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Project: The Holy Mammoth

S

SolidBladez

Supreme [H]ardness
2FA
Joined
Jan 4, 2008
Messages
6,328
Hey guys/gals. Thought I'd just show off my Best Buy case that I'm modding along with the computer components that I received from my current trade. This is my first time water cooling as well, so I'm open to any comments.

Here are the specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
Asus P5K Deluxe/WiFi-AP
Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-8500 RAM
BFG 8800GT OC 512MB
X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion
ENERMAX INFINITI EIN720AWT
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS
20x Samsung SH-S182 DVD Writer (IDE)
Rocketfish Aluminum Full-Tower (rebranded Lian-Li) -- with custom windowed side panel

As for cooling and accessories:
Danger Den MC-TDX CPU waterblock (1/2" DD High-Flow fittings)
Swiftech MCR-220 radiator (1/2" Black Nylon barbs, but will replace with some EK High-Flow fittings)
Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Hi-Flo Reservoir (1/2" Black Nylon barbs)
Swiftech SmartCoils 625 - 40"
Laing DDC 12V DC pump
2x Feser View Active UV dye
20' of 1/2" ID 5/8" OD vinyl tubing
10' of 1/2" ID 3/4" OD vinyl tubing
2' of 3/8" ID 5/8" OD Clearflex tubing
2x 3/4" grommets
Swiftech MCB-120 Radbox Rev. 2
2x embpapst 4312 L 120mm ball-bearing fans
2x YATE LOON D12SH-124B 120mm blue LED
1x Lian-Li stock 120mm fan
4x 12" UV cold cathodes


So far I have turned the HDD cage so that it faces the front intake fan. {PS: that stock intake fan is getting replaced by one of my Yate Loons}
p1000962zi1.jpg


I also am in the process of drilling two holes for my tubing that will connect out to my radiator. Unfortunately my household doesn't have a sufficient drill and I was left with a pile of mess.
p1010001qs7.jpg

p1010002wv8.jpg

I will however try to go out to Home Depot this weekend and buy a larger drill bit (1" perhaps) to help complete the task.

I did however get my new windowed side panel, along with the Feser UV dye. Looks sexy. :)
p1000994ly5.jpg

p1000995qi7.jpg

___________________________________
So here's my plan chart:
  1. Drill holes for tubing. *DONE*
  2. Clean case with a wax/grease cleaner.
  3. Prime and paint interior - black.
  4. Assemble and test watercooling parts.
  5. Put main parts into rig and test W/C parts for at least 8 hours.
  6. Add other components such as hard drive and optical drive.
  7. Add lighting.
  8. Clean up any wiring.
  9. Pray that the damn thing works.
___________________________________
 
dude, i highly suggest you just go get a step drill bit. They have like 6-8 sizes all in one bit, and its meant for metal and pretty fool proof. regular drill bits, from my experience, might "wander" away from the target and ruin you paint or the metal.
 
ric0chet06 said:
dude, i highly suggest you just go get a step drill bit. They have like 6-8 sizes all in one bit, and its meant for metal and pretty fool proof. regular drill bits, from my experience, might "wander" away from the target and ruin you paint or the metal.
Click to expand...

Yeah a decent one might be like 30.00 (might be worth it for the longevity) but it will come in handy more than you think.


Edit: What are you going to use the dye for?
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, I'm not too much of a power drill kind of guy so I was limited to whatever I had in my parent's garage.

I'll be sure to buy that when I go to Home Depot or Lowes this weekend.

The dye is for the water cooling of course. ;) Nothing better than seeing all your tubing light up like a Christmas tree at night. :)
 
Small update:

Just received my extension cables for the 24-pin ATX power and 8-pin power.

They were a little pricer than normal but I was given the option to have them sleeved. It was well worth it.

