Thread notes
This project has been going on for almost a year now I think, including the time I took to make the original design. Originally, it was a high school graduation project, but was interrupted when I was injured and unable to work on it. So now I'm back at it, with a new design and a new battle plan, so take a look through the work I've done so far and check the new design at the bottom of the post. My new metal is being picked up tomorrow, so I can start retrofitting the case to the new design.
I was posting this on Gideontech, Bit-tech, and HardForum, but I've been lurking here for a long time so I figured I'd bring the log over. I'm working on cleaning it up and making it one coherrant post instead of 25+ separate ones.
The Design
Design Notes
I forgot to include the dimensions and whatnot, but Oracle will be a 16 inch cube constructed out of 1/12th inch aluminum. The finish will either be a very nice automotive gloss black paint, or powder coated something nice and shiny.
The water tank will be constructed out of 1/4 inch acrylic, and will be lit by white LED's embedded in the plexi. I've got an air pump that will pump bubbles into the tank and hopefully create a very pleasing effect. Check out my inspiration over at Metku Mods.
I dont have the side panels designed because that depends a lot on the internal layout which seems to be changing constantly, but it will involve lots of mesh.
At this moment I'm planning on having most of the fans pushing air in, and let the heat float out of the mesh top. However, should that not work I will build a bracket of some sort holding 2+ 120mm fans to pull air out.
Cooling
-CPU: Dangerden TDX
-GPU: Whatever waterblock fits on a 7900GS
-Chipset: Something passive
-Pump: Aquaxtreme AQX-50Z-DC12
-RAD: Black Ice Pro III
Prep
The work area: (yes, I cleaned up after I took these)
The Tools:
My home made metal break:
My dad picked this up off lease for $120. It looked brand new when we leased it, so we figured it was better than spending $250 for a new one. Cuts aluminum like butter.
Stage One: The Exterior
I started out getting all the pieces I'd need for the exterior of the cube sheared down to size by Carlson Steel in Bellingham. Anyone needing some metalwork done in Whatcom County should look them up, they're a good group of guys.
The base:
The back on:
The top strapped in place:
The front riveted in:
This project has been going on for almost a year now I think, including the time I took to make the original design. Originally, it was a high school graduation project, but was interrupted when I was injured and unable to work on it. So now I'm back at it, with a new design and a new battle plan, so take a look through the work I've done so far and check the new design at the bottom of the post. My new metal is being picked up tomorrow, so I can start retrofitting the case to the new design.
I was posting this on Gideontech, Bit-tech, and HardForum, but I've been lurking here for a long time so I figured I'd bring the log over. I'm working on cleaning it up and making it one coherrant post instead of 25+ separate ones.
The Design
Design Notes
I forgot to include the dimensions and whatnot, but Oracle will be a 16 inch cube constructed out of 1/12th inch aluminum. The finish will either be a very nice automotive gloss black paint, or powder coated something nice and shiny.
The water tank will be constructed out of 1/4 inch acrylic, and will be lit by white LED's embedded in the plexi. I've got an air pump that will pump bubbles into the tank and hopefully create a very pleasing effect. Check out my inspiration over at Metku Mods.
I dont have the side panels designed because that depends a lot on the internal layout which seems to be changing constantly, but it will involve lots of mesh.
At this moment I'm planning on having most of the fans pushing air in, and let the heat float out of the mesh top. However, should that not work I will build a bracket of some sort holding 2+ 120mm fans to pull air out.
Cooling
-CPU: Dangerden TDX
-GPU: Whatever waterblock fits on a 7900GS
-Chipset: Something passive
-Pump: Aquaxtreme AQX-50Z-DC12
-RAD: Black Ice Pro III
Prep
The work area: (yes, I cleaned up after I took these)
The Tools:
My home made metal break:
My dad picked this up off lease for $120. It looked brand new when we leased it, so we figured it was better than spending $250 for a new one. Cuts aluminum like butter.
Stage One: The Exterior
I started out getting all the pieces I'd need for the exterior of the cube sheared down to size by Carlson Steel in Bellingham. Anyone needing some metalwork done in Whatcom County should look them up, they're a good group of guys.
The base:
The back on:
The top strapped in place:
The front riveted in:
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