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MicroFly/Qpack MODernize

M

MKmods

Case Mod Guru
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
5,697 (0.90/day)
Location
Nevada
System Specs
System Name Crossflow III
Processor AMD 965 (4.04Ghz)
Motherboard Asus Crosshair III
Cooling Air
Memory 4 gigs Mushkin 7-7-7-20@1T
Video Card(s) single 9800GT
Storage Raptor 150's in Raid0
Display(s) LG Flatron 24"
Case Custom
Audio Device(s) AuzenTech X-Raider W/OP637
Power Supply Custom modded Corsair 750HX
Software Win 7 64/Solaris Utility
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06--21963 so far
Oct 15:
OK I have finally settled on the final design for this build. Due to my constant chatting and off topic romps this thread has gotten quite long so if you get bored easily skip to Page 53 and the final build will commence there


A few years ago I began fiddling with comps. I entered my first comp into Ultras Mod contest, because of the help from TPU members I managed to do well.
alumultra-1.jpg


The prize was $500 worth of Ultras stuff. I grabbed a few cases and one of them was a Microfly (Qpack clone stretched and extra 1.5"). I gave it to a friend and forgot all about it till last week, he wanted a tower and brought me back the Microfly.

After watching a few threads on the SFF cases I noticed that the companies still refused to correct the poor design of their SFF cases. So this log is to show how a few simple things can transform the SFF case into a winner.

Here is what most find out when building one
Qpackpict.jpg

By mounting the PS above the mobo its a mess and there is barely room for a mATX board.

Now I have nothing against mATX boards but using a full size ATX just gives you a larger selection and more options.
 
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Ok here is a shot with my old water cooled SFF (Crossflo) case inside the Microfly case
Picture004-1.jpg

(this is a water cooled SFF comp I made to show others at PDXLAN)

The Microfly case is just too long (unneeded). I shortened it an inch so it would be same as the qpack.
Also there was so many holes to fill I just made a new case.
here is the Microfly shell
Picture003-3.jpg


Here is what I came up with
Picture007.jpg


Its the same width, height and depth as the qpack. Notice I mounted the PS below the mobo
Picture005-1.jpg

The PS will be drawing air/heat from the back side of the mobo.

1 other advantage is any PS will now fit just fine, no need for a short PS.
 
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ON the bottom MK how about old school Drive pull outs that.

350X253-scsiexpanderIIdetails.jpg


Yet use SSD Drives in them instead.

I would tie the SATA cables into the bottom of the board and make it ghost like.

On water cooling I don't see you using the PCI slots I do see you using the PCI-E slots. How about taking to old PCI cards cutting the top of them and then sticking a res on top. The pci Slots would hold the res in place. I would run the rads on top of the box just because they look cool! I would not even bother putting a DVD-Rom in the machine. Just use a USB/firewire....I wish they made a Wi-Fi drive....or if someone could make one.

That's my ideas off the top of my head for now:)
 
Just had an idea I've never seen before.


On the front on top besides using a DVD-ROM why not go crazy madness with USB hook ups? It would look mad cool IMO. As you know you can hook up to 127 USB in a chain. It would be cool to see that on top with clear plexiglass/grill with the drives on bottom in the old school looks/new tech inside.

Just another crazy idea lol
 
well I was thinking of having a hotswap Hdd rack that removes from the front (lower front) so we are on the same page there.
However soldering wires for 127 USBs would take all the fun out of the build:laugh:

PS: thanks for the ideas (but there is no way I could afford SSD's)

I am gonna mount the mobo and PS to the mobo tray and its removable. I have been modding wires for his Freakiness and decided to do some for myself (Individually sleeved wiring) Basically I am gonna use female plugs mounted into the mobo tray and individually sleaved wire jumpers to connect from the mobo to the female plugs
Picture008-2.jpg


I cant wait to show you what my plan is for the 9600GTs...
 
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So is this going to be an Air Cooled machine?

Cool idea with the plugs I can see that in my head.

I wonder with the USB yea that would drive a man nuts....If they sell or could have made chains of 10.

Just 5 deep would give you 50 plugs lol

Did you like the idea of using the PCI slots to hold a res on the board?
 
Very nice so far! You gotta tell me how that AsRock does, I've been eyeballing it!
 
You are hard to keep up with (lots of killer ideas) make sure you write them all down so we can use them in future builds.

This is gonna be my Lan comp so air cooled, handle in front, and plenty of windows to see the inside.

I also like your idea of the hidden Sata wires. Normally I solder all the wires on the back of the mobo but I cant afford a messup (no extra mobos, lol) so the plugs should be pretty sweet.

