Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[AngryYankee]

I have decided that I do not like the way my PC looks.  It's rocks, I'll stoke my ego on that, but after a while it grows on you and you want to do something new.

First, I am getting a 800W PSU modulated with cables that plug in.  That will really help the cable congestion I have...and replace a brokes SATA cable that is floating in the case.
Second, I am getting a custom made switch box from FrozenCPU.com to clean the light/LED clutter I have stashed in my unused drivebays.  The box will use up one bay slot.  The switches will be military style and placed externally.  Right now all my light switches are thrown inside the case.
With the slot used, I won't be able to properly use the 120mm case fan that uses three 5.25 slots.  I will replace it with 3 25mm fans that I will place together and place them in the middle drive slot.  Still get my airflow while beautifying me case.  I will use a LianLi mesh drive bay cover and mod it to fit in my drive slot to protect the fans and filter incoming air.
These fans will be connected to a 6x3-pin converter to help with cable congestion and use less PSU cables/trains
A final drive bay addition will be a flip out screen to display temperature, time, and fan speed.  It is also a 55-in-1 card reader, an upgrade from my 20-in-1...which I may keep until I can find another 3.5 bay item.
I have a Thermaltake Armor ATX Full tower.  The doors are annoying.  Bye bye.  To replace the doors I will get another lightning neon light and pair it up with the current one where the doors used to be for added pwnage effect.
The last cosmetic item will be a cable wrap for the 20+4 pin cable from the PSU to my mobo.

As for tech upgraded, I'm adding a 1TB drive.

Here are the items I can planning to get.  Don't try to change my mind, I am pretty stubborn.  

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121037

55-in-1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820314001

25mm fans (3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119098

6x3-pin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812195004

1TB drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

LianLi mesh cover (only getting this because I can't find 25mm fan grills, plus after some painting, it'll look nice)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7318/cpa-239/Lian-Li_525_Mesh_Bay_Cover_w_Filter_-_Silver.html?tl=g44c143s308

Switch box
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7672/cpa-244/Lian-Li_Military_Switch_Baybus_-_Multi_Port_-_Silver.html?tl=g44c143s309

Cable wrap
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5907/slv-66/Cable-Clean_Spiral_Wrap_-_1_-_Blue.html?tl=g35c175s632

Neon Lightning
http://www.xoxide.com/12linespcoca.html


Here is what I have right now.  

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[Schlup]

If you don't mind, when you make the purchase use the link to newegg on the bottom left of the homepage, we get a referral for that!  Sweet choices!  My only suggestion is that you can get a 1.5TB HDD for only $10 more.  Check out this link...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033109&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033109-_-HardDrives-_-L0B-_-22148337

And use coupon code: EMCLPPM55

P.S. The link you gave us for the PSU is not 800W...it is 1000W

[AngryYankee]

I'll be sure to use the code. 
As for the 1.5TB, I am not liking the reviews.  Granted it's 4/5 eggs, but I see a lot of people with disc issues.  Either way, I have 2 500GB HDD in my pc now (only one plugged in due to a broken SATA cable. 

[Schlup]

I have two of the same HDD's granted they are each 500GB...I have never had one issue.  I would buy them again in a heartbeat!

[AngryYankee]

Some may remember my Blue Fire project that I started a few months ago. 

http://www.xoxideforums.com/worklog-section/85822-blue-fire.html

Anyway, I am going to do a cosmetic upgrade and attempt to repaint the side door with a metallic silver color and bring it to a high gloss. 

I am also adding some switches to the front to help control my lights and clean up the medley of cables in the case.

Also, a new 1000W PSU will be thrown in with modular cables and ones you can plug in the PSU so I only have the cables I need with out stuffing them in odd places.

Since the switches will occupy a 5.25" drive slot, I will need to remove the 120mm intake fan and replace it with 3x25mm fans.  I will line up the fans to fit in the drive slot and install a mesh cover with a filter.  Also need to flip my top exhaust fan upside down for more air intake.

I have taken the front cover off my PC and plan on keeping it that way to keep with my theme and probably stick on some cable pieces (that go nowhere) and use them as a drive bay border.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

As you can see from the photo the front cover is off.  I am keeping it that way.  The cables will wrap around the devices giving it a...what ever look.  I can't think of the name.  That is the 120mm fan that will be replaced with the three mini fans.

