CrossFlow- Big comp in a little case..

[markkleb]

I have been building a new comp the last few weeks. I started with a Qpack case and the internals of my Ultra Blue (less the H20).
Basically my goals of this build are
1- Quiet
2- Lower Power consumption (no 1000watt PS)
3- Still be able to OC
4- More effecient Air Cooling
5- SLI (as much for the "Cool" factor as anything)
6- Easy to transport
7- Remove Clutter

I started this on another forum but enjoy you all more here (older group)
My question to all of you is how detailed do you want this to be? Do you just want a couple of picts or a more detailed description...

[Bio-Hazard]

Lots of pics are good, but whatever floats your boat because it's your case, your mod and most of all, it's your thread.............;)

[markkleb]

Here is the empty frame. A lot of stuff in the way.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/origionalframe.jpg

Get out the Dremel...(much better)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/cutdownframe.jpg

Ok here is the Guts...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Parts.jpg

[tomato]

Geez, this should be one slick project! :) Keep up the good work and keep showing us your progess ;)

[markkleb]

thanks tomato, I never thought I would be calling anyone tomato...lol

If you only knew, I just look at this thing and sigh...

[Kougar]

That's some impressive modding Markkleb! Who need benchmarks when you can just show them that photo with all the case fans, that will intimidate them nicely. ;)

I like your trick of elevating the mainboard to tuck everything underneath it... I can't wait to see the finished product. ;)

[Das Capitolin]

Reno local and master craftsman Mark Kleb is breaking loose on mod the scene! I have to admit that this design is very original and quite unique! I would love to see it organized into a full article! PM me if you are interested.

[darkorb]

dude, you are an amazing modder. w/e u do, u always want perfection , gj man

[werty316]

Damn now that is hardcore modding :shock:

[darkorb]

i dont get it, the plastic shield around the cables, its folded in half?

[markkleb]

i dont get it, the plastic shield around the cables, its folded in half?
I dont get what ur saying, explain it to me better.

[darkorb]

k u see the top right area? and see the 10 pin things sticking out? 5top 5 below

how come the wires are going into the side of that?

[werty316]

i dont get it, the plastic shield around the cables, its folded in half?

Do you mean the cables that I have highlighted? Those cables are just sleeved.

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/6977/wiringab3.jpg

[darkorb]

almost there, the plastic thing at the end of the cable. that is stuck to the mobo

[markkleb]

Thats called a European terminal block. The power wires go to it and are screwed in. Than when I deside which goes to fans and DVD I screw them to the other side. The reason is I always change things, one minuite I need a 12" wire and another I need a 14". This way I can make the wires any length I want.

[Kougar]

Erm, did you leave at least one grounding wire somewhere in there?? Or are the two black wires all that's left of 'em? Guess you answered a question about your Blue case mod wiring that had been bugging me... ;) Not even I would go that far!!

[werty316]

almost there, the plastic thing at the end of the cable. that is stuck to the mobo
That yellow plastic thing is a motherboard backplate from a DFI board.

[darkorb]

not talking about that, but its fine

[GIBSON]

I say its easy, no prob but really there are lots of little things to know. I do enjoy answering questions so if you are not sure or ever want to know something, just ask...Mark

Well, there is one thing I don't quite get. You say you're using the terminal block to connect your drives etc later on. However, last time I checked molex's use 4 wires, your block has 5 :confused:
BTW: for your interest over here in belgium (yes, that's in europe :)) we call those "terminal blocks" "sugars" because they resemble a lump of sugar when you use them to connect two wires.
Anyhow, this is looking very nice mark, keep up the good work I'd say! :)

[GIBSON]

Thanks for the info Gibson, the reason for the "Sugar" with 5 wires is its for the Sata HDDs. (Red,Yellow,Orange,and 2 blacks)

Some HDDs can use either 4 pin molex or 5pin power cables. From what I understand the 5 pin is better as it allows the HDDs to use the 3.3V(orange wire) instead of having to convert itself to 5V(red wire)
Thanx for the info, I hadn't thought about the fact SATA drives use more cables.

