Feser tubing is too stiff and thin-walled to be able to make the bends i wanted, so i'mma have to re-think my layout. This might mean cutting some more holes in the case, specifically the mobo tray, just above the I/O shield.

In the meantime i have requested some replacement rotary fittings from BP, my RMA has been received and they said they'd let me know when the replacements are available. I've no idea how long that will take, most likely a few weeks. I was just gonna use the rotaries anyway, but once i installed them i could actually see them starting to separate under the stress, so i'm not gonna take that risk.

Here's to waiting paitently... :toast:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

***Ok guys, just a little heads up***

As you can tell, i'm back from my little holiday. Tonight i thought i would set up the tubing runs and get that all sorted. Well it turns out that the Feser tubing is too stiff and thin-walled to be able to make the bends i wanted, so i'mma have to re-think my layout. This might mean cutting some more holes in the case, specifically the mobo tray, just above the I/O shield.

In the meantime i have requested some replacement rotary fittings from BP, my RMA has been received and they said they'd let me know when the replacements are available. I've no idea how long that will take, most likely a few weeks. I was just gonna use the rotaries anyway, but once i installed them i could actually see them starting to separate under the stress, so i'm not gonna take that risk.

Here's to waiting paitently... :toast:

---

Sorry to heat about more waiting. I know how it feels and that's why you need backup rigs. :)

The Feser tubing is a bit stiffer than Tygon, but what kind of bend were you trying to make?

+1 for spare rigs. Thankfully my previous rig is still operational.

The bend wasn't a really tight one, but a short section between two 45 degree barbs. The fittings were a bit too close together, which pinched the tubing i think. I'll see if i can get a pic or three to demonstrate.

Some good news: I got an email from BP this morning and my replacement barbs are about to be sent. YAY :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

+1 for spare rigs. Thankfully my previous rig is still operational.

The bend wasn't a really tight one, but a short section between two 45 degree barbs. The fittings were a bit too close together, which pinched the tubing i think. I'll see if i can get a pic or three to demonstrate.

Some good news: I got an email from BP this morning and my replacement barbs are about to be sent. YAY :D

---

I too had a connection I needed to make that was pretty close. I was originally going to use two 45 degree barbs but ended up going with two 90 degree barbs. Think something like that might work?

sexA!

Need moar airflow = Further nasty hacking of beautiful Lian Li case

Ok so here's the deal.
The case has two internal 120mm intake fans, which i've replaced (a few pages back). Also inside is an 80mm exhaust fan, also replaced with a more suitable candidate straight outa blingville.:rolleyes:

The 80mm exhaust fan is mounted on a perforated aluminium plate, shown in the pic below:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000228.jpg
As can be seen, there is probably more metal than perforation.:p:
A quick power-on test confirmed my fears, most of the air bounces back off the plate and is returned into the case. The grill is just too restrictive.:shakes:

So naturally something had to be done. Out to the shed!
Out came my trusty drill, hacksaw and metal file(s). I started by drilling some holes in each corner . I then used the hacksaw to cut between the holes, then finished the job off with a combination of files.

Here's a shot off the plate just before i put it all back together:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000323.jpg

Fan mounted on the plate
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000328.jpg

And the business side. I re-used the stock Lian Li fan guard (originally internal) to act as an external guard (but really to hide my awful cutting skills :ROTF:).
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000325.jpg
I'm actually quite pleased with the results! :)

The wait continues on the BP fittings. Give it a week and i reckon i'll be good to go :yepp:

*****

Good job. Restrictive vent GONE.

Update Time!

Well since we're all still waiting on the replacement BP rotary fittings, i decided to start installing some other components into the case. I started with the DVD and HDD, eventually finding a combination that works.

The Scythe fan controller slots in the other side, and helps to neaten things up.
Next to go in was the PSU. Man i'm running out of room already! :eek:

Just see for yourelves...

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000333.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000334.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000347.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000338.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000339.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000341.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000342.jpg
There is actually a small gap between the mobo tray and the fan plate, large enough for me to pass some cables out. Pump molex & rpm, rad fans and temp sensor.

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000345.jpg

And now the wait continues...

*****

So Twwen2... sorry that Geelong Cats lost to Hawthorn by 27 points :)

It's nice to see everything in the box!

I'm watching the Bathurst 1000. Murphy/Richards aren't doing so well:( Still a LONG way to go.

