[Captain Slug]

An older rig of mine is getting recycled into a new LAN rig thanks to some rather random inspiration. This project has only a few functional goals.
+ Small size
+ Ease of maintenance
+ Durability (will probably get moved and thrown a bit)
+ To not look much like a computer, inside or out.

What inspired this project directly is a combination of this case (Silverstone SST-TJ08-B) which used to only be available from Soldam in Japan, way back when I first got into case modding.

A desire to direct airflow onto specific areas

A love for the aesthetics of the arcade game series Metal Slug (case will be built around this theme and generally take visual cues from the image below and others like it)

And me wanting to make my first small bore watercooling loop on a very tight budget.

I'm going to be using some unique parts that nobody has ever used in a case mod before and that I have become familiar with through my workplace. A handful of custom machined plastic parts will be made specifically for this case and I will be milling and drilling most of the case parts before de-riveting the whole thing to send it to be powder coated. I want an extremely industrial look for the finished product, but without detracting from functionality of the end product.

Most of what is going into this project has already been ordered, so stay tuned for updates.

[PhysX]

looks cool subscribed

[Femto]

Guys...it's Captain Slug, he is doing a mod, we know it will be unbelievable. Subscribed.

Also, creative idea, and I'm very interested to see how this "Metal Slug" turns out.

Keep up the amazing work Cap'n!

[Seven]

Interesting...judging by your previous work this looks good.

I really do like the stepped case-feet on the sides, if you can get those.

7

[jivetrky]

Sweet

/sub

[gangaskan]

this is gonna be an awesome case slug!!!

i'm subbed

[Captain Slug]

I've already scalped all of the hardware I will need out of my old machine. The specifications for Metal Slug hardware wise will be

Pentium 4 2.6D 800mhz FSB
ASRock P4i65G
PQI 1gb PC3200 Dual Channel Kit
Geforce FX5900XT AGP
Seagate 160gb 7200RPM SATA HDD

Video card is prepped. This little block was going into Mk.6 EMP until I bought one of Eddy_EK's awesome full cover blocks. Nobody makes copper full cover blocks for FX5900XTs, but this will do just fine. Simply had to drill and tap new mounting holes in the top.

[AlucardCasull]

Your hardcore. 2 major mods at once

[Captain Slug]

CPU block came in the mail. Will get around to making a new top sometime tomorrow.

[Sleepy_Steve]

So this is what yoiu were planning for that case you told me about.
Looks pretty cool.

I trust you will keep us posted with it.

[natewildes]

I take it the reason you aren't using a whitewater is for tubing issues?

[Captain Slug]

Just finished making a Samurize config to match this project. I have a video LCD I'm going to recycle and use somewhere in this project.

Originally Posted by natewildes

I take it the reason you aren't using a whitewater is for tubing issues?

Pretty much yeah. There's not alot of room in the case for a wye.

[natewildes]

I just hate to see anyone use a Maze4, when you can get a lot better performance for less On the other hand, you can make a much cooler, and captainslugalicious top for the Maze4, so I'll get over it

[Captain Slug]

Yes I have to make a new top for the block because I don't trust acrylic. It will end up looking very similar to the GPU waterblock.
I bought the Maze4 for only $14 because
1. its top will be much easier to replace then anything else I can get ahold of cheaply
2. I need it to have 1/4" NPT for reasons that will become apparent later
3. The Via Aqua 1800 plus that I will be using doesn't have a high enough headrate to make the most out of a more restrictive block.

[natewildes]

That makes sense, and I take it you bought it used for $14?

[Seven]

That is SUCH a cool Samurize config. I must have one for my new computer, whenever that happens. Seriously.

7

[Captain Slug]

Originally Posted by natewildes

That makes sense, and I take it you bought it used for $14?

Yes, bought it from the classifieds here.

Originally Posted by Seven

That is SUCH a cool Samurize config. I must have one for my new computer, whenever that happens. Seriously.

If you need any help working the program let me know. I used to make alot of winamp skins and the process is similar, but much easier and more open-ended.
Here's a guide I posted in the Folding section on how to setup Samurize to monitor Work Unit progress.
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=494563

[Captain Slug]

Mcmaster is always so fast. Lots of goodies inside

Handles for the top of the case

And the T-line and pump adapter parts

I had a much larger update scheduled for today but my microwave caught fire earlier this evening and made a stink of everything. Nothing else caught on fire though because I managed to get it out of the house pretty quickly. So the rest of the awesome SUPPLIES! update will have to wait until tomorrow.

