[Case Gallery] AMDVidia v2.0

[johnnyfiive]

To view this case mod, go here.



Specs:
AMD Phenom II 920 @ 3.5GHz
MSI K9A2 Platinum 790FX
G.Skill DDRII 800MHz 4x1GB
XFX GTX260 Black Edition
Acer AL2016W 20" Widescreen LCD
Thermaltake PurePower RX 600W Modular PSU
Scythe Katana II Heatsink
Noctua NF-B9 92mm Fan (CPU Heatsink)
Noctua NF-S12 120mm Fan (Intake)
Noctua NF-S12 120mm Fan (Exhaust)
Western Digital 74GB Raptor HD
Seagate Barracuda 320GB HD
Samsung DL DVD-RW+/-
HEC Black Steel Case
Razer Lycosa Keyboard
Razer DeathAdder Mouse
Razer eXactMat Mouse Pad
Senhessier HD485 Head Phones
Logitech USB Mic (awesome mic!)
Creative 2.1 Speaker Setup - Over 6 years old!

Painted the inside of the case a semi-gloss black to match the exterior. Installed a side panel window using Lowe's plexiglass (crummy btw). For edge trimming I used Autozone's edge trimming for cars. Dremeled out sections on the motherboard tray for better cable management. Dremeled out the front and rear stock fan grills for better airflow. Dremeled out the majority of the hard drive slots to free up unused space. Used Lowe's provided screws and washers to mount the hard drives in the optical bays. They were mounted backwards for better cable management. Installed foam on both side panels, bottom of the case and top of the case for sound dampening/dust trapping. Installed two white cold cathode lights for bling. The next change will be a Phenom II 940.

 

[steelkane]

Black with white light is awesome looking, That combo looks the best to me, great clean modding.

 

[johnnyfiive]

Thanks Steel! I too think black cases with white lighting look best. Flows well.

Just to give you guys an idea of what I was working with, here is my case in its stock form:

Here is how the back of the case looks now, rats nest.

I will eventually be replacing the sata cables with right angle 24 inch black sata cables and might possibly sleeve the other cables. For now all funds are saving for the awesome Phenom II 940.

 

[kid41212003]

Nice, I voted 9.

I would pay you $50 to re-route the cables, and clean up my case.

 

[johnnyfiive]

Nice, I voted 9.

I would pay you $50 to re-route the cables, and clean up my case.

Thanks kid! If you lived by me I would take you up on that offer without question. I need a Phenom II!!!

 

[johnnyfiive]

I see a couple 5's and a 6. Suggestions?!

 

[NeoCrisis]

even tho your wires are out of the way its still a bit messy. Use some zip ties or sleeving to get the loose ones a bit more tiddy and organized

 

[spearman914]

I see a couple 5's and a 6. Suggestions?!

Maybe do a paint job. Black is like a not so good color to me. But don't do it right away.

 

[t77snapshot]

Awesome rig, great specs! I don't see a lot of white cathode on black themes (very cool). The only thing I would add are some black sleeves for the cables on the bottom to blend in better.

 

[johnnyfiive]

Awesome rig, great specs! I don't see a lot of white cathode on black themes (very cool). The only thing I would add are some black sleeves for the cables on the bottom to blend in better.

Thats eventually the plan, thanks! Right now all the funds are going towards a Phenom II 940. After that I will sleeve the cables and I also planning on a water cooling setup.

 

[t77snapshot]

What kind of spray paint did you use? (exp: auto, home, interior, exterior?)

 

[johnnyfiive]

Auto paint. Duplicolor Semi-Gloss Black enamel.

 

[tzitzibp]

if those cables at the bottom were hidden, you 'd get a solid 10!
anyway.... this is a well thought project, clean application of proper mods, which provide superb airflow and looks. Welldone!


chk my rig... http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/1832.html

 

[johnnyfiive]

thanks tz!

 

[Zax85]

Technician from Denmark

Nice job, but use some more cable management.

Negative things:
-Cables are a mess(use zip ties)
-Too many fans(dust collector)
-AMD Phenom and not Intel Quad or C2D(which performs better in most test's) - EDIT: Without overclocking!

Positive things:
-Very beautiful case(a VERY nice job)
-Sound dampening(foam)
-Nice white light and not just standard blue

 

[johnnyfiive]

Nice job, but use some more cable management.

Negative things:
-Cables are a mess(use zip ties)
-Too many fans(dust collector)
-AMD Phenom and not Intel Quad or C2D(which performs better in most test's) - EDIT: Without overclocking!

Positive things:
-Very beautiful case(a VERY nice job)
-Sound dampening(foam)
-Nice white light and not just standard blue

Cables I will be sleeving so I don't want to zip tie them up yet. Too many fans!? You can never have too many fans! I only have 3 btw. AMD Phenom and not an Intel Quad core... thats not negative lol.

 

[t77snapshot]

Where did you get your sound dampening foam? Is it just regular open cell foam or is it a sound proofing brand like AcoustiPack, 3Alink or Frozen pc?

Do you notice a large or small difference?

 

[johnnyfiive]

The foam I got from work from misc. packages. Its just basic foam. It made a noticeable difference, no doubt. My raptor was stupid loud prior to adding the foam. Its MUCH quieter now. Airflow is fine and the temps are pretty much the same. As long as you position the foam right and don't obstruct airflow, you should be fine. I prefer the AcoustiPack foam but I'm not going to pay that much for FOAM. Its just thin foam and adhesive on the backside, thats not worth what they are asking. I bought a $4 can of spray adhesive and got free foam from work. Works for me.

 

[Laurijan]

I voted.. vote for mine too

 

[Konceptz]

The Hottest Setup I've Seen All Year Long!!!! Keep it Up....

 

[Silverel]

Black and white is nice looking. Overall an excellent case. I like giving suggestions though

The Noctua fans look really out of place. I know the performance is good on them, but they're flat out ugly. Always been their main detriment.

Your I/O shield looks out of place on the back, as with the bottom PCI device.

Aside from that, your rig is like hot sex.

 

[johnnyfiive]

Thanks Silverel. I know the Noctua fans look out of place, but I can't deny their quietness and performance. The look of them has grown on me big time, I plan to use Noctua fans on my radiator as well. As for the I/O panel, I should paint it... hrmmm weekend project?

 

[Silverel]

There's gotta be some kind of guide to taking those fans apart and getting them painted.

 

[johnnyfiive]

There's gotta be some kind of guide to taking those fans apart and getting them painted.

Hah! Noctua should release a special series of fans that are black with different color blades. THAT would be awesome.

 

[johnnyfiive]

I voted 4/10 because:

fair

You gotta at least tell me why? Suggestions don't hurt.