My first modded PC - What do ya think?

[2FastFX]

I bought an A-Top X-Blade case, but they didn't have the color I wanted so I decided to paint it myself. Here's the case I got...
http://www.a-top.com/xblade/s_xblade-b.jpg

And here's the color I decided to paint it...
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0343.jpg

It was a pain to disassemble because of all the small hardware, and the switches and lights were glued into the front panel. But it's just like a big model. I'm lighting the interior with three Sunbeam UV Laser LED lights and all the cables on the power supply are being wrapped with UV green sleeving and the connectors are all being swapped over to UV green as well. I'm just using air cooling right now with two 120mm fans and two 80mm fans. I also have a Cooler Master Jet fan for the CPU.

Now for the goodies...
Asus A7N8X Deluxe MB
AMD 3200+ Barton CPU
1024mb CMTWINX1024-3200XLPR Corsair extreme low latency memory
ATI Radeon 9800XT video card
WD 250gig IDE Hard Drive
Dell P1110 21" Black CRT Monitor
Plextor PX-712A 12x DVD±R/RW DVD/CD
Lite-On XJ-HD166S DVD ROM
Mitsumi Combo 2-in-1 Memory Reader/Floppy Drive
Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Media Desktop wireless mouse/keyboard combo

Any suggestions/comments?

[CandymanCan]

Oo i love that one in the pic the blue one with all those speakers and the moniter they all look so sexy...

Orange BTW is my fav color so i love that color you chose. I painted my case red.

[mtb856]

nice job :clap: , so when are we going to get pics of the entire thing? :)

[daniel_dynasty]

hey what method did you use to paint your case? im thinkin bout gettin a white case and painting it purple :D

[enduro]

Awesome job man. Great color. I need to paint my case black with blue designs on it to compete with your case. That orange looks cool. Need some pics of the finished product.

[2FastFX]

Thanks for the compliments. More pics will be here soon. I have most of the plastic parts painted, but they all still need one or two coats to get them really glossy and have enough coverage to buff and polish. I am cutting a hole in the top for a window and a fan tonight and painting the top and sides as soon as that is done. It will be a few days before I feel comfortable putting the case back together.

hey what method did you use to paint your case? im thinkin bout gettin a white case and painting it purple :D

Basically I just wet sanded everything with 600 grit and primed it with Plasti-Kote T-235 Gray sandable primer. I gave it two coats wet sanding with 600 grit between. Then I wet sanded everything with 1000 grit and gave it a quick coat of Krylon 2411 Pumpkin Orange Gloss making sure to cover everything. Then I wetsanded with 1200 grit and gave everything a real good coat to the point it almost wanted to drip off the edges. Basically, you have to watch overspray doesn't create dry spots. Keep moving and don't stop 'til the whole thing is shiney and wet, watching not to create swimming pools in recesses and pockets.

[Vio1]

looks good.. want to see more

[Aphex_Tom_9]

great job, nice coloring!

[Stiffler69]

where is the rest of the system?

[DeViL_909]

I am surprised no one said it, but WELCOME TO THE FORUMS.. Case is definatly looking good. I painted one of my first cases orange also. Keep us posted on the work and show us some pics of the inside as you go. Good luck.

[2FastFX]

Thanks for the welcome DeViL_909.

I'll post pics of the parts as I get them done. I am working on them in my spare time at work so it's a slow process. I got the hole cut in the case top for the window tonight and I got the first coat of paint on it. Here's a shot of that...
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0345.jpg

The only other pieces I have painted are the drive bay covers, the drive bay door, and the I/O door. I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

[f00t]

wow. thats a nice choice of color. very clean and polished looking

[2FastFX]

Here's the front door, a couple covers, and the I/O door.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0346.jpg

With the aluminum cover removed from the door you can see where the wires run for the LEDs that mount in the door. I'm thinking of switching to EL Wire instead of LEDs. Anyone ever used it? Is it very bright?

[PHILIP1193]

how u cut that top out??? and by the way mate how lush is that case. Keep it up you are doing welll and for a first mod you making a nice computer nicer

Phil

[2FastFX]

The case itself is wicked. It has a mounting for a slim 80mm fan blowing right on the hard drives. The hard drives mount with screwless fasteners which make them easy to remove. The case features all aluminum construction, full fan openings (no need to cut them out, 120mm openings front and rear, and lots of other cool stuff. I'll post some pics tonight of the stripped down unit.