[speed bump]

Originally Posted by natewildes

I just hate to see anyone use a Maze4, when you can get a lot better performance for less On the other hand, you can make a much cooler, and captainslugalicious top for the Maze4, so I'll get over it

Ask Robocop at system-cooling what the difference in temps between a maze 3 and a storm is on an IHS capped CPU. (i'll give you a hint about 1.5°c). Good blocks especially if you can get the rarer copper topped ones.

Nice to see another Captain Slug mod and this time he is even starting with a real case.

[Captain Slug]

Originally Posted by speed bump

Nice to see another Captain Slug mod and this time he is even starting with a real case.

Something I haven't done in 2 years.

I do have a copper-top 478 Maze3 but it's dirty and I can't get the screws out of it.

[1cem4n]

please post pictures when you're done. i have always loved your mods and i also love metal slug. go go go!

[Sleepy_Steve]

What amazes me is that the man never stops modding.

Truely an inspiration to us sir.
Which just got me thinking.... I should mod my dad's PC before i give it to him for good.
(i've been 'testing' it for him for about a year now)

[Son1990]

I was waiting for this. Excited as usual.

[Captain Slug]

Had to fumigate the house today and let the professional cleaners work on the main floor so I didn't get much done today. This evening I did however get the waterblock top done and started work on the louvered fan covers.
My camera is being held hostage at the moment so no pics until tomorrow. And tomorrow is going to be fun because I have a full day all to myself to get more stuff done before the case shows up.

BIG update promised for tomorrow night.

[Captain Slug]

Okay, yesterday I finished the new waterblock top. I'll have more pics tomorrow seeing as how I'm waiting for some specialty screws for it before I bolt it down onto the base permanently. As you can see it uses no less than 12 screws! Gives an awesome industrial look once they're all in place.

Last night in 28f degree temperatures with a light drizzle I got the pieces for the fan louvers cut out with the tablesaw. Today it took most of the day to get them trimmed and then glued together. They're functionally finished but on Friday I will be taking them to the machine shop to even them out using the mill. The upper most blade of the louvers is removable to allow easy access for bolting them onto fans and the mounting holes on the lower side are elongated to allow the bolts to be fed in at an angle.


This afternoon the case and the pump arrived. I had to cut 1/2" off the inlet of the pump because it wasn't threaded and I couldn't get the 1/4" NPT adapters and Tee installed on the pump.

Then made quick work of dissecting the case. I'm currently marking out the mounting holes for the pump. On Friday I will be taking the tray to the machine shop to get some cable routing holes cut out using the mill. The sooner I can get the modifications to the case itself done the sooner I can send it to be powder-coated.

The front face of the case is made out of 1/4" thick aluminum! I won't need to reinforce that part of the case at all, but I do have something specific planned for the front.

And that's what happened in the past two days. I'm holding a few things back that I will reveal once they're finished. Tomorrow I'm going to start working on hose separators and the facade plates for the case..

[AlucardCasull]

For the louvers, you just hand cut the slits on the table saw?

[Sleepy_Steve]

I want to see what is in store for the CPU block.

[Captain Slug]

I cut everything to square dimensions using the table saw.
The slits on the side pieces were cut using the scroll saw after applying a template made from the CAD model (I also used a template for the back piece).
The louver blades were mitered using the table saw, but I'll finish the job with the mill..

[Captain Slug]

9 Images in one update!!! Ready... GO!

Removed and masked off the top of the case.

Then drill the holes for the handles.

Then the mail came. I love mail.

Got the pump mounted onto the drive cage. I also had to bore out the Tee because its ID was smaller than 3/8".

Motherboard! (ASRock P4i65G, the only 478 MATX I could find with Dual Channel support)

And now the surprises. I ordered some hex head screws to bolt the waterblock top onto the base. The end result is very very spiffy.

And yet another surprise, I'm using thin-wall semi-rigid (Shore 90A) opaque black polyethylene tubing along with these spiffy 1/2" OD nickel-plated chrome instant tube fittings. THEY'RE HUGE!!! And shiny. The only downside of these is the inner diameter is too narrow, but I will be fixing that at the machine shop tomorrow using the lathe.

Their bizarre proportions are absolutely perfect for the Metal Slug theme. Here's the two swivels installed on the video card.

And the last item completed for today is the top and bottom PVC armor plates. I have to make a trip to Home Depot tonight to buy some rubber feet and 10-32 bolts so I can bolt these on. So another picture is promised for later tonight.

*Phew

[splat]

ooooo pretty pictures.