Project: Great Pumpkin

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Project: Great Pumpkin​

Looking at a lot of cases noticed one major issues with all of them. They are build with a lot of extra space in them. Now because they are build to accommodate everyone I can see why but I knew what parts were going into my PC so the extra space was just that, extra. So I set out to build my case with only the space "needed". Final dimensions are 15w x 15d x 9h. This will house a 5 120mm fans, full size mobo, fully size PSU, dual 220 rads, 8800gts (SLI once I find another 8800gts [640meg] cheap enough) and water cooling for cpu, gpu, nb and sb.

Project "Great Pumpkin" is a Halloween themed case (15w x 15d x 9h). Originally I wanted to build the case out of just sheet aluminum but after laying it out I knew it would be too hard to get at everything so I went with L shaped aluminum strips for an inner skeleton with a sheet aluminum skin. The case is nearly 100% custom. The only thing I am using is an old HDD holder and the back side of a tray.

Mobo Evga 750i FTW
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale
Video Evga 8800GTS
Audio Creative X-Fi Xtremegamer
PSU KINGWIN Mach 1 ABT-800MA1S 800W ATX
Ram CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB
Fans 5 Scythe S-FLEX 120mm orange/black
Pump Swiftech MCP655™ 12 VDC Pump
Rads 2X - Swiftech MCR220 "Quiet Power" Dual

Water Blocks
CPU Swiftech Apogee GT
GPU DD-8800-GTS
SB EK-SB VGA 790i Southbridge Water Block - Acetal
NB EK-NB 780i Northbridge Water Block - Acetal

Dry fit. I was a little worried about the PSU being so close to the CPU block but I believe it should be fine. When I mapped everything out I had a lot more room but as you build plans change quickly.

90% of the fabrication is complete. I just need to make the fan grills and paint it. Sadly I am running out of time before QuakeCon but I'm pretty sure I'll get it finished in time.

Plexiglass front and gloss painted frame.

She's got paint.

Starting to put it together. Sadly I don't think I'll get the grills finished by QuakeCon. But I'm not giving up just yet.

 

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Reserved

 

[cnealjr]

Nice work so far! Keep at it.

 

[Herl]

I like the theme of this build. I look forward to what you're going to do.

 

[[IO]ERROR]

Thanks. The frame has been changed a little and painted. It's now black with white spider webs painted on it. I picked up an air brush gun and started practicing. I'll be post up more pics soon.

Some of the ideas I have for this case are...
Fan grills will be template for jack-o-lanterns. I plan to scale the templates down and cut them out with my scroll saw. That would be why I picked the orange bladed fans.
Air brushing a grave yard on the side of the case.
I'm also planning on getting one of those foam pumpkins and cutting it to fit around the front corner of the case. Since I am planning on taking the computer to QuakeCon this year it's gotta be removable so most likely it will just be Velcro on. I was going to try and put the res inside it but as I can it's going to need to be removable.

 

[Elledan]

Instead of velcro you could also magnets, depending on what'd work best, I guess

 

[gwarren007]

Different

 

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Update: Added some new images. I had to make some changes to the frame again so I had to repaint it. So no spider webs anymore till I put them on again.

Over all it's coming along nice. This is my first attempt at building a custom case and I have to admit, it's fun.

I picked up a nibbler over the weekend and I have to say it's one of the coolest tools I own. I cuts metal like no ones business. =o)

 

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New photos. I'm hoping to finish by the beginning of next week since my plan is to take the computer to QuakeCon.

 

[J-Will]

I agree that some of the 'extra' space inside the majority of cases is wasted, and I do too dislike how manufacturers think of it as normal or incorporate it. So, I like the idea behind your build.

However, some space is there to help dissipate heat and spread out the airflow. It is not good to have the fans shoot air in almost a tunnel-like situation. The airflow needs to spred out and widen to circulate better.

Even with a water cooled setup there still needs to be airflow to help heat escape out of the case.

 

[[IO]ERROR]

I agree that some of the 'extra' space inside the majority of cases is wasted, and I do too dislike how manufacturers think of it as normal or incorporate it. So, I like the idea behind your build.

However, some space is there to help dissipate heat and spread out the airflow. It is not good to have the fans shoot air in almost a tunnel-like situation. The airflow needs to spred out and widen to circulate better.

Even with a water cooled setup there still needs to be airflow to help heat escape out of the case.

I'm not saying water cooling replaces air movement completely. This thing has 5 120mm fans as well as the PSU has it's own fresh air vent. There is room for more fans if I need it. And while this might be a small case for what is inside it, it's no shuttle case thats for sure.

 

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I started paint tonight. I was expecting to to start the grills but didn't really feel it so I painted. I also cut the plexiglass front. The overlapping edges will be painted black with the airbrursh as well as around the front fan.

Picked up a nice dual action air brush for $9.99.

 

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Started painting. More images added.

 

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New pics up.

 

[ekuest]

awesome build. very subbed. i started reading it and thought "this guy stole my idea!" not the pumpkin part, but the no wasted space, angle iron, water cooling, full atx, etc stuff. i started making a very similar case a month ago just before i left my house on vacation. i will start a thread when i get back. my plan is for it to measure 12"x13"x7", but i am only using one heater core instead of 2x220 rads. i look forward to seeing how you lay things out in yours. mine took a lot of revisions. make sure to take some good pics of how the inside is set up once you get all the components in!