[Kougar]

Interesting, I didn't know SATA drivers did that either... learn something new every day. ;) Thanks for the explanation Mark, it didn't occur to me that ya might not even be finished soldiering yet!

[markkleb]

Here is the rest of the grounds..:grin:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1627.jpg

Now on to the HDDs. I always make my own ends that way the length is always right. The ends are sold in different colors and UV. Here is a pict with the end and than with the cap on so nothing shorts it out..
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1642.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1643.jpg

Now if you notice the ends of the wires get frayed(spread out). I like to solder the ends before I put them into the blocks so the wires dont touch, its just easier as well.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1647.jpg

[markkleb]

Here is what they look like with the sleeves and soldered
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1651.jpg

And here is what the bottom of the mobo looks like almost done
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1655.jpg

Imagine if I had to use the wires the way they come(I know this is a different PS but the amount of wires is the same)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1620.jpg

[werty316]

Looking good and I can't wait to see the final results; great work markkleb. Modular PSU do help more with cable management then a non-modular PSU and Ultra's FlexForce cables are great.

[markkleb]

thanks werty..

[markkleb]

Ok now on to the face. Here is the origional.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/MATX-118_side.jpg

Here is the front with the trim piece off for paint
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1588.jpg

Now I an re-doing the front. First the colors, the middle section I am painting Metalic Black. I am moving the LCD temp gauge to where the Power/Acc lights are. Also I lost my on/off button so I am putting a lighted Vandel switch in its place. For those who dont know about the Vandel switch it has a lighted ring around the button. It comes in different colors and I chose blue.
About the color, I chose the Mirage paint and its pretty sweet..If you look straight on its metalic Blue, but as you move it changes to Red and Purple.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1611.jpg

And this shows the metalic when I use flash, lol
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1613.jpg

Its really hard to get a pict of the color change but this may work,
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/100_1610.jpg

(those who notice I have cleaned up the edge around the LCD)

[markkleb]

Now I am making the panel that covers the CDRom slots. I am making it out of Smoke Lexan. On the top will go the Laptop DVD and below that I am putting a Media Lab. Its pretty cool in that it lets you Start and work ur comp by remote.
http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-media-lab-black.html
(stupid Media Lab went on sale a week after I bought it)

I am taking it out of its case and gonna mount it behind the Smoke Lexan panel.
Il post a couple of picts when its mounted..

[=CDU=Above]

That paint hue is awesome. I like the color changes with the different lighting and angles.

Seems like your moving fast on this one. Are you posting the pic as you go or are you slowly catching us up on this project?

[markkleb]

I have been working on it for 3 weeks. I go in chunks, sometimes I know whats next and sometimes my mind is chedder.

So far I am done to the picts. Tomorrow I have to make the cover for the DVD and start figuring how im gonna assemble the case.

[all4spl]

this case is awsome... and it looks sturdy...

[Kougar]

Wow, sweet job, very nice attention to details. Have to say the Mirage paint looks great and quite pristine, better than some retail jobs even... may I ask how you applied it?

[tomato]

HOLY CRAP, your custom paint job is "just" spray can bottles?? Wow, I would've never thought... I thought you had a connection to some profressional spray operation or something :P

Great looking paint! The Mirage colour is similar to the paint job on one of my dad's old cars :P It was blue and/or purple depending on the viewing angle and/or amount of sunlight during the day.

[SwedBear]

Just want to say it is really impressive! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Kind of pisses me off that I never have the time to sit down and do something like this. I've been wanting to do some modding for some time now but never have the time.

But this inspires me to see what I can do. I need to build myself a good review-case where I can take stuff in/out quickly. Today I use an open DigN5 HTPC case but the PSU is lying beside the case and the HD's stacked one achother. But your work on the actual case gave me a few ideas. Time to take out the dremel!

Looking forward to seeing more of this case!

/B

[BigD]

I ♥ Mark and his computers!

[GIBSON]

That paint job is looking nice mark, keep us updated ;) BTW you said you got the paint at your local car parts dealer, but I don't quite see anyone spraying a car with spraycans?! Do you always use spraycans or do you use real air pressure sprays too? (those where you need a compressor for) (we have dozens of those :-D)

[markkleb]

I ♥ Mark and his computers!
Welcome to Bjorn Drew. Let us know what Alaska was like...

