Project :- miradorn / synchronicity / duplicity, You decide.

[GodsUnicorn]

My initial idea for this mod was to have two cases joined together in hopefully a seamless manner, one case to house the PC and the other to house the water cooling gear.

Ideas are the easy bit, I have lots of those, the hard bit is putting them into practice, so here goes.

First off get a couple of cases to bugger around with, I chose a pair of cases from a local PC shop. But when I got home and opened the boxes they had somehow changed into these ones, not what I had picked, but what the hell .

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/l_12010283%20(Small).jpg

First job was to take them apart and see what I have to work with, so it's out with the drill and remove the excess tin bits that I won't be using (at least not for their intended purpose).

The case became very floppy at this point.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20015%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20018%20(Small).jpg



I used a side panel from an old case to join the base together and a sheet of aluminium to join the back, Of course it had to be cut to allow access to the card slots and the PSU's. The more keen eyed of you will have noticed that there are two of them.
The tops are drilled and bolted together from the inside so they can be removed as one if the need arises (which it will).


http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Base%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Cutting%20Rear%20Pannel%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20019%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20020%20(Small).jpg



At the moment everything is bolted together so I can take it apart again for fitting brackets and stuff to accommodate the water cooling gear, and to paint the insides when the time comes, then I will use rivets to fix it all together for good.

Obviosly there is still a hod load of work to be done but at least I got it started, progress is likely to be quite slow as I only really get the chance to do any work on this on a Sunday, that's if the Wife and Kids leave me alone. (Can you belive it, they sometimes like to go OUT)

[GodsUnicorn]

OK just a small update to keep things rolling along.

I started off by cutting away the front of the case where I want the rads to sit, I will cut the rest away and plate it when I get some more metal to do it with.
A little tip, when cutting out areas of metal with a dremel, try to leave little 'bridges' uncut untill you are ready to finally remove it. I have had it happen where the cut metal slowly falls as you cut it and can sometimes nip the cutting disk, if your lucky it will just stop your dremel from spining, if your unlucky it will jump out of the slot you have been cutting and go skidding across your workpiece causing who knows what kind of damage.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20031%20(Small).jpg

next thing was to add some aluminium angle to the side of the rad

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20024%20(Small).jpg

and mount them on a PVC board that I had cut and fitted to the inside of the case.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20033%20(Small).jpg

Then add the fans on the outside.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Twin%20Case%20Mod/Case%20Mod%20036%20(Small).jpg

The aluminium plate is there to attatch the fans to.
I want to box the whole thing in with ally sheet to make it look as clean as possible, and make a small platform to sit the pump on.

My intention is to be able to remove the water cooling setup in one piece, as I dont want to risk any spills inside either case.

I will get a little more done this weekend if the weather holds.

[koola]

This is gonna be great :cool:

Nice mod ;)

[coolmiester]

Agreed...............not an easy task at all but it looks like your doing a great job.

Looking forward to seeing it all piped up but i guess you are aswell :cool:

[Leeum]

Keep it up :cool:

[GodsUnicorn]

I had said that I wanted to box everything in with metal, but I've had a change of plan (not that I ever had one), I was given 2 old HP printers which I quickly chopped up and fitted into the front and bottom of the case, hey presto, a rad cover and a pump platform.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Case%20Mod%20040%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Case%20Mod%20043%20(Small).jpg

They look a little manky at the moment, but a little bodge and a lick of paint will soon sort that out.
The rad cover had to be shortened, so when I cut it I left 2 little lugs which locate into slots cut into the pump platform.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/Case%20Mod%20041%20(Small).jpg

I have an idea to fix a couple of fans to the rear of the case and run some kind of ducting to the openings (which have yet to be cut) on the rad cover, but I cant decide weather to use some flxible tubing or to fabricate them from sheet aluminium.

[Lemmingzappa]

Just an idea, I think those printers would look sooo good if they were either glossy black or chromed *drools*.

p.s - I like the way your bed says bed on it, is that just incase you forget what it is :P

[GodsUnicorn]

OK time for another little update...


I did'nt like the PVC board I used for mounting the rads so I made another one....
First off I cut a plate from an old case.....

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180644%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180646%20(Small).JPG

Marked and positioned the rads and fans......

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180651%20(Small).JPG

Cut out the holes (better airflow that way I find) and mounted the plate to the front of the case....

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180652%20(Small).JPG

Mounted the fans....


http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180654%20(Small).JPG

And the rads......


http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180657%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180659%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180660%20(Small).JPG

And then tried the pump with its tray for size...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180663%20(Small).JPG

The reason for the tray is, I plan to run some wires and stuff under it, just to keep things tidy.

