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New computer using Kingwin KT-424

WheresWaldo

WheresWaldo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
182
This isn't much of a mod, but I wanted to experiment with a few things. First off I wanted to upgrade my old Athlon XP system that is about 1½ years old, so here is a summary of the parts I assembled.


You will notice that there is no video card listed. I am waiting for greater availability of the ATI X850XT PE before purchasing the video card. Right now I had to order a cheap PCI VGA card since I couldn't find one in my junk parts box.
 
After unpacking the case from it's shipping carton and inspecting it I noticed that it was a quality built case with removeable motherboard tray and solid aluminum construction. Not vat all different that Lian-Li. What I did notice upon opening was there there was far too much bare aluminum color inside an otherwise beautiful black case.

Here are pics of the original case:

From the front:
625200465102PMfront-view.jpg

The window is not really blue that's just the way Kingwin chose to present the case on their website.

From the back:
625200465105PMrear-view.jpg


Inside:
625200465109PMside-view.jpg


I decided that some of that aluminum needed to be painted. so first I had to take apart the entire case.

Motherboard tray:
DSCN2144.gif


Frame:
DSCN2142.gif


Backplate and drive cage:
DSCN2141.gif
 
One thing I noticed right away was that the fan grills were very restrictive. The had to go! using a Dremel cutoff wheel made easy work of removing the grills. Then a little touch up with a small Dremel sanding drum and a wee bit of filing left me with some near perfect and deburred holes

DSCN2143.gif
 
Please do not flame me on the color scheme selection. Since I am using a DFI nF4 Ultra and that comes with a black PCB and yellow and orange sockets. That was the color scheme I am going with. It is what it is.

LPnF4SLI-DR.jpg


I don't want everything in color, so I will only paint some of the interior. what I have chosen to paint, mainly the frame, backplate, and some assorted small parts.

At first I was going to use automotive paint, but wanted the computer sometime in my lifetime so I went searching for someone to powder coat. Way too much money, but I had investigated powder coating before and knew the principals behind it so after reading several web-sites on the process. I decided to try it myself. I am not a professional by any means but I went out and found this powder coating gun and decided to give it a try.

42802.gif


Only $59.00 at Harbor Freight. Some black and yellow powder for $20.00 and I was set.
 
Wow. sweet :)

I have been wanting to do some powdercoat stuff, but cant risk spending
the money yet :) So I will see how it goes for you!

And I like the color scheme.. :cool: its better to have everything
match then have several mismatched things. looks more pro that way!
 
I know this wont make much differnce but I decided to cut out some of the plastic used to retain the fan filter in the front of the case.

Original:
625200465112PMfan-filter.jpg


Modified:
DSCN2149.gif


BTW the case come with a really lame ass fan controller that you have to remove the front panel to access. That has been removed completely.
625200465114PMfan-control.jpg


Since I am installing a Matrix Orbital MX234 I can use LCDC to monitor and adjust fan speeds automagically and the LCD matches the color scheme too!
b202-progress-iy-balum-600.jpg
 
Powder coating was almost like painting, just got to get the hang of using such low pressure on my compressor. Just 10-15 lbs. The first part to powder coat was the case frame. Black dust all over my garage floor. As I was just learning I did not put enough powder in some spots so the y show up a little bare.

DSCN2150.gif

You can see the lighter areas next to the fan filter. Baked in the oven @ 400° for 15 minutes.

The next part was the backplane.
DSCN2147.gif

Much better job here. The finish is nice and smooth. This time I baked it with the oven light on so I could watch it flow. There is some odor, but not much, certainly much less than any type of liquid spray paint.

Then I switched to yellow and started with the bracket for the Swiftech MCW6002. It was blue and I sanded off all the finish and coated it yellow. You should be able to see it through the hoses.
DSCN2145.gif


The last part coated was the I/O plate. It was pretty easy as I had some practice under my belt you can see it on this back view.
DSCN2147.gif


The cool thing about powder coating is that if you don't like the coverage simply blowing it off with an air hose is all that is necessary to clean the part and start over. I have an old Antec tower case that I just took apart. Powder is fully cured after it has cooled from the oven. No outgassing. You can polish and wax it up imediately. I am going to experiment with some metallic powders just to see how that ends up. That is of course after I cut the case all up for a window and blowholes.
 
There was some painting done inside the case. I did not like beige color of the drive mounting brackets. Duplicolor Vinyl Dye was used to paint them black. One thing is that the vinyl dye sure does smell bad. We had a few warm days last week so I was able to do this all outside.

DSCN2155.gif
 
I agree with you. When you have the board, you go with the colors present. I likes it. You are doing something along the lines of one of my projects, but I am reversing the scheme. Cool though! :)
 
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