Coming along nicely twwen, I reall y want to see this finished ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

It's nice to see everything in the box!

I'm watching the Bathurst 1000. Murphy/Richards aren't doing so well:( Still a LONG way to go.

---

But... but... but... the F1! :p: (sorry I'm a bit of an F1 fanboy ;))

Looks really nice. Great cable management too. So you're going to have the pump and radiator outside the case?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

It's nice to see everything in the box!

I'm watching the Bathurst 1000. Murphy/Richards aren't doing so well:( Still a LONG way to go.

---

Lowndes FTW!! 888 w00t!

Good job mate.

lol well he didn't have to smash into our car on mountain straight GRRRRR.

Anyhoo with bent steering we are in 6th. Not bad huh lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueAqua

Looks really nice. Great cable management too. So you're going to have the pump and radiator outside the case?

---

hahaha I was gonna say the EXACT same things :D

Excellent twwen! More updates!
Looks great! Just a little more waiting time, then BAM! BP fittings your way!
Keep it up!

looking good twwen2!
btw, the dvd bezel... is that stock or painted black over the original white letterings? thanks man.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IanY

So Twwen2... sorry that Geelong Cats lost to Hawthorn by 27 points :)

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Ahh yes, we've moved on since then...:D I don't really mind, i don't even barrack for them. Twas a good hard-fought win by the Hawks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by .Logic

Coming along nicely twwen, I reall y want to see this finished ;)

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Me too :p:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueAqua

Looks really nice. Great cable management too. So you're going to have the pump and radiator outside the case?

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emoners

hahaha I was gonna say the EXACT same things :D

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Lol. YES! :rofl:
I'll have pictures soon. I'm actually really pleased with the pump mounting. I've still gotta decide where to put the rad though...:shakes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by switch8

Excellent twwen! More updates!
Looks great! Just a little more waiting time, then BAM! BP fittings your way!
Keep it up!

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Thanks bro. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bianco

looking good twwen2!
btw, the dvd bezel... is that stock or painted black over the original white letterings? thanks man.

---

It's the Pioneer 215BK, stock. No painting, straight out of the box. :yepp:

Pump & Radiator mounting

Ok i promised pictures of how i mounted the pump and now i deliver! :ROTF:
I also mounted the rad, there's some awful pics of that but they'll have to do for the meantime.

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000353.jpg
The UN pump brackets are teh bomb i tell you! :yepp:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000354.jpg

And now those horrible out-of-focus photos of the rad mounted
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000349.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000351.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000350.jpg

And lastly a shot of the case in position! This will be it's home for the next year or so. The EK res may well end up in that exact position, i'll have to experiment:
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000352.jpg

It seems that the new BP rotary fittings are finally making an appearance, so hopefully i'll have mine soon...:shrug:

*****

Those D-plugs on the rad, they're friction fit? You're not worried about...you know...the rad falling over and the fittings pulling loose?

Yes they're only held together by the force of the o-rings against the wall of the female plug. Thankfully that force is large! :rofl:

The rad won't be falling over anytime soon, as can be seen in the pic it is bolted to the side of the desk. ;)

Edit: Then again, the pic is so bad i don't blame you for missing it. In fact i wouldn't be surprised if i'm the only one who can see it! :ROTF:

Don't accidentally move your case too far or . . . . LOL.

Nice job and I like where you stuck the rad. Maybe if it was under your desk .. . . .. heater?

Looks great! You will barely notice that the rad is there (just don't forget it IS there!) ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MomijiTMO

Don't accidentally move your case too far or . . . . LOL.

Nice job and I like where you stuck the rad. Maybe if it was under your desk .. . . .. heater?

---

Ah yes, you see i have a ducted heating vent under the desk, so the whole area under there is nice and warm in winter. :up: Not quite the location for the rad, i'm sure you'll agree! By having it on the outside, it doesn't suck any warm air.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by switch8

Looks great! You will barely notice that the rad is there (just don't forget it IS there!) ;)

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Lol i'll try not to! That's what the BP disconnects are for. :yepp:

Great idea for mounting the pump and radiator. You really have chosen so many good parts for this build.