I cut the hole in the top with a jigsaw and an Aluminum fine tooth blade. I cut the same size opening in a block of wood and made it fit in the bottom of the panel for support before I cut the metal. Otherwise you will probably tear the aluminum from all the vibrations.

[Mushudo]

looks good man

[Alice]

Awesome! If ever I could afford a real case (the one I'm using now is from an old dell), I would paint it orange.

[hanleychan]

You did a really nice paint job. I LIKE!

[2FastFX]

More updates. I started work on the top plate which will be over the Lexan window in the top of the case. I plan to cut the text "FX FUSION" into it. The top plate is basically a .125" thick sheet of aluminum with a flange cut around the perimeter to lay down into the opening I cut in the top of the case.

This is the beginning of the project with the plate clamped on a Bridgeport mill. I am milling the flange into the plate that you can see a close-up view of in the next pic.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0347.jpg

Here's the close-up of the flange.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0350.jpg

The bottom of the plate.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0351.jpg

The plate laying in the opening.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0348.jpg

[Remove]

Very nice job so far. Looking forward to seeing more.

[magick_man]

good job, ooh and btw is that in a shop or your house?
just wondering bc that is some pretty serious stuff to have in your house

~Magick_Man~

[2FastFX]

You haven't seen serious yet. Wait til I break out Mastercam and a Haas VF4 CNC vertical mill :)

That is at the shop where I work. I am a CNC machinist there and I get to use the machines whenever I want. Plus I can do my own programming so I can make pretty much anything I can dream up.

[2FastFX]

I wanted to add some pics of the stripped down case. This is a rather neat setup unlike any that I have ever seen.

Here's the side view. The hard drives mount sideways with the cables towards the window side of the case.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0352.jpg

Here you can see the OEM 120mm LED fan and the mounting location in the front for an 80, 92, or 120mm fan. The front grill still needs to be cut out, but the rear came already opened up.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0353.jpg

Here's a nifty idea. This may be old news, but this is the first case I have had with an 80mm "slim" fan mount blowing on the hard drives. It needs the screen cut out of it as well.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0355.jpg

[Mark620]

I dont know the mounting details on the HD's, but can you open up the area between them? It looks very restrictive.

[2FastFX]

air from the front fan either goes through the hard drive rack, or around it. It has sufficient area around it for air to flow.

[dead_man311]

that looks really nice , great work

[2FastFX]

I dont know the mounting details on the HD's, but can you open up the area between them? It looks very restrictive.

I see what you mean now. The small holes in the hard drive bay. I never really paid much attention. But now that I see it I may do something there. Regardless though, there will only be one hard drive in this system. I have an SCSI server I am building for storage. Plus I have another PC on the network with a 250gig WD drive as well, and two 80gig WD's in another system. So as of now I have 660gig of storage in three pc's (when this one is completed anyway) =)

[Radical]

That's awfully good for your first mod :thup:. We need more pictures.

[Smirabi]

it's looking great so far. you said you get to use and progrom those machines as much as you like? you should seriously consider working with some people here who have ideas for waterblocks but lack the machine shop to make them. it would be great to see members working together to advance the overclocking watercooling arena.

best of luck, mod on

[2FastFX]

I'd love to do that. But I have never used a water cooling system before. That would be cool though to be able to build my own.

[2FastFX]

The Plextor PX-712A DVD burner and the Mitsumi 2-in-1 Memory Reader/Floppy Drive have their final coats of paint on them...
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0366.jpg

It was very difficult for me to take my brand new Plextor drive out of it's retail box and yank it apart, but it turned out great. I can't wait to polish it up :D

[SavageBasher]

:eek: oh my, I don't think I Have ever seen parts come out this good from just spray paint...

[2FastFX]

I've painted a lot of stuff. I painted my Starrett 0-6" micrometer set, various models, fiberglass sub enclosures, etc. I've had some practice you might say.

[2FastFX]

Here's the Lite-On DVD Rom.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0367.jpg

[dead_man311]

Those Drives Turned Out Very Nice Looking :thup:

[2FastFX]

I got the drives and the Cooler Master fan controller installed finally.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0372.jpg

The front door has a brushed aluminum trim plate on it so I figured I'd leave the fan controler brushed aluminum too so it would match. I may paint it though.

