Shazza's Modest Mountain Mods Build

[just a noob]

naekah, if you are referring to our beloved n00b admin, you're incorrect, or color blind, whichever, because its not pink :P

[NaeKuh]

naekah, if you are referring to our beloved n00b admin, you're incorrect, or color blind, whichever, because its not pink :P

oh shoot we better run now.

when he comes back from CES, you and i are both DEAD.

[shazza]

OKay ... back on track

Well ... not really. As this post has little to do with my current water cooled build other than I consider it penance - and practice at cable management. Finally tore my air cooled i7 build apart and put it back together right - at least 80% there. Gosh, air cooling is boring (no offense, anyone).

I absolutely cannot be considered going for aesthetics over performance in this build. Those Noctua fans are just plain ugly - but, they work. My goal with this build was QUIET (with the ability to get a bit of gaming in):

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Good stuff shazza, that case is really a beauty

[just a noob]

considered some yate loons/sanyo denki san aces? those aren't so ugly in my mind, and they can be fairly quiet

[twwen2]

Nice Shazza!

I was wondering when someone was gonna use the A20 in a build, i have been umm-ing and ahh-ing over it for some months now. Looks great!

[omaryunus]

great work there shazza

[dingdong555]

WOW Shazza!

I actually have to move my head forward to see the cables! (Not because of the small photo :P because there are only a FEW)

Awesome work with the cable management!!!!!

[phinix_mike]

Beautiful build there Shazza. I love to watch all your pictures.. DSLR rules

[shazza]

Back on track to my MM build. Still working on getting some decent photos of the whole case. Here's some examples of work in progress:

[theseeker]

Great sleeving and very clean as usual!

[SiGfever]

shazza,
Have you considered switching the DVD and the display?

The build looks great.

[shazza]

Great sleeving and very clean as usual!

shazza,
Have you considered switching the DVD and the display?

The build looks great.

Thanks, guys. I'm willing to consider anything at this point ... figure I'll tear it down tomorrow to try some different arrangements. AAAARRRGGGGHHHH, as much as I love working with the inside of Mountain Mods cases, I just have such a hard time making those bays look decent.

I definitely would order powder coat next time ...

[just a noob]

what don't you like about the anodizing? the fact that nothing matches it?

[Nemon]

Very Clean! I like it!! How many fan do you run per channel on the Scythe Kaze master?

[PradaG]

Back on track to my MM build. Still working on getting some decent photos of the whole case. Here's some examples of work in progress:

this is an outstanding build - alot of hard work went into it & it def shows

& I LOVE THOSE 45 DEGREE FITTINGS!

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Shazza, when you put in your own background try to put a black one in a new layer them burn it up to raise highlights in certain areas, this creates a more realistic and attractive effect than a gradient

[shazza]

what don't you like about the anodizing? the fact that nothing matches it?

I like the basic anodized finish ... BUT, with the mountain mods case, the bay covers in particular have a slightly different finish - actually more noticeable when trying to photograph. Not too worried about matching things like the DVD drive ... that can always be stealthed.

Very Clean! I like it!! How many fan do you run per channel on the Scythe Kaze master?

It varies from 1 to 3 ... but I do have my rad fans on the controller (3 fans soldered into one lead). It's still controlling, but looks like I blew out the LED ??? Dunno, got another on order though.

this is an outstanding build - alot of hard work went into it & it def shows
& I LOVE THOSE 45 DEGREE FITTINGS!

Thanks ... yep, those fittings are a delight.

I'm gonna sleep on it, but thinking seriously of ripping this apart and getting it powder coated I'd like to try a totally different case, but I love the horizontal mb and all the room inside.

