Before & After w/special wiring to come later (56K=NO)

[jmroberts70]

OK well before I get flamed for the crappy power wiring that remains at the bottom of this case, please understand that this is still a work in progress and I fully plan on replacing ALL the wiring soon. Just so everyone knows, this is the wiring work I do (http://www.unofficial3d.com/atx/cablingprototype02.html) and I am fully planning on implementing it in this case (finally)!

>>==BEFORE SHOTS==<<
http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda01.jpg
Original case came with a rather nice (although small) window that I am slowly warming up to. The problem is that you can't see the lights on the video card below!

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda02.jpg
Insides of the case show the fact that I HAVE HARD DRIVES EVERYWHERE!!! Got to do something about that --along with all that wiring.

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda03.jpg
Front shot with the door open. Black on beige: booo!!!

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda13.jpg
A stripped-down shot to show all the hard drive madness. Two in the designated cage, two in full-size bays below, and one on the support bracket on the side!

>>==PHASE 1 - AFTER SHOTS==<<
http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda09.jpg
Not that impressive just yet. You can see the new mobo and CPU cooler (more on that later). I've cleaned up some of the cables with sleeving but I eventually plan on replacing the PSU completely (more on THAT later too). The wiring isn't too different just yet but the arrangement of the components is VASTLY different as you'll see...

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda10.jpg
Front faces are all the "correct" color now. I just love it -and have to have to close the door! I replaced my two full size drives (one CDRW and one DVD) with a DVD/CDRW combo drive and a removable IDE chassis for temp drive transfers. That little fellow at the bottom is my pride and joy. Thanks to the guys at California PC Systems (http://stores.ebay.com/CalPCsystems) I now have a single drive cage that holds 5 HDD's in the space of 3 full-size bays. More on this little guy below...

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda04.jpg
Here's the unit installed. Very thick steel and a nice black crackle finnish.

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda05.jpg
Front plate slides off and...

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda06.jpg
...'got a washable mesh filter for all the dust bunnies runnin' around!

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda08.jpg
All 5 drives are mounted solidly and well spaced for good airflow between. There's a pretty decent cooling fan at the front that keeps 'em all cool all the time. NO MORE HOT DRIVES FOR ME!!!

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda11.jpg
Here's the new CPU cooler. Dual fans blow on to the heat sink. I'm looking to replace the fans with higher CFM units in the near future. They are the standard CPU cooler fan size so I don't think it'll be that hard.

>>==MY NEXT VICTIM==<<
http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda12.jpg
A decent frame and a good sized fan opening below means this will be the perfect start for the wiring mods. I especially like the chrome plating. Reminds me of a time when ALL PSU's were chrome plated! Ahh those were the days...

[xdviper]

looks sexy!

[Gangsta]

nice!!!! :)

what company is that psu manufactured from?????? :confused:

[jmroberts70]

what company is that psu manufactured from?????? :confused:

http://www.unofficial3d.com/files/banda14.jpg
I never heard of these guys before. I picked up this PSU at the local computer show here in LA a couple of months ago.

[OptPrime]

I hope you dont like your hard drives or that motherboard cause that powersupply aint that hot at all. Actually judging by that sticker post there I wouldn't run that in any of my rigs.

[jmroberts70]

I hope you dont like your hard drives or that motherboard cause that powersupply aint that hot at all. Actually judging by that sticker post there I wouldn't run that in any of my rigs.

'yea I was thinking that might be a possibility. I haven't decided but I may just use it for the frame since I like it so much and simply put better quality PSU guts inside. Thanx for the warning though!

[STRESSTEST]

scary PSU there pal.

3.3v @ 15A is 49.5 watts
5v @ 30A is 150 watts

for a combined 199.5 watts.

12v @ 17A is 204 watts
So it's 400 by those numbers but I wouldn't trust it past 300

By comparison a true blue solid 300 watt made by Fortron Source has the following

3.3v @ 28A is 92.4 watts
5v @ 30A is 150 watts
combined is 242.4 watts

and the 12v @ 15A is 180 watts for a grand total of 422.4 watts (Fortrons are always under rated :) ) and only like 33 bucks shipped
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-937&depa=1

And their 400 is
3.3V @ 28A 92.4 watts
5V@30A 150 watts
12V@18A 216 watts
total 458.4 watts

No one here is telling you that you suck or that your rig is a POS. Were just warning you about a real problem you could and probably will have.

[jmroberts70]

scary PSU there pal.

No one here is telling you that you suck or that your rig is a POS. Were just warning you about a real problem you could and probably will have.

No offense taken for sure! I know not to post rigs here to get people to blow sunshine up my bum for no good reason. I fully expect the suggestions, and even criticism of warranted. I 'kinda figured that the PSU was actually a POS from the get-go but I just fell in love with all that chrome and that huge fan! Considering I only paid around $8 for the thing at the computer show, I'm just happy it's an ATX PSU and no an AT (although I probably would have spotted that sooner or later).

Thanks a ton for the suggested PSU from Newegg. That probably where I by just about anything PC related these days so you just saved me some time digging. By all means, please keep the suggestions coming!!!

[jmroberts70]

By comparison a true blue solid 300 watt made by Fortron Source has the following

3.3v @ 28A is 92.4 watts
5v @ 30A is 150 watts
combined is 242.4 watts

and the 12v @ 15A is 180 watts for a grand total of 422.4 watts (Fortrons are always under rated :) ) and only like 33 bucks shipped
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-937&depa=1

OMG! I just checked out that PSU at Newegg... Sexy! You may have just talked me out of chrome after all!

[OptPrime]

good choice.... save the chrome cover from that pos though... might be able to use that in another project...