PROJECT LOG Double Dragon Case Mod-Black(or White)/Red Cube w/ 720 Rad space

Double Dragon Case Mod-White and Red Cube w/ 720 Rad space



UPDATED 9/9/15
Hey all,

Now that school is done and found a comfortable steady income, time to start collecting materials to begin working on the case. Bear with me as it might take a while to get everything constructed. I'll be fitting in work in between diaper changes of our new baby born Aug 21st 2015.

So.... this will be a build that will take a long time to complete(just warning everyone now) Just wanted to get some input while in the beginning stages of the build.

PARTS LIST

P - Pending
O - Ordered
H - Have

MAIN COMPONENTS

• MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX Extreme OC - P
• CORSAIR Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 - P
• Corsair RM Series 850 Watt ATX/EPS 80PLUS Gold - P
• Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive - P
• Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive - P

COOLING

• Swiftech Apogee XL PPCS Custom Dragon II - P
• Corsair AF120s Twin Pack Quiet Edition(x2) - P

!!! A huge thanks goes out to [@]Osco[/@] for donating the below bitspower fittings to the build!

• Monsoon Chain Gun Compression Fitting - 3/8"ID x 5/8"OD – Red - Quantity: 2 - H
• Bitspower G1/4 Male to Female Extender - 30mm - Matte Black - Quantity: 4 - H
• Bitspower G1/4" D-Plug Male / Male Coupler Set - Bold Red - Quantity: 1 - H
• Bitspower SLI / Crossfire Multi-Link Adapter Pair - Deep Bold Red - Quantity: 2 pairs - H
• Rigid PrimoChill Ghost Compression 3/8in. ID x 1/2in. OD Fitting – Knurled Grip – Anodized Black - Quantity: 1 - H
• Bitspower Quick-Disconnect Male w/ Inner G1/4 - Matte Black - Quantity: 1 - H
• Bitspower SLI / Crossfire Crystal Link Tube Set - H
• Phobya Fan Shroud 120mm Black x6 - H
• Phobya Y- Cable 3 pin to 6 3 pin splitter (black) - H
• Phobya Y- Cable 3 pin to 6 3 pin splitter (red) - H
• Phobya Y- Cable 3 pin to 4 3 pin splitter (red) - H
• Phobya Angled clip 90° for 19/13mm tubing (black) - H
• PrimoChill flex tubing x 6ft (Clear) - H
• PrimoChill flex tubing x 9ft (Black) - H
  

MISC. MOD SUPPLIES

• Black Gutless Paracord - H (Night Shark Leftovers)
• Red Gutless Paracord - P
• White Gutless Paracord - P
• Several feet of sleeving (black) - H
• ~24" of rubber trim (black) - H
• 20 LED Station/ molex power - H
• 24" LED (red) x2 - H
• 24" LED (white) - H
• 12" 8 pin Extension (black) - H
• 18" 8 pin Extension (black) - H
• 24" 24 pin Extension (black) - H
• 12" 8 pin to 2x 4 pin Extension (black/red) - H
• 12" SATA cables (red) x3 - H
• 500mm 180 SATA cables (black) x2 - H
• 500mm 90 SATA cables (black) x2 - H

TO DO

• Take cases apart down to the bones - Complete
• Design custom reservoir and send to 3D printer
• Trim case #2(white) to match height of case #1(grey)
• Rework motherboard plate to provide management holes
• Cut and redesign frame to allow for bottom and rear fans
• Flip back panel in reverse ATX style
• Price Acrylic vs Aluminum for new back cover, top panel, front cover
• Order panel material
• Craft top panel
• Craft back cover
• Craft front cover
• Craft cable routing covers
• Paint
• Order any remaining components
• Test components for bad pieces
• Install watercooling components
• Test fit components
• Install asthetics(fan convers, fan controller)
• Install main components
• Redesign waterloop(if needed)
• Install loop
• Leak test loop
• Finalize build
• Post final pictures and celebrate!!

UPDATES - Most Recent First



More Parts














Sketchup Renders

Black and Red?






OR......


White and Red???






