Cooling Mod on the Cheap...

[markkleb]

A few months ago I threw a computer together from parts in my closet for a couple of neighbor kids (14

[Das Capitolin]

Is it just me, or does everything that Mark touches turn to gold? I wish that I had this kind of talent; but I suppose it has to start somewhere.

[markkleb]

I am just happy to finally get some of the junk out of my closet. And to tell you the truth one of the kids (Lucas) helped me a lot. I am really happy to be able to help him back. I found a Punisher UV decal in the closet and for a kid I bet that looks pretty sweet on the side window.

I am gonna cut out a couple of Smoke Lexan panels to cover the CDrom/Hdd rack That should clean it up a bunch.

Oh no Hells Kitchen is on, gotta go, lol.

And thanks Das.

[BigD]

nice, yeah why does every computer that comes into close contact with you turn into something that no one ever thought it could turn out to be????

[Kougar]

Is it just me, or does everything that Mark touches turn to gold? I wish that I had this kind of talent; but I suppose it has to start somewhere.

Gold? No... Black gold? yes... ;)

That's just amazing how a black coating of paint made that case just look good. And you have a good eye for colors, that blue is an excellent contrast for that motherboard.

[DragonMaster]

Mark, what kind of paint are you using to do a such wonderful job? And how are you doing to actually file those #?&!@** fan "blockers" dents everywhere? when I try to file something, the file always get stuck...

[tomato]

Again, nice mod mark ;) and way to give back to those who help you :)

[markkleb]

Mark, what kind of paint are you using to do a such wonderful job? And how are you doing to actually file those #?&!@** fan "blockers" dents everywhere? when I try to file something, the file always get stuck...

Hey Dragon the trick is to use a FINE file and file at an angle with not too much force.

[PP Mguire]

Freakin excelent!! I should have come up with an idea similar to that for my old Raidmax case! And you had an AIW 9800 just sitting in your closet? Ive been hanging on to an older AIW 7000 just for the AIW part.

[markkleb]

I used to use AIW cards to be able to watch tv on my comps. But I spent so much time messing around(changing stuff) that my tv only worked half the time.

Than I bought a Maganavox 15" HDTV (was like $239 at BestBuy) and its so much better. Now if my comp is down I still got tv. (I wish I had spent more and got a 20" though) So I bought my X800 (worked 10 times better than the 9800). One guy offered me $75 for the 9800AIW once but I figured it would be better to keep. The kids will probably like the 9800 better than the onboard graphics (ya think) and their friends will go nutts that they can watch and record tv..

[GIBSON]

Here is the back, now I know these guys are gonna change stuff later so I popped in a couple of European Power Blocks(Sugars for Gibson, lol)

Nice you remembered mark! :-D
Anyhow, I think it's really nice you're doing that for those kids. They're lucky to have you as a neighbour! That cabling certainly is looking a lot sweeter.
So is the outside of the case going to be black too?

[PP Mguire]

I used to use AIW cards to be able to watch tv on my comps. But I spent so much time messing around(changing stuff) that my tv only worked half the time.

Than I bought a Maganavox 15" HDTV (was like $239 at BestBuy) and its so much better. Now if my comp is down I still got tv. (I wish I had spent more and got a 20" though) So I bought my X800 (worked 10 times better than the 9800). One guy offered me $75 for the 9800AIW once but I figured it would be better to keep. The kids will probably like the 9800 better than the onboard graphics (ya think) and their friends will go nutts that they can watch and record tv..
If everybody knew computers could have built in DVRs nobody would pay so much money on Tivo lol.:roll:

[DragonMaster]

You made the only case I saw that has something hiding the HDD rack sides. I thought about this when I wasn't able to sleep, but told myself it was too much trouble. It seems that it isn't!


Hey Dragon the trick is to use a FINE file and file at an angle with not too much force.

I'd need to find a cheap one...

[markkleb]

I have never been able to figure why the windows are made to show the HDD rack, its ugly. The windows should be made smaller so the HDD and CDRW arent shown. Once I made the covers it seemed a shame to cover them up.

But honestly the 2 plastic pieces took less than 10 min to make and cost about 2 or $3 to make. I would say pretty good value for ur money.

[DragonMaster]

An other idea would be to make good looking racks, but they don't seem to think about this. Or if they could put HDDs so that you see them? A lot of HDDs got some nice shiny covers, but they're all hidden by the ugly rack... Even the bays w/tracks which don't even need a screw are full of holes.

[markkleb]

They design for maximum profit and most universal.

I am working on a HDD with a lighted Clear cover to mount sideways in a clear HDD rack.

To me the 2 ugliest parts are all the wires mess and the HDD rack. Those are the 2 things that I work on to improve the most.

[tomato]

Wow, nice work, and it didn't break your wallet either ;) :)

[DragonMaster]

To me the 2 ugliest parts are all the wires mess and the HDD rack.

