MOre Adventures in Shoehorning (PICS!)

[Captain Slug]

I just finished upgrading and downsizing my main rig and completed my first mod on this virgin case. Here's a before and after description before I jump headfirst into the details

Before
Athlon XP 1900+ AGOGA | AX-7 w\ YS Tech 48cfm 80mm + MSI KT3 Ultra2 + 256MB PC2700 RAM + 2 20GB HDDs + Geforce 4 Ti4200 64MB DDR + 2 ducted 80mm fans + 430w PSU + Weight: 24 pounds + Dimensions: 19 x 21 x 7 + Noise level: 24Dba

After
Athlon XP 1900+ AGOGA | Speeze Falconrock 80mm HSF + Shuttle nforce2 IGP mATX motherboard + 2 sticks of 256MB PC2700 RAM + 40GB HDD + 2 60mm intakes + 1 80mm intake + 200w SFX PSU + Weight: 12 pounds + Dimensions: 13 x 14 x 5.6 + Noise level: 21Dba
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_compare.jpg
My old case could swallow the new one whole

before
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/0_d2.jpg
after
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_desk.jpg
Now that's progress

http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_ingot1.jpghttp://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_ingot2.jpg
Very cozy. This case is so much fun to fiddle around with. There's a hidden handle under the front of the bezel, all of the aluminum is clear anodized to a reflective finish, and it's got comparatively good cooling for such a little enclosure.

[Captain Slug]

http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_ingot3.jpghttp://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_ingot4.jpg
I replaced all of the stock blue LEDs with 4 Red ones on a pulser circuit. I'll have an animated image for you to drool over soon.

Mods planned
1. Small window
2. 16x1 Character VFD in top 3.5" bay
3. Some fun with a UV cold cathode (I need a shorter bulb first)

My passively cooled Geforce 4 Ti4200 was feeling claustrophobic in this case so I'm anticipating my upgrade to a Geforce FX 5600.

Note: The lights on the front of the case CAN be turned off via a switch on the front panel thingy. This feature is stock. And this is where I bought it, in case anyone was wondering. (http://www.idot.com/TheStore/Peripheral/case/Default_micro.asp?Cate.id=14)

[Oni]

Very, very nice :)

[Bender]

Very nice work! Im tempted to build something similar for easy transport.

[Captain Slug]

Here's the pulser in action

4_pulse.avi (DivX5 80kb) (http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_pulse.avi)

Having the CD-ROM on it's side appearantly lowers it's performance by 25%

[Fushyuguru]

Please tell me you built the pulser on your own.

[Captain Slug]

Originally posted by Fushyuguru
Please tell me you built the pulser on your own.
I didn't built the circuit. I'm a bit of a weenie when it comes to electronics so I ordered a surplus pulser circuit from 5fame for $19.
http://www.rabidhardware.net/files/10/pic6.jpg
If you want to order one yourself you'll need to ask the folks at rabidhardware.net (http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=10) for 5fame's e-mail address.

[Steve978]

that a nice lil case I'm considering getting one

[Barnstormer]

Nice and clean. Minimalism is nice. Some cases are a bit over the top (mine included)

[Captain Slug]

I'll hopefully have enough time this week to work on a window and as soon as I have some results to show I'll post them.

[Captain Slug]

All hail Ghetto duct!
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/cabins/cs/modding/4_duct.jpg

I made it out of a file folder and scotch tape last night and it lowered my idle CPU temp by 6C. I'll probably make a new version out of clear Acetate (transparency sheets).

[Captain Slug]

:cry:
My new motherboard went crazy (RMAing it today) so I'm back to my old case, old hard drive, and old motherboard. I'll have to wait a while until I can upgrade again because I'm hoping to get a job colouring. A situation in which I need a stable machine more than a conveniently small yet fast one.