[darkorb]

ur amazing mark

[GIBSON]

Well, my dad uses them a lot for the woodwork of coaches and chairs. sometimes to paint certain things like the radiator. They are a lot easier to work with as far as I know. And you have more control over the mixture, e.g. you can thicken it, or thin it. Mix colours ...

[Kougar]

Yeah I bet without the flash lighting it up like that it looks much better... so I would have to say leave it smoked ;) And if you make it black, everyone will just think you bought it from someplace and never believe you made it yourself... :mrgreen:

[BigD]

leave it smoke... NICE JOB!

[tomato]

Go with the smoke ;)

[markkleb]

Thats the first time EVERYONE agreed on 1 thing....

[Das Capitolin]

Are you planning on putting any lighting inside the unit? Maybe even some HID LED's to show off the innards? You know what's best, I'm just curious.

[markkleb]

I save the lights for last, I dont know if Il go UV or color.

[werty316]

I would go for none UV lights but then I don't like to use UV lights for case lighting.

[BigD]

nice work... and im still looking for those tubes in az:???:

[Kougar]

It's amazing to see that rig coming together... hard to imagine you could do all of that with just the original computer in that "before" picture!

[Kougar]

I was wondering about that cooling actually... didn't the temps go up by 1c or two?

[GIBSON]

So you painted the heatsink? If so, and if that's what Kougar is referring to, well, I've read an article about it and it shouldn't make a lot of difference. After all, most wc-rads are painted too, and they tested the exact same rad in different colours and without paint and they all gave about the same temps.

[tomato]

Again, nice paint job mark ;) :) Keep those pics comin'

[PP Mguire]

Hey man im glad to see its coming along real good. Im guessing your updating on this site instead right?

[markkleb]

Yes and Welcome..Dont forget to post picts of ur comp..

[PP Mguire]

Where should i post them? And i only have old pictures, will that work? Also what kind of chipset heatsink is that?

[markkleb]

Make ur own thread in Modded Products Gallery.

And the chipset cooler is the Swiftech
http://www.svc.com/mcx159-cu-nf.html

[Mirrim]

Wow, very sharp modding! Must admit I'm very partial to blue and the colorshift paint just adds that wow factor. Will be great to see it completed.

[Kougar]

Okay, that special paint on the top of that cooler just looks slick... And painting the rest of it certainly makes it look better, but doesn't that add 1-3c to the original temps now, or can you tell?

[BigD]

yeah mark sick paintjob! nah it wont add anything noticable to the temp

[Kougar]

Well please keep us updated! I have always heard that about painting heatsinks, but I'll admit not everything one hears can be true... ;) It does look like a very thin coating except for the top, which should definitely help.

[markkleb]

Now I am not fully functual in thermodynamics but I have a good understanding of it.

QUOTE: from Todd Jamison (physicist)

Black is usually considered the best surface color because it tends to give
up most of its heat through radiation (remember the "black-body" radiation).
The "black" color of "Black body radiation" refers to the fact that this
theoretical material "gives up" all wavelengths of radiation equally well.
Of course, the amount of radiation that is emitted depends on the
temperature (see a black-body radiation curve).

Also the color of the SR-71 because of its extreme outer temp. Again I used a VERY LIGHT dusting of paint (and a flat as well)

Come on folks what no Physicists here?(me neither) I just remember from somewhere black is best.

Oh yea check out the AM2 Zalman..

another thought, you paint roofs white and not black because they dont absorb heat as much. My thought was black absorbes heat best than the fan blows it away..

(now if you STILL dont beleive me look up "emissivity") so there, physics class is over.:grin: for now.....

[BigD]

nice post, i learned something on that!

[Kougar]

Wow, cool physics info! Learn something new everyday... To answer your hyopthetidcal question though, the only physicist I pretend to be is Gordon Freeman. :-D The reason I heard given was that the layer of paint itself simply acted as a "blanket" over the metal inhibiting the heat transfer process.

