--- r e f l e X i o n ---

[Xion X2]

That is really nice dude, I really can't wait for build pics

I know. The peanut gallery is really quiet in here. I think everyone is getting sick of renders and wants to see me get my hands dirty. I think I even lost shazza.

Shouldn't be too much longer. In the next couple of weeks you'll hear the screeching of metal being cut. Waiting on Cooler Master to ship the solid side panel to me so that I can prep it for the waterjet.

[shazza]

Nahhh, ya didn't lose me ... still reading every post and ooohing and aaaahhhing as I go.

[charles_h]

I'm really digging the renders and am looking forward to seeing the actual parts.

Keep up the great work!

[kgtiger]

Looks good.
What are you making the custom bay cover and pump mounts out of, perspex or ali ?

[Linuxfan]

Nahhh, ya didn't lose me ... still reading every post and ooohing and aaaahhhing as I go.

Same here.
Loving the renders, looks great... Nevertheless I can't wait for the real pictures! Its going to be amazing!

[W34513]

wow. been a while since i've been on XS. you've been busy. this is gonna be one sick pc...

[millertime359]

I know. The peanut gallery is really quiet in here. I think everyone is getting sick of renders and wants to see me get my hands dirty. I think I even lost shazza.

Shouldn't be too much longer. In the next couple of weeks you'll hear the screeching of metal being cut. Waiting on Cooler Master to ship the solid side panel to me so that I can prep it for the waterjet.

Naw, forum been quiet overall it seems.

[Xion X2]

Nahhh, ya didn't lose me ... still reading every post and ooohing and aaaahhhing as I go.

Ok, well I'm glad you're still enjoying yourself.

I'm really digging the renders and am looking forward to seeing the actual parts.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks, Charles. Great to see you around.

Looks good.
What are you making the custom bay cover and pump mounts out of, perspex or ali ?

The bay cover will be made out of ALU.. haven't decided the exact thickness yet. The pump mounts will simply screw down into the aluminum drive cage/mount atop a foam pad to prevent vibration. The SSDs.. well I'm still working on those, but the initial plan is to have them mount to a clear acrylic frame on the back end through the screwholes, giving them a floating appearance through the window as if they're suspended in mid-air.

Same here.
Loving the renders, looks great... Nevertheless I can't wait for the real pictures! Its going to be amazing!

wow. been a while since i've been on XS. you've been busy. this is gonna be one sick pc...

Thanks, good to see you back.

Naw, forum been quiet overall it seems.

Yeah, looks like everyone took off for the weekend.. everyone besides me. One of these days I need to step away from Max and get some sunlight.. at least that's what my friends keep telling me.

Well with all these renders I figured you guys may like to see a glimpse of some of what's behind them.



I haven't even had a chance to mess with Inventor yet.

I do have some specific build-related news. It appears as if I may have an inside contact for a local waterjet, so that, if true, would make my day. I should know soon, and my side panel should be shipped from Cooler Master by the weekend.

It's back to work for a little while tonight on the drive mount design. I'm not sure how much I'll be able to flex my brain cells tonight after meeting my monthly deadline at work. Right now, it's fried. And I'm downing one of these to help me wind down.

[liguhy]

Blue Moon...good choice. Tried Shocktop? I prefer New Belgium brand beers (especially Mothership Wit) and Boluevard Wheat, but Blue Moon is definately in the top 10!

[Neox69]

Shocktop is good... I do recommend!

[Xion X2]

Blue Moon...good choice. Tried Shocktop? I prefer New Belgium brand beers (especially Mothership Wit) and Boluevard Wheat, but Blue Moon is definately in the top 10!

Haven't tried Shocktop yet.. may have to give it a go.

I've taken some more measurements of the case before disassembly. I'm looking at two things in particular here: 1) the support rods on the front and back of the case which, as it stands, will get in the way of the custom bay cover I've designed, and 2) finding an alternate mount for the PSU to make room for the bottom RX240.

This first picture will probably look familiar. Never mind the blue clips as they've already been taken out as shown in the last build update. I'm just showing this to point out the support rod that stretches from the drive cage all the way to the back of the case.



Not too visually appealing, is it? Not at all, but it suits its purpose well which is supporting the overall case structure while providing an easy way to unlatch the side panel.

There are four latches on the support rods that correspond to grooves inside the side panel. I'm resting my finger next to one of the latches here:



The latches are controlled by a release lever that is located on the back side panel under the outer shell:



By pushing on that lever, all latches release to the left and the panel simply releases from the top down.

Here's another shot. You can see that it's screw-mounted to the drive cage with standoffs.



The mounting won't be a problem since the bay cover will fit snugly against the drive cage. I can simply use shorter standoffs or file these down and then screw them into the bay cover. But the same can't be said about the ridge along the edge of the drive cage.



That ridged edge that pushes up against the support bar would need to be cut off to make room for the bay cover to slide on and over the drive cage.

So this support bar is an ugly yet important piece. It's not something I could just do away with without possibly compromising the case structure and ease of use. So if I can't get rid of it, well, maybe I could possibly move it.



Looks like I have about 1 3/8" there between the bar and the top groove to work with. I figure the closer I can get it to that top groove the better as it should blend in better with the case frame. I'll just need to ensure that whatever distance I move it up that I also match the distance on the panel so that the latches still line up with the grooves.

In looking at the back of the case I notice a connecting panel that looks to solidify the motherboard panel while providing a way to hide some wires. I can see that it's secured in place with rivets.



That piece will have to go to make room on that left side for the bay cover to slide on. I'll just have to find another way to support the back panel if it needs it.

In a rather ambitious and likely unpopular venture, I'm looking at mounting the PSU in an alternate location. Recognize this from before?



Where the fark is the PSU, they're asking. Good question.

The idea I have is to install it in the bottom of the bay up towards the front of the case to make room for the RX240 on the bottom. I have two concerns with that. 1) Heat exhaust. Obviously, I don't want the PSU heating up my case since it won't be able to exhaust out the back, and 2) it doesn't fit into the drive cage!

#2 can be easily remedied. I'll be taking the entire frame apart to powdercoat, anyway, and can just cut a custom drive cage wide enough that will fit the PSU and just ditch the stock one (I won't be using the drive cage for optical drives, anyway.. it'll be filled with pumps, res' and SSDs.. pfft we're at Xtreme Systems, remember?)

#1 still has me questioning my sanity.

In the name of aesthetics only am I considering doing this, because it won't be easy. Obviously you want all your hot components exhausting out of the case if at all possible, so I will have to figure out some way to vent the PSU from the front, be it venting holes drilled in the bottom of the front panel or whatever it may be. There are no intake fans that would interfere with pushing hot air out the front since the build will be watercooled. Air will intake straight up from the bottom and down from the top through the radiators, but not from the front.

For aesthetics.. I just have to keep chanting that to myself. I'm loving the symmetry of the design thus far and must have that 240 in the bottom where the PSU normally sits.

One good thing would be that, since the PSU would be mounted on the bottom (and would anyway with the Cosmos design,) a vent can be cut for it to intake cool air through (the HX1000 has a 120mm fan on its bottom.) This would allow it to operate at cooler temperatures and significantly reduce the heat dump into the case.

Of course, even with this if I don't vent the bay cover/PSU somehow then it's possible (probable?) it could turn itself into a steambox with a hot PSU sitting underneath two water-filled pumps and res tops. Wouldn't that be a treat. I could just sit it in a sauna and everyone would be giddy. Free steam baths all around, courtesy of refleXion.

So there are some of my crazy thoughts for the night. If you made it through all that, well, then I look forward to seeing you at my next update.

[millertime359]

You have an intake at the bottom of the case, so shouldn't be a problem.

It's nice to see some work to go along with the renders.

[Xion X2]

You have an intake at the bottom of the case, so shouldn't be a problem.

That is true.

This actually could work out well, I think. The PSU would be facing the right direction. It vents the opposite side of the wire bundle, and obviously you would want the wire bundle facing toward the component side, leaving the side that vents at the front panel where venting holes could be cut into the custom front panel.

[Weevil]

That is true.

This actually could work out well, I think. The PSU would be facing the right direction. It vents the opposite side of the wire bundle, and obviously you would want the wire bundle facing toward the component side, leaving the side that vents at the front panel where venting holes could be cut into the custom front panel.

Could you make a cowl on the back of the power supply and vent it down and out the bottom of the case?

[Armitage]

Looks good, but I will admit. I want some more real pictures

[Xion X2]

Could you make a cowl on the back of the power supply and vent it down and out the bottom of the case?

Thanks for the suggestion! The intake fan is on the bottom of the PSU (which would pose a problem since you'd be cycling warm air back through the intake,) but you could simply mount the PSU upside down to compensate.

To force warm out through the bottom would take some force, so are you thinking a hood-like fitting with maybe an exhaust fan at the bottom? That's certainly not a bad idea.

I guess the only concern I'd have with that is I had planned to pull air in through the bottom radiator, and I wouldn't want those fans cycling hot exhaust air off the PSU.

Can you imagine a PSU with a push/pull config like that, though? No temp problems there.

[CptDreadFlint]

Looking great, matey! Keep up the great work!

[Xion X2]

Looks good, but I will admit. I want some more real pictures

Thanks. My insanely ambitious ideas take time to plan.

Looking great, matey! Keep up the great work!

Thanks, Cpt! Quite a project you have going there, yourself.

[Weevil]

Thanks for the suggestion! The intake fan is on the bottom of the PSU (which would pose a problem since you'd be cycling warm air back through the intake,) but you could simply mount the PSU upside down to compensate.

To force warm out through the bottom would take some force, so are you thinking a hood-like fitting with maybe an exhaust fan at the bottom? That's certainly not a bad idea.

I guess the only concern I'd have with that is I had planned to pull air in through the bottom radiator, and I wouldn't want those fans cycling hot exhaust air off the PSU.

Can you imagine a PSU with a push/pull config like that, though? No temp problems there.

Or you could flip/reverse the fan inside the PSU to blow down taking air from inside the case and blowing it out the bottom.

[Touge180SX]

releX, looking awesome and can't wait to see more!

Not sure if it matters, but just wanted to let you know that the HX1000 has a 140mm fan, not 120. Just a heads up.

Keep up the awesome work and more pictures now!!

[Xion X2]

Or you could flip/reverse the fan inside the PSU to blow down taking air from inside the case and blowing it out the bottom.

Yeah, but then that would be much simpler than what I had suggested, and where's the fun in that?

See, this is why I'm glad that I have you guys here. Sometimes I'm too busy mapping out the next hundred possibilities and miss the easy solution. I think you pretty much nailed it here. Just reverse the fan on what is now the intake so that it pulls air down through the bottom of the PSU instead of up through it. This will create airflow starting at the vents on the right of the PSU down through the 140mm "exhaust" fan on the bottom.

My lone concern left is that I still wouldn't want the bottom fans on the radiator to be cycling that warm air off the PSU, but since they'll be 8-10" over to the left it may not affect temps too much. Given that I've seen much better temps in the past from pulling air into the case through rads instead of pushing air off(and, in effect cycling warm case air through the fins,) I'd like to keep this part of the design in effect.

I'll take a few pictures and create new renders that will better show this new idea tonight. Thanks for helping me map this out in my crazy brain.

releX, looking awesome and can't wait to see more!

Not sure if it matters, but just wanted to let you know that the HX1000 has a 140mm fan, not 120. Just a heads up.

Keep up the awesome work and more pictures now!!

Thanks, Touge180SX! Yes, you are correct. I actually knew that but said 120mm.

Something else I could do, if for nothing else than peace of mind since I'll be changing the PSU's original design slightly by reversing the natural airflow, is to replace the stock 140mm fan with something a little stronger that pulls more air. I think I'd feel a little more secure with this decision if I did that just to be on the safe side. If anyone has any suggestions on a good 140mm fan replacement then feel free to share it.

I have a couple 120mm fans which I'm certain could start hurricanes in Chile (157cfm rating) but no good 140mm.

[millertime359]

That is true.

This actually could work out well, I think. The PSU would be facing the right direction. It vents the opposite side of the wire bundle, and obviously you would want the wire bundle facing toward the component side, leaving the side that vents at the front panel where venting holes could be cut into the custom front panel.

Seeing you are putting the logo on the front, maybe just cut it out and put some black mesh behind it. That could be your vent and it might blend in pretty nice. You could even put a couple of LEDs in there.

There are extension cables that will allow you to patch the power cable to the back of the case. I found one and posted it on Shazza's build. I think I just googled "PSU patch cable" or something like that and found it. There is a new build on MDPC where he striped that patch cable down and sleeved the wires. It blended in really well.

[Xion X2]

Seeing you are putting the logo on the front, maybe just cut it out and put some black mesh behind it. That could be your vent and it might blend in pretty nice. You could even put a couple of LEDs in there.

There are extension cables that will allow you to patch the power cable to the back of the case. I found one and posted it on Shazza's build. I think I just googled "PSU patch cable" or something like that and found it. There is a new build on MDPC where he striped that patch cable down and sleeved the wires. It blended in really well.

Thanks, millertime. That's not a bad idea at all. The transition from the side graphic would have to be pretty seamless, though--even when the machine is powered off. I think that backlighting it could work well while it's powered on, but I'm not sure how good it would look with the power off since the side will be acrylic underlay and the front would be mesh.

I'll be taking a look at this and trying to finalize the front panel design in the next few days. I do appreciate the suggestion and will keep it under consideration.

As always, if anyone has any suggestions or feedback about the project, good or bad, I'd like to hear it.

In build-related news (since I know you guys want me to start cutting on this sucka ) I'm getting an estimate for the side panel work today. If I can complete the mounts for the SSDs then I may be able to cut both them and the bay mounting frame this weekend.

[millertime359]

Another idea would be to drill holes in the acrylic on the front if it would match a little better.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[kgtiger]

Hay Xion X2 I feel that if you are pulling cool air from the bottom of the case for the bottom rad, then you should also be pulling cool air up from the bottom for the PSU and exhausting out the front, as hot air rises it want be sucked back in from the bottom. You would just need to inclose the PSU in the custom drive cage with only a hole to allow your cables through. That way you could put a chrome ring around the hole like the ones you are going to use for the tubing.

As for the challenge with the custom drive bay. "By the way I should let you know that I know nothing about this case" But I have work with steel fabrication for 20 years.
Do you really need to keep the section that crosses the HHD bay?
Would three locking latches be enough to hold the door on tight?
If so you could remove this section along with the mounting bracket that the standoffs use. Hope you understand this next bit.

If the custom drive cage is say 150mm wide, then cut the support bar down by only125mm. As the support bar is a channel you will need to cut a piece out of the top and bottom edges, just mark where you want the bend to be, e.g. at the 150mm spot that lines up with your custom drive cage.
You will need to give yourself say 1mm more than the 150mm mark for the metal to stretch and give you room to put the custom drive cage in.
After you have cut the edges out and before you bend the support bar you should drill a hole in the support bar, (actually you should drill the hole before you cut anything, this will give the support bar strength and stop it from moving around).
One all cut and before you bend round off edges then bend to 90 degrees with pliers.
Now you can mount the support bar to your custom drive cage and have room to boot.

Hope this all makes sense Xion X2, and keep up the good work.