Oz A New Beginning.......

**jedihobbit** · 03-16-2010, 01:06 AM

Initially started this over here http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32519 because of never having worked with a XFX mobo and thought I might need help. Boy was I right and still do!!

But this is for the mechanicals anyway......

This is giving my first completed 'puter new life, which the wife doesn't know about or would approve. Even though is was built for her.

Specs are:

Case: Customized old generic "pakman" case
PSU: Tt TR2 600W**
Mobo: MDA72P7509 AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI
CPU: PI X3 8750BE
HSF: Zalman CNPS9700-NT
GPU: XFX GTS 250 512
Memory: G. Skill F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK

Here are a couple of pix of the old build:

I'll end this with some better shots when it is "finished"

I spent most of the weekend trying to figure out the bios issues I’m having with the 750a, without much luck!! SO off to do some mechanicals……….

The original build had always concerned me about the lack of cooling/airflow. Starting with remedying the front cooling issue I attached the front bezel with much in trepidation. After all if I mess it up, not only will it be obvious that I doing a clandestine build but ruined the case she likes.

First thing was to enlarge the cooling holes at the bottom of the bezel. Having a major cranial infarction right now and can’t remember the drill sizes. Anyway tape it off and marked the holes so as not to screw up the pattern. Using the top row as the start, I went form the first to the last marking every second hole and also did the third row. For the middle row of holes I offset one hole. Used these for the larger holes and then opened the balance with a slightly larger bit than the stock holes. This opened them up as the stock hole seem to taper and had been filled with my heavy handed paint job. To keep the bezel from moving too much I kinda sorta did a jig……

Still not happy with the amount of “openings” I tried to figure what else could be done. Then I noticed that on the bottom of the bezel was an elongated cutout and went hummmmmm. Decided to see how much I could mess up and do something similar on each side. Need to miss the mounting extrusions, and have it high enough to take advantage of the 120mm fan. So marked it off, cut with the coping saw and then used a file to try and smooth it out. At that I wasn't too successful.

**jedihobbit** · 03-16-2010, 01:10 AM

Now it was time to cut the clearance hole for the 120mm, as I don’t have a hole saw it was rough cut time with the dremel. Didn’t have to be all that neat (and it wasn’t) as the bezel hides the front of the cutout and the fan does it for the interior. Didn’t have to do anything with the rear fan but mount it. Forgot what they called the finish but looks right good.

As noted I was flustered with the overclocking I wasn’t doing so decided to go ahead and just put the system together. I had taken all the drives and such out to cut the hole, so back in they went. As I wanted to attempt to do a half-A job of cable management I installed the PSU in the chassis and tried to figure where to hide the cables……PSU, Optical Drives, HDD, and the fan controller with its temp probes. I was even so desperate to get it running I “borrowed” a HDD as the one for Oz was still “in the mail”. Then went to install the mobo and remembered the I/O plate was also “still in the mail”. Well If I do it right, I shouldn’t have to do much but unplug things.

While this was an “old” case it still has a lot going for it. As mentioned the prior thread both sides, top, and front bezel come off make access to the interior great. Another thing is what I call the excess cable tray. This is the space between the drive cages and the right side. Makes routing things like Video power, floppy (have one I painted for this build back when sooooo), and optical drives. If I hadn’t had an empty 5.25 bay all excess power cable length would have been shoved there. Just ignore the FDD ribbon cable as I thought I had a rounded one in the parts box but didn’t. That eventually will be replaced.

johnnyfiive · 03-16-2010, 01:12 AM

Hah that is sweet! I like the color theme, and who doesn't like the Wizard of Oz?!?! Nice!

**jedihobbit** · 03-16-2010, 01:15 AM

Here are a few pix to show where we now stand wiring wise. Wanted to get it started up but seem to have a slight problem……the HDD seems to be DOA, all the fans spin, lights come on, but know vid or anything. Touched the drive itself and can not even feel any “vibration”. As the HDD is going to be replaced any way and the I/O plate installed I’ll faness the cabeling then. Also hope to add another XFX GTS250 in a couple of weeks or so.

And speaking of GTS 250s here is what I did to the one I have……..the fuzzy pic hides the fact I painted this too quickly and too heavily trying to beat a self imposed deadline for the assembly. Basically get it together and running before the wife returned home from MD.

Now that leaves me with trying to decide if I want to control the two fans and where I want to use the temp probs. Right now the fans are running off of the mobo.

So should I use the fan controller and where should I monitor temperatures as for the most part I do HWMon without looking at the case?

**swmeek** · 03-16-2010, 02:07 PM

Your wiring looks most impressive young jedi!

**PP Mguire** · 03-16-2010, 07:13 PM

You did a sweet job on modding the case. I plan on redoing my old Raidmax case sometime soon and will be installing my current rig into it. Will be a big difference compared to the Antec 1200 hehe

**jedihobbit** · 03-16-2010, 08:10 PM

As that was the first window I ever did you wouldn't want to see what it looks like on the inside!