The next thing I want to do is to make a duct of some kind that will run from the rads to the back of the case where I will fit a couple of fans pulling cool air in, just not sure weather I want to make a duct or to use that flexi tubing you find on A/C equipment.

Thats it for now, but I have a coulpe of weeks holiday coming up soon so I should get time to do some more work.

By the way... this case is gonna be strong...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder/New%20Folder/P9180665%20(Small).JPG

[twistednet]

my god that thing is huge....

where can i buy one?

[Teebor]

COOL! I have been awaiting an update for this.

I love the two cases bolted together idea,, more more more please :)

I say get it into the ACRyan worklog contest :) :) :)

[GodsUnicorn]

Today I had a go at the facia of the water cooling side of the case, first I had to cut away any plastic that was in the way of the fans...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA040736%20(Small).JPG

And then fill them in again...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA040738%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA040742%20(Small).JPG
While I was doing this my son was butchering a helpless piece of MDF.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050745%20(Small).JPG

Next step was to cut out two holes to take the grills...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050746%20(Small).JPG

which I made from the mesh off a pair of old speakers.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050748%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050750%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050752%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA050755%20(Small).JPG

That done I decided I did'nt like the back of the case so it was out with the tin snips and dremel clone. This time I have gone for one PSU in it's normal place but I am going to have the other one at the bottom of the WC case so it will be easier to hide the wires coming from it.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060758%20(Small).JPG

[GodsUnicorn]

I also wanted to cover that ugly squared fan grill that is built into the case, so a little cutting and bending was in order...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060760%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060762%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060764%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060766%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060768%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060770%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060771%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060776%20(Small).JPG

I found an old HDD cage that I thought might do to house the pump but I'm not too sure I like it...we'll see.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060775%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/pa060774%20(Small).jpg

And finally a quick look at the insides as they stand at the moment...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/6%20oct/PA060781%20(Small).JPG

I think the next job will be to run some ducts from the rads to the back of the case.

[koola]

Wow, that's some nice sheet metal work :cool:

[Lemmingzappa]

Is the pump not going to have and trouble pushing water that way ?

[Aphex]

i think it should be ok, as long as there is a decent amount of water above it, i.e. have a res above it making sure the pipes are allowing water down easily.

plus once the system is going it should work anyway as there is no air to worry about.

[DR_D]

not all pumps are designed to run in all orientations, i would check the pump literature to make sure it will work that way before you mount it.

[GodsUnicorn]

I don't see why it would matter which way round the pump is, how many times have you heard people say " to get rid of any air in the system either tip your case or turn it upside down "
The res will be mounted externally above the pump so there will always be a good supply of water.

[|Slackster|]

Have to say that looks really nice and looks like your son's going to be a modder aswell when he grow's up:D

[Aphex]

even though ppl do say to tilt ur case to get rid of air the pump does make a not so nice noise i have found with a 1250... i might be making a u-turn on what i said, but the best thing to do would be to try it, just plug the pump in and try it on its side external from the case, is an easy way to see if there will be any problems!

[GodsUnicorn]

I think Paul is the man to clarify this, but I'm sure it will be OK.
If I'm wrong and have to change it, then so be it.

Thanks for the input guys.

[Teebor]

With the Eheim pumps they can be mounted at virtually any angle, but you have to make sure that the average water level is above the pump itself. This is to help with the flow into the unit as it is unable to self prime.

[J-Pepper]

Wow! I can't believe I missed this one, this is amazing!

Keep the updates flowing!

[GodsUnicorn]

I think I'm a little overdue for an update, so here goes......

I have been thinking about the ducting for the rads so it was off to B&Q for some gear and after a little cutting I had a nice pile of plastic bits....

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20010%20(Small).jpg

Waiting to be stuck together to become this....

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20006%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20016%20(Small).jpg

Which I didn't like, so back into the car for another trip to B&Q to buy some more plastic bits, slapped together they looked like this....

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20087%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20094%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20101%20(Small).jpg
Which again I didn't like so I thought, stuff it I'm not having a duct....Way to waste a day eh ?
So it was back in the car, this time it's off to buy some new toys.

[bawX]

If it makes you feel any better, I think it was a good idea. You'll probably see some big name company steal your idea. Valiant effort.

[GodsUnicorn]

OK I got my new toys.......