Here is what the fan will be:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

The fan grill:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Switch box:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

And the PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121037

I will also throw in a 1TB drive and replace my current 25-in-1 card reader with a 55-in-1 leaving me with a 3.5" slot free.

I also need to learn how to etch acrylic and start adding custom etches to my window.  I've seen the thread here and will read it when the time is right.  I'm a big Call of Duty fan so I may go with COD etch.

[AngryYankee]

Few items came in today from FrozenCPU.

My switch box
I clicked on the wrong one for one of the switches and wound up with a blue one.  Gonna see an electrician on getting some extra parts so everything works well.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Fan cover w/ filter for my drive bay fans (not yet ordered)

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

PCI Slot covers

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

1" cable wrap for my new PSU (not yet ordered)

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Since the fan filter and switchbox are specially made for Lian-Li cases, I need to stop by Home Depot and pick up some aluminum extenders, or maybe even plastic ones and attach them to the fins so it will fit in my Thermaltake case properly.

[AngryYankee]

Added some 1/8" copoly plastic extensions to the fan filter wings and made some final measurements.
Tomorrow I am going to add extensions to the switchbox and have both devices ready to be installed once the rest of the parts are ordered and received.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[Schlup]

Very nice, thanks for updating the post here!

[AngryYankee]

After some searching around, I am going to skin my computer using vinyl skins from MNPCTech.  I am going to have the base a brushed steel look with blu metal flake trim.  I am going to add the front panel back on my computer, but leave off the doors.  I will also place an acrylic sheet in front of the drive bays with holes cut out in the right places so I can access my stuff.
The top UCB/fan holder on top of the computer will be replaced with another acrylic sheet and a fan attached.
My power/reset buttons and card reader bay device will no longer exist.  The card reader will be replaced with the Newegg part I posted above and the power/reset switches will be moved to the side panel attached to a dual button combo.
The bay device will simply act as an air duct with a special fan duct grill on the front.

I will use a couple switches and the cables from here:
http://www.frozencpu.com/search.html?mv_profile=keyword_search&mv_session_id=DFsbsSR6&searchspec=vandal&go.x=0&go.y=0

Here are the items of interest:
Blue film:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Brushed metal film:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Air duct:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Switch holder for power/reset:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Feet:

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[Schlup]

Wow, those components are nice and clean looking.  I can't wait to see the finished product!

[AngryYankee]

BIG shopping day today

Here is the rundown of the items I purchased:

FrozenCPU.com
-Vandal blue ring latching switch (on/off)
-Vandal blue dot momentary switch (reset)
-Power switch custom cable for switch
-Power LED custom cable for switch
-Reset cable custom cable for switch
-HDD LED custom cable for switch
-Power LED customizable display (adds "life" to the power light)
-4 custom military switch cables
-AeroCool 55-in-1 LCD flip screen/fan/temp controller

MNPCTech
-1 Vandal switch plate
-1 set case feet
-1 VGA air slot
-3 brushed chrome 24" x 15" vinyl skin
-1 metal flake blue 24" x 15" vinyl skin
-1 squeegee
-1 24" x 15" modders mesh hex shaped

NewEgg.com
-1 neon blue lightning cathode

Xoxide.com
-3 40mm clear fans w/ blue LED

MountainMods
-5' chrome cable sleeving 1/4" diameter

Delvie Plastics
-2 custom sized 3/16" acrylic plastic

Went to Home Depot and bought some more blue metal flake spray paint and a reflective finish paint, paint thinner (to remove the old paint scheme I have), wiping cloths, Dremel metal cutting wheel and EZ lock adapter, Dremel drill bit set, ruler with square and level, 8-32 x 1/2" nut and bolt pack, rivet tool and 1/8" pop rivets.  Gonna need those when I literally take my computer apart.

Next week is going to be a lot of fun.   

[Schlup]

There's the stranger that I haven't seen in forever...I guess I know why now...he has been putting in alot of overtime at work to be able to afford all that stuff!

[AngryYankee]

"There's the stranger that I haven't seen in forever...I guess I know why now...he has been putting in alot of overtime at work to be able to afford all that stuff!"
^ My PC chair broke and sitting on a padded sub woofer is not very comfortable.  Put the video signal on the TV and I sat in my bed watching downloaded movies for the most part.