Design Considerations

Air Flow Diagram



Custom Waterfall Reservoir(for side panel)




First Watercooling Parts Arrive



Demolition of Cases

I'm in. Let's see what we have here.

And my vote is for black and red.

Dlaw said:

I'm in. Let's see what we have here.

Click to expand...

Glad to have you aboard.

Dlaw said:

And my vote is for black and red.

Click to expand...

So far a popular choice.... If I remember correctly, your vote pushes black and red ahead 13-12.

More destruction and planning



Good morning modding community!

Just some more tear down and planning. I didn't get much done yesterday but I figured I'd post what I have.

First, I found that not only the two cases I'm working with aren't the same sizes. I knew they weren't the same height, but they are also slightly different in length and also in width. Oh well, I've figured out that the thinner case will be the non mobo side.

Here I am turning the top of one of the old cases into the new backplate for the PSU/Res side of the case. I have drawn in mockups to show how tight fitting things will be.



More demolition aftermath...



Also got my hands on some white rivits. If everyone votes white, they will match. If they vote black, I think it'll give a good industrial feel.(Sorry about the picture, I think the incandescent bulbs were messing with my phone's camera.



Here's a shot of all the case pieces marked for cutting.



Also found out that my rivet graveyard is the perfect fit to mark holes for 120mm fans



Unfortunately that's all I got done this morning

That's probably my last update for at least a month while I get used to my no sleep because of baby schedule. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

- - - Updated - - -

Update 9/3/15

"FINAL" RENDERS


Hey all,

I was able to finalize my design this morning. except for small tweaks these 3D renders won't change. Additionally, they are the correct dimensions of my cases I'm working with. Below I have put the color schemes side by side for easy comparisons. Let me know what you think.






And the reservoir on the left side.

Welcome aboard Dalchi and congratulations on the new baby. I agree with the red and black color scheme. Nice renderings.

Questions:

1. Why the Z87 platform. It's a little dated now. Not that it's not a capable platform just not what I'm used to seeing on nice build logs like this one.

2. Kingston SSDNow V300 is another Meh part. Why not Samsung or other better drive?

Just curious as to why. If it's $$ then I totally get it have kids and having gone through college myself. Great start IMO.

Blaylock said:

Welcome aboard Dalchi and congratulations on the new baby. I agree with the red and black color scheme. Nice renderings.

Questions:

1. Why the Z87 platform. It's a little dated now. Not that it's not a capable platform just not what I'm used to seeing on nice build logs like this one.

2. Kingston SSDNow V300 is another Meh part. Why not Samsung or other better drive?

Just curious as to why. If it's $$ then I totally get it have kids and having gone through college myself. Great start IMO.

Click to expand...

$$ is hitting the nail on the head. I originally started this to be a sponsored build but never got the proposals done since I was double majoring in 3 years. I might try to put out a few proposals in a few months, but without being able to promise going to big events/conventions to publicize, I don't see many companies taking the investment.

If money wasn't an issue, I would be getting the newer MSI Z170A GAMING M9 ACK board. Also there'd be a lot better components all around. I was lucky enough to have all my current watercooling components(fittings and tubing) and some other modding supplies donated by a fellow modder. His donation really up'd the quality of things I can plan for the build. It was definitely a good start to what hopefully turns out to be an awesome build. Even if the build overall doesn't quite hit where I'm hoping for, I am confident the experience and time put into the build will be awesome none the less.

Additionally I will add that I've been playing with an actual rendering program and once I can teach myself enough to have a decent render, I'll post some sexy renders for everyone to enjoy.

Update 10/02/2015 - 3D Magic

Update 10/02/2015 - 3D Magic



Good evening everyone!

So my budget has really gotten tighter and I don't want to disgrace this build by doing it halfway. I have gone back to working on my proposal to send to some of the great companies such as MSI, Nvidia, Corsair, MNPCTech and others. While on my breaks from work, I managed to learn enough about the Kerkythea render program to give you guys a taste of what this build should turn out to be. I'm still unsure about the front grill design, but I feel I'm getting close. Let me know what you all think and don't forget to VOTE!.