And all I knew was that you don't drive black cars in Texas, they tend to reach 10F-15F hotter in the direct sun compared to an identical white painted car. ;)

[markkleb]

I heard the blanket thing too. But actually a blanket isant actually bonded to the surface. Same with a coat. I think the lacquer actually bonds better than a enamel would, the solvents in the lacquer I think are more agressive.

I have to go to bed, my head hurts. Too much thinking.:grin:

[interpim]

wow impressive.

I wish i had the patience and the bankroll to do a fully custom case

[GIBSON]

I think the "blanket" thing depends on the kind of paint you're using. Also, wouldn't metallic paint help better then?
All I know about black is that it tends to attract warmth, duno about radiating it.

[markkleb]

Gibson the metalic paint is supposed to be the worst, something about metal particles in the paint.

[GIBSON]

Gibson the metalic paint is supposed to be the worst, something about metal particles in the paint.
Oh, I thought the metallic particles would further conduct the heat and would create a larger surface area.

[PP Mguire]

Mark thank you for saying that. Now my dad believes me when i say metalic paint is horrible for heatsinks and the such.

[markkleb]

Hey P.P if you need me to say anything else just ask, (I talk a lot):lol:

[BigD]

I think the "blanket" thing depends on the kind of paint you're using. Also, wouldn't metallic paint help better then?
All I know about black is that it tends to attract warmth, duno about radiating it.

well when you come close to a black object in the sun dont you feel the heat comming off it?!?

ponder on that:lol:

[GIBSON]

I guess so, blackbody radiation did ring a bell somewhere. Can't remember where I heard about it though.

[harry18]

that things lookin mighty smart, cant wait to see it finished, looks really good quality too, when ever i make stuff thers always somthing which im not satisfyed with, i geuss when your making somthing you know it inside out and where all the inperfections are, but that case looks so pro from pics, really impressed

[markkleb]

I am shooting for this weekend. I am waiting for the special Sata cables (4"). Should be here tomorrow than Il paint the frame and start buttoning it up. I got a few more good ideas buy doing the kids comp.

[BigD]

any updates?

[markkleb]

I have finished the frame and painted it. Here is a side view with the HDDs.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Frame003.jpg

Here is a 3/4 front view
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Frame001.jpg

Here is a view from the top showing the DVD rails,
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Frame011.jpg

Origionally I had the Mobo supports sleaved with Purp sleeve. I think the Black looks a lot nicer. Notice I cut out the bottom of the case so the PS and HDDs hang below it about 1/4". Thats to give me room and to aid in cooling.

I am working with fans right now and checking to see if 2 14cm fans will work as good as the 5 AC fans.

[Xero (1)ne]

so which side are the fans gonig to be on?
the paint looks kickin sweet i would never have the paitience to do that
ive been thinking about trying a micro case but heat is always an issue, i cant wait to see how this pumps it out :D

[harry18]

ooh, nice paint job, looks pretty pro

[Das Capitolin]

Are the hard drives suspended by spring loaded bolts? The must take out a lot of vibration, and it looks pretty damn cool!

[markkleb]

On both sides of the Brackets(where they they touch the bottom pan and the mobo tray) they are coated with silicone. Also where the screws go into the HDDs there are Rubber O-Rings.
There is a Lexan Tray above the HDDs and than 1/4"above that is the mobo.

And the HDDs are in the back and underneath so they are very quiet.

[tomato]

Sexy.... ;) :)

[darkorb]

look awesome

[werty316]

All black is damn slick; looking good

[markkleb]

when you use flat black its hard to mess up...Thanks guys.

[PP Mguire]

Ive messed up with flat black before lol. Lookin good.

[markkleb]

I have been playing with fans, I took the panel with the 5 AC fans off and used my Silverstone 110CFM fan up against the AC Freezer it was about 33C while gaming. I tried the Silenx fan (74CFM) and it was quiet but 35C.
I put the panel with the tubes and my CPU went down to 27C.
Same with the video card (1 is Being RMA at Newegg) the temps without the tube was 43C and with the tube and the AC12 and its 32C while Im typing this.

Coldest so far was when the room temp was 70F the CPU/Chipset-Mobo was 27C

Moral of the story, Focused airflow works good....

I am waiting for another AC Freezer Scott is sending me to see if there is a difference between my painted one and a stock one. When it gets here il try it and see what happens.