Check them out.
p1010019dn9.jpg


Oh, and I was able to test the Enermax PSU as well. The fan is very silent. This should be a very good build for me. :)
 
So far I have stripped everything down for when I start priming and painting.
p1010026gq8.jpg



The only thing pissing me off right now is that I cannot remove these set of screws (see picture below). I have a 90 degree screw driver but the shaft is still too long. I guess I'll just leave those plates screwed in for when I paint everything. Like my dad said, I'm being a little anal here. :rolleyes:
p1010021bpg5.jpg


Oh, and will try and mod some wheels to the bottom of my case as well. This is going to be one 'mammoth' of a case. I kid myself. lmao.
p1010028xa6.jpg
 
Quick night time update:

My dad got me a etching attachment for the dremel. Apparently it cuts through wood, plastic, and soft metal (hmm.. aluminum?).

Anyways, I tried it out and boy this thing does the job well. Only cost us $5.00 vs. $55-75 for a drilling bit.

The one thing I sort of screwed up is that the tool cuts quick. Like, I have to really hold onto the damn dremel unless it will start jumping out of my hand. I just etched a couple of markings accidentally so I will need to repair that with some sand paper. Ugh, more work to do. :(

Will post some pictures tomorrow when I finish the holes.
 
The only thing pissing me off right now is that I cannot remove these set of screws (see picture below). I have a 90 degree screw driver but the shaft is still too long. I guess I'll just leave those plates screwed in for when I paint everything. Like my dad said, I'm being a little anal here.
Click to expand...

I drilled those round cutouts so I could remove 1 of those plates so I use 3 drive bays as another fan housing. put a 120mm intake fan in there.
 
Yea I fail at etching with the dremel. I don't know how anyone can hold that damn thing steady.
 
Hey thanks for the support guys.

l0cke, thanks for the link. Looks like it might have helped keeping a steady hand. Just wish my local Wal-Mart had something like that at the time. D'oh
 
Since I got up early this morning, I was able to complete the task from last night.

Luckily, the etches I had envisioned to be noticeable actually weren't. The masking tape really helped protect the chassis. Thanks 3M!

p1010032rw1.jpg


p1010040ot5.jpg


p1010045wf2.jpg
 
For those screws take the head of a screwdriver (those detachable ones). Just use that to unscrew it. If it is too tight use a plier.
 
lixuelai said:
For those screws take the head of a screwdriver (those detachable ones). Just use that to unscrew it. If it is too tight use a plier.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for suggesting that. I actually was able to use one of those detachable heads off my dad's wireless powered screwdriver. Then once I was able to get it about 1-2mm out, I used a needle-nose plier.

I'll just re-screw them in the other way once I finish painting everything.

p1010047dm3.jpg
 
SolidBladez said:
The only thing pissing me off right now is that I cannot remove these set of screws (see picture below). I have a 90 degree screw driver but the shaft is still too long. I guess I'll just leave those plates screwed in for when I paint everything. Like my dad said, I'm being a little anal here. :rolleyes:
p1010021bpg5.jpg
Click to expand...

It looks like the hole you're pointing to was made for a screwdriver to fit through, but they riveted the front panel on after they screwed in those drive mounts.
 
Lol, yeah but luckily I was able to get those screws with a replaceable screw head and some needle-nose pliers.

This will make it much easier now to sand and paint all the little crevices in my case. Phew.
 
I just finished my last coat today for the main frame. I have one more coat for the little parts and then I'll FINALLY BE FINISHED with step 3. :/

Here's a teaser picture:
p1010073hu3.jpg
 
Easy to remove the whole 5" drive cage - just twelve pop rivets to drill out. Another drilled two access holes thru the front panel of the inner chassis to get to them. Many ways to skin a cat... Sears sells a very nice offset screwdriver with interchangeable tips that would do the job as well.

..bh.
 
I just got done adding a window to mine....continueing the cheap theme, It cost $6 for the plexi @ Lowes and nothing for the double sided tape. (All ready had it.)
(notice previously added but never shown divider plate in bottom of pic)
windowroc.jpg
 
Looks good. Did you mod your side fan as well?

_____________________________

As I was assembling the basic components, I ran into a few issues.

1) My PSU mounts upside down. That tiny little metal piece is holding up my PSU on the fan grill side. Not my kind likening.

2) I totally forgot to paint the detachable side exhaust fan. :eek:

3) I was going to mount my reservoir on top of the side fan only to realize that the screw didn't hold up very well. So, I am gonna have to drill a few holes.