Have you thought about mounting the res on the side of the case? I just think those reservoirs are so much easier to work with when vertical.

interesting way of mounting the pump & the res...tho i'm not that crazy about mounting the rad away from the case. but anyhow, everything still looks good! :up:

Great ingenuity! Cute setup, although one wonders why you would put yourself through the pains of a small case lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IanY

Great ingenuity! Cute setup, although one wonders why you would put yourself through the pains of a small case lol

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Don't bring that up lol. Never again! :rofl:
I swear, next time it's gonna be a full-tower lian li or tj-07, I NEED MOAR ROOM!!! :shocked:

:ROTF:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

Don't bring that up lol. Never again! :rofl:
I swear, next time it's gonna be a full-tower lian li or tj-07, I NEED MOAR ROOM!!! :shocked:

:ROTF:

---

i went the other way around tj-07 to a sg02 but im really starting to like this mid tower LILIs :up:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by evil-98

i went the other way around tj-07 to a sg02 but im really starting to like this mid tower LILIs :up:

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Don't you dare start another build before finishing this one! :mad:

You never finished Homewrecker V2, and if you buy another case i fear that this one will go the same way... :down: :D

I am eagerly awaiting the next set of pics! Looking very good twwen! :up:

Looks great twwen2!

Some of those pics look like I took them! lol ;)

I think I now have an idea on how to use my "spare" PA120.3 while I wait for the AUD to settle down and let me afford a Ascension BDS-Extension.

emu

P.s. I do have to wonder what the thinking was for SFF and external rad not mounted to the case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emuexport

Looks great twwen2!

P.s. I do have to wonder what the thinking was for SFF and external rad not mounted to the case.

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Cheers Emu :)
Well i had the PA120.3 from my previous build, and paid a pretty penny for it too.:eek:
So as you can imagine i was not in a hurry to part with it, nor put it aside. I had to make it work. I'm sure you'll understand ;)

Edit: 1000 posts!!!! YAY :D

BTW

Got my learners permit today and first lessons tomorrow!

did you get it when the Xchange was 98c to the USD? Cos that was a much better deal than now (71c)

I do understand! I'm looking at mine wondering If I can hook it up for use when I am at home and disconnect it when I go to a LAN? That way I can have low temps and low noise at home and at a lan who cares about the noise!

More pics please! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by emuexport

BTW

Got my learners permit today and first lessons tomorrow!

did you get it when the Xchange was 98c to the USD? Cos that was a much better deal than now (71c)

I do understand! I'm looking at mine wondering If I can hook it up for use when I am at home and disconnect it when I go to a LAN? That way I can have low temps and low noise at home and at a lan who cares about the noise!

More pics please! ;)

---

You got PM!

Yeah thankfully i bought most of the wc gear back when the dollar was like 97US cents. :D Lost a bit through paypal though. :mad:

I thought i better clarify something. A few have made comments to the tune of "why didn't you mount the rad on the case". I completely understand that this being a SFF case, people presume it to be a LAN build. However this is not the case! (sorry, that was real lame)
I have never been to a LAN and probably won't in the forseeable future, so the case will most likely never have to move. Thus, portability is not a concern. Hopefully that clears things up somewhat. :up:

D= not a lan build. Blasphemy GRRR

I have been to 2 lans in my life, the ones were you pay and use their pcs. It was long and I was tired at 2am and my reactions were soooo bad. So yeah. Not too keen on lans but that's just me XD.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twwen2

Don't bring that up lol. Never again! :rofl:
I swear, next time it's gonna be a full-tower lian li or tj-07, I NEED MOAR ROOM!!! :shocked:

:ROTF:

---

although i LOVE what you have done here. That has just confirmed my choice for the TJ-07!

oh.. can you hear that.. sorry it was just the echo coming from inside the TJ-07! :up:

twwen2's hacking of precious Lian-Li case continues...

You guys should remember from a few pages back that i removed the HDD cage. I then mounted the HDD in one of the drive bays using a Scythe barcket some of you are familiar with.

However unbeknown to me, the bracket actually stopped the drive-bay cover from installing properly. This meant that when i put the case side panel back on, there would be an ugly gap.

So i had to do some more metalwork! :D

Here's the HDD installed in the bay. Note my sweet MS paint skills!
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000349-1.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000350-1.jpg

This one shows the bay cover unable to go in properly
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000351-1.jpg

The customary masking tape to protect the lovely aluminum
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000352-1.jpg

And the final cut
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...IM000354-1.jpg

Now watch it slide in
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000356.jpg

And without the ugly tape
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000357.jpg

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...g/IM000358.jpg

How awesome is that!!
I can't believe i actually did it without stuffing it up. :ROTF:

*****

Looking good. Keep it coming :)