[darkorb]

dam thats nice

[all4spl]

update?

[markkleb]

Im thinking about cutting it up and redoing it.

[Kougar]

I am waiting for another AC Freezer Scott is sending me to see if there is a difference between my painted one and a stock one. When it gets here il try it and see what happens.

Sweet! That should settle the matter... and we can just instead argue that you didn't apply the thermal compound exactly the same for both instances instead. :mrgreen:

Seriously, when you have time let us know how it turns out! ;)

[GIBSON]

Im thinking about cutting it up and redoing it.
why would you want to do that. It's looking great so far? :confused:

[markkleb]

Hey Gibson, you were gone but there is a new mod contest. To win the comp has to be insane, look at last years winners that Werty posted..
http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10024

[PP Mguire]

Id really like to see this thing finished.

[werty316]

Id really like to see this thing finished.
Good things comes to those who wait ;)

[PP Mguire]

Ive been waiting for a LOOOONG time now though. And he also told me it should be done last weekend :(

[harry18]

hehe, really wanna see some nice finished pics mark :) thats gonna look so nice

[markkleb]

ok its getting close and the Antec is pretty much done..Time to resume the CrossFlow.
I started thinking 5 fans was a little much, lol. So i figured how to use only 2 of them instead. Here is the 5
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/markkleb2/Fans.jpg

I am using a CoolerMaster crossflow fan to cool the bottom, its about 12" long and 1 1/2" high and deep. It sucks air in from the bottom and spits out a 12" wide stream of air to cool the HDDs and PS. That eliminates the 3 AC8 fans on the bottom.

I need to keep 1 of the 120mm fans for the Video cards because I am going copper heatsinks on both cards.

Where there was a 120mm fan for the CPU cooler I took it out and am using a CoolerMaster H20 instead. The rad fits over the I/O plate on the exit side.

that seems to have cleaned up the Left side a bunch.

I have desided to scrap the Qpack case compleately and hand made one out of alum. My cover (and frame) are much cleaner and easier to make.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i263/markkleb/Antec/100_2111.jpg

There will be no visable screws on the outside. Its gonna look much cleaner that way.

[darkorb]

awesome!

[XJnine]

All that fancy work and you can't even put a cover on the light switch on the wall? ;-)

Looking good!

[markkleb]

LOL, I have been remodeling my house, my mom was supposed to come by and see it last week but with the mod stuff I am really behind on the house.
I had to ask mom to show up in November so I could finish my mods first...

Its getting hard to paint the comps when the house is FULL of sheetrock dust..

[BigD]

haha but ur still doing a great job mark!!

[werty316]

Damn everything you do is golden markkleb; great job so far http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1266/thumbup2mb0.gif

[markkleb]

Thanks Guys,:grin:

[all4spl]

update?

[PP Mguire]

I like the idea of using less fans. Makes it look alot cleaner.

[GIBSON]

That's looking nice mark, keep it up!

[darkorb]

i like the fans, gives it a nice look i think, really cool (haha)

anywayzz. how is it goin?

[mousiness]

i say just buy a ready made sff like a frag box or IBM m55p or dell xps500

EDIT: but then again that box does look appealing.... hehehee

[ELIK18]

great job

keep on :-D

[markkleb]

[QUOTE=mousiness;58892]i say just buy a ready made sff like a frag box or IBM m55p or dell xps500

Ur not too bright , are you....

[werty316]

No kidding huh :lol: its not all about the fact you can buy a prebuilt SSF, its the fact you can take pride that you made a SSF yourself ;)

[PP Mguire]

Yea seriously, that thing will whoop the hell outa any of those in a looks competition any day. And its the pride that you take when you build these things.

[darkorb]

what happened to the CM contest?

[werty316]

what happened to the CM contest?
Its over and winners have been decided. Just check out CM's forums to see who won.

[BigD]

hey mark, how did the contest go?

[werty316]

hey mark, how did the contest go?
Read about it here: http://www.coolermaster.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5579

[GIBSON]

Damn, there sure are some nice entries there, tough competition eh! Too bad you didn't win mark, but i see you're in the top level entries :)