A fan controller
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20027%20(Small).jpg
Some sleeving
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20030%20(Small).jpg
And best of all a BMW Z4.
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20041%20(Small).jpg
Then after giving the car a good work out it was back to the case.
I had a good look inside and thought that the rad cover I had made was crap so I ripped it out and started again.
First off I re-mounted the rads on some ally angle which form ashroud with the fans fixed to it which in turn are fixed to the front of the case...
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20116%20(Small).jpg
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20128%20(Small).jpg
Then with some plastic I'd nicked from work I made a new rad cover....
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20135%20(Small).jpg
And mounted the pump on the rear wall......
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA180970%20(Small).JPG
The pump and rads will eventually have monkey fur between them and their brackets to cut down on any vibration ....
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA180975%20(Small).JPG

[GodsUnicorn]

Next it's the front to get a bit of attention, I have to make the two fronts become one, but the problem is thatI cant just bolt them together as they have beveled edges......
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA180977%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA180981%20(Small).JPG
What I did was to grab a few bits of scrap plastic and glue them to the front (looks bloody ugly but theres method in my madness) and then drill and bolt through the two touching sides...
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA191003%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA191000%20(Small).JPG
The white piece of plastic you can see on the front is an attempt to retain a good edge for the drive bays.
Then it's out with the fibre glass and bodge to fill the gaps, the reason for the plastic scraps is to give the Fibre glass something to grab onto as I want the front to be pretty strong, seems to have worked.
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA191002%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA191010%20(Small).JPG
http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/PA191018%20(Small).JPG

[Leeum]

This is amazing work! Well executed GU, look forward to seeing the rest...and you putting a dremel to that car ;) j/k.

[Teebor]

LOL Monkey Fur :lol:

That number plate can't be real can it?

If it is its awesome, and a really cool way to accessorise

[Aphex]

i think it is a mini car with a closeup, if u look the "gravel" looks quite large. props if it is your car and my bad!! starting to look very wkd, keep up the good work. could i make a suggestion, let us know what u will be doing next at the end of your post, keep us all with bated breath hehe!!

[GodsUnicorn]

OK you got me, its not a real car but I can dream can't I.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/New%20Folder%20(2)/Case%20Mod%20026%20(Small).jpg

Now onto the front....

Not much done today just a little filling and sanding, then a quick coat of primer to show up any points tha will need further attention...

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/20%20oct/PA201036a%20(Small).jpg

Looks OK from a distance, but when you get a little closer there are still a few lines from the origional design to be sorted, and I know the paint is as rough as a very rough thing thats been roughed up a bit, it was pretty windy when I sprayed it and as its just to pick up points that I have missed I was not too bothered.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/20%20oct/PA201037a%20(Small).jpg

I would like to thank Fivecheebs who kindly sent me some nuts and bolts that will allow me to mount a couple of fans in the PC side of the case, Cheers mate.
I had to cut some spacers as the fans can only be mounted one way without them.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/20%20oct/PA201025%20(Small).JPG

There ya go...done did.

http://unicornland.mythologybattles.net/20%20oct/PA201027%20(Small).JPG

I need to find something to put in the middle section of the front as it looks a bit sparse as it is (GU puts thinking cap on)

Next up (just for Aphex) will be to make a new facia for the fan controller, I'll do that on sunday, if I'm allowed.

[Teebor]

Lights, lots of lights for the middle section :D

How about a cpu usage meter? using 10 LED's and a controller board. They can go from Green up to yellow then Red and display the total cpu utilisation?

Or you could try and squeeze in a sideways mounted aerogate controller or a small lcd panel?

Just throwing some ideas.

That front panel is coming along great, if I hadn't seen it as two parts I would have thought it was build that way, nice work.

[GodsUnicorn]

How about a cpu usage meter? using 10 LED's and a controller board. They can go from Green up to yellow then Red and display the total cpu utilisation?



I like it......But I wouldnt know where to stat making one.

[Teebor]

Right, leave it to me. I shall try and find the details again.

I cant remember where it was but I am sure I can find it again. Leave it with me for a day or two. :)

If I remember rightly it was controlled by a piece of software (that was free) and the thing was hooked up to a serial port. Memory is sketchy but I distinctly remember it, as it looked like a good idea.

Problem is I wasn't into modding back then so I just glossed over it :(

**Edit**

Alright ok I couldn't sleep. :D

An eight LED module with software and construction directions

http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/cpumeter/


An absolutely amazing multi led tacho with software and other bits

http://goth1337.tripod.com/


Which came from this original thread, which also contains an eight led cpu meter (the thread was meant to continue on to show you how to make bigger ones but it seemed to die off :( )

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=59910&highlight=cpu+meter


Hope that helps