Rated: 90% (2 votes)
Loading ...Planning my new rig
hexsys
I am going to be rehousing my current rig in a modded case and will be redoing the watercooling loop. The case I am going to be using is a Gigabyte 3D Aurora, and the specs of the rig are as follows:
Abit IP35 Pro, C2D E8400, Inno3D 9800GX2, 250 GB WD HD, 4GB Corsair XMS2 -DDR800
The case has been sat collecting dust for ages so I want to see what I make of it. As it was on aircooling it was crap. The throughflow was pretty restrictive. I do like the look of the case so my challenge is to pimp it up a bit. The wc loop will have a 240mm rad with just a CPU block for now. I will be adding a GX2 block somewhere down the line, but I want to get the case done first. The rad and fans are going to be mounted inside the case on the top and I have cut a hole ready for this.
I have an XSPC dual bay res/pump but this is going to be no good for this project as I need 3 drive bays clear so I can fit the rad, fans and tubing in. I am removing the bottom HD bays and will be using the floppy bays to house the HD. I need to do this so my 9800GX2 will fit OK. It should also help the air intake do it’s job as it won’t be impeded. There are two mounting positions for 120mm fans on the rear panel and these will be getting used. I am wondering whether it would be worth using these as intakes as well as the front fan, then have the rad fans as exhausts. Might have to experiment a little when it’s all built up.
Regards the cosmetics of the case, I am going to be sanding down and either polishing up or respraying, I haven’t decided yet. I do think it would look quite sexy with all the aluminium polished up. I want to do something with the door over the drive bays too, but I am pretty much limited as to what I can achieve with the door as it’s a hefty chunk of metal. I might replace it but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I will post with pics as I get through the various stages. My first job will be to make all the neccessary layout changes and then I will be deciding upon the finish to be given to the case.
Cheers,
Stu
interested to see further progress, let me know when you have done more!
Any feedback on myne appreciated
http://custompc.co.uk/blogs/lippy
Personal opinion : I think chrome sides/shiny and a black front might look a bit wierd!
Have you considered spraying the case and the front panel also?
Bit confused about what you were suggesting for the front fan, do you mean something to make a feature/look tidier?
The front fan on didyman’s rig looked cool with a hole cut out and a nose cone put in the centre of the fan, or theres always acrylic/polycarbonate which is really good for improving the view in the front of the case, bit like myne is at the moment
I wasn’t gonna leave the front untouched. I am considering doing away totally with the existing front panel and replacing it with a mirrored arcylic panel. With some nice vandal proof switches and a nice fan grill it should look cool. I am gonna ploish the aluminium up and leave it bare, hopefully I will get a good finish on it.
let me know how the polishing goes as I was gonna have my case sprayed in chrome paint but it costs loads so was looking into sanding and polishing but didnt know how well you could do the job yourself.
I think 1500 grit and the an orbital polisher with brasso or something would finish it nicely!
I didn’t want the aluminium to be as shiny as chrome, so I didn’t polish it up too much. It works well with the white case window trim and white interior. I just finished spraying today and will post some pics when the paints dry tomorrow. I went as far as 1200 grit when sanding and got some metal polish from Halfords.
Trouble with aluminium is that it oxidises quite readily.If you polish it you’ll have to protect it with a varnish or your polish will gradually disappear.