So are you fans of Black and Red.......




Or....

White and Red??

The dragon fan guards look a lot like the Mortal Kombat dragon. Not saying that they aren't cool, just thought I'd throw that out there.

Dlaw said:

The dragon fan guards look a lot like the Mortal Kombat dragon. Not saying that they aren't cool, just thought I'd throw that out there.

View attachment 169551

Click to expand...

Yeah I know what your saying. I pulled that one off of a 12 grill set in the sketchup collection. I'm looking to do some artwork for something along the lines of a dragon(or dragons) rising out of flames. That design would take up the whole front. Figure i would incorporate the front LEDs into the design and possibly the on switch as well. But that will have to wait and see what the artist in me can create

I still like the black and red.

Blaylock said:

I still like the black and red.

Click to expand...

I quickly looked at the votes yesterday and you just might get your wish. If I remember correctly black and red led the race by 5 votes.

The bigger question though is which do YOU like best?

Blaylock said:

The bigger question though is which do YOU like best?

Click to expand...

Fact, that's much more important than what we think. We don't have to look at it every day.

Blaylock said:

The bigger question though is which do YOU like best?

Click to expand...

Dlaw said:

Fact, that's much more important than what we think. We don't have to look at it every day.

Click to expand...

Haha, that's my problem I love them both =p I'll be happy with either Dark and bold or Clean and sharp. Hahaha, I could say I'm hoping for black so it hides my modding blunders better

Update 10/16/2015 - Bad News

Update 10/16/2015

Greetings fellow modders,

I have some not so great news in regards to the build progress of Double Dragon. I had the unfortunate luck of getting in an accident last weekend. I’m currently recouping from a couple fractured vertebrae and some whiplash. Unfortunately, as you can see below my car is toast. This means the little budget I did have to put into Double Dragon will have to be redirected to my deposit for a new vehicle. So until I can get back on my feet and carve out some time and money, Double Dragon will have to be on hold. I apologize for the delay and hope that my fellow modders will not lose faith in me. Stay tuned and fingers crossed.

The unfortunate distruction…..

Holy Hell Dalchi! Dude get yourself right first and for most. We can wait. I'm hoping you have a speedy and full recovery.

dude honestly no rush, im subbing now looks awesome

Man, looks like you sideswiped a plow. Also looks like you're lucky to be alive, so definitely don't be worried about a silly computer right now.

O.O I have no clue what tried to eat your car but.....

Yeah, no modding for you, just lay in bed, watch some movies.....

On the plus side, there should be some usable parts to salvage off it it.

Blaylock said:

Holy Hell Dalchi! Dude get yourself right first and for most. We can wait. I'm hoping you have a speedy and full recovery.

Click to expand...

Thank you man! Luckily I've been told from a lot of doctors that I heal quickly.

TheQuadFather said:

dude honestly no rush, im subbing now looks awesome

Click to expand...

Thanks and welcome aboard.

Dlaw said:

Man, looks like you sideswiped a plow. Also looks like you're lucky to be alive, so definitely don't be worried about a silly computer right now.

Click to expand...

Not a plow.... a Ford Explorer.

NZKshatriya said:

O.O I have no clue what tried to eat your car but.....

Yeah, no modding for you, just lay in bed, watch some movies.....

On the plus side, there should be some usable parts to salvage off it it.

Click to expand...

Haha, I wish I would've though to pull some of the aluminum off of it to make my new panels *laugh* All I have done is sit in this recliner and binge watch Netflix. Honestly, if the wife had taken the baby with her on errands, I'd be down in my workshop in my back brace with jigsaw in hand lol. I've never been one to sit still. Well on the plus side I've watch all the Flash episodes and almost finished the Arrow series.

Thanks again all for the kind words. I figured I'd get at lease one telling me to get off my lazy butt and get to work As for the build, I will let you all know that I have finalized the front panel design. However that will be my surprise in my "I'm back and ready" update. I do have it on a couple sources that helped me on the basics of the design that the final came out "badass".

Hopefully I won't be down more than a couple months. Thanks for sticking with me. Now off to go do more research on new cars to buy.