[mtb856]

oooh, very nice looking :clap: are you going to paint the Cooldrive too? Have you considered UV or led's on the inside of the case, or is it going to remain stock?

[2FastFX]

As you can see the power supply is removed. I am buying an Antec Truepower 550 and wrapping all the wires in UV Green. All the power connectors are being converted to UV Green as well. The fans will be UV Blue, and I plan to use Sunbeam UV Laser LED lights in a few locations in the case to light things up. There are blue LED's in the front door to light up the front of the case. And that Aerogate II fan controller has color change options for it's lighting. The case top plate will have "FX Fusion" milled into it on the CNC at work, and I plan to backlight it in blue.

[travioli]

Great work with the paint, it really looks professional. I think painting fan controler would look awesome though. That's just my opinon. Keep up the good work!

[sonicdrive]

great work you do painting for a shop or pro :??
let us know of your trade secrets

[2FastFX]

No, I am just a hobbyist. Everything from R/C cars to model trains. I have just done a lot of spray painting on various things. This is my first PC though. My secrets are... spray until it looks like it's ready to drip. Let dry, wet sand, spray again.

[Orange Fire.]

Wow,looks really great, good work man! I Love the color also, Orange is my Girlfriend's favorite color, she would totally dig that comp! :p

-Orange Fire.

[Jognt]

that is one sweet looking rig man! keep it up :D

the top, will it have a window, because im confused about you saying window, and that metal plate.. or is the metal plate going to have a window in it? (in the shape of FX FUSION)

[Quailane]

That paint job looks absolutely incredible!

[2FastFX]

that is one sweet looking rig man! keep it up :D

the top, will it have a window, because im confused about you saying window, and that metal plate.. or is the metal plate going to have a window in it? (in the shape of FX FUSION)

Yeah, the metal plate will just have the text FX FUSION cut into it, and some other design around the letters to open it up a bit. I want to be able to see down into the case as much as possible. It will have florescent plexiglas or lexan under the metal top plate so the light inside the case will shine through the letters and design and make it glow.

[t1mex]

Awesome job on the paint, I can't wait to see this thing totally finished.

[2FastFX]

I got the door installed. Now maybe you can see why I left the fan controller unpainted. The brushed aluminum matches the trim on the door. I was thinking about painting it, but now after seeing it together I am leaving it alone.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0375.jpg

[isisfreak]

Looks good! IMO, the Coolermaster fan controller would look better if it was orange.

[travioli]

I can see why you left the fan controller unpainted now, it looks good like that. Can't wait for the finished product!

[radium]

Too much orange is overkill though, it's like a blue case, with blue led's with blue cathode ray tubes, with blue drives... Blech. Keep the fan silver

[340Duster]

Sweet looking project. Wish my friend's that are CNC operators could make write progs for parts I can draw up. And from years of rattle can experience, along with shooting with guns and airbrushes I agree with how you paint... if it won't melt from the solvents load it up to make the paint flow out smooth. Just don't make it run that always sucks :D

[2FastFX]

Here's the logo that will be cut into the top of the case.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/logo.gif

I was trying to match the chrome trim on the case. It has a bunch of crescent moon type shapes as you can see (reposting pic of pc for reference).
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0375.jpg

I am writing the program now, and will try to find space on a mill tonight at work to cut it out.
What do you think?

[Drec]

I bought an A-Top X-Blade case, but they didn't have the color I wanted so I decided to paint it myself. Here's the case I got...
http://www.a-top.com/xblade/s_xblade-b.jpg


^^Cyberpower :D
http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/sp3.asp?v=d

it does look badass orange i must admit nice job looks very professional

i was going to get the exact case, but ended up going with this one http://www.fastlanehw.com/reviews.php?i=114&page=2

[Jognt]

Here's the logo that will be cut into the top of the case.
*image was here*

I was trying to match the chrome trim on the case. It has a bunch of crescent moon type shapes as you can see (reposting pic of pc for reference).
*image was here*

I am writing the program now, and will try to find space on a mill tonight at work to cut it out.
What do you think?

looking very good :) maybe you want to have the letters in Bold-ish style? so more light can shine through ;) good job on the case, it really looks nice :D (also, indeed dont paint the controller :))

[2FastFX]

I've actually added some more details to open it up a bit more.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/logo2.gif

I sacrificed bold letters for the style of text I wanted. The text was all drawn up in Autocad BTW. It wasn't a font. Just my own creation, just as the name of the system was something pulled out of thin air :D

[PHILIP1193]

i like the new logo plus as people have been saying it will let more light through.
Out of interest where did you get the alias fx fusion?? or is it random well what ever it is it looks blimmin good on the top of the case. well done and i cant wait to see the finished thing

p.s. when this is done i would ask a mod to tidy this tread up and then i vote for a sticky!!!!

