New Old Case

[gedon]

based on: Mod Squad Project 1: How to convert an ATX case into a BTX case.

As I told you before, I couldn't find a S939 mATX board that meets my expectations. So, back to a standard ATX board. But hey, a DFI NF4 Ultra D doesn't fit into a Aspire X Qpack

All I had was an old, grey and boring ATX case.The solution was the first Mod Squad project. A big THANKS to the team and specially to Favu

now I have enough space for the radiator
the mounting for the drives is new
added a hole in the top and side for windows

todo:
-both windows
-cable management
-need a switch to turn on/off 4hdds, fan in front of the drives is temporary, less drives active -> less powerconsumption -> less heat -> better for 24/7 folding
-painting
-2 connectors in the back for a second external radiator

lots of work not enough time
I'll post progress
fell free and post some good ideas

to be continued...

at last but not least: here are some pics

[Samuknow]

Sweet Looking Project. I thought about doing this a while back but time has not been on my side. I am inspired once again....

Great job and keep us posted...

[robbie]

Look buddy!!!! If you keep doing work like this I'm going to be forced to put your name in lights!!!
Please... keep us posted!!

[gedon]

Do you see the two small holes in the top? One or two years ago I've mounted a radiator on there. I can use the left one for the topwindow but not the right one. Any ideas how I can fill it?

[Favu]

For the hole you might be able to fill it with that wood-replacement you can get for doors and things, then sand it smooth and paint over it. Otherwise the filler that they use on cars could work well.

Having the PSU at the front is just inspired

Awesome mod so far, I can't wait to see it when it's finished

[gedon]

that one for cars might work. I have woodfiller somewhere. first I'll try this one. if this don't work, I can buy the other one

PSU, I couldn't find a good alternative to this position. maybe I can get the 230/240V AC cable inside the case to the back

[cadaveca]

This same problem kept me from using two PSU's in my current rig(and i really wanted two, as now i must go with the 1KW PCP&C unit, @ $700! ). Easiest thing i could find was an extension cable, and routing along the bottom of the case, and out a hole @ the back. I suppose you could cut hte cable, and put a proper mains plug on the back of the case, but this would certainly require a project box in the least, to prevent electrocution!

[gedon]

Do you really need a 1kW PSU? OCZ's 600W should do it.
I have no ideas what your cards need, maybe 100W @12V, CPU 150W @12V
so you need 350W@12V
max combined power (OCZ PS 600W/3.3V + 5V + 12V1 + 12V2) is 580W
-> 330W left for 3.3V & 5V rails

If I were you, I would pay the shipping costs for a "cheap" 600W+ PSU and stress it several days.

I don't know what you mean with project box, but I would do this:
one connector in the back, solder, isolate, done

[weldzilla]

Hey gedon nice to see you fine tuning your rig over time.
I have always said a mod is never really done!!

WZ

[cadaveca]

Originally Posted by gedon

Do you really need a 1kW PSU? OCZ's 600W should do it.
I have no ideas what your cards need, maybe 100W @12V, CPU 150W @12V
so you need 350W@12V
max combined power (OCZ PS 600W/3.3V + 5V + 12V1 + 12V2) is 580W
-> 330W left for 3.3V & 5V rails

If I were you, I would pay the shipping costs for a "cheap" 600W+ PSU and stress it several days.

I don't know what you mean with project box, but I would do this:
one connector in the back, solder, isolate, done

I have the OCZ620 Powerstream, Enermax 620 Liberty, and just sold the 700w OCZQuadrail unit. I'm using the thermaltake 680w purepower.
The OCZ had too low of a 5v voltage for my liking...talking to other owners, it varies by PSU, so i offloaded mine in hopes of maybe getting one better, or having part of the cash for the PPC&C unit.

My videocards, @ stock, each draw 11a @ 12v while loaded(gpu draws 30a @ 1.425v alone), so figure about 13a-15a when overclocked.

One a dual12v rail PSU...one with which one rail is for cpu, and the other video and periphrial devices, both cards end up on the same rail, or one card and cpu are one the same rail. 2 video =25a-30a on one rail... that not including cpu and devices...so count out any single rail psu max is 40a to meet ATX specs, and any unit with this power cost an arm and a leg for an efficient one.

i run my cpu @ 1.65v...i figure it draws 130-140w at least(110w default), so about the same 12a or so that the video does. 30+12=42=psu shutdown.

Do you see my problem?

It's not about PSU's having enough power...it's about how that power is distributed to the system that becomes a complication.

The OCZ 700w unit has 18a/12v line. 12vx2 is for cpu, one for eahc video and periphrials. i have watercooling, so adding pump with videocard, and a fan or two...

Thermaltake purepower has 14a cpu, 23a for one video and devices, and 15a 2nd video(psu is triple 12v rail). I pulled apart psu to verify that this was how it was wired.

As it is now, my vidcards are psu limited. I

[gedon]

Originally Posted by gedon

max combined power (OCZ PS 600W/3.3V + 5V + 12V1 + 12V2) is 580W -> 330W left for 3.3V & 5V rails

oops, 580W - 350W = 230W
both cards needs 2x30W more, so down to 170W for 3.3v and 5V, each rail 20A and that's it.

a second PSU in your rig is hard, but not impossible