New to modding

[Wozzie]

After seeing some of the mods in "PC Modder" it really got me into it. So my question is how do I go about modding, what would i need, and most importantly how much would it cost?


Thanks,
Wozzie

[Vflux]

Welcome to the Forums!!!! :beer:


First of all you'll goin to need a dremel, most important too there is to modding. Budget wise, well it all really depends to what you are tryin to mod. But success outweighs more than the price, you decide.



Vflux

[Wozzie]

Dumb question number one, What is a dremel?????

I am completely new to all of this so all the help you can give will be greatly appericated.

[stikphysh]

That is a very generic question with a million possible answers... but im sure we will all give it our best shot. for a full system mod, i usualy go through these steps:

1: Figure out what you want to do with your system. are the mods for looks or for performance? what would u like to have the system look like when you are finished? are you going to do everything at once, or a few things at a time? basicaly plan out what you want. there are a million and 5 good ideas in these forums, so browse around and find what ones are for you, or come up with your own. this is where u get to be the artist.

2: Draw it out or write it down on paper. this helps you streamline what you want to do. it helps you keep your ultimate goal and visualize how it will all work out

3: get your parts and tools. this can be the expensive part, but doesn't have to be. my first full system mod was done when i was unemployed. tools are the most expensive things u will have to get. a good dremel tool, a decent hand drill, and a decent jig saw, and some basic hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers should be all you need. spraypaint, fans, lights, and nifty glowy computer componants are all up to you and what you want.

4: Dive in. take it one project at a time. decide what you want to do first and go for it. if you arent sure how to go about any specific project, feel free to post and we will be more than happy to help you.

5: Have fun. This is your baby, so you get to do anything you want. you can make it as beautiful or as ugly as you chose. expect to make mistakes here and there (we all do it) and then find a way to cover it up. It is all up to you. Thats the beauty of modding :D

[tbones1337]

hey you read that mag... capt. slug, whos on this forum has his flamecube and mac PC in that magazine....

[stikphysh]

Dumb question number one, What is a dremel?????

I am completely new to all of this so all the help you can give will be greatly appericated.
a dremel is basicly like the cruel tool the dentists uses to drill out your teeth, only much cooler. you can put any number of tips on it to acoomplish what you want. it cuts, it drills, it polishes, it lights things on fire. http://www.dremel.com/html/home_fr.html is their website!

[Wozzie]

I got an idea for a mod, but im stuck on what kind of case, any suggestions? What im really asking is what is the prefered modders case or what case is easy to mod.

[stikphysh]

what is your idea for the mod? chosing a case will be based off of that. i always love to work with antec cases cuz they are really good, but they are a little more expensive

[Wozzie]

I want to cut a window on the top of it, and on the pannel. I would like the windows to glow and maybe have a design on them. Inside the case i would like to put some lights. If i can i want to make the IDE cables for my harddrives and other drivers glow blue or red, then have some lights on fans.

[stikphysh]

ok... almost any case will work for that. if you dont want to paint your case, buy one the color you want. a lot already have windows on the side panels and even some have windows on top. i personaly prefer to put in my own window as i can cat the design i want. one case i really like is http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-129-122&DEPA=0

its easy to work with, has a good power supply, and isnt too expensive.
pick what color lights you want inside and buy them. i would get 2 or 3 cold cathodes to put in your case to really make it glow.
as for the ide cables, u can get rounded cables that have EL (Electro Luminescent) cables in them, but i personaly dont like them. u could also get UV reactive cables, or even UV reactive gel pens make them UV reactive. just keep in mind for UV u need a UV cathode.
also order up some fans that have LEDs in them. its much simpler and probably cheaper than putting the LEDs in the fans yourself.

[Wozzie]

Can anyone reccomend a good website for buying modding parts, i did a google search but i like peoples recomendations better.

[stikphysh]

newegg.com is always good, but its not just modding stuff... i have purchased stuff from directron.com and been happy. other than that i don't have too many recomendations. i work at a computer shop, so i get stuff at cost. not even online prices can compete with that. im sure the others have good ideas though

[Wozzie]

I came across this while looking at the site, how the heck could/would i put in a drink cooler?

[Knivez]

I came across this while looking at the site, how the heck could/would i put in a drink cooler?
How ever you wanted to. You could take one out of car and screw it onto a side panel or on the front. Search eBay for misc. things and parts. That is the beauty of modding, you can do whatever you want.
I just realised you said drink cooler and not drink holder. A drink cooler would be a challenge but it is possible.

[SniperXX]

For mod parts check www.xoxide.com or frozencpu.com

[shard]

www.svc.com
it has alot of good stuff!

[stikphysh]

I came across this while looking at the site, how the heck could/would i put in a drink cooler?

thermaltake as well as some other companies make deals that fit in a cd-rom bay that has a drink cooler that pops out. u can get an ashtray the same way too. they have a car style cigarette lighter with them too. great for lan parties huh? or you can build your own.

[shard]

build a water colling system that chills your drink! ;)

[Wozzie]

How would i go about building a water cooling system, i am a total noobie to all of this. I like to a guide would be great.

[stikphysh]

watercooling is tough, but very doable. i have never done it myself, but i know thermaltake makes a kit that is very easy to set up. i believe there is a sticky in these forums for liquid cooling too. you can find stickies at the top of the alternative modding section.

[stryder2720]

www.Directron.com
www.Crazypc.com
www.Dtekcustoms.com
www.Pimprig.com
www.Gruntville.com
www.Frozencpu.com
www.mnpctech.com
just to name a few and have fun :)

[Daewood]

i personally like www.svc.com that is were i can find most of the stuff that i use for my mods but the others that stryder2720 are also very cool places so choose one and buy that is what i do

[Wozzie]

So is it possible to take the water cooling system for the cpu and make it water cooling for a coke can or something?

[stikphysh]

definately possible. anything is possible, esspecialy with modding. it would be fairly difficult though... but i have to say it is the first time ive ever heard the idea, so if you did it and did it well, you would be the pioneer.

[Wozzie]

i think i could do it just take a lil time, could someone post a good guide for water cooling systems

[Electron Chaser]

I came across this while looking at the site, how the heck could/would i put in a drink cooler?

For a drink cooler you had better plan on buying a case where you have the room to add a second PSU to run the Peltier on those coolers.

[Wozzie]

i was actually thinking of putting it outside the PC or under the harddrives maybe. I would need pace for jsut 1 coke can maybe 2 if i can fit it, the hard part is gona be desinging something that can do this.

[Hypnos]

I have actually seen this done, he used phase change I think, I will see if I can dig it up, It was very nicely executed too.

[SniperXX]

Someone posted a drink cooler in here (modding section) recently. Should be in the 1st page of threads.