ShadowFold said:
Very nice so far! You gotta tell me how that AsRock does, I've been eyeballing it!
Click to expand...

I really like it (my first ASRock mobo) The onboard wireless is cool, there is very good onboard sound. The only thing I dont like is there should have been better spacing between the PCI X16 slots. (Its OK but would have rather had 2 spaces between each card instead of 1)
One benefit of the close spaced PCI X's is I can use my Asus D1 sound card on it.

I got the board OpenBox from Newegg and it came complete, so thanks Egg...
 
Hye mk remember those LED chains at lowes?

Could you make that into handle with heavy wire inside. Kind of like holding a Easter basket. One that is rectangular So that it would fold onto the front and not look like a handle, but easy to lift up(because it's round) and carry it like an easter basket? The handle could fall down one notched when lifed up into a sping puch lock so it would sway when your walking with it.
 
lighted handle, nice
 
i'm here, Mark! nice to see a SFF case modded to the core. i will be glad to contribute with some great ideas as soon as i get some :D
 
Glad you stopped by Odin Eidolon..I just got up and when I can see straight I will begin with a bit of wiring.
 
MKmods said:
well I was thinking of having a hotswap Hdd rack that removes from the front (lower front) so we are on the same page there.
However soldering wires for 127 USBs would take all the fun out of the build:laugh:

PS: thanks for the ideas (but there is no way I could afford SSD's)

I am gonna mount the mobo and PS to the mobo tray and its removable. I have been modding wires for his Freakiness and decided to do some for myself (Individually sleeved wiring) Basically I am gonna use female plugs mounted into the mobo tray and individually sleaved wire jumpers to connect from the mobo to the female plugs
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/Partspicts/Picture008-2.jpg

I cant wait to show you what my plan is for the 9600GTs...
Click to expand...

:) thanks again and that will look SICK!!!!!
 
Thanks freaksavior:respect: for letting me experiment on ur cables...I am gonna try a bit of it on this mod.
 
Looks like a big improvement so far.
 
Thanks CD and welcome...
 
MKmods said:
Ok I am doing a bit of wiring today. Here is a shot of the 8pin power for the CPU under the mobo tray.
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/Partspicts/Picture012-2.jpg

I am making all the wiring custom length. I cut the wires to length than crimp on a new terminal
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/Partspicts/Picture016-1.jpg

Than just a bit of solder to make sure the wire wont fall out, lol
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/Partspicts/Picture018-1.jpg

I have been sleeving wires for freaksavior and decided to do the same on this one. Here is a shot of the 8pin on top of the mobo tray
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo142/Partspicts/Picture019.jpg
Click to expand...

that my old psu MK?
 
I'm glad to see someone using the idea of case mounted modular PSU :)

I've been wanting to do something like that for a while, I've just not been able to make a custom case!

I really like the ideas earlier about the slide out HDD's/CDROM, would be a nice touch, and go with the inside theme.

Just make sure you have enough airflow for the PSU ;)
 
Just caught eye of this. LOVE the modular PSU built into the case! Makes modular PSU's look like nonmodular compared to your version!

Can't wait to see the rest of the build MK. Good to see you doing a SFF too :)
 
nice. look forward to seeing this completed. that HX620 was a ba psu. sadly it wasn't enough power for me
 
DanishDevil said:
Just caught eye of this. LOVE the modular PSU built into the case! Makes modular PSU's look like nonmodular compared to your version!

Can't wait to see the rest of the build MK. Good to see you doing a SFF too :)
Click to expand...

Well than the next thing should be kind of fun to see. I gave up with the sleeved wiring (just to messy) Il post some picts of my new idea tomorrow.

Thanks for dropping buy guys.

This is a teaser
Picture028.jpg

freaksavior said:
nice. look forward to seeing this completed. that HX620 was a ba psu. sadly it wasn't enough power for me
Click to expand...

LOL, that 800 was a monster,(wish I had kept it now)
 
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I love it already! :) I'm kinda glad you went with this idea instead. The super short sleeving didn't really look that good (maybe it would have looked cool if you somehow encased the individually sleeved wires in watercooling hose...I dunno the idea just popped into my head :p). This is awesome. The mobo itself has modular powah!
 
Basically the mobo will plug into the mobo tray.
 
Sounds sweet as hell. I'm extremely surprised that you and a few other epic modders around here haven't been dragged away by some company's special agents and tortured until you give up all your brilliant ideas :)
 
Sad, but true. It's more fun to do it yourself anyway right? :toast:
 
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