[2FastFX]

It's kind of silly actually. FX not only fits my username, but the photo altering and animation I do as a hobby can be considered "effects". Fusion basically represents my creativity and interest in graphic design, modeling, artwork, machining, and computers all melding into one. That, and it just sounded cool :D

Here's a pic I Photochopped to show you a bit of my other creative side. This started out as a plain red 4cyl Mustang convertible. And as you can see I really like orange...
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/jan31shootout003.jpg
Original...
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/jan31shootout-original.jpg

[Sturm]

Sweet looking custom job there, wish I had painting skills like that.

[radium]

I'm actually quite interested on your modded pic, what did you start out with? Not to be rude or anything, but changing a car's color is simple.

http://www.idigitalemotion.com/tutorials/guest/car/car.html

It looks nice though. GJ

Edit: If you have illustrator, you can make the curves on your logo a lot smoother by using vectors instead of raster images.

[2FastFX]

I don't have Illustrator. That's just a screen shot of Autocad. I'm not too worried about how that image looks as it was just posted here for reference anyway. It's not the finished product by any means. The actual smoothness of an Autocad drawing is impossible to beat with any simple drawing program. And when you tell a CNC mill to sweep an arc it sweeps a perfect arc with no jaggies :D

Off topic:
I added the original to the post of the Mustang photo.

There are about 101 different ways to change the color of something in Photoshop. That tutorial shows you the most basic of all of them. Try feathering your selection a couple pixels, desaturate the original layer, create a new overlay layer, and fill the selection with color in the new layer. Create multiple layers and play with different blending modes on different layers and you will see all kinds of weird effects.

[radium]

Ah nice job then. I'm tired of people who put on one filter, or layer style, and call themselves gurus.

You did a nice job on the render, and a great job on your case.

Looks awesome

[CircuitBreaker8]

Veryy nice

[Hellion]

i agree...but orange and blue dont match..but yet for some reason it still looks sexy on you case..GJ

[indimint]

Considering the paint you used, that case looks REALLY nice. Actually... even NOT considering the paint, it looks awesome! Great job.

[phoenix111384]

yeah, seriously, very nicely done. i wish i had your painting skills :) keep up the good work and update frequently!!

[2FastFX]

Thanks. I'll have some more updates this weekend. Right now I am very busy with overtime at work so I don't have much play time. In fact, I have to go back there now and I just got off a few hours ago :(

My memory finally showed up so the system will start going together this weekend with the stock power supply (temporarily). I decided to go with a FORTRON 530W P530XF RTL power supply from NewEgg. It should be here the beginning of next week. I think I'm going to mod it a bit too. I may replace the PSU case with plexiglas so you can see the bottom of the circuit board through the lettering in the top window.

After this is up and running I am going to start building a water cooling system for it. Hopefully I can get some good numbers out of this system when it's all up and running.

[Timmybighands]

Holy smokes, how did I just now find this thread? It's four pages long already, and I pretty much scoure these forums! Anyway, EXCELLENT job, 2FastFX. I have not seen such a nice job with a rattle-can, uh.... EVER. I'm looking very much forward to seeing the finished project. It's nice to have a new name amongst us that has such good skills in the modding process. Keep it up man, it's nice to have you here.

[2FastFX]

Why thanks. That's probably one of the best greetings to a forum I have ever received. I've learned quite a bit in the short time since I found this forum. I always thought water cooling and overclocking was dangerous. Now I think I'm turning into a junkie LOL. I was hoping to get the top milled today, but we had a rush job at work that took up the mill I just cleared off. I'm going to try again tomorrow to fit it on the table between a couple setups. I've added a few more small details, but I wanna surprise everyone with the finished mill work. So I won't post a preview. More updates tomorrow with pics.

[syberspy9]

I wish my drives came out like that!!!!!!!!!!
howmany times did you paint them??
and how did u do it??

[2FastFX]

I sprayed with 2 or 3 coats of primer wet-sanding between each coat. Basically, when they started looking smooth after wet-sanding with 400-600 grit and any imperfections were filled that was enough primer. Some pieces that were rough actually took more coats of primer.

I wasn't really paying much attention to the grit i used for wet-sanding the primer. I was just using what gave me the best results. Then I sprayed a light coat of paint on. I let that sit for 10 minutes or so to tack up, then gave it a good coverage coat (i.e. - wet). Then they dried over night and were wet-sanded with 1000 grit. I added anout 1 or 2 medium to heavy coats and wetsanded again the next day. Then I sprayed a light finish coat - just enough to not leave any overspray.

The trick is keep the can moving. Try to reach a wet look across the entire piece before you stop. Paint is paint. Just remember that. It's all in the application. There are pro's and con's to the type of application you use. I choose heavy coats.

If you spray light coats on it will dry quicker and be ready to work with a lot sooner. But you will have to do a lot of buffing in the end to get rid of the overspray in the lighter areas. If you spray a light coat and don't think you have overspray, get in the sunlight and tilt the piece around. You will see what looks like sandpaper instead of glass. Heavy coats will shine a lot better, and as long as you don't create orange peel require less finishing work. With a heavy coat you have a lot longer "curing" time before you can bang the parts around without scratching the paint.

[syberspy9]

thanx for the info FX

[SavageBasher]

*bump*
SavageBasher wants more pics

[Timmybighands]

I'm still waiting patiently myslef. Hope to see this thing come together soon with all your hardware installed and OC'd as well :)

I cant stress enough how much I appreciate the work you've done on that case... Superb job here, 2FastFX. The time you take to post the nice high-quality pics you post of your progress help to add to the overall impressive job you've got going on... and your explination of your work is nice for our other new members - making their journey into OC and modding that much easier.

[travioli]

I can't agree more, I am excited every time I get an e-mail telling me there is a new post hoping its of more great pics and beautiful work!

[2FastFX]

You guys are going to give me a swelled head if you keep it up. I'm just happy people enjoy seeing my progress on this PC. Sorry I haven't been able to give ya any more updates. I've been doing the uninteresting stuff like installing the components, lapping the heat sink, and working tons of overtime! But here's some pics anyway...
Motherboard installed:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0386.jpg
I had to remove all the drives to get the front back off so I could wrap the cables. I still haven't started that project because I'm waiting on my power supply. Gotta love FedEx when you're in a hurry! :-/

And here's my baby:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0387.jpg
It's too bad the best looking side faces down. That calls for a mirror to be installed in the bottom of the case.

Video card installed:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0390.jpg

And the memory:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0389.jpg
Yeah, that says 2-2-2-5 ^^^ :drool:
Installed:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0391.jpg

The heat sink before:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0392.jpg

The heat sink after:
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0397.jpg
Sorry, my camera doesn't do close-ups very well.

The mill should be free tonight and I will get the top on there to get the design cut into it. I wanted to do it last weekend, but I had to go to work and get some parts running so they could ship today. But I think it's a go for tonight (hopefully).

I'm working on the sides now. I'll get some pics of those up pretty soon.

[PHILIP1193]

that looks sexy what graphics card is that is it a x800 or a 9800xt?? - im thinking x800 am i right?? are you doing your final design 2night?? what things you putting on the side pannel???

Phil

[2FastFX]

That's just a 9800XT. It's the heaviest graphics card I have ever seen though, so it has to be pretty bad LOL. I opened the box and took it out and I was like holy crap!

As far as the final design, it will be another week or so I am guessing before it's all done. I hope to have it up and running tomorrow though.

I'm still kind of unsure what I want to do with the sides. The left side has the window cut into it already, but the design doesn't allow for much internal viewing. And I really want to show it off a bit more, so I am trying to come up with something. I may just cut it all out and make another aluminum trim ring with the Crescent designs cut into it somehow, similar to those on the rest of the case.

The right side just has slits cut in it where the hard drive fan is so I'm going to cut that out and make an 80mm grill for it using the "X" from the design on the top.

