UltraBlue

[markkleb]

I love deals so when I saw RadioShack.com had the Ultra Aluminus case on sale for $49 and their Ultra 500 watt PS for $9.99 I had to get one. The case is so sweet to work with(there is a lot of room inside). After I got the case I saw they had a Mod Contest at Ultra. I only had 2 weeks but it came out ok (i won).
My main thought in building this comp was Awsome cooling and Effeciency.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/FRONTLEFT.jpg

Here is the inside
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/ALUMULTRA.jpg

And this is where all the wires went..(notice my new custom PS)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Fullsizewires.jpg

[werty316]

Very nice and those Ultra Aluminus cases are slick cases but too bad the Radioshack in my town sucks. I used to have a Chieftec Dragon which is similar but sold it as I hated 80mm fans for cooling and the HD cage got in the way of my video card.

[Das Capitolin]

Very nice setup you have there. I am curious if all the wiring junctions are just for looks, or have a higher purpose?

Very nice and those Ultra Aluminus cases are slick cases but too bad the Radioshack in my town sucks. I used to have a Chieftec Dragon which is similar but sold it as I hated 80mm fans for cooling and the HD cage got in the way of my video card.

That's why their web site is the only place I visit.

[markkleb]

I am constantly changing parts. The insides of the ultra blue are now inside my Highly modded and shortened Qpack case(even the SLI).

The junction blocks allow me to remove the mobo or add acc. more easily.Also they are compleately nylon and do not need solderless terminals(cheaper for me) and cant be shorted out.

And werty316 if you go to Radioshack.com they have a bunch of good stuff, Free shipping on $50 orders, This week they have Ultra 500watt PS with modded cables for free with rebate. I have received 4 rebates from them, they have a special deal if you agree to give them between $3-5 they process the rebate in 3 days.

[Das Capitolin]

Do you have more photo's? Perhaps some work in progress images? I would like to see what you started with, and how you arrived here.

[werty316]

Yeah I noticed that Ultra 500W PSU for $0 after mail in rebates and Radioshack doesn't ship to Canada.

Also are those FlexForce cables soldered to the back of the motherboard rather than just plugging them in from the front? I guess you don't have any warranty left?

[markkleb]

Yeah I noticed that Ultra 500W PSU for $0 after mail in rebates and Radioshack doesn't ship to Canada.

Also are those FlexForce cables soldered to the back of the motherboard rather than just plugging them in from the front? I guess you don't have any warranty left?
With a $9.99 PS the last thing I worry about is the Warranty...lol

[werty316]

I don't have acces to this Photobucket album.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4610/clipboard01ej3.jpg

I mean the warranty on the motherboard.

[darkorb]

i cant see the pics

[tomato]

Wow, sweet mod markkleb! And very impressive since you only had 2 weeks to complete it ;) :) You should talk to our resident water cooling guru sbrehm :) I sure you could both exchange some tips and what not...

[darkorb]

that is a really nice rig, i have to get a new case. crapmped ass hell. gj man, that is really nice. did u sauder the psu stuff onto the back of the mobo?

[markkleb]

that is a really nice rig, i have to get a new case. crapmped ass hell. gj man, that is really nice. did u sauder the psu stuff onto the back of the mobo?
Cramped?, I am putting my DFI Expert, 7600 gs in SLI and 2 HDDs in a Qpack case that I shortened, and its not gonna be cramped. I call it CrossFlow.

Just got to learn to be organised.

And to you Werty316 usually I buy stuff Refurb at Newegg so guarantees arent that important (you can always unsolder the wires if you have to)

And sorry I am kind of new at this forum/posting picts thing. I hope the admins dont get mad. Here are a few picts,
here is the stupid HDD cage in the way of incoming air
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1219.jpg

here is the cage gone
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1224.jpg

here is the origional front
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1217.jpg

here is the cooling tube
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1382.jpg

simplicity
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1314.jpg

Dam, where did that wire go?
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1498.jpg

Hdds and AC12 fan(that everybody insists cant be mounted in front, lol)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1387.jpg

Kama Bay cooler for HDDs
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1394.jpg

[darkorb]

wow dude that is a really really nice computer. what are ur specs to top it all off :p

[markkleb]

Origionally DFI Expert/Opty 148
4 Hitachi Sata2 HDDs in Raid0
XFX 7600GS in SLI
Audigy 2 Plat
Geil ONE mem
Ultra Xfinity 500 PS
Swiftech H20/CoolRad Rad

than I changed the mobo to a Epox 9npa+ SlI
and built a custom PS with 2 AC8 fans and side exiting wires.
And Used 3 WD 160Gig Sata2 16mb buffer HDDs

Now its just a shell in my closet, lol...

(anyone need a case?)

[darkorb]

ur not using that comp anymore?!?!

[markkleb]

Im making a new one, im putting all that stuff in a Qpack case.(except the H20)

[Bio-Hazard]

I've seen that work somewhere before under a differant name or something..........;) Might have even been on these forums a while bad. But the wiring and such is exactly the same, also the Newegg Refurb parts and warranty thing.........;)

Nice work though..........:) Although I'd never do a board like that, makes things way to time consuming to replace parts

http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8356

[Absolut352]

Really nice looking. Im crazy about hiding wires too. But i have never soldiered in my life and dont like the idea of trial and error with my hardware. I usually route everything behind the mobo tray and tape it to the underside. Out of site out of mind style. How long did it take u to hide those wires?

