WORKLOG: GAM's HTPC - Simple Modding Make-Over

GAM · 21st February 2007, 12:13 PM

G'day fellow modders

Well, after much effort and aggravation, I have finally put together the complete worklog of all the mods I've made to 'HTPC', to date.

This is a work log illustrating how I've modified my HTPC's generic case.
Some of the mods include:

Front panel intake with MeshX grills and moulded fibreglass duct
Top blow hole with anti-spill cover
Noise dampening using adhesive foam
Cable management mods to motherboard tray
PSU cable alterations
Interior paint

If you are interested, then please read on here...

Further mods to be performed include exterior paint job, maybe handles, side panel dampening and possibly small window (don't want to defeat the purpose of the noise dampening foam now, do I?), some subtle lighting 'bling' (at least behind the new front duct/grill) and any other good suggestions that people can come up with.

Updates, if they happen, will be posted here.

Cheers
GAM

ps. I've been working hard on this site, making lots of changes, additions and small enhancements, but it is still a work in progress so please PM me and let me know of any issues you discover.

alvarez · 21st February 2007, 10:07 PM

Good job on the case and the site, didnt find any bugs but maybe it could use a little tidy up.

GAM · 22nd February 2007, 6:42 AM

Cheers Alvarez and thanks for the site comments. I made so many updates and changes that I started getting overwhelmed with it all hence it is a little untidy and navigation is still somewhat confusing

I'll try to work on it again soon, but I need to concentrate on paying jobs for the moment

GAM · 4th April 2007, 6:12 AM

*BUMP* for 'Worklogs and PCDB Entry Discussion' relocation.

Technofatigue · 7th April 2007, 9:09 PM

so I assume its nearly inaudible now?

you didn't mention in your worklog.

good work

GAM · 7th April 2007, 11:34 PM

I thought I mentioned somewhere...

No, not inaudible, but compared to the horrendous noise it once made it's barely audible. With TV, DVD or Music playing you can't hear it except for those quiet moments with disc activity. Recently I had to change a disc and the replacement was a WD 320GB SATA2 drive (sorry don't have the model at hand). This bugger is the noisiest item now and can be heard over the low RPM running fans during disc activity.

It is NOT an audiophile solution by any means. If I'm listening to some nice high resolution audio cd then I'm inclined to want to switch it off

I think all 'passive' heatsinks and dampened HDs is the only way to go to achieve inaudible.

At the end of the day, damn good results compared to before. With any other ambient noise you dont' hear it.

21st February 2007, 12:13 PM	#1
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	WORKLOG: GAM's HTPC - Simple Modding Make-Over G'day fellow modders Well, after much effort and aggravation, I have finally put together the complete worklog of all the mods I've made to 'HTPC', to date. This is a work log illustrating how I've modified my HTPC's generic case. Some of the mods include: Front panel intake with MeshX grills and moulded fibreglass duct Top blow hole with anti-spill cover Noise dampening using adhesive foam Cable management mods to motherboard tray PSU cable alterations Interior paint If you are interested, then please read on here... Further mods to be performed include exterior paint job, maybe handles, side panel dampening and possibly small window (don't want to defeat the purpose of the noise dampening foam now, do I?), some subtle lighting 'bling' (at least behind the new front duct/grill) and any other good suggestions that people can come up with. Updates, if they happen, will be posted here. Cheers GAM ps. I've been working hard on this site, making lots of changes, additions and small enhancements, but it is still a work in progress so please PM me and let me know of any issues you discover. __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC' Last edited by GAM; 21st February 2007 at 2:14 PM.

21st February 2007, 10:07 PM	#2
alvarez Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Geelong 3218 Posts: 2,282	Good job on the case and the site, didnt find any bugs but maybe it could use a little tidy up. __________________ Proud owner of a 1963 Morris 850 Mini - Build Thread If it looks like I'm trolling, I probably am. WTB: any vintage consoles, games or accessories. Commodore to Nintendo 64, PM me.

22nd February 2007, 6:42 AM	#3
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	Cheers Alvarez and thanks for the site comments. I made so many updates and changes that I started getting overwhelmed with it all hence it is a little untidy and navigation is still somewhat confusing I'll try to work on it again soon, but I need to concentrate on paying jobs for the moment __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC'

4th April 2007, 6:12 AM	#4
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	BUMP for 'Worklogs and PCDB Entry Discussion' relocation. __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC' Last edited by GAM; 4th April 2007 at 6:15 AM.

7th April 2007, 9:09 PM	#5
Technofatigue Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 75	so I assume its nearly inaudible now? you didn't mention in your worklog. good work __________________ E6750 \| GA-P35-DS3R \| INNO3D 8800gts 320mb \| OCZ2P800R22GK \| Seagate 160 + Samsung 500 \| X-Fi Music \| G5

7th April 2007, 11:34 PM	#6
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	I thought I mentioned somewhere... No, not inaudible, but compared to the horrendous noise it once made it's barely audible. With TV, DVD or Music playing you can't hear it except for those quiet moments with disc activity. Recently I had to change a disc and the replacement was a WD 320GB SATA2 drive (sorry don't have the model at hand). This bugger is the noisiest item now and can be heard over the low RPM running fans during disc activity. It is NOT an audiophile solution by any means. If I'm listening to some nice high resolution audio cd then I'm inclined to want to switch it off I think all 'passive' heatsinks and dampened HDs is the only way to go to achieve inaudible. At the end of the day, damn good results compared to before. With any other ambient noise you dont' hear it. __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC'