ABS/Tagan Black Pearl - evolution of a water-cooled rig

[shazza]

Thanks for the support, Xion, mt and Cpt


Here's some pics of today's prep work. Now, mind you, I had already spent several hours mulling over how to do this, but got serious today.


The panel, all nicely protected, and a template for the fan hole cutouts:






In fact, I got more templates than I know what to do with - thanks to MNPC Tech:






Not going to get very far with templates hanging all over the case. Hmmmnnn - here's about where the radiator goes, maybe this will help me figure it out:






OK - I'll just poke a hole in the right spots. Oops, wait a minute, can't go through the radiator. Guess I better open that sucker up:






mmmmmmm, great - it fits. But how does this help me figure out where to cut. Can't exactly get to the holes. Let's try putting the template in behind the fans:






Great - 'course, that still doesn't help me a lot, does it? I know from previous checks that the height is critical. With the hammond boxes under the radiator, it just clears the PSU. Did some pencil marks on top of the fans, some more measurements, and figured I was close.




This pic shows that there's just enough room for the quad radiator, should I decide to go that route:






Measured the distance to the center holes and edges many times, hoping like Hell I have the distance from the bottom correct:






On with it! Template taped, and removed the bottom bracket (and one of the side ones) so I could place it flat on the table.







Okay - almost ready to go. Drilled holes in each of the center holes (using the drill press). Started with a very small bit, then worked up to the same size as the arbor on the hole saw. These holes were drilled on the template which is on the inside of the panel - meant to be the guide holes, as I'll be drilling the large holes into the front of the panel.






Still with me? Trying to give you a sense of just how long this took me Apologies to those of you who have done this many times.


So, how'd it all come out? Stay tuned for the next update. If you don't hear from me, it could be I'm missing a finger, or my scalp (that one really, really scared me )

[ohms]

So, how'd it all come out? Stay tuned for the next update. If you don't hear from me, it could be I'm missing a finger, or my scalp (that one really, really scared me )

lets HOPE not!