**Blacksmith1** · 03-17-2010, 03:21 AM

what was the case before you started?

**jedihobbit** · 03-17-2010, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Blacksmith1

what was the case before you started?

Really can't answer that as the case was a "generic cheapie" that I picked up at a computer show back in '01 or '02. The window and the airbrushing was done '02 - '03 when I built it.

Original specs (for S & Gs) Generic “PacMan” Case >> Enermax 365-VEFCA >> Asus A7N266/PA/WOL w/ Tt BluOrb on NB >> AMD 1900+ Palomino w/Modded Tt Volcano 7 >> VisionTech G3 Ti-200 W/ Tt BluOrb & Sinks >> Maxtor 40Gig 740X-6L IDE >> On Board Sound >> Afree 52X CD-R >> TDK 40x24x40 CD-RW >> 1 x 512 Crucial PC2700 w/ Tt Heat Spreader >> MS 98SE.

**PP Mguire** · 03-17-2010, 09:19 PM

You did that window yourself? Dude that looks amazing compared to my first and last window LOL

**jedihobbit** · 03-17-2010, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by PP Mguire

You did that window yourself? Dude that looks amazing compared to my first and last window LOL

Actuall I've gotten three window install under my belt and with "newer" tools it has become easier!

When I get a chance I do a wee bit more details as to how I butchered the sheet metal!

**jedihobbit** · 03-28-2010, 05:31 PM

Managed to get a few things done on the mechanicals while being flustered with the 750a's bios and overclocking.........

Originally Posted by jedihobbit

......When I get a chance I do a wee bit more details as to how I butchered the sheet metal!

As I didn't do any pix when this thing was originally built thought I'd toss out some of the window to show that it is rather crude. As I went with what was available (no dremel) here is what happened.

1. Went to Lowes and bought a sheet of plex (use only lexan now)
2. Was working a P/T job where I could borrow a whole puller (no hole saws). Had a basic idea of what I wanted so dropped the hole centers and pulled the holes.
3. Drew lines tangent to holes and went after it with a jig saw and man it was "oil can" alley!

4. Tried to smooth things out with a file but that was a joke so went to PepBoys and bought some edging.
5. Put that on to hide the ragged edges and then cut the plex to fit with a coping saw. After test fitting it needed to remove material where the dempled "handle" is and notch on corner.
6. Then realized I didn't have any means of attaching it to side panel.

After scurrying around the garage to find a method I had an inspiration...the clear silicon adhesive I had just used for a bathroom project. As ususal in a rush and needed to get it done!

**jedihobbit** · 03-29-2010, 01:11 AM

There are several things left to do before it is buttoned up and declared “done”. However until those parts arrive and painted I’ll be just piddling. Pretty much have given up on the overclocking part of this build and it’ll be my last XFX mobo!

With two temperature sensors and two fan controllers I'm still trying to figure out what to do with them. The fans are easy as there are only two however not really sure what to do temp wise. For right now I’ve one on the NB cooler and the other stuck into one of the GTS 250s. Think the NB will stay so open for suggestions for the other one.

The second GTS250 came with Friday’s mail so installed that to test when I return from work after midnight. Seemed to do okay so off to paint in my usual rush mode. Had to buy a new can of paint and that appears to have cured one of the issues I had when painting the first card. That and it wasn’t raining! Anyway one of these days I spread that task out over several days as one should, but until here is the second 250 before it went into the box.

Then in it went, this is my first foray into SLI BTW unless you want to include my two pci voodoos that I used in Gateway G6 10+ years ago!

Right now I’m doing Prime to see if the system can be declared stable before going on to other stuff. Here is what it looks like in the dark with the initial led fans and am contemplating if I want to try a couple of UV laser lights I have lying around. Also there is room for a 92mm fan in the top for a blow hole if that becomes necessary.

My constant lab assistant kept getting in the way as I was laying on the floor try to take the “night” shots!

**Blacksmith1** · 03-29-2010, 01:14 AM

good thing you can't see the inside from the outside. that window looks great.

**jedihobbit** · 05-03-2010, 04:48 AM

Back to the cooling issues!!

Right now I'm running without the case side panel and the gpus still are running 60 - 74C with folding. Still wish I could figure out which 250 is GPU2 as that is the hot one in HWMon and Precision. Tried lowering the fan speed thru Precision but it keeps bouncing back up to 100% to match the other card!

Also add to the fact I'll be adding 1 x SMP to the mix for more heat.
Anyway I'm of the opinion it is the upper card as the cover feels "warmer" than the lower one.

So far this is what I have fan wise....

Incoming is 1 x 120mm

Exhaust is 1 x 80mm, 2 x GPU fans, & the PSU.

Have been contemplateing installing a 92mm blow hole (biggist that'll fit) between the PSU and the optical drives, but not sure if that'll help much.

As has been suggested I may need to add something to the side panel, but again I'm afraid to touch the plex window as it isn't the highest of quality.

So what do you think is more important incomeing or exhaust???? Suggestion???