Yum, more work (again.. )
 
I was thinking about painting my RF case too but I was wondering, if you don't mask off the edges where the side panels slide against, so there's no paint there, won't the paint scratch off?
 
Did you mod your side fan as well?
Click to expand...

Yeppers, Turned it around, so it blows in, and made it a straight shot.The 90 degree turn out the little holes in the back was not for me.
 
Yes, it possibly could. I guess you could get a sealant to prevent any scratching or paint from flaking off. I have noticed that the spray paint I got was pretty cheap and doesn't hold nearly as well as say something that was 5x as much.

Edit: HemiRick, wouldn't that not really do much? I mean you are basically pulling air in but it's not traveling throughout your case or over any of your parts..
 
SolidBladez said:
HemiRick, wouldn't that not really do much? I mean you are basically pulling air in but it's not traveling throughout your case or over any of your parts..
Click to expand...

In my case, as it was, there were too many fans blowing out and I had huge neg. pressure inside the case. Turning the side fan around and adding a 140mm (blowing in) in the lowest 3 of the front drive bays, got the neg. case pressure reduced to a neutral pressure with a lot more air flow thru the case. I have a large punk, whose smoke I use to see the air flow in a new case.
The air coming in the side has reduced my MB temps. (note I have also built and added a divider plate, so the case is 2 sep. chambers)
 
What's up with the random hose coupling to the right of the reservoir? Doubt it's a real issue, but that's having at least some small effect on your flow.
 
I don't understand with this huge case why you choose to put the radiator outside.....And left all that prime empty space in the top....
 
HemiRick said:
I don't understand with this huge case why you choose to put the radiator outside.....And left all that prime empty space in the top....
Click to expand...

I had the same thought. I had it really, really hard... but I tried to be nice. There you go ruining it for me with your logics.
 
Hey... I know you're new around here, but uhm... Teaser pics = BAN. :D

We need lots, and lots of pics. In different lighting, and with different angles! :)

Looks really nice.
 
The hose coupling is an adapter for my pump. 3/8" -> 1-2"

As for why I mounted my radiator on the outside. Well, I didn't have the tools or the time to drill a couple of 120mm holes a top. Since I knew my tubing was really restrictive, I had to go with another plan.

When I get more money I'll buy a better bump, better tubing, and maybe a new reservoir (one that'll fit in my 5.25" drive bay).

@Arcygenical, only if my camera was a little better. All my angled shots look like crap.

When I get close to finishing, I'll have a ten fold of pictures for you guys. :)
 
I just picked one of these cases up too! What a steal!

Anyhoo... did you spray paint the chassis or powder coat... either way nice jorb!

/subscribed
 
I spray painted it. You know, I've been getting a lot of comments asking if I had powdercoated it. I guess I did a good job. :) The paint was like $0.99 a can. Got it at Home Depot.

It should probably deteriorate withing the next year. lmao.
 
Rofl. How many extenders do you have on your 8 pin? :) I kid.

Looks nice. I'm tempted to get that case... Its HUGE
 
That case painted is sex. I kinda wanna paint the interior of mine and add a window.

For those people who say you got plexi at lowes. How much is it and how big i might add a window to my case this week as im off of school.(spring break ftw)
 
I would love to get this case but the BB in my area doesn't have it for $50. I own a PC70 so I know this case would be perfect for me. :(

Great job so far. The black interior looks really good.
 
Thanks for the support guys! Really appreciate it. :)

I ran into an issue yesterday where I couldn't boot or get any message on my monitor. I tried everything and finally decided to do a quick internet search. It turns out that the memory modules I have are rated at 2.3V and my motherboard doesn't boot with them @ 1.8V. So I am going to go to Micro Center tomorrow and buy some cheap memory and hopefully get this thing going.

By the way, my cable management is awesome. Sorry, just had to tease those who are watching.
 
Try this instead. Take out all but one stick and try to boot. If it doesn' t work move it to a different slot, try again. If you try with all the slots it obviously won't work. Once it boots go in to BIOS and set vdimm to 2.3 then shut down and put the rest in. Also, reset CMOS first to avoid any issues related to that.
 
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