Cutting day.

Today I removed the top section of my case off to prepare it for a new cover.  I used my Dremel and some 1 1/2" "reinforced" cutting wheels and cut away through steel sheeting and removed the grating.  Reinforced my "censored".  These things wore away with each cut.  They've shrunk down to less than an inch in diameter and one made it to just a few millimeters.
Since the Dremel can't make accurate cuts without extra equipment, I'll need to bring the top to work and detail out the sides and smooth them out for final prep.
The grating will be trashed and replaced with an acrylic sheet and my switches.  Down the road I'll throw in a new intake fan.
My FrozenCPU parts were shipped today and hopefully the power/reset cables are long enough to reach to the top of the case so I can place the new buttons next to the switches.  Either that or find a spot on the side of the case where it won't interfere with the design.

Here is the topless case

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Top cover with the grating removed.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Grating (trash)

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Reinforced wheels ready for trash

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[Schlup]

Well thanks for the update...I am anticipating the new switches going in...make sure you post pics so I can see what it looks like.  Any time estimate for when you will be finished with the mod/build?

[AngryYankee]

Well thanks for the update...I am anticipating the new switches going in...make sure you post pics so I can see what it looks like.  Any time estimate for when you will be finished with the mod/build?

I'll be taking photos as I progress.  Also mirroring this in Xoxide and they require photos.  ETA...hmmm, hopefully by next weekend I'll be done.  I may be getting  couple minor thing ( <$50 ) for a final finish.

[Schlup]

Very cool...I had no idea you were so close to being finished!

[Monkey_Grill]

When you are finished you should send some pictures and a description of your computer to madreadermod@cpumag.com . CPU is a computer magazine and each month they feature the winner modder in the magazine, give you $1500, and a one year subscription.

[Schlup]

Oh yeah, I bet he could win it easy!

[AngryYankee]

Very cool...I had no idea you were so close to being finished!

Actually, I have only started.  I painted my case all in one night and this was in high humidty weather.  When I first modded my PC I spent about three hours putting everything in and running it smoothly.  Although I am only doing a cosmetic upgrade, it may take an entire weekend having everything the way I want.

When you are finished you should send some pictures and a description of your computer to madreadermod@cpumag.com . CPU is a computer magazine and each month they feature the winner modder in the magazine, give you $1500, and a one year subscription.

I'll be sure to do that.  Never heard from them, but if I get featured, that'll be awesome.

Oh yeah, I bet he could win it easy!

I really hope so.  And if I do, $1500 migh tbe an advance towards more modding, lol.

[AngryYankee]

I took the top of my PC to my work lab and finished up the hole.  It will be hard to do a detailed finish, but I have lance for that.  I enlarged the hole a bit, not noticeable with a pic, and smoothed the edges for a doable finish.
I think what I am going to do is use the vinyl skin and curl it over the edge and then use some molding and hide the imperfections, superglue may come in handy for this.  I doubt it will happen, but if EL wire can fit inside the molding without interfering anything, I may add it in, but for now, doubt i will go through the trouble.

By now everything was shipped and I may start to see some stuff arrive by tomorrow.  Hopefully by Friday I will have everything I need get to work.

I bought two acrylic sheets in case one broke for the front panel, but now as I am starting to see results in my head, I will need to buy another one for the top cover.  I think what I am going to do is add the sheet and cut out some air holes and insert a fan, either that or get a fancy looking fan and place it on top as an intake fan. I still would like some case handles as I would have some room on top. 

[Schlup]

One suggestion, if you are putting in a fan on top, it needs to be exhaust...heat rises and if you have a top intake fan you are going to have heat issues.

[AngryYankee]

One suggestion, if you are putting in a fan on top, it needs to be exhaust...heat rises and if you have a top intake fan you are going to have heat issues.

Very true, forgot all about that.

[AngryYankee]

So, slight snag.  While grinding down the base of the neon lightning tube I got today, I accidentally went through the wire.   Oops.  Spliced them together and it still works.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

FrozenCPU stuff should arrive tomorrow and I will temporarily set up the power/reset switches and the lighting switches to see if everything works properly and if I bought the correct/all items.

