Lutfi's Old Case Upgrade, Step-by-Step Build Record
Lutfi's Old Case Upgrade, Step-by-Step Build Record
Hey everyone, friends and watercooler guys! From these recent threads started by toolmaker and modo (including in the thread discussions by Rubix, ryan, muffin) and a few other people I can't even remember now, I took a look at my case that's been sitting around my store room for about 3 years with no use of it... here is what you need to know! In 2004-2006, I modded an old el-cheapo Chinese case onto this thing. Then in 2006/7-2008, I overhauled it to new specs and did another mod later on. Sorry, I don't have any more photos of the inside because I thought it wasn't necessary (and at the time in 2006, I wasn't very familiar with Tom but was working with hardware). Here is a couple of shots of it now [:lutfij:1]... don't worry, I can still manage cables inside it perfectly fine. I replaced the plastic feet with stainless steel knobs and also used those SS knobs to hold the FP - acrylic, but they are smaller in diameter. I purposely designed the case so that the FP acrylic acts as a skirt and hides the feet from being seen instead of just like a monolithic Face-plate... actually face plastic 😛 if you look closely at it, most of my wires run under the case... like my KB mouse/camera charger and all those other gadgets that make a desktop messy. * specs wise - its just bare now. But I'd want to turn this into a server/low power/surfing rig which will also be under water cooled - I know I don't need it, but... I'd really like to do it. NO - I don't want it capable of playing Crysis on a 24" LED TV just the internet stuff. well, I was thinking about watercooling it sometime around near the end of this year but i'd like ALL your opinions on it. ** on modo's thread where recon-3d linked a Phobya case review, I thought "hey, I could also get anti-vandal switches too" I would love some feedback, especially after I want to have two anti-vandal switches: Power Reset thanks mates! P.S: this is what the watercooling parts/markup looks like since I can't remove the heat inside the case via air cooling, so I thought move the heat outside with watercooling..? *** and for all those who're thinking how this case went from 2008 - bust... well that was when I got my RE X48 and the heattrap inside this case was insane [:lutfij:2] - so I switched to the Tt Spedo I have now. OR start from scratch with a new case? Thanks for taking the time to read this [:lutfij:3]. Updates [:lutfij:3] 04-26-2012----> I want everybody's opinion on this "to be build log" thread title given. 06-22-2012--->decided to name the project : Vintage case mod via -Jackson 06-27-2012--->thread titled Lutfi's Vintage Case Mod , Build Log
That situation seems over, so you might want to upgrade your PC. Since this is just a normal computer for browsing, why stick with that when you could get a decent mid-tower instead? Also, do you still like your high-end water cooler? I used my full copper one back then and threw it away after three uses because the copper looked too ugly inside the case. I'm wondering if buying a plexiglass top model would be better for you?
hehe, thats the point of posting here: i want to see what all Tom's modders think about my idea. But i am also open to options, and actually taking notes, so please pitch in with your thoughts - just don't troll me.
lol...i didn't get the HF yet...i'll own the Full Copper Raystorm for the AMS and this build too. The anti-vandal switches will be orange+the 5mm LED on the res will also be orange. For the copper rad: not going compression's because they are expensive. i don't want to break my bank, unlike my AMS build courtesy of martinsliquidlab.org if plexi top, its...erm, it shows off the copper nicely with a little LEDing using 5mm LEDs. I'd keep the HF plexi vanilla sans the LED, just the res/switches. Case innards will be full black - matte black cans to do that for me, and sleeving - if i'm patient enough will be carbon fibre grey. <--if people say this is one way of bringing life into this baron case
Well, if I put in all my time and effort, you'll get something super pretty. Lots of paint job and maybe some special parts for the front to give it a nice look. You'd love that cool project history!
thanks - vote 1 for doing it. I will be making the front panel in two pieces. The modders mesh on the front of case and with the SS knobs have a 10mm Acrylic face (frosty or clear) where I'll put the anti-vandal switches (kinda like this pic but minus the terrible red test-tube switch thing-a-majiggy). I will order it IF this build is worth pursuing.
I think it's a cool idea to fix something up that was already broken. It feels like taking an old junker car and making changes so you're not just keeping it as it originally came, but making it your own. Also, where are those parts coming from that you use for the WC'ing?
thas frozencpu.com usually, but I like to mix and match parts from other sites as I did with my AMS build. However, now I want to grab lots of parts from one site fast... should this be the way? Junker :lol: - i am not going to race against an Evo 😛 just get it in shape so i can go to the grocers
I used to drive an Evo...the fun car I've driven most outside of a Turbo 911 (that wasn't mine). It's not quite the 600hp, 18-foot drag boat we had when I was young...it just had a 508ci Chevy engine. Sorry about that detour back to work now.
Ahh okay I thought it was frozencpu but wasn't sure. Yeah all you have to do is get up and go back to work, plus maybe drive downtown once in a while to show off my handy trick. 😛 Pretty cool analogy I guess, hehe. I love that idea actually though. Anyway, thinking about using an old case from my first desktop to make a radbox for some WC'ing project sometime this summer when I get money or have a job 😛
@ rubix - nah mate... a little (or lots) of fun won't hurt this thread, it's just to help me see how much value others put in my build i value everyone's opinion though. When I lived in the Middle East, my dad had a Peugeot... really cool car, old school but fun then came the Chevy Caprice Classic - man they aren't called gas hogs for nothing! drank like a camel but went fast as a rat on Tabasco sauce - with 7 people on its back 😛 reminds me of the overkill conversation we had nearly a year ago... 😀 :lol: with homeboy on that fancontroller thread. @ jrwizbang - we need modo promoted to modder master moda (modo+yoda) hahaha and then you can be his apprentice/padawan... oh the wonderful stuff bursting in my mind and it just hit me, will need stand off to mount rad ontop of case roof - route tubing through the back - drilling holes to accommodate WC'ing grommets. @ wolfram - I'll take suggestions to what sorta stuff I can add inside the case as well - for the HDD's. Though I can mount SSD on the back of mobo tray - nearly 1" of space between tray and panel.