I think it's the same thing. It would be fun if mobo mfgs would always put the front panel connectors on the right... (On my mobo the HDA front panel connector is next to the rear output connectors. That's good for the sound, but not for the look!)

[DragonMaster]

Mark that's looking really good. Just a question, why is the front of the PSU not painted?

You got a great idea to put the HDDs backwards so we don't see the wires.

Now all that is needed is to hide those IDE cables...

[markkleb]

They wanted it so their motorcycle stickers would show up. Also there are UV lights inside and they wanted to see the IDE cables (and the green ones) glow.

Now its ur turn Dragon, post some picts of your comp.

[harry18]

everything you do looks really high quality and pro, nice work

[DragonMaster]

Now its ur turn Dragon, post some picts of your comp.

Hehehe, I never modded my computer. I should try to do something with the old ugly beige case of my P3 800MHz.

[markkleb]

Dragon yours is the perfect comp to post here, I have seen comps where they spent about $5,000 on the cases. They are Really Sweet, but most of us could never get one.
What we do have is comps like yours and this one. We add a fan or sleave wires or even paint it. Thats a Mod. If you post a pict of the before like BigD did than as you fix it up we can all learn from it.
Everyone has to start somewhere with something...:wink:

[harry18]

wow, just noticed the cable managment, nice job, that looks really neat

[BigD]

nice job with those vents... i just got disposible bbq things that have that sort of mesh metal that im going to mod that wizzard case with :D

[markkleb]

I just put in a 12" UV tube in the bottom edge and a 4" Blue tube in the top edge.
I really wish I had BigD's camera this looks sick!:grin:

[Mirrim]

Amazing what can be done with just a little cash. Punisher with the black case is a good choice ;) The meshed vents on the front are great. Gives me inspiration for the mesh I have on hand. Will post once I actually get going with it.

[DragonMaster]

Dragon yours is the perfect comp to post here, I have seen comps where they spent about $5,000 on the cases. They are Really Sweet, but most of us could never get one.
What we do have is comps like yours and this one. We add a fan or sleave wires or even paint it. Thats a Mod. If you post a pict of the before like BigD did than as you fix it up we can all learn from it.
Everyone has to start somewhere with something...

I'll attempt some mods on my P3, but I don't think it will have a window :
-The ATX case has 1 big cover and I don't know if it will close with the increased thickness.
-I bought my Dremel, it had problems, and the service center decided that it wasn't going to be repaired under warranty because they think I broke it. (Armature and switch to change)


Mark, why isn't the back of the PSU painted?

[markkleb]

Amazing what can be done with just a little cash. Punisher with the black case is a good choice ;) The meshed vents on the front are great. Gives me inspiration for the mesh I have on hand. Will post once I actually get going with it.

Really looking forward to seeing it. Mark

[darkorb]

dam dude that looks nice

[markkleb]

I really need to learn how to take better picts, cause in person its 10 times nicer.
And again you could use clear plastic and paint the back of it any color..Or even put favorite pictures behind it...

[darkorb]

did u sign up for the september contest case mod?

[werty316]

As always very nice work markkleb.

[PP Mguire]

I hope you dont care but im going to steal your side window idea for my next case. Possibly this glass mobo tray as well lol. Nice ideas.

[markkleb]

The reason I post this stuff is to share the ideas with all of you..Use them and change them how you want to..

Most of all have fun...

[werty316]

Its great too see what kind of ideas you have but I prefer on trying not to use any ideas from others so I can get more satisfaction in my work; copying an idea doesn't do this but more power to those who do or want to adjust an idea just ever so slightly as long as everyones mod doesn't look the same :lol:

[markkleb]

LOL werty, that would be so funny. If everyone used the same Cases, color, fans and mods.....:lol:

It will never happen, people are too different. Whats cool to you is not always cool to someone else.

The idea is to see whats possible and than add your flavor to it..

I tried to get a picture of one of my favorite modded computers but Ultra pulled all the picts from the mod contest. It was a square plastic box and the guy covered the wires to look like flowers. It was very origional.

[Kougar]

I tried to get a picture of one of my favorite modded computers but Ultra pulled all the picts from the mod contest. It was a square plastic box and the guy covered the wires to look like flowers. It was very origional.

LOL, the flowers theme would look great in a P180 case! The PSU is in the bottom, and there is a slit where the wires slip through up into the case... the flowers would look like they were planted if done right. :-P

[PP Mguire]

I just think the window idea is an easy way of saving your side panel. I hate cutting metal lol.

[DragonMaster]

If everyone used the same Cases, color, fans and mods.....

It's somewhat true... Most modded cases have : a window, UV reactive cables, watercooling, CCFLs and LED fans. There isn't anything special. You don'T have to build things yourself, but these things make part of "normal" hardware for computers.

[BigD]

great job mark... i like that plastic!