[Schlup]

Oh, come on...do the electrical repair the right way.  Tape never lasts, use wire twist connectors and do it the way it's supposed to be done!

[AngryYankee]

I need to.  I did the tape job at work as a temporary solution.

[AngryYankee]

FrozenCPU and Xoxide stuff arrived today.  I need to speak with an electrician, or if one exists, a computer electrician on the Bulgin switches I got today. 

Anyway, here is what I got

Power switch

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Reset switch

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Power LED adapter (change the LED style)  Extra blurry for your convenience.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

AeroCool 55-in-1

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Fans for drive bay

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

And a video of my military switch box in use

YouTube	Small | Large

[Schlup]

Can't watch the video...it says that it is private.  Make that video public please.

[AngryYankee]

Can't watch the video...it says that it is private.  Make that video public please.

Try now

[Schlup]

Yep, it works now.

[Sir-diealot]

Video needs audio.

[AngryYankee]

Video needs audio.

The light was causing interference with the microphone, so I left the audio out.

[AngryYankee]

Alright, here is an update on the events of Friday evening. 

My MNPCTech stuff arrived today.  I severely underestimated the amount of vinyl skin and modders mesh size.  I will be needing to buy more.  I unplugged my computer and began on some work. 
First thing I did was replace the feet.  No longer will I have plastic stock feet, now I have aluminum cast feet (with rubber bottoms as to not slide around).  As I was screwing in the front feet, I came across an slight issue.  My hand was too large to fit in one drive bay to screw it in.

Removed drive bay.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

So, now with new feet, and a drive bay out, I went ahead and redid my other drive bays.  Hey, I already started, why not finish?
I decided to do away with the cigarette lighter cable attack to my Thermaltake X-Ray.  The molex pins kept falling out, I quit smoking, and I don't have any car adapters, so it was basically worthless.  Now it's just a cup holder.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

I installed the AeroCool 55-in-1 reader/fan/temp control.  It's a pretty neat feature.  The only thing that bugs me about it is that when I go to pull out the screen, I have to literally pull it out and flip it up by hand. 

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

I did a little modding of my Lian-Li fan filter.  If I had the filter and frame in it, my 40mm fans would not fit.  Removed filter and frame.  Instead, I used my head and though, hmm, electrical tape could be think enough to hold in the fans.  Behold, a ghetto modded fan drive bay!  Just to be safe, I wrapped the entire bay with electrical tape so the fans don't fall off and hit stuff.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

The fans are a nice blue and connected to the 55-in-1 directly below it.  At full blast they sound like prop engines  When I first turned on my computer, I though I had junk fans that sounded like they were about to die.  I realized that the controller was set at 7000RPM.  A bit fast and loud for those little guys.

As you may see, the lights are gone.  This is because I removed them...obviously.  I took them out for now until I have the top part of the computer set and the switch box in place.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

I have seven temperature probes hanging out of the case until the final completion stages, and two drive bays open.   

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

And one last photo of the evening, the underside of the top of my case getting the treatment.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

[Schlup]

LOL...very awesome!  I'd take that cig lighter if it were in black!

[AngryYankee]

LOL...very awesome!  I'd take that cig lighter if it were in black!

It comes in black, I painted mine over when I got it.

[AngryYankee]

The main door is now complete.

Blue Ice - A continuous mod

I placed an order for some u-channel molding and they should arrive by late next week.  The completion date is now being moved a couple weeks later as I may need to buy a different sized piece of plastic, some exhaust fans and possibly more vinyl skin and modders mesh..  I also want a USB squid.

[Schlup]

Is that a biohazard symbol on the window there?

[AngryYankee]

Is that a biohazard symbol on the window there?

It is...and placed wrong. 

[Schlup]

Where was it supposed to be placed?  Why did you place it wrong?

[AngryYankee]

Where was it supposed to be placed?  Why did you place it wrong?

I placed it upside down.

[AngryYankee]

I think I have a disease.  Since I removed my 120mm fan front the front of my case and replaced it with three 40mm fans, my airflow is not adequate.  Now I am thinking about adding two 120mm fans to the main door and two exhaust fans on top of the case.  Two fans will be blue LEd, the other two white.  I am going to get a couple custom made 2x120mm fan guards from MNCTech.  These fans will be controlled by a final drive bay addition switch box, different from the switches that will be placed on top.