[Sturm]

Looking sweet.

[2FastFX]

I started running the wiring for the fans and have come to the conclusion... sleeving sucks! A bit of advice for anyone doing this: Buy new male and female molex pins. I spent more time straightening out the tabs that hold them in than I did sleeving and soldering. Anyway, here's some more pics.

Rear 120mm case fan.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0399.jpg

Front 80mm case fan.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0400.jpg

CPU fan.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0401.jpg

View from front. It really does look like a jet doesn't it?
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0402.jpg
This baby pumps out more air than any 120mm fan I have ever seen. Thumbs up!

[PHILIP1193]

what your jet fan or teh fan behind it??? i know a few people who run those fans as as case fans because they done have dead spot due to the design. As far as cable sleaving goes what was wrong with it??

" spent more time straightening out the tabs" what u mena by this sorry to play dumb i just get what u mean

Phil

p.s. it looks so sweat mate and best of luck with the enst thing you do.

[Radical]

Very nice! Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see it when it's done!

[SavageBasher]

The grill is still in the front, why? Other than that it looks sweet! :D

[Tabrin]

" spent more time straightening out the tabs" what u mena by this sorry to play dumb i just get what u mean
Inside of a molex are four pins. Each pin has two little tabs that hold it in place so that they don't just get pulled out by the wire that goes to your power supply. Here's a bad ASCII example:


__
(___) <--that is the hole the pin goes through.

^ <---this is the molex pin. It goes through the hole, and the "tabs"
/|| \ keep the pin itself from being pulled out of the molex by the
|| wires in the back of it.
|*| <---solder glob and wire fastener
S <---wire.
S


Cheers. :beer:

[2FastFX]

The grill is still in the front, why? Other than that it looks sweet! :D

I am going to do that later when I switch to water cooling. I'm not sure what's going to happen up front so I left that alone.

As promised, I got busy at work last night making the top design. Here's some more shots.

This was ran on a Haas VF4
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/P6290002.jpg

It actually looks pretty cool like this.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/P6290004.jpg

The finished part. It still needs deburred and about 100 hours of sanding :)
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/P6290015.jpg

[radium]

Whoa, you need to solder the molex's to sleeve them? I thoght you could just take off the pins, and slip them over.

[Timmybighands]

Wow, that CNC machine really knicked up the aluminum, eh? Oh well - it looks GREAT and will be even better when it gets sanded down :)

[2FastFX]

The material was already a little scratched up before I started on it. It's going to take a bit of sanding to get the face cleaned up. If you are referring to the burrs inside the letters that's nothing to remove. I stopped .005" from breaking through so the pieces in the center of the text and windows wouldn't break loose and move into the endmill and break it. Then I just popped them out when it was done. The burrs will come off very easily with a debur knife. If you can't visualize .005", it's slightly thicker (.002" to be exact) than a sheet of notebook paper.

[phoenix111384]

wow, nice work again. i can't wait to see the finished product! that fx fusion plate is going to be back lit right?

[2FastFX]

what your jet fan or teh fan behind it???
The CPU fan.


i know a few people who run those fans as as case fans because they done have dead spot due to the design.
They do or don't have dead spots? All the reviews I have read on it say they are good fans. I thought it was some kind of gimmic fan or something when I bought it, but it really does put out a lot of air. More than any other fan I've ever owned. I may move it to the right side of the case and mount it on the outside where the hard drive fan is. That would be kinda cool. But it would be a pain to haul the case around to LAN parties.


As far as cable sleaving goes what was wrong with it??
The sleeving itself is fine, but removing the Molex connectors is a pain to do without damaging the Molex pins themselves. The little tabs that hold the pins in the connectors kept breaking off or bending. I'm going to buy replacement pins and put new ones in when I tear it back down to convert to H2O.

[2FastFX]

wow, nice work again. i can't wait to see the finished product! that fx fusion plate is going to be back lit right?

Yeah, I have some Sunbeam Laser LED's I am going to use behind the fan controller firing up at it.

[PHILIP1193]

they dont have dead spots due to the design (as they dont have middle bit where blades attach to) and thus are very good - the jet engine design is very good as you already know air moving air can be noisy though i know this because i own one too :p .

