Sneak Peak of in progress mods to "Main"-Update: Side Panel (56k warning)

[GAM]

Here's a link to pics of current 'in progress' mods to my main PC, aptly called, "Main"
http://www.gam.net.au/pcmods/sneakpeek/index.html

Summary of stages represented:
- Earlier mod to fan holes, CPU side vent (air duct) and handles.
- Previous cable management mod is great but needs refinement. The TTBT accessing and mounting alternative works very nicely too.
- 'As good as new' mod... sort of. Reduced the rpm of my 6800GT, in "Server", to 3800 from 4400 and dropped 4c degrees. I thoroughly cleaned the GPU heatsink and fan!
- Recent front bezel 'MeshX' centre piece and front intake for front fans.
- The most recent window mod has been a real pain. Very fiddly and time consuming... badly planned (i.e., unplanned ). Nearly there, but still a bit to do yet.


I have been taking photos as I go. I'm endeavouring to put together a few guides on the subject... down the track.

Cheers

[jimwah]

Looks good GAM, got my opty in one of those boxes -- some tidy fan guard removal there

[GAM]

Cheers jimwah. All the fan grills were removed some ago. There's an error on one of the front ones. I didn't change from the 92mm to 80mm holesaw before I started... oops Actually been quite a few 'oops' along the way.

[jimwah]

I'm the master of 'oops' so no worries there. I don't even attempt mod's more complex than cable tying things together anymore, I'm a danger to myself & others with power tools

[smopoim86]

Looks good.

"oops" is not the word for when i thought i destroyed my v2000b side panel modding it. I put two 120 intaks on the left side just before the mobo tray.

[GAM]

It's a dodgy photo (out of focus), but there is a subpanel, lower right, that houses two 120mm intake holes. One for a fan over the PCI slots and the other for the CPU HSF intake.
http://www.gam.net.au/mods-main/snea...89.25a.crp.htm
(haha, my wife just popped by and had a look at the sidepanel. "What have you done? That looks st." LOL, well it does at the moment, as it is still covered with various protective/guide tape, pencil/texta lines etc. )

The following shot shows the original sidepanel mod where I cut a 120mm hole for the CPU intake and a 92mm hole for the GPU fan. I had the GB GA8i945p-Pro in the case at that time and the CPU was located a good 25mm or so further back. That hole well and truly took out the latch. I wanted it back (as I seem to open and close my case all the time ), hence all the fiddly, trial and error, work refitting the latch into the window.
http://www.gam.net.au/mods-main/snea...45.25a.crp.htm

@jimwah, I love powertools , but I get a bit carried away sometimes .
@smopoim86, there were a couple of occassions where I thought I'd totally ruined my sidepanel, like the first mod which took out the latch, and during these current mods. I've managed to recover though, fortunately .

[Sparky]

Hmm, looking good! And don't mind some of those oops moments, it is what can sometimes give a case character

I have an unfinished case project as well, unfortunately with me being at school I really can't do much with it. Good thing is, it is for my brother so he gets to pay for everything bad thing is he doesn't have much money so I'm limited what I can do but I think we can work within the small budget. Besides, by the time I get time to work on it maybe he'll have more money to play with

[GAM]

Side panel window with latch, CPU intake and GPU/PCI side fan... done!

Still things to do like replace certain screws, painting/finish? (at least touching up), remove material from front 'door' (top), replace ex-TTBT fan in side panel, build CPU duct from clear acyrlic?, cable management mod refinement (replace certain cables, expand some holes, etc), attempt to cover up/rectify mistakes, etc... off the top of my head

Some pics (150-250KB each):

[GAM]

Because I didn't plan ANYTHING with this mod, lots of trial and error time spent working this out right (note the errors too-fan holes too big ):

[GAM]

Hmm, looking good! And don't mind some of those oops moments, it is what can sometimes give a case character

I have an unfinished case project as well, unfortunately with me being at school I really can't do much with it. Good thing is, it is for my brother so he gets to pay for everything bad thing is he doesn't have much money so I'm limited what I can do but I think we can work within the small budget. Besides, by the time I get time to work on it maybe he'll have more money to play with

Let's hope he's got the money to let your creativity flow uninhibited

[GAM]

Couldn't help myself, in the absence of the intended full worklog/guide, I have to post some updates on the latest touches to the front panel... now, let there be some light!











Sorry about the quality of the pics, too lazy to get the tripod out for the 'lighted' shots. ...next time.

btw, the acrylic on the front panel is actually purple and the side panel window is a black tinted colour.

[GAM]

Additional notes:
- Most visible fans behind acrylic (new) are clear, non-led Antec Tri-cools.
- All CCFLs and LEDs are white.