[markkleb]

I've seen that work somewhere before under a differant name or something..........;) Might have even been on these forums a while bad. But the wiring and such is exactly the same, also the Newegg Refurb parts and warranty thing.........;)

Nice work though..........:) Although I'd never do a board like that, makes things way to time consuming to replace parts

http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8356
My Red Chrome comp, it was my first try at hiding wires. But the Rad was a double and mounted outside.(notice the 4 HDDs and KamaBay fan(same ones)
http://wiring101.blogspot.com/

[Kougar]

That is one very nice looking case markkleb! My tastes tend go towards the blue part of the spectrum, but even your Red Chrome get up looked pretty good. Almost missed those extra pics you edited in later tho'!

Not only does it look good but that is some hardcore modding! I see you painted the PSUs, HDDs, and all of that aluminum too? ;) It's really amazing how much of a difference that black paint makes.

I have an old hulk of a Antec SX1040BII case that is basically almost completely identical except for the HDD arrangements. If I'd seen these kinds of mods when that was housing my main rig I would definitely have attempted some of what you've done, especially with all the front grill/bezel work. I assume the motherboard bracket/plate was your doing and not original to the case as well? The more I look the more I can tell you spent some serious time putting that together... ;)

[darkorb]

that is actually amazing. there are 0 wires. u dont wana see mine

[werty316]

I am the same with hidding and folding cables as much as a case has room.

[markkleb]

That is one very nice looking case markkleb! My tastes tend go towards the blue part of the spectrum, but even your Red Chrome get up looked pretty good. Almost missed those extra pics you edited in later tho'!

Not only does it look good but that is some hardcore modding! I see you painted the PSUs, HDDs, and all of that aluminum too? ;) It's really amazing how much of a difference that black paint makes.

I have an old hulk of a Antec SX1040BII case that is basically almost completely identical except for the HDD arrangements. If I'd seen these kinds of mods when that was housing my main rig I would definitely have attempted some of what you've done, especially with all the front grill/bezel work. I assume the motherboard bracket/plate was your doing and not original to the case as well? The more I look the more I can tell you spent some serious time putting that together... ;)
Thanks a lot. My thoughts were when I made the UltraBlue comp were that Ultra was gonna take a cue from me and offer the alum insides as a kit in different colors. That way you could pick the interior you wanted. Its really easy to assemble/disassemble the Aluminus case. Just some poprivets and voila.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/shell.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/alumpcs.jpg

[werty316]

I am regreting selling my Cheiftec Dragon now as I never thought about modding it argh.

[darkorb]

tru workmanship, dedicated man

[markkleb]

For what it costs this is a pretty good deal,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2215103&Sku=TC3J-2145

[werty316]

Exaclty where I bought my Dragon case a long time ago.

If you don't need the PSU I think Tigerdirect has the case only for $65USD:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2188612&CatId=1510

Also Tigerdirect charges alot for shipping.

$65USD is cheap for that case considering Tigerdirect.ca has it for $127CAD!!!!

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1215768&CatId=1510

The exchange rate isn't even 50% so Tigerdirect are ripoff artists. Tigerdirect Canada shouldn't be selling this case at a scam price of 127CAD.

[markkleb]

werty is it expensive to send things to Canada? Like if we bought the case and sent it.

[werty316]

Well considering its a big and the weight of the case it would probably cost alot to ship plus I would have worry if the item will get charged duty.

When I bought my Dragon case from Tigerdirect.ca a while back the shipping was almost $40CAD!!! talk about a rip off.

Sorry for going off topic. I'm done now.

[markkleb]

take alook at this, a case for $9.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2179652&cp
here is a window version
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1576702&CatId=1520

Radioshack has free shipping for $50 orders.

[werty316]

I bought one of those on sale and never thought Ultra would make such cheap, meaing I didn't like it, cases but for $10 maybe a good deal. Plus its too small.

[tomato]

It's a functional enough case, and for US$10, it's a steal, even if it's a tad small for my tastes...

[markkleb]

its funny cause I thought the Aluminus was too big. Even with H20 and 4 Hdds inside there is a bunch of extra room. Ultra sent me a bunch of cases (I got 2 of the Wizzard) And it seems like the perfect size. I wish it was Alum, but $10?

Here in Reno there are a few places to get used comp stuff and they want between 10 and $15 for a old plain case.

Later (after Crossflow)Il do a build using mesh on the front of the wizzard.

[Kougar]

take alook at this, a case for $9.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2179652&cp
here is a window version
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1576702&CatId=1520

Radioshack has free shipping for $50 orders.

That's a cute mid-tower, and nice price! Buy something else and get free shipping on everything...

So Markkleb, where did you get that motherboard mounting brace/back for that rig, again??

[markkleb]

Im sorry Kougar(I missed ur question), it came with the case. I just cut away what I didnt need.

The Aluminus has a removeable mobo tray. The only fabrication is when I removed the HDD cage I had to add a couple of alum straps so the cross braces went all the way to the front and attached.

[Kougar]

Im sorry Kougar(I missed ur question), it came with the case. I just cut away what I didnt need.

The Aluminus has a removeable mobo tray. The only fabrication is when I removed the HDD cage I had to add a couple of alum straps so the cross braces went all the way to the front and attached.

Hey, no problem!

And I was hoping that wasn't the case! The chassis I have is exactly the same except it's all cold rolled steel... and the motherboard mounting plate is pretty solidly built into the thing. ;)

[markkleb]

is it held in place with rivets? or welded?

[GIBSON]

is it held in place with rivets? or welded?
It doesn't have to be loose to cut in it I think?