[shazza]

Shazza, when you put in your own background try to put a black one in a new layer them burn it up to raise highlights in certain areas, this creates a more realistic and attractive effect than a gradient

Gracias ... good idea. I was just playing around with the background, and learning as I go, so I'll give that a shot. My $500 lights don't measure up to your pro setup, but I'm having fun trying different things. Your photos inspired me to try a little harder

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Gracias ... good idea. I was just playing around with the background, and learning as I go, so I'll give that a shot. My $500 lights don't measure up to your pro setup, but I'm having fun trying different things. Your photos inspired me to try a little harder

I'm glad dude, I'm gonna send you a pm in a bit, I have some software I think you will like

[ranker]

Hey Shazza,

I was wondering why you oriented your Duality front in the manner in which you did (with the bay drives on the bottom). I threw away my original UFO Horizon and purchased a CYO Extended Horizon just so I could invert the face to get the bays at the top to make it easier for me to swap DvD's (my case sits on casters on the floor).

Did you run into some difficulties with the bay drives on the top as opposed to the bottom?

[shazza]

@ ranker ... you know, I've had them both ways. I ended up going with the bays on the bottom because I wanted to set my reservoirs on the top of the bay casing. I thought this might lead to vibration, but no issues - so I decided to leave it as is. My case sits on my desk, so the location of the optical drive isn't a problem.

I am the master of trying to figure out how to fit components in without having to use additional screws / holes / etc. (cause I have no skills in that area). I'm sure you'll be able to come up with a much better way to mount everything. I may still try the (UN) Designs brackets, but so far things are sturdy and quiet.

[ranker]

@ ranker ... you know, I've had them both ways. I ended up going with the bays on the bottom because I wanted to set my reservoirs on the top of the bay casing. I thought this might lead to vibration, but no issues - so I decided to leave it as is. My case sits on my desk, so the location of the optical drive isn't a problem.

I am the master of trying to figure out how to fit components in without having to use additional screws / holes / etc. (cause I have no skills in that area). I'm sure you'll be able to come up with a much better way to mount everything. I may still try the (UN) Designs brackets, but so far things are sturdy and quiet.

I see I see.

I'm finishing up my H2GO build I haven't had much time to do a "dry" run for my new CYO extended UFO. I initially wanted to have the bay drives at the top for the sake of access to the dual DvD drives and in order to have room to place my 3 XSPC Res top + pump on the bottom most PA120.3 all mounted to the PA120.3 by use of the UN Designs fan + mount brackets. My goal was to make draining easier by keeping the radiator and pumps at the lowest point in the loop. However, I do realize that by doing so, the bay drives would make things a lot "messier" by keeping them up top with all the power/sata cables cluttering things up. When you tried it with bay drives up top, did it make cabling and tube routing more complicated? easier? no difference?

[shazza]

For me, keeping them on top made wire management more cumbersome, but I'm sure it can be overcome. My drains are very convenient to use, although the use of the 90 degree fittings is controversial and probably not absolutely necessary. I did, however, try the CPU loop with no 90 degrees and found no temp difference - so went with the shorter tubing.

My disclaimer is that I am not an extreme OC'er ... so I define performance as decent temps and ability to run the system very quietly when I want to. How it looks is actually secondary, although I like things neat and tidy.

[ranker]

For me, keeping them on top made wire management more cumbersome, but I'm sure it can be overcome. My drains are very convenient to use, although the use of the 90 degree fittings is controversial and probably not absolutely necessary. I did, however, try the CPU loop with no 90 degrees and found no temp difference - so went with the shorter tubing.

My disclaimer is that I am not an extreme OC'er ... so I define performance as decent temps and ability to run the system very quietly when I want to. How it looks is actually secondary, although I like things neat and tidy.

Haha, no need to worry about a flame or anything. My questions are purely for assisting me with my newest MM build. I've had a Horizon for the past two years: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=150496

I wanted an update to the Horizon so I went with my new CYO Horizon case. Out of all the cases, you've done the best with wire management. As a result I'm seeking your advice on optimal orientation for the sake of routing and cable management disregarding the performance part of the equation.

I appreciate all the insights you provided so far.

One other question, as this is my first build with an anondized paint job, I'm looking for bay covers to cover up the slots I'm not using. Would you suggest the anodized bay cover or the acrylic ones? I've used the acrylic ones in the past with my powder coated ones, but I'm wondering if the anodized ones are better.