By the way wicked design you are real lucky having the tools to cut out such a nice design :thup: :p :bday:

[2FastFX]

I got the top panel deburred and brushed to match the front door. I'm going tomorrow to get some Lexan to mount under it, and some for the side window.

Here's a shot of the finished product.
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0405.jpg

[Timmybighands]

That looks great man. How did you get the brushing effect? I assume you used some type of a planer (sp?)?

[PHILIP1193]

i f***ing love it!!!!! that looks so sweet it is unbelevable - you have nbo idea how much i envy you and for a your first mod i think you will gain so much respect on here for what u ahve done

WELL DONE *pat on back*

Phil

[2FastFX]

The brushing effect was done with 240 grit sand paper wrapped around a wet stone. I tried just using the stone, but it didn't give the desired look. The sandpaper gave me what I needed. It actually only took a half hour or so of sanding to get everything smoothed out. The trick to getting the brushed look is move in straight lines from one side of your work piece to the other without stopping.

My Fortron FSP530-60GNA 530W power supply finally showed up. This power supply is beautiful. It has a chromed finish that looks pretty good. The wires are about twice as long as what I need, so I have buy some new molex pins now to get them shortened.

[Jarlaxe]

The brushing effect was done with 240 grit sand paper wrapped around a wet stone. I tried just using the stone, but it didn't give the desired look. The sandpaper gave me what I needed. It actually only took a half hour or so of sanding to get everything smoothed out. The trick to getting the brushed look is move in straight lines from one side of your work piece to the other without stopping.

My Fortron FSP530-60GNA 530W power supply finally showed up. This power supply is beautiful. It has a chromed finish that looks pretty good. The wires are about twice as long as what I need, so I have buy some new molex pins now to get them shortened.

What the f*ck that looks awsome as hell. :drool: :drool: :drool:

[djs488]

instead of shortening the wires and then putting on the molex connectors, why dont u just cut it short of the molex and splice the two wires together. then u wont even have to bother with the burrs and such in the molex. plus, you won't see the splitting if your gonna sleeve them anyway. btw, excellent mod man. that brushed look looks tizzzight!

[2FastFX]

I am converting all of the connectors to UV green, so the connectors have to come off. And since they are a pain to remove without damaging them (even with Molex tools), I will just cut the wires the length they need to be, crimp on new pins, and slide new connectors on. It will be so much easier than trying to save the pins.

[djs488]

okay gotcha ;). do they actually make replacement pins, or are these like adlib.

[walkitiki]

Just wanted to tell you how much I like and appreciate what you're doing. I think it's great how you incorperated the, in my opinion ugly, "X" motif on the case and put it into your logo and turned it into a piece of art. Great work, love everything about it!

[2FastFX]

okay gotcha ;). do they actually make replacement pins, or are these like adlib.

Yeah, you can buy the pins from most places that sell the PSU changeover kits. I got mine from www.frozencpu.com
They make tools to make removal of the various pins easier, but I decided $10 to $20 was way too much for cheapo little tools and built my own. These are for removing the 6-pin connector and the ATX/P4 Connector. I made them at work tonight. I got lucky, and they actually work great :D
http://www.2fastlx.com/images/pc/100_0406.jpg


Just wanted to tell you how much I like and appreciate what you're doing. I think it's great how you incorperated the, in my opinion ugly, "X" motif on the case and put it into your logo and turned it into a piece of art. Great work, love everything about it!
Thanks. I explained the reason for FX Fusion in one of my previous posts. The X was designed like that to try to stay with the design on the case. I think it turned out rather well too. I am going to make some fan grills using the same X. I will probably engrave the FX Fusion text around the outer ring of the grilles too.

[KfistoRok]

I like the orange. I'm thinking of doing one of my xbox's in something like that. Nice paint work! :)

[Mr.Guvernment]

hot deum that is sweet looking - i wish i had your patience!!! - i have not read everything here but was it painted with an air brush or right out of a can ?

[Mr.Guvernment]

man - just finished reasding this - i SO wish i had those tools availible to me - have you considered doing custom cases for people - @ a good price - if you had time you certainly have all of the skills and tools to become a professional custom case modder for people / companies!

i am very very impressed - things like this really motivate me to do my case very nice!