Once I get the fans and switches installed, the blue metal flake vinyl and acrylic will be affixed to the front of the case for final completion.

[Schlup]

Well I coulda told you that.  I thought you weren't concerned with cooling or airflow or I would have told you that a 40mm fan is pointless.  Basically it comes down to this, the bigger the fan, the more air that is moved, the bigger the fan the quieter it is.  You should really try to get some 240mm fans or 360mm fans...that would do the trick!  Currently I have like (3) 250mm fans, (1) 140mm fan and (1) 120mm fan.  It does it's job of cooling my overclocked components and does it quietly!

[AngryYankee]

Right now I have the three 40mm fans, a 92mm exhaist, 120mm exhaust, and a PCI slot fan that moves a ton of air.  The two on the door will blow in with the other two on top being more exhaust.  Once I get the acylic in, the VGA vent will be an empty spot with natural air flow going in. 
The 40mm ones were mostly for show, but to also replace the 120 intake fan I originally had.

[Schlup]

As it stands right now your case is negatively charged.  That just means you have more air going out than what is coming in.  You want to flip that, you want to have more air coming in than what is going out.  Or simply enough you want to have more intake than exhaust.  You should add more intake fans to cool it down.  Intake needs to be on the front on on the side.  Exhaust needs to be on top or on back.

[AngryYankee]

Chrome cable sleeving came today!!!  I was six feet short!!!!!  I managed to sleeve 2 1/2 of the six temperature probes I have.  I went after the red and white ones for my Scythe controller as that would stand out more than the black ones I have for the AeroCool controller. 

That's about it.  As far as additional modding, it will have to be put on hold until I get more finance.  5 fans, 2 custom fan grills, fan switching, the danged Bulgin switches, and the top part of the case are left to mod.

[stevennguyen2008]

AngryYankee's computer is on STEROIDS, but it looks bad-"censored", and very blue

[Schlup]

Yeah, ya know I'd like an update on this build...it's been over a month now.  Pics would be cool too!

[AngryYankee]

There are no updates yet.  All I did was cut out a square from the top on my computer.  Budget is limited to about $100 a month so items will arrive very slow.  Still need to get the fanbus switches, 5 fans, mirrored acrylic, etc...

Need fanbus for front cover
Need fans for fanbus
need acrylic to put it all back together.
Then I add the trim.

[Schlup]

Off Topic:
I went to monoprice.com the other day and everything they have is good quality and VERY low priced.  You might look there to see if they have anything you need for your build.

[AngryYankee]

Tomorrow I am going to purchase 5 120mm fans, two custom made fan grills, a custom power switch, my fan switch, and a sheet of mirrored acrylic.  With these items I can start the beginning of the end on my pc mod.

Two fans will be placed on top of the case as my exhaust fans.  Three will be on the side as intake fans.  The grills are 2x120mm and 3x120mm.  Fan switch will control all five fans.  Mirrored acrylic will be placed on top to cover the cut out hole...which I still need to complete.

I'll still need to make some modifications inside my case for wire management before I start placing the vinyl sheets on.

[AngryYankee]

Alright, small order update.  My fifth and final 120mm fan arrived today as well as my custom on/off power switch (after three different orders).  As of right now, my reset and power switches are good to go and ready to be installed.  The computer is not yet ready for the installation though.
My fan switch box and acrylic should arrive by Thursday.  I am in the final stages of prepping the top of the case.  Need to smooth out the edged (would have done it today but my boss was in the building)  Once the top is complete, I will add the vinyl skin and drill out the screw holes and spots where the cables will go through for all the switches.  Once the acrylic arrives I will prep it and have it fitted for the top portion with three 120mm fans set to go.  I am really hoping to have this done by Sunday evening.
Once I get the top finished and riveted in place, it'll be time to work on the skin and plastic over the front of my drive bays.  I also have special cable sleeving that will give it a nice look inside my case.
After the front plastic is prepped, I will need to place my LED lights in their proper and final positions before I apply all the skins.
There are a few minor things I still want to do.  Drilling out holes in the mobo tray for cable management, adding metal sheets to cover the sides of the drive bays, make use of my modders mesh and adding the trim to the case.