[phoenix111384]

*bump* update!! need more pics... :)

[Mr.Guvernment]

::d

[2FastFX]

Well, the reason for the lack of updates is I ran into a problem. Either I screwed up when I sleeved the PSU and got some wires crossed, or the motherboard, or CPU is toast. I was very careful when I rewired the PSU so I am 99.9% sure that's not to blame. My brother is coming down tonight to help me figure it out so I can fix the problem and get it up and running. I still have to mount the top plate I made and that is the last thing I really have to do except for some minor sleeving and wire routing. So there's really no more updates for now until I get this problem figured out. That and we recently had a few tornados run through my area and we were without power for quite some time. And we were without internet access even longer. So, sorry for the lag between updates. I'll get some updates out to ya as soon as I get it up and running.

On a side note: I got the video card and the memory installed in this system I am typing on now to test them out, and to make sure they weren't causing any problems. They are fine, and in fact I have something to say about this 9800XT vid card... DAAAYYYUUMMM! I am running "Counter-Strike: Condition Zero" at 1800x1440 resolution with every graphic detail cranked all the way up and I have yet to notice one glitch or slow-down. Even with 32 players in the game. And I've had as many as 30 players visible on my screen at the same time. Friggin' awesome video card I have to say. I'm sure the system memory is helping there too, but I am buying an X800 in a few weeks so I can leave this card in this system because it works so well I can't go back to my 9500 Pro. =D

[CheeZeTM]

Very nice FX

[2FastFX]

We got it narrowed down to the motherboard. The CPU is installed in this computer and running great, along with the rest of the system. The guy I bought the board from is going to replace it so that is good news. We tested the power supply that I sleeved, and all currents test fine so it wasn't to blame. Whew! As soon as I get the new board I'll post some updates and benchmarks.

[w00p]

Whoah! Thats awesome impressive.
/me picks up jaws from the floor.

Do you think stuff like the topplate would be possible to make with a regular milling machine? Or do you declare me crazy?
I'm asking because next year, I'll be studying electro-mechanics in school. The school I'm going to is one of the best for that specific class.
During the noon pause/break, you're allowed into the workshop under guidance...
You're allowed to do anything you'd like to do, and even take it home if you pay for the metal you used.

If I want to, I could make my own waterblocks! :)
But a panel like that is a huge step upwards from a simple waterblock...
So, would you say its possible without a CNC?

You also just convinced me to get that specific fan for CPU in my upcoming rig. ;)

[Imperial]

looks excellent:)

[dalilman52]

don't know if anyone has asked this..but what awesome beast of a machine is that that you used to cut the fusion logo? that looks frickin sweet, is it like a programmable type thing where you tell it what to cut or something like that? anyways that looks awesome, but the only criticism is the choice of case, its a really cheaply-built case with a really generic interior, i think you couldve done better, like maybe an antec case, i love them, the door on that case is Fugly imo but everything else is really nice, i especially like how well you painted the drives and the etched stuff on top, good work so far

[w00p]

Dalilman, actually, he did mention it... :)
Its a CNC milling machine.
Next year I'm going to work with a regular one, as in, no programming.
The one on the left:
http://www.billsbest.com/atlsher.jpg
Though this isn't a really big one. Its only a tabletop. The one I'll be machining is a floor mount. :)

[2FastFX]

Do you think stuff like the topplate would be possible to make with a regular milling machine? Or do you declare me crazy?

It would be easier with a Dremel than a manual mill. That is unless you are excellent with an Etch-A-Sketch. Trying to cut the curves using two handles at the same time (X & Y axii) would be very tough. But with a lot of patience it could be done.

but the only criticism is the choice of case, its a really cheaply-built case with a really generic interior, i think you couldve done better, like maybe an antec case

This system I am on now uses an Antec Lanboy aluminum case. If I had to choose, I would choose the A-Top case. The Antec is similar in a lot of ways, but the A-Top blows it away when it comes to options it has like removable case panels. The Antec is all riveted together with only one side panel removable. Removing the PSU in the Antec is next to impossible without dismantling the entire PC too. With the A-Top you can pull the top plate off and she comes right out. As far as the quality of the case, it's on par, or maybe even a tad better than the Antec. I've owned Chieftec, Antec, and various other brands, and so far this one has impressed me the most.

[sonicdrive]

where can you get a cheap milling machine or just the x&y table platform to convert a bench press drill to a mill machine

[wfarid]

great job, man what paint did u use for ur case?